July 24, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“‘I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,’ says the Lord Almighty. But who will be able to withstand His coming?” (Malachi 3.1-2a)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

Yesterday I spoke about the calm before the storm. I also suggested that in spite of what the world thinks, we know from a kingdom perspective that we are actually in the season of the calm before the storm. It will be the greatest storm this world has ever seen. The true battle between good and evil will spill out of the spirit realm and into the realm of fleshly humanity in all its fury. What was behind the scenes and only hinted at in this world will become fully revealed. We, the human community, are, in part, responsible for that happening. We, like Adam and Eve, have entertained the enemy and opened doors to welcome them into our lives, homes, businesses and associations. Eventually, punching holes into the darkness will create a vast gaping one. Understand, mighty ones, it is not an exterior one as we might imagine the portal of a window or a door through which we see out. It is an internal one of which sin makes us a part. Yes, we are, as Paul described it, “earthen vessels in which the treasure of God is stored.” (2 Corinthians 4.7) That treasure is the very essence of the witness of the Holy Spirit of God’s gospel truth, the message of God’s covenant. What every human being desires is peace. It is not the calm before the storm, however, but calm after the storm that is the peace we long for. In his writing to the community of faith in Christ Jesus which existed in Philippi, Paul declared, “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4.7) That storm was the battle of confession when we in the flesh recognized the sin within and made the decision to live without sin. Yes, the presence of sinfulness is all around us. Its stain of disdain and death can only be removed by the power of God. Such power was made evident in the shedding of the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, so that it could be painted on the lintels of our lives. In so doing, when the spirit of eternal death comes by us, it will pass by us. God’s grace has built a strong tower within to withstand the storm of sin and the battle which God has been waging against it. Or should I say, the battle of sin which has been waging war against God. Sin always opposes God. It is little wonder that sin opposes God’s people and with a vengeance and a vehemence. Mighty ones of God, it is when God’s covenant of peace is fully expressed that we shall know the calm our heart, mind, body and soul desire. It is only in Jesus Christ that it is fully expressed. It will be known by many who believe in Him and on Him. It will not be known by many more because they refuse to believe in Him so they can believe on Him.

It is for this that Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus about putting on the full armor of God. When the battle comes, and it comes every day more and more, then we must be prepared and protected. While the image which Paul uses to describe that armor is akin to the Roman soldier, it is also that of a priest fitted to enter into the Holy of Holies and commune with the very presence of God. The use of that armor is expressed in the one who prays to God that His will not theirs be done. This is the role of the true priest of God’s heart. As members of the priesthood of all believers, we should be fitted for this service as well. It is not merely to be prepared and protected to go in to God but then to be able to go out into all the world and declare the gospel truth. As true believers, we are the early warning signal of the storm which is brewing. We are called to be the watchmen and women to sound the alarm that the storm is no longer brewing but is approaching in full force. As the prophet Ezekiel knew full well, as with his description of the theophany of the “wheel within an wheel,” that storm is the fullness of God’s presence come to consummate the covenant that had been given. We dare not get caught up in the “covenant” as the Law. It is the covenant of Love which will take the world by storm and God is in the center of it. It is pushing back against the darkness with the light of mercy and true. it is pushing down those who have lifted themselves up in boasting of their own prowess as in the days of the Babel Tower. It is flooding the world of sin and purifying it with a holy fire. It is reducing the facade of the enemy into a transparent vision which everyone will see. As Paul said to the Corinthians, “We will know as we are fully known seeing Him face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13.12) Only those who pursue the purity of heart, mind and spirit (even if they are not fully successful) will be able to withstand His coming. Be prepared and protected!

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works which bring others near to Jesus in faith, hope and love. AMEN.