Apr 19

“For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect…” Isaiah 18:5

Certain things cannot be timed by a calendar or a clock. The picture presented to us in this verse, is in regard God’s timing of judgement. We cannot tell by an exact date, the time of grapes ripening on the vine, it is done by observation. We can at best approximate that somewhere during a period of time, we will be able to see ‘signs’ of the fruit maturing and becoming ready for harvesting. One of the signs is after the flower blossom has past, and the grapes are perfect in shape and size, but still green. This is prior to harvest, and while there is yet time needed for the maturing and sweetening of the grapes, the promise of a healthy and abundant crop is already evident. In this same context we can discern the matter of the judgement of God. Not by a specific date and time, but by the signs which surround us. Many have set dates based on calculations they have made, and have attempted to foresee the action which God has planned and is in His mind. All such attempts have failed in ascertaining precisely, those things which God has shown us only in part. We have been told in scripture some of the signs to look for, and what processes take place before the hand of God will intervene, but we know not ‘the day nor the hour’ of the events which must come. There are without doubt all sorts of reasons which can be raised and rationalised, as to the ‘why’ God has chosen to deal with the timing of future events in this manner. One day we will fully comprehend. In the meanwhile, as we observe what we can ‘read’ as fulfilment of the signs given to us, it is not unusual for us to feel like somehow God has ‘forgotten’ what is written or is simply ‘late’. Neither would be correct, for the exact time of the fulfilment of His promises and warnings, belongs to Him alone. We don’t need to know the details of the future, we just need to know and trust the One who knows the details of the future, and be content in the assurance that His word and promises will be fulfilled, ‘when the bud is perfect’!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 29

“Yet all this availeth me nothing…” Esther 5:13

Pride and self-importance causes many individuals to be totally consumed with themselves, and tormented with envy and malice towards anyone else who may, even without knowing take away attention from them, on their self-established pedestal. Haman was such a man. In spite of having the honour of the king, an enviable position of employ in the king’s palace, and clearly the respectful fear of most people around him, the sight of Mordecai refusing to give him the obeisance he felt he deserved, caused him to lose sight of all else! He made it his life’s ambition to destroy the one individual he could not control. How can one become so consumed with selfish, egotistical motivation that he sees nothing of all the privilege, blessing and provision he already has? Well actually this is not so far from what happens with many today, who are taken with a spirit and mind set of material accumulation, and pursuit of wealth, to such a degree that they enjoy none of it, see no blessing in it, nor can they rest and be content for even a moment, in their money-rich but miserable lives! Jesus teaches us the mind-blowing concept of preferring others to ourselves! Giving not only of what we have, but of who we are, for the benefit of others. This is so contrary to our natural bent, that it revolutionises our thinking, and blasts us out of our comfort, when we begin to consider it. Taking care of me, my, mine and everything to do with me, is often the natural response we give to life, but when we do, we soon discover there is no joy, personal fulfilment or lasting enjoyment, in this self-consumed approach to life. When we do it the Lord’s way, giving others their place, genuinely honouring them ahead of ourselves, giving respect and trust where it has been earned and being interested in others more than in ourselves, we find a different and higher level of purpose in living our lives. The ‘Haman approach’ to life will end the way it did for him, in sad, pitiful and shameful death. The way of Jesus, on the other hand, results in life more abundant here on earth, and in heaven for ever! 

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion