Devotions

Food for thought written by Caroline Bass 8/24/2010

“And behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with me to give to everyone according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12)

The Book of Revelation for a Christian should clearly be viewed as a “Call to Arms.”  Even though it shares the grim reality of an eternal hell for those that are lost; its pages are also filled with end-time instructions for Believers.  We are to take note and repent of any worldly ideas or idols that might affect our spiritual compass, leading us away from Christ’s clear direction to be Heaven Bound!  The Holy Spirit’s inspired words should reach beyond the vivid depictions of end-time events and pierce the heart of the Believer with an urgency to be about God’s business.  Time is short – it is ticking away, moment by moment… never to pass this way again.  Christian do you hear God’s call?

 So, why don’t the words, “I am coming quickly…” resonate deep within us and propel us to always move forward for the cause of Christ.  In my opinion, the human mind has a very limited understanding of the depth of God’s Word.  Our perception of what the word quickly means is vastly different from God’s meaning.  After all, we tend to play off those words with the rationalization that over 2000 + years have passed and no Jesus.  And just living in the fast pace of our world today, with its constant flow of instant gratification, has led us to believe the word quickly is a type of finger snap response, one without delay.  Many Christians have drawn the conclusion since Jesus hasn’t returned after all those years; He couldn’t have possibly have meant that type of response.  However, digging a little deeper into God’s Word, I find that Peter addressed this issue in 2 Peter 3:8-9:

“But, beloved (he’s talking about the church), do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 

The human mind tells us there is a big difference in one day and a thousand years; but in God’s mind there is no difference.  He does not run on nor is He limited to the parameters of earth’s time.  You can count that when we get to Heaven, clocks won’t be seen.  Peter made it evident that God will surely accomplish His purposes and His promise to come quickly; even if it appears He is slow in doing so.  Isaiah 55:8-9, reminds us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts nor are our ways His ways.  And just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways and His thoughts higher than ours. 

 Why then would it be important for Jesus to speak those particular words two different times in the conclusion of Revelation, verse 22:8…behold I am coming quickly and verse 22:20 …Surely, I am coming quickly?  As I pondered this question, I feel His greatest intention wasn’t for Christians to be overly zealous for the day of His coming.   Yet, in the face of knowing He is coming quickly, He desired His sheep to reflect His Father’s heart; willing that none should perish.  I believe the word quickly is a charge for His followers to realize time is fleeting; our time on earth is but a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow.  Jesus knew this in a very personal way, having lived only to age 33.  And the incredible thing about it, His ministry wasn’t revealed until age 30.   Yet, the four Gospels are chalked full of all that He accomplished in those three short years after being baptized and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Friends, the same power that enabled Christ to do his work is available for us today; so that we too might accomplish great things for God’s purpose.  We must stop working for things that in the end will ultimately be destroyed; but instead work for the things that are precious and eternal…souls for God’s Kingdom.  Christian, do you know what your part is in this effort to win souls?  If so, are you pursuing it? If you don’t know, here are some suggestions:

1.  Seek the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any abilities or gifts that you need to be using for the purpose of winning souls.
2. If you have sought the Lord and still haven’t heard, go to your Pastor and ask Him if there is anything you could do in the area of outreach.
3. If your church does not currently provide any outreach then be prayerful and allow the Holy Spirit to direct your path.  Just maybe you are the one to begin an outreach for your church.
4. Look outside your church.  There are many ministries geared to evangelizing the lost, such as ChristSong Prison Ministries.  Email the ministry and ask for a list of current needs, checking to see if you are called to meet one of those needs.  Don’t get discouraged, it may take some searching on your part to find the glove that fits your outstretched hand.
5. As you find your purpose begin to do it as unto the Lord, giving it the best that you have to offer.
6. Remain humble.  Always, always give honor and glory to our Lord for that which He alone has enabled you to do.

 I will close with this prayer written by St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord,
Make me an instrument of Your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light, and
Where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.