You want things to be better. Don't you? Better life. Better world. Better, better, better. This often leads Christians to say, "I can't wait until heaven. Can't wait til Jesus comes. It'll be so much better." I've said it myself. Yet, if we are to have a heart like God's, perhaps we should not rush the end.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish (be destroyed), but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Still want to rush the end? Better will come. In his time.
A passage in an unlikely place is teaching me this. Amos. A less read book of the Bible. Amos speaks to the people of Israel who long for the day of the Lord. And at the heart of this passage is a commentary on our lack of authenticity in our worship. It is a challenge to me.
"Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear. As though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him. Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light - pitch dark, without a ray of brightness?" Amos 5:18-20
Never forget there is a world around you who does not know Jesus. Many of whom believe that their being "good enough" will get them to heaven. And it is a day they long for too. But that day will bring only darkness for them. Never forget that our joy, our hope, our blessed assurance, will be a day of darkness for many. Like a mauling of a bear or a decay of venom from a viper. Better will come. In his time. Speak Jesus' name to the world so they may escape the bear and viper.
God says "I hate, I despise your religious feasts. I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river. Righteousness like a never-failing stream!" (Amos 5:21-24)
Many of the Jews of the time brought offerings to their worship. Grain. Animals. Songs. Music. And God despised it all.
Standing in your worship service, do you recognize that there may be one standing next to you who goes through the motions of worship, yet has no relationship with the Father? With the Son? Do you yourself stand in worship not relating to the Father? With the Son?
We must live our lives in a way that we reflect God's passion for people's hearts, his desire not to go through the motions of worship or settle for "good enough". But to be open and real with him. And to do so with a world who needs him. To be reconciling the world to him. To be ambassadors for him (2 Corinthians 5:19-20).
I think I'd rather wait for that day, that day of the Lord, than wish it come too quickly. If only to see one more not perish.
Better will come. In his time.
worship him 24/7...
scott
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish (be destroyed), but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Still want to rush the end? Better will come. In his time.
A passage in an unlikely place is teaching me this. Amos. A less read book of the Bible. Amos speaks to the people of Israel who long for the day of the Lord. And at the heart of this passage is a commentary on our lack of authenticity in our worship. It is a challenge to me.
"Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear. As though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him. Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light - pitch dark, without a ray of brightness?" Amos 5:18-20
Never forget there is a world around you who does not know Jesus. Many of whom believe that their being "good enough" will get them to heaven. And it is a day they long for too. But that day will bring only darkness for them. Never forget that our joy, our hope, our blessed assurance, will be a day of darkness for many. Like a mauling of a bear or a decay of venom from a viper. Better will come. In his time. Speak Jesus' name to the world so they may escape the bear and viper.
God says "I hate, I despise your religious feasts. I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river. Righteousness like a never-failing stream!" (Amos 5:21-24)
Many of the Jews of the time brought offerings to their worship. Grain. Animals. Songs. Music. And God despised it all.
Standing in your worship service, do you recognize that there may be one standing next to you who goes through the motions of worship, yet has no relationship with the Father? With the Son? Do you yourself stand in worship not relating to the Father? With the Son?
We must live our lives in a way that we reflect God's passion for people's hearts, his desire not to go through the motions of worship or settle for "good enough". But to be open and real with him. And to do so with a world who needs him. To be reconciling the world to him. To be ambassadors for him (2 Corinthians 5:19-20).
I think I'd rather wait for that day, that day of the Lord, than wish it come too quickly. If only to see one more not perish.
Better will come. In his time.
worship him 24/7...
scott