Settled in Christ

1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

A sweep of musical birds was heard while the morning light peeked through the trees. The previous evening rain was so welcomed not only by our garden but by the variety of fruit trees which beautify our back yard. Birds and squirrels scampered about and I was blessed to witness it all! God, only God can create such beauty and allow such peace which comes from knowing Him and loving Him. The older I get the more I enjoy the little things.  It’s as if God has said, “Sharon, settle down now, just settle down. Everything is going to be alright!”

My daughter and I sat on the back porch with our coffee trying to enjoy every minute while she visited from Brazil and the age old question came up, “Mom, how many generations will pass and they just won’t get it? Remember the youth in the 70’s and then the 80’s and worse in the 90’s and now another generation. How many times will we have to say the same thing?”

I stopped to ponder that question and asked God, “Lord, how many generations will you allow to ignore your way, the only true way? Will there always be a remnant who will grab the truth, eat it, digest it and clear the path for the next generation? How long Lord will you tarry and delay your return? How do you put up with the likes of man who rejects such love?”

And it hit me between the eyes…..”For as long as I SAY and for as long as it takes!”

God started it all and He WILL finish it all. In the meantime, we just need to settle down in Him and keep preaching the Word, living it day in and day out. It is difficult at times as we see our world, especially our churches falling apart, but we CANNOT give up. Our families, our friends, those ahead of us and behind us must see our example as a true witness of the Lord Jesus Christ in us.  

Zec 1:4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
Zec 1:5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
Zec 1:6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

You may be small in number where you live, but remember this, you are God’s remnant. In the Old Testament before Christ appeared, God is the majority and in the New Testament where Christ was born, died and is now raised from the dead, He is still the majority.

De 7:7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
De 7:8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Just as God promised the children of Israel before the Messiah came, so He promises us who have known Jesus Christ and accepted Him as our personal Savior. His love carries us through to the end whether by death or His return. When everyone else begins to move the old landmarks, stay true to God’s way. Don’t move, don’t give in, don’t let go, keep trucking in His path, the old path.

De 10:12 ¶ And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

God continues to give Himself every day whether we give Him ourselves every day or not! He is true to His Word! He comes to us by way of His Holy Spirit. Don’t miss the little things He sends your way today. Be ready to receive His love through others, through His creations such as the birds, the squirrels or whatever romps or roams in your yard. Sit down with Him, talk to Him, pick up His Words and allow Him to settle you.

“Lord, I’ll breathe your air today and enjoy whatever you send my way because I am settled in You and there is complete rest because of your love for me.”

Until next time, Lord willing….

Sharon