‘So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”’ (Revelation 10:9 ESV).
In John’s vision, he was given a scroll to “eat,” just as the prophet Ezekiel had been given one in his (Ezekiel 3:1-3). For both of them, it was as “sweet as honey” when they chewed on it, but unpleasant when they digested the impact of its message.
God’s Word is sweet to the believer whose ears are open to hear it, yet it is “sour” as they consider those whose ears will not. Our joy in God’s future plans of judgment is tempered by the realization that many will not escape His divine wrath. We therefore commit to keep chewing on God’s sweet Word, yielding to its work in us, and announcing its message to others. Perhaps, those we love will eventually open their ears to hear. And relieve our soured stomachs.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we love Your Word, yet some parts are difficult for our minds to digest. Even so, strengthen us to proclaim it to the next generation without addition or subtraction. For Your Word is life. In Jesus’ name, amen.