by David Brenneman
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" Romans 8:18-31.
While indeed the Scriptures say to be anxious for nothing...in this...we should be...it's of God and therefore should be a heartfelt expectation of all who believe.
People honestly waste so much on the worries of this life. So much time isn't being spent wisely. Does not the Scriptures say to walk as the wise and not the unwise? Making the most of every opportunity? Yet, like Peter after he sees the tumultuous waters after getting out of the boat, we worry in a moments notice...sometimes without notice.
Being anxious for nothing with regards to anything in this world is absolutely a necessity.
Being anxious for what all Creation is eagerly expecting is something else entirely.
We should have an eager expectation of the imminent return of Jesus Christ for us. It should indeed spur us on to love and good deeds. It should have us deep in the Word of God examining the things that we are told about God to see if they are so. It should have us to NOT be that slave who took what Jesus gave us and had buried it until Jesus returned.
Worry is a prayer we essentially say to ourselves that doesn't go anywhere. It's us attempting to figure out our situation in our way by our own strength and our own wisdom.
A prayer unto God is our putting everything in His hands and waiting expectantly for His direction and provision for either our participation or His dealing with it. Utilizing His wisdom, His strength, His abilities.
I do eagerly await the return of Jesus Christ in my lifetime. I firmly believe that He's shown me that's when He is going to come back again. It's part of the backbone of this blog. To do whatever He's empowered me to do to point people back to Jesus or to encourage them to come to Christ for salvation. I truly cannot write this blog of my own accord...it's whatever He's directing me to write, that's what each post is. I have a healthy expectation for each morning, or sometimes during the day, to be writing to the world.
I refer to this as a holy anxiousness because it's right, pure and true. We should be something like the other two slaves in that parable in that they didn't know when their Master was returning but they knew that he would. They entertained no doubts. They chose not to waste time. As assuredly as the command to them was given to do with what they were given, just as assuredly he would return to see how they did.
In another point consider this...Jesus rebuked the Pharisees when they told Him that the children shouldn't say what they were about Jesus. Jesus said that should they be silent the very rocks would cry out. Jesus referred to a fig tree as "you". As in it was alive.
Creation is indeed groaning as it awaits Jesus returning. Creation knows that it has a very intense firey ordeal to yet go through before Jesus does come to rule personally on this Earth for a thousand years.
Jesus, when He got away from people to pray, spent time with His creation in the wilderness places.
All of creation was full of expectation at His first coming.
We should be listening to the Apostle Paul and indeed taking the time to examine ourselves. Being mindful because the days are indeed drawing near for Jesus to come back.
Countless billions of people will be caught off guard when He does return. Many of those will cry out for Him to come back that they do believe in Him now. All creation testifies to the Biblical account of creation. The evidences that people look for or claim to deny are before everyone.
In recent years it's been upon my heart to not only provide for my Wife and our cats, but to prepare whomever will find our home after we are raptured and leave with Jesus. That maybe whomever finds what they do will finally come to Christ for salvation still.
The world is going to be a horrific place after the Rapture of the Church. People are going to be deceived in vast numbers across all continents.
People will be forced to worship the new world leader or they won't be able to buy or sell. Won't be able to eat or own a home. Sure many will think that I am making this up. It's in the Bible. Read it for yourself.
A very healthy expectation of the Lord Jesus Christ returning should be more than enough of a thought to cause one to live out life to the best of their ability unto the Lord.
Making the most of every single opportunity as we know that day is drawing near.
Nobody really wants to be that person who tells Jesus "But I didn't think you would be coming yet!" as to why they weren't living for Jesus in the here and now.
I am praying for those in my here and now while I also pray for the quick return of Jesus.
While I too am unwilling that anyone should perish but that all might be saved I know that billions and billions will not choose Jesus.
An interesting thing in the parable of the wheat and the tares or false wheat. Generally a sower knows approximately how much seed was sown. False wheat can be of an extraordinary amount. Possibly without number. Jesus will claim every single one of the true wheat. None will be lost.
Are you excited at all at the prospect of Jesus coming back? Or are you worried about it? Take that worry to Jesus and ask Him about it. Get your life right before Jesus now while there's still time.
As my Spiritual Dad says nearly every time at the end of his own newsletter...I am ready for the shout that will call us out!
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.