The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(Friends, today begins our 29th year of sending out the Orange Moon devotionals. We don’t usually send out a message on Sunday. But this is ready to go, and since this is a bit of an anniversary, I thought we’d send it along today. It is also a bit longer than usual, so thanks for your patience.
I cannot begin to thank all of you enough for allowing us to send the devotionals to you. We pray for you all daily with much gratitude, but surely not enough because that is not possible. Godspeed to you and your families, and may the “all spiritual blessings" He has given us in Christ abundantly grace your lives always.
It could be said that the theme of today’s message has been the theme of them all through the years. I did not think of this when writing it, but it seems so now. From victory indeed, our Lord’s glorious victory.
Glen
“From Victory”
When the world, the flesh, and the devil most seem to triumph, they most suffer defeat. Consider…
“They crucified Him… He is risen” (Matthew 27:35; Mark 16:6).
It will not look this way, seem this way, or feel this way. It will, however, be this way. For example…
Kill Abel, but see him live on by his death recorded in the annals of Scriptural history as a crystal clear type of the Gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ dying at the hands of the proud who rejoice in the works of their own hands (Genesis 4:-8).
Throw Joseph in a hole, and see God orchestrate the events of his life to raise him to second in command of Egypt, fulfilling the type of the slain Lord Jesus raised to authority over all things, under the authority of His Father (Genesis 37-50; John 14:28).
See Egypt enslave Israel, only to witness God raising up a prophet like unto Christ for the multi-miraculous deliverance of His people from bondage, foreshadowing our Lord’s ultimate deliverance of the church and national Israel in power and glory (Exodus).
See Rahab, a woman whose early life descended into debauchery, only to one day meet the God of Israel and become the great, great grandmother of King David (and of far greater consequence, one of the most notable figures in the bloodline of the Lord Jesus -Matthew 1:5).
See David in a cave of cowering from doomed King Saul, only to one day find him wearing the crown of the conqueror, again, fulfilling Biblical type of the second man persecuted by the first coming forth in a greater triumph than would have been otherwise known (I Samuel 22:1; II Samuel 5:3).
See the Apostle Peter thrice betray the Lord he loved, leading to bitter tears and brokenness. See him now, in this moment, or rather see his restored heart on the pages of two epistles of the New Testament, a man seemingly disqualified from such an honored place, but redeemed by His Lord’s promise that Peter would feed His sheep (John 21:15-17).
See the Apostle Paul, beheaded by Nero. See the latter largely forgotten by history. See the former cherished by billions through the centuries, seated with his Lord in the heavenlies, his words read daily as the primary doctrinal treatise of salvation by God’s grace through faith, and the life forever lived thereafter (Romans - Titus, and perhaps Hebrews).
See the saints of all ages, persecuted, battered, imprisoned, and many martyred. See how little their seeming demise has affected the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit to exalt and reveal the Lord Jesus as the hope of all. Indeed, see how the attacks of devils and unbelievers ever serve to enhance the work of the risen Christ, as with Israel of old. “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew” (Exodus 1:12; Acts 5:40-42 - 6:1).
See your own history as a believer. Recall the many times when hope seemed fleeting, and prospects dim. But then remember that when expectations of good most seem to have fled, God most moved to reveal the brightest of lights shining where it seemed impossible… “in darkness” (John 1:5).
Most of all, look in the direction of Jerusalem. Just outside its gates, a tomb was once occupied. For three days. If still it stands, see that is is empty now, and will always be. Rejoice, and then by faith look into Heaven and see a throne occupied by the tomb’s former occupant. The Lord Jesus Christ is risen from the dead into the Heavenlies, and never will He return to the grave (Romans 6:9). Yes, in the moment of their most seeming triumph, the greatest defeat of the world, the devil, and the flesh lay at hand just three days later. They have been bludgeoned thereby for 2,000 years, always when it appeared that their triumphs had been most secured. “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37).
Finally, let us make the truth of victory personal right now, in this moment. We fight from it, not for it. Whatever the present challenge known in spirit, soul, or body, and however dark the path ahead may seem, let us remember the Biblical chronicle of light that shines upon God and His ability to bring forth His Son from the grave. Thereby, He also raises His sons and daughters from whatever seems to threaten us (Colossians 2:12). The tomb is empty. The throne above is occupied. Jesus Christ is Lord. From victory, ever and forever, and in this moment, from victory.
Sometimes it seems that the enemy of our soul wins,
over and over again.
But if we could see the truth much more clearly, my friend,
we'd see Christ triumph over death, hell, and sin,
over and over and over again.
The tomb is empty, the throne above occupied,
Christ is risen again, from death glorified.
Oh remember when hot, stinging tears fill your eyes
the triumph He's shown so many times in our lives,
over and over and over again.
Forever draws nigh, we will with Him there soon, my friend,
the trials of this life will be gone when we're with Him in Heaven.
Glories we'll see, majesty without end,
that sing the glad truth, Christ is risen again,
0ver and over and over again.
“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here, for He is risen, as He said.”
(Matthew 28:5-6)
Weekly Memory Verse
“But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.”
(Exodus 1:12)
7944
No comments:
Post a Comment