Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. Isaiah 26:20.
It will not be long until the gathering storm will burst upon the world that is so asleep in sin. . . . When the earth is reeling to and fro like a drunkard, when the heavens are shaking, and the great day of the Lord has come, who shall be able to stand? One object they behold in trembling agony from which they will try in vain to escape. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7). The unsaved utter wild imprecations to dumb nature–their god: “Mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne'” (Revelation 6:16).
Creation is loyal to her God, and deaf to the frenzied call. That unrequited love is now turned to wrath. Sinners who would not let Jesus take away their sins are rushing from place to place in search of a hiding place, crying, The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and our souls are not saved! . . .
That Lamb whose wrath will be so terrible to the scorners of His grace will be grace and righteousness and love and blessing to all who have received Him. The pillar of cloud that was dark with terror and avenging wrath to the Egyptians, was to the people of God a pillar of fire for brightness. So will it be to the Lord’s people in these last days. The light and glory of God to His commandment-keeping people are darkness to the unbelieving. They see that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. The arm, long stretched, strong to save all who come unto Him, is strong to execute His judgment upon all who would not come unto Him that they might have life. God grant that while mercy still lingers, while the voice of invitation is still heard, there will be a turning unto the Lord. The sure provision has been made to shelter every soul and shield those who have kept His commandments until the indignation be overpast.
That I May Know Him p. 356
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Prayer Requests
—–update— Jan is home, trying to get rest and will try to stay a little busy or at least occupied for now. Still waiting to hear the Doc has the results. May have to wait until an appointment next week. Prayers for healing and restoration are appreciated. Michael
—– Our 15-year-old grandson, JD, just had an appointment with a urologist at ____ and kidney surgery has been scheduled for Tuesday to remove stones/crystals and to insert a stent so the kidney can drain properly. JD was born with cystinuria where the kidney builds up unique kidney stones. . . . A couple weeks ago a routine urinalysis showed a small amount of blood and his doctor referred him to a nephrologist who did an MRI. Upon seeing the results, the nephrologist immediately referred him to yet another specialist. Since JD only has one totally functioning kidney this is quite serious. We covet your prayers that the surgery will be successful. Also please pray that our loving Heavenly Father will take away the fear that JD is experiencing right now. Harryette
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Dear Friends,
This weekend, I attended the funeral of a church member whom I admired for his Christianity. Jesse had had a very rough life before accepting Jesus and still looked rough and tough after having done so. After giving his heart to the Saviour, he became a witness for Him. He was not afraid to go out into the streets and minister to the many homeless in our city. In fact, he was the perfect person to do so as he blended in so well and could understand their plight. During the funeral, the pastor recalled the time that Jesse invited the homeless drunk that lived in the church’s dumpster to come into the church service. He also was very active in the singles group at church. They regularly fed not only the homeless but also fed and ministered to the family of those on hospice. If there was a need, Jesse filled it. For a time, there was no one to lead out at prayer meeting, so Jesse filled that role. That’s when I really got acquainted with him.
Jesse’s grandchildren spoke of the good influence he was on their lives. So did many of the adults. One particular man, whom Jesse had befriended, pledged that from that day he would give his heart to the Lord and make the changes in his life that Jesse had in his. How happy Jesse will be when Jesus takes us all to heaven to see that man amongst the redeemed!
The Bible speaks of a time when we will be reunited with our loved ones again. We will have the privilege of drinking from the river of life and eating of the tree of life in God’s Heavenly kingdom. John was given a glimpse of that glorious river. “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Rev 22:1-5
Think of it! All trials and heartaches will be a thing of the past. Worries and dangers will be no more. We will not be separated from those who are dear to us. We will not have the sorrow of watching those we love suffer pain, disability, or death. All will be unending happiness, joy, and peace. “God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” 21:4,5 Think of it! The Great King of the Universe, the Creator of all things, will personally dry our tears. He will wrap His Great Arms of Love around us and comfort us! All of our pain and heartache will disappear and we will be filled with joy and happiness.
Moreover, we will be able to do the things we’ve always wished we could do here on earth. Isaiah tells us, “Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness.” “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.” “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isa 35:4-8; 11:6, 7; 65:21-24
May we all be there is my prayer.
Rose