November 4th
NOVEMBER 4th
God in His infinite love, grace and wisdom made a rescue plan for humankind. Throughout the Old Testament we see the prophecies that speak of a coming Messiah (Jesus) and they include details that can’t be ignored. So how is it that people can’t see it? Especially those who are educated in the Old Testament (Torah)? Part of it is that people (including us) only want to see what they want to see. Part of it is that some eyes are blinded intentionally until the right time.
Romans 11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in
God has in His infinite wisdom, love and grace made a plan that has even the smallest details accounted for at every level. We just need to trust and walk by faith.
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
Faith is the only way that we can walk these days. As we look at the world around us we see the darkness everywhere. Just a glance at the statistics we reviewed yesterday confirms the condition of this world. We are pretty much in the same condition that was present before Noah’s flood with the exception of more believers now and nearly the same condition as Sodom and Gomorrah. It is by faith that we believe that we can make a difference by the power of prayer, the Holy Spirit and the gospel. It is by faith that we cling to the promise of Jesus’ return.
I ran across this verse the other day, ready for your mind to be opened?
Isaiah 9:1-2 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
These verses prophesy the coming of Jesus, even mentioning Galilee! This was in Isaiah, hundreds of years before Jesus was born! The prophecies are not ambiguous, they are detailed. But my favorite part is the end…The people walking in darkness have seen a great light: on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned!
We are surrounded by darkness, but this has not surprised Him, nothing in our world today surprises Him. Every detail of every prophecy and every detail of our world now are known to the Great I AM. He is not the Great I Was or I Will Be, He is the Great I AM. Just as the world keeps circling back around to darkness, The Great I AM keeps coming to our rescue. He fulfilled that prophesy once with His life, death, and resurrection here on earth and He will fulfill that prophesy again with His return. In the mean time He is here with us seeking to be the light in us so that we can shine to the world around us. We just have to say “Yes!”
Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
You and I get to be a part of the ongoing fulfillment of prophesy by shining that Great Light to the world around us.
Father God thank you for your perfect rescue plan. Thank you for your patience with humanity. Thank you for your patience with me. Help me to shine your great light everywhere I go. Help me to be aware of your plan every moment of every day and plan my life around it. Help me to walk in faith and not be discouraged by the darkness I see around me. Help me to praise you for your plan instead. Show me exactly how I can be a part of your rescue plan.