We live in a fallen world.
But we’re not left orphans on this earth. But there are times when we feel like we are.
Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” John 14:18.
Perhaps, there was a young day, when the soil of the heart was soft and receiving, and the journey was abundant with blessing and joy, but
what happens through the the course of time when the clay soil overtakes the soft top ground, the cold scorches the life from the leaves, the wind of trouble choke joy all around.
Because of circumstances, temptations of doubt and fear blow in like a harsh blizzard. Hearts, grown dark and cold, think of Jesus, the Light of the world, that He’s some distance away, somewhere.
We think a-miss. We trust our feelings and heart. Then we separate from the Word, and begin to trust elsewhere.
And we look around, and the name of God’s Son, Jesus, is taken from every place. It’s not in the schools, in the towns, or the books children are allowed to read. It’s used as a curse, even on TV.
“Who’s Jesus? Why should I care what He says?”
The winter is long, hard, and cold, and we ask, “What’s happened to this place?”
Quite honestly, I have failed God often through unbelief, and lack of faith. And, there are people in my life who have witnessed failure at times in walking the faith I claim to have.
But there is not one day, that, even though I didn’t have a hold on God, He had a hold on me.
Yes, I believe!
There was a day, that I have written about before, when I thought I was going to die. But I didn’t. I was sick, outwardly afraid, and weak. I’m reminded of it often, but, again today because of a verse I read this morning:
“After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this” Revelation 1:4.
My eyes were closed, and I saw a door open. Out of all the things I could have possibly see, I saw the two scarred, but healed, hands of Jesus presented palms up before me. And the impression of the words from a favorite child’s book, “Not all know Me as their King.”
“Oh, I’ve heard this before,” you might be saying to yourself. Yes, perhaps, but today, I’m reminded of a question I was asked from Sunday’s message from church,
“What is living, to you?”
Quite honestly, through all that God has allowed for me to be part of, great treasure and riches in family and friends, great gifts, and joys, as well as deep, and excruciating loss and sadness, I would like to answer the pastor,
“to live is Christ.”
Yes, as in the Book of Philippians, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21.
I feel the light enter my heart at the very proclamation.
He knows every little thing about us. Even before we were born, the Bible says God knew:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” Jeremiah 1:5.
Do I believe God? Yes, the choice is mine. I choose right now, with each minute of time, to believe God’s Word to illuminate and vitalize my mind.
God knows my name. He knows yours too. He has a plan for each of us. He is Almighty God, and He is good.
The Bible proclaims that God sees us now. He knew what went on yesterday, and He knows our tomorrow as well:
“You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely” Psalm 139:2-4.
The number of our days is already written in a book: “My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:15-17.
Am I living to live long? Is the purpose of my life my family? my job? serving in the church?
What is all this living for anyway? Who am I believing to show me the way?
Do I believe God?
I guess the main issue, when it all comes down to it, is, God is God. Whether we believe Him or not.
I don’t need to worry what this one thinks or that, for that matter, but I must be concerned about God’s heart and thoughts. Do I believe?
He’s like the Polar Express coming at some point in our lives, and the door opens, and He calls, “All Aboard.”
He gives every single human being a call at some time or another. I believe every house is visited.
He’s big enough when we don’t believe.
Yes, He is. He let’s us be.
But today, I will proclaim Him, and best I can, receive His great love, which is beyond my understanding. And I pray to the God of the Universe, that He help those who believe to be like little samples of His grace.
Hey, the Express is here,
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” Revelation 3:20.
Let’s choose Jesus, the Christ today. The journey northward to heaven will be directed by the Conductor. He’s got the plan all written down.
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” Revelation 3:21.
Amen. God help our unbelief. We’re taking the big step to forever, with God at the helm.
