Corona Devo 2097
Did we know what we were signing up for when we decided to follow Jesus? Do we ever wonder what we will be when we grow up (in Christ)?
Many of us are mostly grown, but the Bible gives us a glimpse (prophecy) of what tomorrow holds for God's faithful few...and before we get to the streets-of-gold that Revelation says we will walk and leap(!)...
- The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. ~Revelation 21:21
- Looking at his disciples, he said... (23) “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. ~Luke 6:20, 23
Yes, the future for Believers-in-Christ is bright...but, yes, the earthly coming-days will get darker before we experience Heaven's eternal Light, and we must be strong in the difficult times, knowing that we are being refined, cleansed, and made pure.
Daniel got a peek into what's coming, and while it sounds heavy, Daniel speaks God's perspective and purpose into future (and current) persecution, and although difficult times will come, God (always) uses them to refine, cleanse, and to make us pure.
I'll ask again: Did we know what we were signing up for when we decided to follow Jesus? Do we ever wonder what we will be when we grow up (in Christ)?
“His army will take over the Temple fortress, pollute the sanctuary, put a stop to the daily sacrifices, and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration. (32) He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.
(33) “Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed.
(34) During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere.
(35) And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come. ~Daniel 11:28-35
It's not a picture painted with the cheeriest of colors...
But through the Truth of His Word (the Bible), God reminds us of His purpose and call on our lives as His followers, and His goals and outcomes for us are not riches and comfort. (Why do we seek such simple pacifications?)
God has a high and holy call on your life and mine...and we will be tested in that walk. Daily.
Are we having a rough time lately? The Lord warns us that we will.
“Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed.
(34) During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere. ~Daniel 11:33-34
It's a little scary to consider these type-of circumstances, but we cannot deny that it is true. Do we know brothers and sisters in Christ that have died by fire and sword, or that have been jailed and robbed?
We do.
And who is to say that it won't happen to us? Perhaps we are the wise leaders giving instruction to many. Or at least, God says that we should be.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:19-20
Did we know what we were signing up for when we decided to follow Jesus?
Take heart, brothers and sisters in Christ. We are being refined and cleansed and made pure until our time with the Lord comes.
Lord, thank you for refining me, for cleansing me, for making me pure. I am so far from it. I seek the easy way far too often. Forgive me for complaining and desiring the comfortable path or the less-arduous trek. I'm sorry.
Forgive us for the times when we desire the momentary glamor that this world flashes before us. You have SO MUCH more in store for us. Nothing is more fulfilling than You,and in knowing that we are in-Your-will and serving Your purposes. Strengthen us today for the work that You have for us today, and make us bold and brave even in the face of persecution for our faith. We can be encouraged by the hope of what comes NEXT for us with You, Father. Amen.
And until then...let's get busy getting familiar and prepared for what we signed-up-for when we decided to follow Jesus. But we needn't fear or be discouraged because our God has strong purpose for us in all of it: In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come (Daniel 11:35).
Make us pure, for You are worthy, Father.
We have it all wrong. While we sometimes want and seek comfort/ease/the-path-of-least-resistance: that has never been the way and the calling for those walking in the Way.
- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ~John 14:6
- “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. ~Matthew 7:13-14
Let's find it (the narrow gate and the way) today, friends-in-faith.
Do we know what we are signing up for in deciding to follow Jesus?
YES! And let's go!
Father, we understand the risk... (...but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed. ~Daniel 11:33)
And Father, we also understand Your reward... (In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come. ~Daniel 11:35)
Lord, we understand what we have signed up for, and we are here to re-enlist with You today. Make us Your wise leaders, giving (Your) instruction to many. Amen.
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