IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE CURRENT SERMON SERIES, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS OF REVELATION:  Revelation: 13-19; IN PREPARATION FOR THIS SUNDAY’S MESSAGE.

“Then I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire. Those who gained victory over the beast, its image, and the number of its name were standing by the glass sea, holding harps from God. They sing the song of Moses, God’s servant, and the song of the Lamb…” (Revelation 15:2-3, CEB).

            My wife and I recently purchased a new laundry dryer. I’m not thrilled about shelling out a large sum of cash for an item that is utilized only four to five times a week. However, I do enjoy hearing the appliance sing when the clothes are finished drying.

            The dryer echoes a pleasant jingle once the cycle has concluded. I find myself whistling the tune in response. I like the idea of cheerful laundry. I figure that the more content my clothes are the less chaffing I will experience wearing them.

            Life isn’t easy for laundered clothing. Temperatures can reach as high as 176 degrees. Tumbling about inside a seven cubic foot enclosure doesn’t sound like a lot of fun. Yet to emerge from the difficult experience clean and happy is nothing less than an act of grace.

            I think we all have our moments of feeling tossed about like a pair of shorts inside a commercial drum. None of us is immune from the heat and pressure we experience during seasons of distress and hardship. John and the other members of the first-century church faced trials almost every day.

            Yet in the midst of the ongoing challenge John witnessed a group of downtrodden people singing. They were joyfully echoing a jingle of praise to God for helping them cross through the fires of torment and affliction. Like the Israelites who walked triumphantly between the raging waters of the Red Sea, the church would eventually find itself singing Moses’ song of joy along the shores of victory.

            So, to those of you who are now feeling the heat and are tumbling through a time of trial, remember that every cycle will reach its conclusion. And instead of getting hung up on the problem, keep your eyes fixed instead on the Problem Solver. Don’t permit the twin scourges of despair and discouragement to prevent you from moving ahead regardless of how slowly the pace may be.