A GREAT MULTITUDE

"After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands"  Revelation 8:9 (KJV).

I enjoy reading a well-known devotional book every morning, gearing myself up for another day of serving the Father, God.

I noticed while reading, that the authors of the devotions were from many nations. They came from different cultures, races, age groups, literate or illiterate, sophisticated and primative, from all eight continents. Christians everywhere in the world make their love for God and Jesus known in their devotions. When all the countries are counted, they are a great crowd, loving and following Jesus. The multitude of people from the scripture, rising to meet Jesus in the clouds, could not be counted.

Each devotion is different, yet points to the beauty of serving God through Jesus Christ, our Savior.

When Jesus returns with His myriads of angels, and the dead in Christ shall rise, they will come from every nation in the world. It will be another testimony to the world that God loves every race, color, and class of people. After all, He made them all. This great multitude may resemble a rainbow of color, rising to meet the Lord. Oh, what a glorious day that will be.

Father, may the great multitude who love You, rise with songs of praise in their hearts and on their lips on that glorious day of resurrection. May I be one of them. Amen

Delightfully Yielded

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NAS)

My nine year struggle with infertility was something akin to a runaway roller coaster. Emotions ranged from hopeful and elated one day to disappointed, in a pit of despair the next.

I prayed, believed, and with an aching heart, smiled my way through; two unsuccessful in-vitro fertilization attempts, five operations and countless other medications and procedures. I was determined to have a baby and give all of the glory to the Lord for doing what seemed impossible. One thing I had not considered was the possibility that having a baby at this time or ever might not be part of God's plan for my life.

Attempting to cheer me up one afternoon a friend suggested we attend a craft show. There I saw a watercolor painting of Psalm 37:4. "That's it!" I said, excitedly purchasing the picture. "That's what I have been missing!"

Immediately I began to look for ways of delighting myself in the Lord. I led Bible studies and taught Sunday School. My husband and I were even preparing to go to Rwanda, Africa, on a medical mission trip. While beginning the process of required physicals and immunizations, it was discovered that I could not go to Africa. The reason for this closed door? I was expecting a baby!

Once I relinquished my will to His, I found that He alone was the delight of my life. My first priority and desire became to serve Him in whatever capacity He chose. Upon giving the Lord His rightful place in my life, He gave me the desire of my heart.

Father, thank-You that our happiness is not as important to You as our relationship with You. Amen.

 

©2015 Bonnie Mae Evans

STRENGTH, NOT WEAKNESS

Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed for the Lord your God is with  you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9  (RSV)

This winter, I often looked out the window worrying about being trapped or injured by ice and snow. Was it safe to walk on icy paths or drive down uncleared roads? Yes, I knew spring would come, but it wasn’t here yet.

Standing there in a warm, modern house, I remembered a family visit to the Lewis and Clark Tourist Center in Washburn, North Dakota. On its high hillside, we only endured the onslaught of cold, non-stop winds, but those explorers traveled a sparse, rugged land without conveniences. Commissioned by President Jefferson to explore the West and return to tell the new US government about their newly purchased lands, they absolutely needed strength, courage, and boldness to complete their task.

Their official journals do not reveal how much they depended upon the Lord’s assurances of Joshua 1:9. In it, He directed Joshua to go forward and occupy the land across the Jordan. In Proverbs 3:5, the Lord’s followers from then and now are told to trust and not rely on their own knowledge. We read the same thoughts in Psalm 27:14: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage,” and in I Corinthians 16:13: “Be strong, stand firm in your faith, be courageous.”

Enduring today’s hardships on any particular day are nothing compared to the barriers of our forefathers. Warriors of long ago cry out, “We were successful, You will be too.” So I read the Lord’s promises, face each day, and depend on Him to provide the strength and courage. Spring will come.

Lord, Thank you for your love, your assurances and the inspiration of others. Amen.

© V. Colclasure 2015