Modification of Image:Huxley – Mans Place in Nature.jpg Gibbon now shown at natural size. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“You cannot put one little star in motion;
You cannot shape one single forest leaf;
Nor fling a mountain up, nor sink an ocean;
Presumptuous pygmy, large with unbelief!
You cannot bring one dawn of regal splendor;
Nor bid the day to shadowy twilight fall;
Nor send the pale moon forth with radiance tender;
And dare you doubt the One Who’s done it all?”
A. W. Pink
Hope (Photo credit: baejaar)
Watching the events of the day unfold, my weak mind is not able to put them all together anymore. Far to many events. Far too many directions toward destruction. It is as if chaos has dawned and is growing in strength. If I had a white board the size of a house I wouldn’t have room to name the items in play lately.
A storm of lies littered with promises of gold stream from the mouths of liars. The young flock to anything that is coated with the sugar of “importance”. The wise speak. But their voices are drowned out by dazzling messages of “Body over the will of God”. A putrid stench is wafting through in the evening breeze. Another step toward destruction, the anti-christ walks toward the promised war with the Lord Jesus.
I would not blame anyone for losing heart in the face of this onslaught. I find it interesting that my heart remains steadfast in hope. I cannot speak of these events anymore. Those who listen to my words are distraught when they encounter the reality of our situation in the world. And the worry and fear begin to enclose their minds as the words come out.
I wait now for insight from the Lord to create words and actions that portray the hope that lives within me. As surely as Daniel did not worry as they drug him to the lion’s pit, there is no worry within me at the ugly pictures beginning to appear in the sky and land.
Hope is found in Jesus alone. It has been so for thousands of years. And it will not fade as the “horrible” unfolds. The Spirit of Christ gives life and hope. The spirit of the world cannot render the same. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
1 of matter (Photo credit: Arenamontanus)
“Matter”, the scientist said. What he meant was mass and volume.
“Matter”, the philosopher said. What he meant was the substrate from which physical existence is derived.
“Matter”, the business man said. What he meant was anything that promotes profit.
“Matter”, the parent said. What he meant was “Let’s get real”.
“Matter”, said my heart. What it meant was that God should prosper because of me.
My days have no divider.
Yesterday, today, tomorrow all meld into one.
Pining for what was pleasant is the consuming desire of each moment.
Hope remains, but it is obscured by daily tasks.
Sleep is deep and sweet.
But the day evaporates into obscurity.
Does this indicate that His promise has been breached?
Has my sin caught His Holy eye so that His lovely eyes no longer look upon me?
Did not those who “would never enter His rest” live out the rest of days before His promise came through death?
We are but to believe and be saved.
Yet it is He who provokes that saving belief.
What shall be said when a man finds troubles yet sleeps soundly as one forgiven?
Guilt is not present.
Though fear of repeat is like a cloud of rain on a cold day while I stand naked in the open field.
What was said?
Can you recall?
“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the
body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:5)
I do not fear the present turmoil deep within my soul.
It is the slighting of Jesus’ Royalty that captures my attention.
And isn’t this as it should be?
President Nixon at Capital Motorcade (Photo credit: SheepGuardingLlama)
To serve the Lord is a distinct privilege. To know Him in Jesus is a direct blessing from the Father.
There are some things that are sincerely hard to accomplish for His sake as we fight against the flesh. But there are also some things that are not hard at all. All these “some things” require is an awareness of His commands. These “some things” don’t require a continual alertness that the flesh requires. One of these “some things” is the following:
13 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” (Romans)
clean hands (Photo credit: Arlington County)
Not a one of us lives each day without serious challenges regarding righteous behavior. Most people I’ve met, if allowed to speak their mind with honesty and clarity, will tell of a certain set of sins they know stand between the Living God and themselves. Some are more able than others. But most flounder poorly in their personal battle.
What shall be said about this? We are told to “Make every effort. . .” But what if our efforts are pathetically unable to turn that corner?
I am put to mind that man who appeared at the Great Feast, dressed appropriately but lacking a word to explain how he got in there. There are clean hands among men. But there are Clean Hands necessary when we appear before the Lord of Glory. How do we accomplish what we are obviously lacking? Our perception of sin seems to roll down to the bottom of the scale of importance. We make excuses or simply ignore the truth.
I am forced, personally, to learn a truth. If you can’t seem to summon the strength to fight, ask God for His wise intervention. It won’t come in the form of obvious freedom from that sin (or set of sins). But it will surely arrive. Most people I’ve talked to about this mention a soul-shaking fear which is delivered to them by a word or two from the Lord. Perhaps it is something like this, “You will be completely forgotten.” There will be no place in the memory of God for sin. If all we are is sin, then what does that do to us?
The Book of Life is being written. Our names appear as we place our faith in the Lord. The war begins at that moment. But there is a “blotting out” also. Let us be aware of both sides of the Lord’s promise. Let it spur us beyond our weakness. If we can’t find the strength to desire “Clean Hands”, let us not lie to God and pretend it doesn’t matter. Tell Him you don’t want to. Admit your resistance to His rule. Why hide what is already seen in pure daylight?
We: Live, Die, Face Judgment. Jesus or die twice.
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