“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the
LORD!” - Psalm 31:24.
This must surely be one of the most defining verses of the Bible. In it we have the intersection between heaven and earth. In heaven, is the Lord. In heaven is all power, glory, goodness, provision, purity, fullness, peace and joy. On earth there is chaos amongst men. On earth there is an overflow of cruelty, fickleness, poverty, misery, worry and sadness.
What is the intersection point? Who can deliver us from the storms in the world and in our own hearts?
In a word – JESUS. Jesus, the One who took on human form, who walked among us, who suffered and died. Jesus, who takes away our sins. Jesus, who brings us back to the Father. Jesus, who intercedes for us. Jesus, who baptizes us in power. Jesus, who provides for us. Jesus, who ever intercedes for us Jesus, our high tower. Jesus, in whom every promise of God is “YES”. Jesus, our Man in Glory.
Jesus IS "the Rock that is higher than I". On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.
And how do we come to Jesus? How do we approach Him? By faith. By believing he exists, and that he rewards us with all we need as we ask and seek and knock. Too many Christians now leave the asking and seeking to their pastors or the “zealots”. To this, Jesus has spoken and said to each one of us, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving Me”. It is the Lord you are serving! Your life belongs to him, is wrapped up in him. Do you not know this? This is spiritual milk, that you no longer live but Christ lives in you. You have been seated in Christ at the Father’s right hand. Why do we forget? Because we do not think on these things. Why? Because we have become busy with other things, worldly affairs, temporary matters – stuff that is inconsequential compared to the Glory of God in Christ.
“We have lost the aura of glory, the mood of joy, the air of expectation.” - D Salochi
Can you get it back? Of course. Of course you can. Of course.
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” - James 4:4–10.
Strong words. But strong medicine is needed in the face of all the…chaos, cruelty, poverty, misery, worries and sadness. And in their place, the Holy Spirit can and will raise up in you, through your humility, what is already overflowing from heaven – power, glory, goodness, provision, purity, fullness, peace and joy. Believe it! Only believe.
