"The Hope of Glory" Part 5 - “Here"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe… 

"The Hope of Glory"      

Part 5 - "Here"  

    

   

   We began these considerations with the truth that  born again believers live as a "we" rather than simply a "me."  This truth applies to every aspect of our lives as the our Lord's loving involvement graces all things.

   "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20).

   Great opportunity and challenge present themselves in the context of such blessed truth.  The writer of Hebrews speaks to the issue:

   "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip" (Hebrews 2:1).

    To whatever degree we have acknowledged the presence and working of God along every pathway of our lives, He beckons us to come further, climb higher, and dive deeper.  The enormity and magnitude of the Gift - the gift of Himself - demands "more earnest heed" to the "the hope of glory, which is Christ in you" (Colossians 1:27).  Regardless of how well or poorly we have responded heretofore, that which matters is now.  Moreover, if God graces us with future earthly moments, they will become our now of believing and submitting ourselves to the truth of His living presence.  Much rests upon our response to the Lord in this vital matter.  We cannot possibly do His will in personal terms or in ministry to others if we do not avail ourselves of the power of God that accompanies the presence of God.  We miss precious realities and moments when we live as if by ourselves.  As I write, the thought occurs to me of a service I will conduct in several hours.  I greatly desire to fulfill that responsibility through Christ by acknowledging His presence, leadership, and enabling.  However, I have several duties beforehand that may seem more mundane and overtly spiritual.  But are they?   Not if the Spirit of Christ is present to lead and enable me to "do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).  All.  I will not be required to preach by myself.  Nor am I required to perform daily duties by myself.  "I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me" (Philippians 4:13).

   This blessed truth transcends all imagination and wonder.  The God who created and sustains a universe too vast to measure offers His presence and power for the most minute of human activities.  For believers, He does more than offer such grace.  He is here, wherever here may be for each of us.  We do nothing alone, although through ignorance and unbelief we can experience life as an unnecessary struggle of solitude.  This constitutes tragedy beyond all description, especially in light of the truth that made possible God's abiding presence in all things.  In our conclusion of this series tomorrow, we will consider the price of our Lord's presence, namely, the forsakenness of the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary.

"Father, are You there?

No, My child, I am not there,

I am here, nearer than any other.

And I will always be not there, but here,

of this you can be sure,

and this you will discover

As the years roll on, and eternity draws nigh,

I am with you always, 

so near, so much nearer than any other."

"Unto the pure, all things are pure."

(Titus 1:15)

"Blessed are the pure in heart.  For they shall see God."

(Matthew 5:8)

Weekly Memory Verse

    "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

(II Corinthians 3:18)

  

5708