Bitter Sweet
And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.” Revelation 10:9
I love God’s Word and I am so thankful that He has protected and preserved it through thousands of years of time so that we can still have it with us today. I am also grateful that in today’s world, we have access to it at any time in abundance. There is no shortage of His Word in the day we live in. I know the love I have for the holy scripture was instilled in me as a young child. I didn’t get it at the time, but my father demonstrated daily his love for God’s love letter to the world. I remember seeing him sitting in our living room reading it intently and he even started every prayer that he prayed by saying: “Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for your Word and the promises you gave us in it.” My mother also spent time in God’s word daily, so it is no surprise that it grew up in me as I grew up around it continually.
In today’s reading, the apostle John received instructions to eat the little book that was held by the mighty angel. John reports after eating the book, that it tasted sweet in his mouth, but it also caused bitterness in his stomach. This is often what we experience as we “take in” God’s Word—bringing both joy and conviction, comfort and challenge.
As believers, we draw strength and encouragement from this imagery because it reminds us that God’s Word is nourishment for the soul: Just as John found the book sweet to the taste, God’s Word nourishes our souls and satisfies our spiritual hunger. In times of uncertainty and turmoil, the Word of God provides us with sustenance and strength to persevere.
The bitterness that John experienced after eating the book also helps us to remember the conviction and transformation that God’s Word brings to our lives. It challenges us to examine our hearts, repent of sin, and align our lives with God’s will. This is not always an easy thing to do, but He promises in His Word that He has given us His empowering grace to walk through every struggle to our victory as we trust Him every step of the way.
Revelation ten concludes with God’s commission to John to prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings. Similarly, as we immerse ourselves in God’s Word and allow it to transform our lives, we are empowered to boldly share the message of salvation to the world around us.
This passage also reminds us that God’s Word is relevant and powerful in every season of life. Whether we are experiencing seasons of joy or seasons of trial, God’s Word remains a source of comfort, guidance, and strength. It speaks directly to our hearts, offering hope and encouragement even in the middle of trouble.
Today I want to encourage you as you read this message in Revelation ten to embrace the Word of God with humility and reverence. Allow it to penetrate deep into your heart, transforming you from the inside out. Find sweetness in His promises and allow His truth to convict and challenge you for strength and growth. In a world filled with uncertainties and challenges, God’s Word stands firm as a source of hope and encouragement. Hold fast to its truths, allowing them to guide and empower you today to be a bold witnesses for the Lord Jesus. With an open heart to receive the sweetness and the bitterness of God’s Word, you will be transformed into a vessel of His grace and an instrument of His love in a world in need of His salvation. Create a love and desire in your life for God’s Word by spending time in it each day and when others see the importance it is in your life, they will be inspired to love it too.
Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 10:8-11
8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”
9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.” And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
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.
11 And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”
The Daily Dose 