The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3.
The faith that strengthened Habakkuk and all the holy and the just in those days of deep trial was the same faith that sustains God’s people today. In the darkest hours, under circumstances the most forbidding, the Christian believer may keep his soul stayed upon the source of all light and power. Day by day, through faith in God, his hope and courage may be renewed. . . . In the service of God there need be no despondency, no wavering, no fear. The Lord will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him. He will give them the wisdom their varied necessities demand
Of the abundant provision made for every tempted soul, the apostle Paul bears eloquent testimony. To him was given the divine assurance, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” In gratitude and confidence the tried servant of God responded: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10.
We must cherish and cultivate the faith of which prophets and apostles have testified–the faith that lays hold on the promises of God and waits for deliverance in His appointed time and way. The sure word of prophecy will meet its final fulfillment in the glorious advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as King of kings and Lord of lords. The time of waiting may seem long, the soul may be oppressed by discouraging circumstances, many in whom confidence has been placed may fall by the way; but with the prophet who endeavored to encourage Judah in a time of unparalleled apostasy, let us confidently declare, “The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”
Let us ever hold in remembrance the cheering message, “The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. . . . The just shall live by his faith.”
Maranatha p. 66
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Prayer Requests
—– prayer needed. Boiling soup spilled on my little girl. We followed with ice water and cold compress per a doctor’s recommendation so it’s under control but please pray it heals quickly. Rich
—–My family and I have been cursed and are suffering demonic attacks. Even family and the church members do not understand and are against us. Please pray earnestly that we will be delivered from this. Anonymous
—–Jessica ended up in the ER again with stomach pains. Please pray for her.
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Dear Friends,
Esther Marie eventually recovered from the illness that I wrote about yesterday and seemed to suffer no ill effects. I was so very thankful as meningitis can have some very serious consequences. How happy she was when she and Ronnie Jay could play in the fields behind the house that we were then living in. There were lots of tall weeds in that field and they pretended they were in a jungle. Although they loved to play there, Esther Marie kept getting prickers from those weeds in her eyes. Over and over, I admonished her that she needed to close her eyes when she saw the weeds coming close to her eyes. At the time we did not realize that the meningitis had left her very far-sighted, so she couldn’t see the weeds when they got close to her eyes.
Many times I had to remove those tiny specks from her eyes while reminding her to close her eyes when she saw a weed coming too near. Removing those prickers was no easy task. They were very hard to see as they were a very pale tan and when they were wet from her tears, they became almost invisible. One particular time I could not get one of those nearly microscopic prickers out. It had stuck into her eyeball. I immediately took my crying child to the emergency room. By using a strong magnifying glass, the doctor was able to find and remove the offending object. Then he prescribed some ointment to put into Esther Marie’s eye.
How she hated that ointment! She was only six at the time and did not fully understand why she needed it. All she knew was that it stung and she couldn’t seem to understand why I was insisting that she have it. She would run away from me and hide whenever it was time to put it into her eye. It was quite a challenge to find her. She was very good at hiding. She could curl up into a tiny ball in some out-of-sight place, hold very still, and be very quiet becoming almost as invisible as those prickers had been. Hiding did her no good, however. Eventually I would find her and put the stuff in despite her protests.
Just as that eyesalve was necessary for Esther Marie’s recovery, so our Great Physician counsels us to receive Heavenly eyesalve from Him. He pleads, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev 3:18 The eyesalve that He offers sometimes hurts and stings as we see our true condition—“wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” but it is so needful. Rev 3:17 It gives us the discernment we need in order to detect the snares of the evil one. It helps us to see and avoid the weeds he puts in our path.
How much we need the Heavenly eyesalve to see the true path. The devil uses many ways to counterfeit the genuine. He has his agents to lead people into the wrong paths. Our Dear Saviour warns us, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matt 7:15 He explained that in the last days there would be many deceivers, many deceptions. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” 24:24 How much we need the spiritual eyesalve that the True Witness offers, that we might not be taken in by one of these deceivers.
It is of the utmost importance to be able to discern truth from error. Our whole future depends upon it. Jesus gives us the key. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God” John 7:17 Just before going to the cross, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy Word is truth.” 17:17 Think of it! The same Holy Spirit Who inspired men of God to write the Scriptures, will give us the spiritual discernment that we so much need. (2 Peter 1:21) He is the Heavenly Eyesalve! He is our Comforter and Guide! Jesus says of Him, “He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. . . . I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16:7-15
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Ps 119:9-11, 104 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Ps 19:7-11 Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Word of God gives us what we need to see clearly the way in which we should go. Praise His Holy Name!
May we daily ask the Faithful and True Witness for the eyesalve that He so freely offers. (Rev 3:14-21) May we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us completely with His light that we may discern truth from error. May we daily read and obey His Holy Word, that we may stand true to Him in these last days is my prayer.
Rose