however we can only live in the present
and that by the faith of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20).
(Picture was taken at Quiet Reflections Retreat in Yancey County 2012)
2 Corinthians 6:1-18
Paul begins this passage by admonishing those at Corinth "we then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain". After we have believed that Christ is the Son of God, what then? The following verses do anything but convey the idea of doing nothing while we wait for God. "As God has said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty".
Paul writes previously in this chapter that, "We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed". He then lists the pros and cons of how he and other believers are "commended" as ministers of God:
--"in much patience
-- in tribulations,
-- in needs
-- in distresses
-- in stripes
--in imprisonments
--in tumults
--in labors
--in sleeplessness
-- in fastings;"
This "list" may strike fear in our hearts as believers, but we certainly must not "forget all His benefits (Psalm 103):
--"I will dwell in them and walk among them"
--"I will be their God, and they shall be my people"
--I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters
"We are commended as ministers of God:
by purity
by knowledge
by longsuffering
by kindness
by the Holy Spirit
by sincere love
by the word of truth
by the power of God
by the armor of righteousness
by honor and dishonor
by evil report and good report".
-"We are as deceivers, and yet true;
-unknown yet well known,
-as dying, and behold we live;
-as chastened, and yet not killed;
-as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
-as poor, yet making many rich,
-as having nothing, yet possessing all things."
Isaiah 19:1-20:6
"Behold the Lord rides on a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt; the idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, and the heart of Egypt will melt in the midst." God leaves nothing untouched---brothers, neighbors, cities, kingdoms and the spirit of Egypt will fail. God will destroy their counsel and they will consult idols, charmers, mediums and sorcerers. "The waters will fail from the sea, the rivers will dry up and turn foul. The brooks of defense will be emptied and dried up". Reeds and rushes will wither, everything sown by the river will be no more. The fishermen will feel the effects of God's judgment as will those who work in fine flax and weave fine fabric. "All who make wages will be troubled of soul." The princes and wise counselors will become fools, they will be deceived and delude Egypt. "Egypt will err in all her work as a drunken man staggers in his vomit. Neither will there be any work for Egypt."
"In that day Egypt will . . fear because of the waving of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which He waves over it." "In that day"--the day of the Lord-- is mentioned at least six times in chapter 19 and once in chapter 20.
It is an embarrassment to be the brunt of God's judgment--to be led away "as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt". The passage leaves us with the question, "And how shall we escape?" (Consider and meditate on the answer, then read Jesus' own words in Luke 21:36, "Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.")
Proverbs 25:13, the blessing of faithfulness--"a faithful messenger . . refreshes the soul of his masters".
Psalm 106:40-48
Israel followed a pattern of rebellion and idolatry, resulting in God's wrath which then resulted in affliction, captivity, and cries for help, followed by God's mercy and deliverance. This was played out over and over and is being played out again in this country that was founded on the principles of Christianity and Judaism, such as the Ten Commandments which were given by the God of Israel--the God of the Holy Bible."Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, 'Amen!"
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