We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. — Isaiah 53:6

We've all turned to our own way. The confession is universal. The examples are sobering: Noah drank and was uncovered, Abraham lied about Sarah, Moses struck the rock in anger, Joshua's generation failed to inquire of the Lord. Even the heroes of faith didn't receive what was promised in their lifetimes. Doesn't leave us in our wandering—it says the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews. — Acts 20:19

Serving the Lord with all humility of mind. Paul didn't serve from a position of strength—he served from a posture of humility. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve. Not to think of yourself more highly than you ought. When you've done everything you're told, say "We are unworthy servants. Ministry starts with lowliness, not self-promotion.

Therefore write down the things you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will happen after this. — Revelation 1:19

"Things which shall be hereafter". The future category—not speculation, but revelation. No eye has seen what God has prepared, but the Spirit reveals it to us. The Spirit will guide you into all truth and show you things to come. Every eye will see Him when He comes.

Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come. — Romans 5:14

Adam was a pattern of Him who was to come. The first Adam brought death; the Last Adam brought life. Jesus was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory. Through one man's disobedience many were made sinners, but through One's obedience many will be made righteous. Contrasts the natural man from the dust with the spiritual man from heaven.

Therefore write down the things you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will happen after this. — Revelation 1:19

"The things which are". John's second category is the present—the church age, the here and now. We see through a glass darkly now, but then face to face. The prophetic word a light shining in a dark place until the day dawns. Jude 17-18 warns about scoffers in the last time.

Surely for my own welfare I had such great anguish; but Your love has delivered me from the pit of oblivion, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. — Isaiah 38:17

"In love to my soul You delivered it from the pit of corruption". Hezekiah's song of healing points beyond itself to a greater deliverance. God sent His Son as the propitiation for our sins—that's love, not our love for Him but His love for us. Micah 7:18-19 asks "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity?"—He casts our sins into the depths of the sea. He lifted me from the pit of destruction and set my feet on a rock.

Therefore write down the things you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will happen after this. — Revelation 1:19

Write what you have seen, what is, and what will be. That's John's commission—and it's the shape of Christian testimony. Holy men spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. What we've seen and heard we proclaim to you. Jesus proving His resurrection with the wounds in His hands and feet.

For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, — Colossians 1:19

It pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in Him. Not some fullness—all of it. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. God exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name. Are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. — Romans 12:3

God has given each a measure of faith. It's not the same measure for everyone—and that's by design. Welcome the weak in faith without quarreling. Jesus catching Peter and saying "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"—even a small faith is still faith in a big Savior. Jude 20 tells you to build yourself up in your most holy faith.

My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word. — Psalm 119:25

"My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to Your word". That's the groan of a believer who knows he's more earthly than heavenly by nature. Set our minds on things above, not on earthly things, because we died and our life is hidden with Christ. The war: the flesh desires against the Spirit. We're not debtors to the flesh to live according to it.