And A Light Shines in the Darkness

John‬ ‭1:1-5‬ ‭- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

God is in control. I'm thankful I can say I know that. Everyone can have that peace which only comes by humbling self and turning fully to the Lord. Knowing truth, trusting Him. Life without full knowledge of the Lord is no life at all. He brings life and light into our lives. He has given us His Word to teach us.

God sent His Son to be the Light in a dark world, and this world is dark. It will be until He returns. Until then there are to be many people like the Disciple, John, to proclaim this Light. Without this Light we do not know the Word. If we do not know His Word we sit in a very dark place.

We have an election in tomorrow. It's anybody's guess how it will turn out. I just know that God is in control. He already knows. How do I know this? His Word has shown me. He knows the beginning from the end in all things. This world continues in darkness. A newly elected president will not be a light in this world. No man can be The Light of the world. But we can share who this Light, this Man, Jesus, and His Word is.

Without this Light we might agonize over this election. All I have been able to pray is, "Lord, Your will be done." Do our part as voters then trust Him with the rest. I often think about how someday God will judge us all. He will judge our political candidates. Whatever either has done that should not have been done will be judged...hopefully before that day they might humble themselves before God and truly repent of their sins. Hey, that goes for all of us! 

I think about King David and his pleas to God for vengeance over his enemies. We know that some day God will avenge. The enemies will be struck down, but not necessarily when and how we would like. O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs—O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render punishment to the proud. LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph? They utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. (Psalm 94:1-4)  Hmmmm, sounds familiar.

My hope and trust is in the Lord. His vengeance will come. He will come to bring it about. What we need to do today is to believe on Him. Scripture says vengeance is His. Would I like to see evil, even the evil in this election, avenged...like now. Yes. It only seems fair. However, God may have plans to use that evil. Perhaps to draw more to Him, perhaps to bring about what we deserve as a nation allowing God to be forced out and evil to run rampant. A little leaven leavens it all. 

I see trouble ahead no matter who gets elected. Why? Because we are humans wanting to take vengeance into our own hands. Jesus says we are to respond without anger and evil or we will be judged in the same manner...no better than the evil. 

God is in control. Let Him do what He does best. His ways and thoughts are not like ours. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. (‭‭1Corinthians‬ ‭2:11‬)

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How 
unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Romans‬ ‭11:33‬)

A true believer should understand this. There might be a struggle inside but we know we are to submit to His authority. There should be a peace in our spirit knowing only good will come in time. Trouble may arise. The enemy may come with his own vengeance, through the evil in this world. But we are overcomers in Christ if we have become true believers. He calls us that He might teach us His ways, that peace would be settled in our hearts and spirits. Do you know Him? Have you that peace? Do you know the "rest of the story" as written in His Word? If not, ask Him to guide you to knowing Him.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
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It Is Done!

Just as Jesus came into this world to live and minister to many people to bring them into relationship with Him through repentance of their sin, so Jesus will return to bring eternal life to those who have repented...and judgment upon those who have not, who have rejected Him and hardened their hearts to Him. (The Book of Revelation)

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last. (Luke‬ ‭23:44-46‬)

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew‬ ‭27:50-53‬)

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”... (‭‭John‬ ‭19:30‬)

Similar words used upon His death will be used upon His return. Similar experiences will occur. In both instances, of death and His return, the glory of the Lord is seen. 

Darkness, an earthquake and supernatural events occurred at Jesus' death. When He returns there will be more darkness and an even greater earthquake along with thundering and lightning. How awesome His return will be. I think about the awesomeness of the veil of the temple being rent in two by the power of God to show and bring about the availability of the access between people and He, through His Son, through His death, through His Resurrection...and our decision to receive Him. Hallelujah!

When He returns another voice will proclaim encouraging words to all believers. It is done! Vengeance which is God's alone to administer will be brought about upon those who have rejected Him, who have persecuted God's children through all the ages, those who have waited a long time for this vengeance. 

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation‬ ‭6:9-10‬)

Jesus came to redeem mankind. He will return to exact judgment one final time. Those who received Christ for the redemption of their sins will watch as God brings vengeance upon those who did not. 

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭12:19‬)

Eyes, Cheeks and Waiting on the LORD

Matthew 5:38-39 - "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I [Jesus] tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." 

After posting my blog yesterday I cut the grass. That's when I do my best thinking. I heard a song that said: ... just the dark before the morning. The song is by Josh Wilson and it's called Before the Morning.

Like I said, I got to thinking after I had posted yesterday's blog. My thoughts continued almost as an afterthought about more that I did not say yesterday. We can go through difficult times in life. Sometimes they come little by little, sometimes in clumps, sometimes just one big misery! The Word tells us that weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. I could have sworn in the song above I heard the words "hurt comes before the healing" but I was mistaken. But I think that's also true. We can't heal unless we've been hurt.

In the Old Testament the law stated an "eye for an eye." But in the New Testament, Jesus added we are to "turn the other cheek." So what do we do? Some would say the Bible contradicts itself. I claim it does not. An eye for an eye was a law that stated that punishment should not exceed that of the offense. Jesus came and preached forgiveness and love, and we are able to do that through a closer relationship with Him. Where does revenge get us anyway? It only exacerbates the situation by riling up the one exacting the vengeance...and possibly more vengeance back...a vicious cycle that one has to put an end to...like turning the other cheek. 

God is ever our Judge. He knows all, sees all, understands our thoughts and feelings. It is up to Him to be our retribution. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) We are called to wait upon Him. ...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  (Isaiah 40:31) Through Him we renew our strength. Strength enough to turn the other cheek.

Turning the other cheek settles the score peacefully. Imagine how a person who had done you wrong would respond to a kind word rather than vengeance. It could provoke a feeling of shame, perhaps even asking for forgiveness. Some might say it would only make you look like a door mat. How many would openly state Jesus was a door mat with all He did for us? I think He was trying to show us that there is more strength in not retaliating than repaying evil with evil. Besides, God is the one who will bring judgment upon any wrong put upon a person. We may not see it happen, but that's where trusting Him becomes a factor. It WILL happen...sometime. And it will be an eye for an eye...God's way.

I think about people who have hurt me in my life and I don't really feel I want vengeance upon them. If a person doesn't know Jesus, we need to forgive them "for they know not what they do." If a person does know Jesus, we should forgive just the same for a lapse in judgment on their part. We're all prone in some way to messing up.

If we begin to start thinking about getting revenge, we are acting as the world would act. We are listening to the worldview and need to squelch that thought immediately. We are to be humble, not proud. Looking for payback is only our pride taking over; pride that gets at our feelings, pokes at our egos, and tells us "no one will do this to me." Yes, it hurts to know you've been wronged. That's part of the burden we bear in our lives. Look at Jesus and His life. Rejected, falsely accused, etc., etc.

Imagine on a grander scale if this world would adhere to these biblical words that today are being judged, criticized, shunned and considered offensive. If we would consider God more and ourselves with our big, fat, destructive egos less, we might have peace in this world. If we would have less tolerance (yes less) and a stronger rod on behinds maybe we would not have to worry about an eye for an eye and would feel more like turning the other cheek. 

The world once had a good example to live by, but He has been replaced with world view. Jesus humbled Himself before King Herod and the Jews prior to His death. He did not retaliate; He remained silent knowing that His Father would one day show the world the truth they ignored. He sacrificed Himself for us. He knows another day will come when He will return and judgment will take place. But it is God's judgment, not man's. There's a very huge difference. He knows how to do it with righteousness. Man's judgment doesn't always contain the righteous part. 

Jesus also knew then and knows today that if we seek Him, ask for forgiveness for the things that go against the "Jesus grain," He will be quick to respond. When we seek Him and get to knowing Him we will understand eyes, cheeks and waiting on the Lord. We will understand the things of God. 

Waiting, however, is not an easy thing and that's where we get hung up. But like Josh Wilson also wrote in his song: 

Do you wonder why you have to

feel the things that hurt you?

If there's a God who loves you

where is He now?

Or maybe there are things you can't see

and all those things are happening

to bring a better ending.

Someday, somehow you'll see….

    It might take a little time, but you'll se the bigger picture...

There's the key...waiting on the Lord because He's working things out behind the scenes of our lives. In the meantime, Jesus is here for the asking and receiving. He experienced everything we will ever go through. He will give us the strength to endure when we give ourselves into His hands, wait on Him, praise Him in difficult times and good. Then He promises us:

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.