Dear Ones:
One of the great tenants of true Christianity is the doctrine of “Today.” What do we mean by this? In Hebrews 3:7, we read: “TODAY, if you will hear His voice…” By this simple phrase we are confronted with the reality that God speaks in the present moment, TODAY. The great issue then is not whether He is speaking today. The issue is whether we are listening, hearing, and truly responding in faith…TODAY.
The apostle Paul brings home this truth in 2 Cor. 6:2, where he quotes Isaiah: “For He saith, ‘I have heard you in an accepted time, and in the DAY of salvation, have I helped you.'” Now, we might ask, how does this apply to me where I live? Look at what Paul then writes: “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” There is a difference between knowing and believing in the presence of God, and believing God in the present moment to “help…save…,” and work. He is not only the God who IS, but the God who REWARDS…intervenes in the life, now. (Heb. 11:6)
When Israel returned from the exile, and had begun rebuilding the temple, the people were stopped by their enemies, for the span of several years. After this period, the word of the Lord came to the people through the prophet Haggai: “Is it time …” (Hag. 1:4) When we read the remaining message from God, we find that in GOD’s sight, IT WAS TIME, and this regardless of what the people may have thought. When Jesus was speaking to his disciples concerning the fields which were “white unto harvest,” he said, “Do you not say, ‘there are yet for months, and then comes the harvest? Behold, I say unto you, ‘Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white unto harvest.'” In other words, IT WAS TIME….to look on the fields, and believe in the harvest. Christianity declares the presence of God at all times in Christ by the Spirit. It also declares that Christ is to be trusted in the present moment for present and future blessing.
What are we trusting Christ for TODAY? Are we seeking Him for His intervention, His leading, His keeping, and His provision? Are we actively trusting Him for His highest and best, with regard to His kingdom, His will, for His glory.
One of the best clearest passages in Scripture which shows us HOW to trust the Lord Jesus for His intervention is found in Ps. 37:3-5. First, a position of faith is taken by a declaration of trust, wholly and uniquely in Christ, “…Trust in the Lord…” (v.3) Secondly, there is the setting of one’s affection on Christ, delighting in Him, and thus, trusting Him for the knowledge of His will, and His desires to be known. “Delight yourself in the Lord…” (v. 4) Thirdly, there is the decisive committal of a matter (…the rolling of the entirety of the responsibility on Christ) for direction, provision, etc…”Commit your way unto the Lord…” (v.5) Then there is the expectant realization of His promise: “He SHALL bring it to pass.” (v.5) This is an example of present faith in a present God, who will work in the present moment.
Dear Father, we are certainly paupers in that we trust You for so little. You have given all in the gift of your Son, so that we might, by Your Spirit, believe You for the full out working of Your will in our lives, and in the lives of others. Enlarge our vision of what this means, while it is TODAY, and strengthen our hearts to believe You for Your highest and best in this present moment. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love, Dad