Christ is at the door. His return is immanent, now is the time to prepare. Now is the time for heeding the warning, counsel, exhortation and comfort from scripture. Look at the world - it's falling apart! The time of man's dominion is fast coming to an end. The wise need now, more than ever, warning, counsel, exhortation and comfort. The scriptures are the only source of those living waters from which we can imbibe all that is needed.
God says, "Be holy for I am Holy". The calling by God is one of separation and our fitness for that calling is possible by the Word, for it is "able to build us up" and to "make us wise unto salvation".
Concerning those who diligently seek His ways, God has said, "He has set them apart for Himself". In all the trying times through which we are passing, these are the words that "increase our faith", and strengthen our hope, and put a song in our mouth: "The Lord is my Helper, and I go on my way in the strength of the Lord".
The world is a frightening place, full of strife and violence. There are but few who still hold fast to sound doctrine and the wise must be patient, vigilant and watching, keeping separate. Some would see this as a trial or consider it irksome to be constantly reminded to remain aloof from so many things. But the mind that strives to be Christ like will recognise the need for admonishment and count such a joy! Consider the Proverb:
"A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool." Proverbs 17:10
Paul wrote to Timothy these well known words:
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by God to be our guide, to lead us in the paths of righteousness. This may be as Jesus said a ‘narrow way’ but we find throughout scripture exhortation and encouragement to help us on that way. Words from Isaiah come to mind:
"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." Isaiah 32:17
Thus though knowledge of the scriptures and by obedience to the commandments of Christ, we find great comfort no matter what the trials of life that are faced.
Recently I went walking through some woods, it was cold and wet, the ground was marshy and had it not been for my hiking boots my feet would have been very wet. But the sun came out and the walk was invigorating and the solitude restorative. But wet or sunny, being in the midst of God's creation put life back into perspective. The highlight of the walk was to hear all of a sudden in the midst of all those barren trees the most lovely song. As I looked for it's source a robin hopped out in front of me. It had a beautiful red breast and after it had briefly eyed me it flew to a nearby branch faced me and sang!
What an exhortation the robin cared not for the cold or bareness of the trees, it had joy in it's heart and it sang. So the lesson? We are in the winter of man's existence but we know the spring of the Kingdom age is about to come. We are privileged to know the Truth, we are called to be children of God. What great joy then should be in our hearts and what a joyful song of praise be upon our lips!
Andy P.