Saturday, March 24, 2012
Christophobia: Malchus Flattened
Christophobia: Malchus Flattened: "I AM!" The voice was loud in a way that went beyond sound, into the realm of primal physical force. It blew us backward and knocked us al...
The Fruit of Persistence...by Rebecca
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: ‘There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, “Get justice for me from my adversary.” And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, “Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”’ Then the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”’ ~ Luke 18:1-8, NKJV
Not so long ago I read the parable of the unjust judge and was completely at a loss to understand how it could be encouraging. I should have just read Luke, where Jesus explains the parable Himself. Jesus is always the best commentator on His own words! Though the judge was unjust, did not fear God, and did not regard man, he was still capable of avenging the widow for his own sake - lest she annoy him with her persistence. So then, as Jesus points out, HOW MUCH MORE will the Lord, who is just, righteous, and loving, avenge us, His beloved children, when we are persistent? He will avenge us SPEEDILY! Oh, yes, He does bear long with us. He tarries His coming. That is not negligence; that is love. He is waiting for the fullness of those who will be saved to come in, and in the meantime, He is working in the hearts of His children and preparing them for glory. This in-between time, the age of grace, is for the best. However - once the time has come, and this age is over, He will waste NO TIME in fulfilling His word and answering His children's prayers. He will avenge His saints speedily. (Psalm 2, especially Psalm 2:10-12) Nevertheless, when He comes, will He really find faith on the earth? The whole parable of the unjust judge has to do with faith that endures and does not give up, not even when it doesn't see the answer it wants right away. But when the Lord does come at last, with the armies of the saints, ready to restore righteousness and justice on the earth, will He still find faith among those who are left? (This will be after the Church has been snatched up.) There will be the 144,000 witnesses, but who else? Precious few, Scripture seems to indicate. Many, many believers will have been killed for their faith. The earth will be all but devoid of it. There will be no one understands, who seeks God. And tragically, we can already see that day approaching.
But it is not here yet. God's Spirit is still active. There is still time for faith and faithfulness! What I can do today, while the Lord tarries, is persistently pour out my heart before Him in prayer. He hears. He cares. He answers. Persistence bears fruit beyond that of the answer to the persistent plea. Its blessings are manifold! As I cast my cares upon the Lord - talking to Him, looking to Him, drawing closer to Him - I am blessed, because He cares for me and relieves my distress. (1 Peter 5:7) As Paul wrote: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV)
May each one of us be found faithful in the day of Jesus Christ.
Not so long ago I read the parable of the unjust judge and was completely at a loss to understand how it could be encouraging. I should have just read Luke, where Jesus explains the parable Himself. Jesus is always the best commentator on His own words! Though the judge was unjust, did not fear God, and did not regard man, he was still capable of avenging the widow for his own sake - lest she annoy him with her persistence. So then, as Jesus points out, HOW MUCH MORE will the Lord, who is just, righteous, and loving, avenge us, His beloved children, when we are persistent? He will avenge us SPEEDILY! Oh, yes, He does bear long with us. He tarries His coming. That is not negligence; that is love. He is waiting for the fullness of those who will be saved to come in, and in the meantime, He is working in the hearts of His children and preparing them for glory. This in-between time, the age of grace, is for the best. However - once the time has come, and this age is over, He will waste NO TIME in fulfilling His word and answering His children's prayers. He will avenge His saints speedily. (Psalm 2, especially Psalm 2:10-12) Nevertheless, when He comes, will He really find faith on the earth? The whole parable of the unjust judge has to do with faith that endures and does not give up, not even when it doesn't see the answer it wants right away. But when the Lord does come at last, with the armies of the saints, ready to restore righteousness and justice on the earth, will He still find faith among those who are left? (This will be after the Church has been snatched up.) There will be the 144,000 witnesses, but who else? Precious few, Scripture seems to indicate. Many, many believers will have been killed for their faith. The earth will be all but devoid of it. There will be no one understands, who seeks God. And tragically, we can already see that day approaching.
But it is not here yet. God's Spirit is still active. There is still time for faith and faithfulness! What I can do today, while the Lord tarries, is persistently pour out my heart before Him in prayer. He hears. He cares. He answers. Persistence bears fruit beyond that of the answer to the persistent plea. Its blessings are manifold! As I cast my cares upon the Lord - talking to Him, looking to Him, drawing closer to Him - I am blessed, because He cares for me and relieves my distress. (1 Peter 5:7) As Paul wrote: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV)
May each one of us be found faithful in the day of Jesus Christ.
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