Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Audio Link: http://bit.ly/ThoughtsinWorship

This is devotional thought number 66 in our devotional series titled, “The Faith I Live By”

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:1–2).

He may not come when you want Him, but He’s always right on time! I know you are just reading here, and not seated on a church pew, but is there an amen anywhere in this (virtual) house? God’s timing is not the same as our timing! Perhaps you are unaware of this somewhat disconcerting reality, depending on your faith journey; but God is never late. The people of God have experienced many disappointments over the centuries (some great and some small). Those who don’t know God often have their expectations spoiled, but someone needs to know, today, that God has everything under control. Nothing catches Him off guard. Nothing rocks Him back on His heels. Nothing that is for His glory and for our good is too hard for Him.

Our theme passage is among the most encouraging in all of Scripture, in my view. It transitions to a hopeful bit of encouragement when the predictions and history of events alike, in chapter 11 of Daniel make us wonder if God is watching. When perverted, blasphemous powers, governments, generational legacies of wealth, and religious bigotry oppress, subjugate, and attempt to annihilate unwary people, is God watching? When God’s people also suffer beneath the load of proud human power grabbers, and some of us lose our lives simply because we love God fully, has He fallen asleep? Is He now slumbering, or on vacation in a far country? I say nay! Our God sees! Full stop.

At the time in our history that is the point of critical mass; where full and complete deliverance from the devil’s foolishness is now or never, Michael, the One who is all that the Creator is, stands up! At just the right time, civil and religious powers have all stood up and fallen, just like the prophecies said that the would, the One whom when you see Him, you also see the Father, stands up! When armaments, oppressive agendas, human alliances, and all other tricks of the civil trade had stood proudly, and been forced to sit down, Jesus Christ stands up! And the next time we see Him sitting, it is upon His throne of glory!

In the interim, while we await the fall of the final religio-political power-grabbers, God is preparing all who are willing to come into the ark of safety; into spiritual homes marked by the precious blood of the Lamb; to allow God to overcome sin in our lives. He is forgiving and cleansing all such people of all sins and unrighteousness, so we can be ready for Michael, the special Stone that strikes at the base of human ingenuity to stand up and finally become the King of Glory in the minds and hearts of all. And all who have died, but loved God before they went to sleep, will be raised when Jesus returns, to receive their reward for their faithfulness. All who have died that despised love and the riches of God’s mercy and grace, will wake up 1,000 years too late, and receive their reward for unfaithfulness. Every knee will bow to Him. Every tongue will confess that Jesus is the worthy King of Kings and Lord of Lords. If we begin our lives of praise and worship of the King now, we can get ahead of the rush and set a firm habit of giving Him the honor He is due.

By God’s grace, this is the faith...