The Night is Far Spent!

                                                                                                        

    Romans 13:8-14

            Two days into the New Year, and unlike 2010 and 2011, we aren’t addressing the mysteries of worship or the beauties of holiness!   Heavens!

            “The night is far spent; the day is close at hand.” (Roman 13) Those words were spoken two thousand years ago, and for us, we confront this reality: the day is close, it is come, when we may ABIDE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

            We are numbered among those who do not seek or watch or wait for the “snatching away” more fervently than for the life within the vine.  It is not the presence of the rapture that we seek, it is the Presence of the One Who will abide with us today, in Whose Presence is fullness of joy . . . today . . . at Whose right hand there are pleasures forevermore, starting today!  (Psalm 16:11)

            Oh my beloved sisters and brothers, within the walls of this monastery of the heart, we are here, now, with the One Who goes before us, Who will pursue our enemies in this hour,  for He gives us to ride out with Him against jealousy and fear, against lethargy and cold love.  When the “rapturous” day does come, we will be with Him, and we will have something to show for the wait!  Our hope toward that day makes today important.

            We will pursue and overtake those defying, defiling enemies, and we will not turn back until they are consumed.  We will shatter them, so that they will not be able to rise again; they will fall under our feet.  He has girded us with strength for battle . . . HE subdues under us those that rise up against us.  (Psalm 18:37-40)

            A missionary family returned this year from an assignment in Asia.  How they fought during their sojourn!  How they battled, to maintain their love and faith when at times all they wanted to do was come home to comforts and friendship and grocery stores!  Last year’s Christmas for them was paper cup ornaments and one batch of gingerbread cookies.  How gloriously they won, returning home grateful, joyful, intact, and . . . ready to go again wherever the Lord may lead.

            Almost all of us have fields, white for the harvest, at our doorsteps; gracious! . . . many have their vocations inside their doorsteps!  Hope that needs to be maintained, love to bestow, kindnesses to extend, fears to conquer, bitterness to vanquish . . . and wars to fight on behalf of those not yet able to lift a sword.  Yes, Ziklag is about to be plundered!

            “The ruler of this world has been judged” (John 16:11,) and this is God’s judgment, that He loved us even to the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son.  In that gift, we ride.  Holiness and worship won’t be left behind, oh no!  In the beauty of His holiness, we take arms, and we set out, singing the Song of the Lamb.   

"The Night is Far Spent"

Cor Unum photograph