The Job Is Not Finished

We have come to expect specific consequences for certain things in life. On the job, when we do the work and the work meets quality standards, we expect to be paid. In relationships, when we give love and kindness, generally we expect love and kindness to be returned to us. At the store when our purchase is done and paid for, we expect to be able to take our goods and use them. We expect a strong correlation between completion and reward.

Revelation 7:9-10 says, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,  and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” We still have work to do because not every tongue and nation has yet had the opportunity to hear the gospel and to believe. So God is still sending His people around the world to speak the truth of His Word. Jesus will return when the job is done. Then He will establish the new heaven and the new earth and gather us together before His throne.

God Loves the Humble

Over and over again, we read in God’s Word that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humility does not deny our strengths, but correctly evaluates our weaknesses. God specifically designed and created each of us. Our physical, emotional, and psychological makeup was designed by Him to fulfill specific purposes that He has for our lives. We can and should praise and thank Him for His design in us.

Psalm 131 says, “O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.” True humility brings forth contentment. Humility opposes the notion that we need attention or something more. The humble person finds hope in the knowledge of God.

Speak Of What You Know

Everyone has opinions. Most people speak their opinions. Unfortunately, many times those opinions are uninformed because we haven’t taken the time and made the effort to learn more about the subject. The real tragedy is that these uniformed opinions often are able to gather an audience through seminars, conferences, television and social media. People then receive and act upon these uninformed opinions as though the speaker has authority and knowledge.

Revelation 4:8,11 records the voices of the multitudes before God’s throne as saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Get to know the God of the Bible before you form your opinion. This knowledge and His wisdom are essential for life and impact your eternity. Once you get to know Him, you will love Him. Then you will begin to practice praising God now, because you will forever joyously do so in heaven.

Marathon

We admire marathon runners for their perseverance in the face of their long struggle. In their race preparation the endure pain patiently as they trust the process to equip them to run the race.

Revelation 3:10 says, “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” Sometimes keeping God’s Word is a struggle. Those are the times we should ask Him to give us patience and endurance to continue to walk uprightly. He promises to carry us through our struggles. We can trust Him, even more than the marathon runner trusts the preparation process.

Understanding the Truth

When we want to learn about finances, we go the experts and their writings. When we want to learn about science, we must go to the respected people in their fields. We don’t find understanding of the truth from social media or our friends. We find understanding of the truth from the author of all truth, God Himself.Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem after the festival, but accidently left Jesus behind.

Luke 2:46-47 says, “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Even young people can have amazing understanding of the truth when they listen to Jesus and learn from Him, because all knowledge and wisdom come from Him.