Perhaps you, like me have hoped for the Lord’s return and that the event would take place quickly. Perhaps together we have called out to God to end the pain, evil and anguish that is rampant throughout the world…and perhaps we have had enough and have become tired of the ongoing battles and temptations.
The promise of the Lord’s return brings with it the blessing of living out eternity free from despair and heartache. His return means being in His everlasting presence and infinite love. Oh, I know, I know that we live with God’s presence and love every day – He knows every detail of our lives and sees us through every decision and adverse issue when we turn to Him and trust Him. His promises are too numerous to mention and his wisdom is beyond compare…still, I urge him in my prayers to hurry. When we are troubled we look for escape; when we are weary we look for rest; when we are confused we seek out stability. Escape, rest and stability is the earthly portion of the gift of salvation…yet, “Lord”, I have cried “come soon.”
This morning however, I have been encouraged to change my mind. It was a simple act of hearing a statistic during the Sunday morning message prompted by the Holy Spirit. That’s how it was for me.
I don’t know who came up with the numbers but what I heard nearly drove me to my knees. I waited until I got home to kneel – praying to God for enlightenment and understanding. This new knowledge wasn’t totally new; I just was confronted by the vastness and scope of the circumstance along with the desperate condition we as believers face.
I hope by now that I have your attention because I really want you to grasp this. The statement was “Four and one half billion (4.5 Billion) people worldwide do not have the Lord Jesus as Savior…they are lost.”
Maybe our missionaries know that…I never thought of it in terms of numbers. It is hard for me to fathom even one million…4.5 billion is incomprehensible to me; but not to God. God cares for each one, his son died for each one; His heart aches because of their rejection and me, well, I’ve been so busy in my own little world that I have been hastening His return. It sure would make life better…for me, if He’d hurry things up a bit.
I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND:
I cannot any longer call out to God to return in order to end anything. It was sad enough to think that family members, neighbors, friends, etc., would be left behind if the Lord came quickly, but somehow I was either forgetful of that fact or became complacent during my ‘self righteous’ call out to God. Of course I want everyone in heaven, but I don’t think of it that way…do you? I think of my family and dear ones that are yet unsaved and I ask Jesus to bring them to himself, but when I ask God to come on, hurry up, what’s taking you so long; I am saying “They’ve had their chance, now on with it.” No? You don’t think so? Then what am I saying?
I have come to realize how my faith has become ‘self’ important. I’m a child of the King and I am reminded to act like it. I pray now that I would be patient for his excellent ever on time plan. The Word teaches me to use the wisdom of God along with his mercy, grace and love. Patience is like a side dish to relish at the King’s table. Instead of being short sighted I have challenged myself to look up and visualize the greater scope of His ways. What about you? Are you worried about tomorrow? Are you angry or bitter? Are you scared or lonely?
Take time to look up the following verses:
· John 14:1 (worry)
· Ecclesiastes 7:9; Ephesians 4:31, 32 (anger)
· Isaiah 41:10; II Timothy 1:7 (lonely, scared)
If you are a Christian then you have the promises of God to get you through…think of the 4.5 billion that do not have the peace that comes through Jesus Christ and will spend eternity…ever after to ever after…infinity…forever and ever in pain, agony and separation from God. That’s hard to grasp. Think of it this way. Do you have a child or mother for instance that you could bear never seeing again? Can you picture them in the pit of Hell? Don’t want to think about that? Me either. But somebody’s children and parents, friends and acquaintances …even their enemies are going to be separated for eternity from loved ones and God and they will suffer in the pit if they do not turn to Christ. Who’s going to tell them, lead them and pray for them?
If the Lord comes back today, 4.5 billion souls will be lost. We still have time as long as He tarries. I am so glad He doesn’t listen to my pitiful begging but does listen to my praise and prayer that will bring glory to him.
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