The Little Book

One Year Bible
New Testament passage for Wednesday, December 19, 2012: Revelation 10:1-11

¹⁰ Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. Revelation 10:10 (NKJV)

Twice the angel tells John, "Take the book" (vss. 8 and 9).  Revelation from God is not something that is forced on us.  We must reach out and "take it."  There are many things that God simply gives us and we only receive.  But then there are other things that we must aggressively take. 

All advance in the Kingdom of God is based on desire.  Christ's Kingdom is not advanced by the lackadaisical, by the whimsical, by the casual sampler.  It will be advanced by those who reach out and take hold of His book, His truth, His purposes.  Jesus Himself said this in Matthew 11:12 when He said, "the Kingdom is God is advancing violently and violent men TAKE IT BY FORCE." 

If you truly DESIRE the be in the middle of God's great purposes, you can be there.  But, you must reach out and take what He offers you.  Many have questioned, "What is this 'little book' spoke of in this passage?"  By no means do I mean to give a final answer, but these are my thoughts.

There is a BIG BOOK which is God's great, world-wide unstoppable will and purpose.  It is forever settled in heaven.  Then there is a LITTLE BOOK which pertains to each one of us.  There is a LITTLE BOOK which has your name on it.  God tells YOU PERSONALLY to reach out and take this LITTLE BOOK.  It is His plan and destiny for your life.  It is wonderful!

Almost always, the beginning of a thing is the best part.  All visions start with great zeal and excitement.  When we first find out what God has planned for us, we are always filled with joy and optimism.  It is "as sweet as honey."

But, for every one of us, the working out of that vision will cost us our lives.  It will lead us in paths that are both difficult and trying.  It will develop into a situation somewhat like "holding a tiger by the tail."  If you hang on, it will drag you around and bruise you.  But, if you let it go, it will turn on you and devour you!  Such is the CALL OF GOD.  Such is the LITTLE BOOK. 

The little book is sweet to the taste, but it becomes difficult in the stomach.  This is the cost of discipleship.  This is the path of the servant.  This is the way of the warrior.  This is also the pattern for all those who will ultimatley prevail in the advance of Christ's Kingdom. 

This road is not for the faint-hearted.  It is not for the fearful or frail.  Today is a time for end-time warriors to rise us and "take the little book".  Even though it may lead to difficulty, we will always find that the Lord is our reward.  Dispite the bitterness of the battle, the Lord Himself is the bread of life that fills us to overflowing.