Daniel 4:1-37 - In the continuing saga of Nebuchadnezzar we see more evidence of God's sovereignty over all realms of life - even the political. I think this is one of the more difficult concepts for Christians to grasp in a democracy like ours - that God is even sovereign over our political process. We can live with God intervening on a personal level, in response to personal petitions in prayer, but I suspect that we tend to loathe the idea that God is involved in the institution of ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth. Particularly when we have strong moral and political disagreements with those who are in authority.
Do you agree or disagree? What other areas exist where we, as Christians, are very uncomfortable with God's sovereignty? How does a strong appreciation of God's sovereignty help us deal with the less than desirable aspects of life?
Revelation 21:1-8 - Wow! What a powerful scene of promise followed by judgment. Verse 3 is a wonderful announcement - the future fulfillment of God's Mission which is testified to throughout all of Scripture. The dwelling place of God is with Man! He will dwell with them and they will be His people! And death, crying, mourning, and pain will be no more!
And yet to enter into God's presence is to enter into divine judgment. As Ryan pointed out yesterday - we are able to stand under that embarrassing judgment only by the blood of Christ. What separates us (the adopted children of the Father) from "the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable . . ." is not our human righteousness produced by our works, but only the righteousness we receive by faith alone.
And to return to the opening verses of this chapter - what we have waited for in faith has been realized in the union of Heaven and Earth. What a joy that our life as a Christian is not one of eternal pilgrimage but rather one that will find rest and true relationship with God in the New Jerusalem. May we continue to urgently pray "Thy Kingdom Come . . ." while we patiently wait in the present for Christ to fully unleash the victory he won for us so long ago.
No comments:
Post a Comment