 Daily Devotional October 29, 2020Song for Reflection - “Still in Control” Mack Brock - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZnRzQ3_udE
“‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” (Revelation 21:3-5). When God created the world it was perfect in every way. One act of disobedience by the first humans–Adam and Eve–introduced the human race to pain and death; this was a new way of ‘knowing’ life that God never intended for humanity, but that He permitted for...and we have been crying for His intervention and rescue ever since. Sin broke us and introduced destruction on so many levels...relational, physical, psychological, emotional and of course spiritual. When God promised the serpent that a deliverer would come from the woman to crush his head (Genesis 3:15), He was promising the restoration of His good Creation through Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross. Jesus has already come, paid the price and we now await for His return. If the work is already done, why does the world remain in such a mess, human existence still plagued by pain and death? Because Jesus’ work is ‘complete and not yet.’ Everything required has been accomplished, yet God is holding off Christ’s return and the full realization of His conquest because, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). While we wait, trusting God’s good timing, we are to be actively engaged in spreading the word that healing and restoration are available to every person who would choose to accept Christ’s offer of redemption. Spiritual healing is available to all...now! And with it, the experience of a renewed relationship with God, through the transformation of our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. God will live in each person who chooses to accept Jesus as Lord; He will work the miracle of freeing us from sin and give us a new heart that is ready and willing to serve Him as was His perfect plan in the garden of Eden at the dawn of Creation! But what of the other areas of our brokenness? Jesus, as our redeemer, has paid the complete price...yet we continue to live in a world that is marked by sin. Why must it prevail if Jesus has overcome? Because His work of ‘making all things new’ is a process. Just as the transformation of our lives is instantaneous and yet ongoing, so too the work of redeeming Creation from the sin humanity unleashed and continues to give life to. Which only highlights the continued need for our prayers for God’s intervention and rescue. It is absolutely right to pray for physical, relational, emotional and psychological wholeness and healing. God has promised to provide these; He is after all in the process of ‘making all things new.’ However, while we pray in faith, we must also remember that God’s answer–which is ultimately a resounding ‘yes’–may come in the here and now or on the other side of the grave at Christ’s return when we are promised new bodies entirely untainted by the stain of sin. It’s an issue of timing; a work that is ‘complete and not yet.’ During Jesus’ earthly life He healed people–of physical illness, restored the dead to life, relieved those in mental anguish and released some from the torment of the enemy–all in response to faith and His overriding compassion. But He did not heal all. Why, after all, was only one cripple chosen from amongst the many who surrounded the pool of Bethesda to receive Jesus’ healing touch (John 5:1-16)? Today, why does God appear to heal one of cancer and yet let others die of the dreaded disease? It is right to pray for the healing that God has promised and Christ has already accomplished, but never forget that God’s way and His timing are perfect–the final conquest over sin and its deadly impact on our existence will come at Christ’s return. Another reason to keep one eye on heaven as we seek to know God and serve Him this side of the grave... ~ Pastor Jane _______________________________ Prayerful Fast: What have you chosen to fast from this week in order to spend more time with God? You are invited to share in the comments! Verse: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 “Spirit Lead Me” Michael Ketterer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABWnLjXer10
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