The world isn’t ending anytime soon. Of course, I don’t know this for a fact any more than those gurus gathered on mountains did, but it doesn’t seem right: God’s kingdom hasn’t yet swept from east to west. We haven’t seen the demise of our bankrupt western ways of thinking, though I’m sure we will. Scripture speaks too often of the triumph of the Lord in this world for it to be any other way - and his power is certainly enough to make it happen.

First, it was Abraham. Then it was Israel. Now it’s this chosen people scattered throughout the world, but not a people hunkered down in concrete caves. David was hunted by that time’s version of the antichrist, too, but his kingdom roared to a glory unseen before that time; our David has come, and the kingdom is at hand. No, the world isn’t coming crashing down in persecution and brimstone.

Another note: how often do you hear of the blessings of serving God? Not often enough, I imagine. It sounds too name-it-and-claim-it, I guess, or too much like a prosperity gospel. But you have it, still. Cursing and blessing. Good for the servant, evil for the rebel. Pleasure that elevates, or pleasure that rots in the belly.

These rules and laws, they themselves are blessings. Odd, isn’t it? How often do you (how often do I?) look at them as restrictions and limitations? But God’s law is good - more, it’s delightful. The poet said that, and three thousand years haven’t changed that one jot or iota.

Jesus endured a cross for the joy set before him. But isn’t that selfish? Of course, until you understand that you and I are part of that joy. And there is a future of joy set before you and I as well. It’s the battery in our faith, the thing that keeps it ticking. At times it sounds odd, though the alternative is as heterodox as can be.

I’d wrap these things up if I could, but you’ll have to read scripture to get there. I’m not as good at tying the strings together as God is, and I can say that with confidence. But the future joy, the blessing, the kingdom flowering glorious, these are not just concepts only for rosy-eyed grandmothers. Far from it: they are anchors for men and woman of both this world and that to come.

dan

Tags: encouragement, opinions, ruminations