by David Brenneman
"Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep."
Psalms 127:1-2.
"What a waste!"
"They could have had a good life!"
"Time was heavy on their hands and they didn't do anything worthwhile."
Sayings like this are often said after a tragedy. After a life cut down in the prime of life.
We compare our life with the lives of those who pass on all the time. We may not speak it out loud but we think it.
A great lie of Satan and our sin nature is what our future could look like...if we go for whatever we see as right in our own eyes.
We likewise get told of what a waste it is to live Godly in Christ Jesus. Of what we miss out on in living life to the fullest.
“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the human heart, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.
We cannot know what fruits come from a tree planted by God just by examining the seed He uses.
A common phrase that you might have heard is "You can see how many seeds are in an apple but only God can see how many apples are in a seed.".
A very old and very true hymn is "Trust and Obey". There's no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.
Had Noah gone with the flow, you wouldn't be reading this.
Had Moses gone with the flow, Israel wouldn't have left Egypt.
Had Daniel gone with the edict, prophesy wouldn't have been revealed.
Had...the list goes on. Read of those greats who died in the faith. Had they put themselves first, most of the Bible wouldn't have been the same.
Look at the celebrations around known Believers at funerals. People knowing full well that their loved ones are standing where they wish to be...standing with Jesus.
This account of our lives that Believers give before Jesus...these deeds done with the right heart attitude go into making a crown of righteousness to give back to Jesus.
Obedience to God's Word goes into making that crown. Living the life that He intended goes into making that crown.
When you start your day...consider the proper use of the materials you've been given. Consider how to live the obedient life that is going to go towards a crown to give to your King!
I can only imagine was by far a hit song for MercyMe. Honestly, my Dear Reader, take the message to heart.
In light of your own future experience of standing before Jesus, don't you want to live life differently now to prepare for that moment?
Yes, it's going to mean going against the flow. It's going to mean being misunderstood. Noah was totally misunderstood. Building a massive boat over 100 years on dry land. Probable billions of people mocking him. Odds are those in his own family as well considering the Bible says that only Noah was found to be righteous. The whole world seems to be against you? You're in good company.
Jesus had the world against Him as well as all the powers of darkness.
We're in good company indeed.
I don't expect people to get me or my why's behind what I do in my life. I answer to Jesus some day, not the person in front of me today.
I write what I write at the guidance of the Spirit of God and am being obedient in writing what I believe that I have been told.
Regardless of what obedience to the Spirit looks like in your world...just do it. If indeed you are saved, you have a responsibility towards obedience in Christ.
Saying no now means much more later. Regardless of how many voices tell you otherwise.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.
A straight life in Christ is an abomination to the wicked...to paraphrase another Proverb.
No doubt Noah lived with death threats. Probably dealt with sabotage. Probably dealt with endless discouraging words and actions. Noah, his Wife, his sons and their wives prevailed...and a huge surge of people entered Hell.
Pray before you step out into your world. Look to obedient life more than a compromised life.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
No comments:
Post a Comment