August 4, 2006
In times of famine and drought, the thoughts of a man dwell constantly on food and drink. When scorching winds blow and the rays of the sun beat down without mercy, he dreams of a renewal of his strength and soothing refreshment. Folks wrestle today with such a profound spiritual poverty that they are finding themselves empty and parched for something that gives peace in the valley of conflict and fear through which we tread and they yearn for something that grants them hope for beyond the grave. Too often they seek to satisfy their longings with temporary fixes, but end up unfulfilled, empty, lonely, and broken.
“… A hungry man dreams that he is eating, but he awakens, and his hunger remains; … a thirsty man dreams that he is drinking, but he awakens faint, with his thirst unquenched…” (Isaiah 29:8 NIV).
But a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ is both fulfilling and refreshing. Becoming His child through obedient faith in His atoning death on the cross and His resurrection, we must come to understand that we are doing far more than merely adopting a “Christian” philosophy, worldview, or lifestyle. We have entered into a covenantal relationship with God Himself. Having “saved” us through faith in Christ by grace, He both seals us for His divine purposes and glory, and sets us apart as royal members of His own heavenly household.
“You… were included in Christ when you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:12-14 NIV).
Knowing then that we have been set apart as special recipients of God’s favor, we can reasonably expect to find that He is more than sufficient in satisfying our deepest soul-wracking hungers and spirit-parching thirsts. The most fundamental secret then to lasting happiness is to not turn to temporal alternatives. Material and shallow substitutes may momentarily appease our appetites but they can do no more than simply distract us from our inevitable collision with eternity. Nor can we afford to play “Let’s Make a Deal” with other religions, their promises of everlasting hope and peace being mere curtains over “Door Number Three” into destruction and endless judgment, a day of reckoning with a God Who is holy.
If you are God’s child then “you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 NIV).
There is an urgency today that cries out to us that we set our affairs in order, stop delaying in our obedience to God, and wholeheartedly trust His love, His power, and His wisdom. And, happily, to learn to walk with Him now (though we may have all our lives ahead of us) allows our journey to joyfully blend with His activity – His mission to reveal His love, power, and holiness to the world.
And besides, when we’ve become His children and begin to walk with Him in the here-and-now, we come to know Him personally and intimately. As we dwell in His Word, seek Him in prayer, and follow His leading as He shepherds our hearts, we not only have opportunities to see His hand at work but also occasions of His glorious presence revealed to us.
So stop, look, and listen. Stop running the wild race of life on your own. And stop seeking satisfaction in things that aren’t going to have any lasting value. Stop putting God off, telling Him that “one day you’ll give Him your heart.” Stop… and look up and know that your Creator yearns to give you real hope that the world can’t steal away from you. Look to His Word for encouragement, direction, and for transformation as He establishes His holy presence in you. Look around with eyes opened by His love and see the needs of countless scores about you that the Lord would love to bless if only you, His child, would take the time. Look… and listen to what God has to say about you, your inestimable value in His sight, and His purposes to bless and keep you. Listen with an open heart to His Holy Spirit’s prompting inside of you towards holiness, courage, and compassion. Listen to His voice as He leads you, His precious child, in ways of peace and hope. Listen as He shares His words of comfort and encouragement with your hurting and weary soul. Let this be the day that you stop in your tracks, turn to Him, and start anew knowing that His Word of life and truth is everlastingly trustworthy.
And Jesus said to those gathered around Him… “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. No one knows about the day or hour (of Jesus’ return), not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the Owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If He comes suddenly, do not let Him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:31-37 NIV).
(Thom Mollohan and his family have ministered in southern Ohio the past eleven years. He is the pastor of Pathway Community Church, which meets on Sunday mornings at the Ariel Theatre. He may be reached for comments or questions by email at pastorthom@pathwaygallipolis.com).
