Rev. 9:1-12; Psalm 46:1-3

Rev. 9:1-12
We come to the part of John's vision when the angel sounded the fifth trumpet. The "star" in v. 1 is apparently a creature from "the Abyss" or bottomless pit--perhaps Satan. He is given the key to open the bottomless pit, and thick, dark smoke rises from it. Stinging locusts also come forth. They had power to torture everyone but the 144,000 who had the seal of God on their foreheads. The agony during this time will be so severe that people will wish to die, but they will be unable to. The locusts are strange and horrible creatures described in terms that we can (sort of) visualize. John uses words like "something like," "resembled," and "like," showing that there really are not words to describe them exactly. They are demonic, and their king is the "angel of the Abyss" called "Abaddon" and "Apollyon."  Both of these names mean destruction and are references to Satan. This is the first "woe," with 2 more to go. (See Rev. 8:13)

I know this is difficult to read and think about. Remember that we're promised a blessing if we study Revelation, and it is meant to encourage us. You will notice that though Satan is powerful, God is more powerful. The locusts were not given power to kill, and they were allowed their ravages for only 5 months. God is still in control, and He will one day defeat Satan for good.

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength,
  an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
  and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
  and the mountains quake with their surging.

These are beautiful words for our meditation. We all face troubles. It may seem that the earth is giving way, the mountains are crashing into the sea with the waters roaring and the mountains quaking. This is enough to cause panic for sure! But do we remember that God is our refuge and strength, and that He is always with us? Are we afraid? Fear is a torturous feeling, but we should be able to banish it if we are truly trusting God. We can hide in Him and trust His strength!