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Speaking the Truth In Love |
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Article Archive |
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Weekly Devotionals from God’s Word |
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Some things must become worse before they have a chance to get better. For example, have you ever noticed how winter gets drearier as the months go by? It almost seems to me that as spring approaches, winter becomes more and more unsightly. The yard that was cleaned up at the beginning of winter is now covered with junk. The grass that was a uniform shade of brown now looks patchy with bare spots showing. At the beginning of winter a snowfall is a beautiful and exciting sight, but toward the end it is just plain cold. Yet, we must go through winter to get to one of the most beautiful times of the year – spring. When the Lord returns, parts of the earth will undergo a similar experience. Not only will there be wars and rumors of wars, geological events will also leave the land desolate. This will happen to such a degree that Edom – a land southeast of ancient Israel – will be devastated. Isaiah 34:9 says, “And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.” Today, this place isn’t much to look at, but it and other places will be much worse after the wrath of God is poured out on them. Yet, just as spring returns beauty to the land that winter took away, these places will be renewed. So much in fact, that what is now a desolate desert will be lush with foliage. With the return of Christ and His kingdom, He will allow rains to come and water the land and the hearts of man. What a great day to look forward to – a day when there will be peace and righteousness on earth. A day when swords will be beaten into plowshares, and the ox will lay down with the lion. No one will have to wonder who God is because everyone will know – Jesus is God, and He rein in Jerusalem. Now, however, we are still in the ‘winter.’ Sin reigns instead of righteousness taking peace from the earth. Just as things become more and more unsightly as winter progresses, our time will continue to get worse. But, we who are saved do have hope. Our hope is Jesus, and one day we will see the glorious day when he returns. |
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It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Isaiah 35:2 |
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Hoping for the Best |
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by Stephen Lee |
