Friday - 25 MARCH 2022
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Exodus 19:10-18
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Exodus 19:10-18
Thu, 19 May 2022
Meeting the Lord at Present
Observation:
What significant observations can you make about believers meeting the Lord in these two passages?
Deeper Reflection
AT “THE COMING OF THE LORD”, BOTH THE RESURRECTED and raptured believers will “meet the Lord in the air” (vv.16-17). It is our face-to-face meeting with the Lord. But we can meet the Lord at present while waiting for that future ultimate meeting.God came down on Mount Sinai so that His people may “meet God” (Exo 19:17). This God is an awesome holy God (Exo 19:16, 18). So God commanded Moses to “set bounds all around” for Israel to meet Him (Exo 19:12). There is now no more this setting of bounds, for we can meet God freely, quickly and easily. But be careful of the danger of familiarity breeds contempt. Who God is has never changed – He is still “a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29). What has changed – radically – is our access to God. Now, “we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus” (Heb 10:19). But still, “Guard your steps as you go to the house of God” (Ecc 5:1).God commanded Israel to “be ready” to meet Him (Exo 19:11, 15). “Be ready” is an act of the heart. Be ready with a cleansed heart: “let them wash their garments” (Exo 19:10, 14). Be ready with a consecrated heart: “consecrate them” (Exo 19: 10, 14). God required Israel to take three days to be ready (Exo 19:10, 11, 15). Our heart and who God is require the “three days”.The Coming Lord knocks on the door of our hearts that we may open it and let Him come in to eat with us and we with Him (Rev 3:20).
AT “THE COMING OF THE LORD”, BOTH THE RESURRECTED and raptured believers will “meet the Lord in the air” (vv.16-17). It is our face-to-face meeting with the Lord. But we can meet the Lord at present while waiting for that future ultimate meeting.God came down on Mount Sinai so that His people may “meet God” (Exo 19:17). This God is an awesome holy God (Exo 19:16, 18). So God commanded Moses to “set bounds all around” for Israel to meet Him (Exo 19:12). There is now no more this setting of bounds, for we can meet God freely, quickly and easily. But be careful of the danger of familiarity breeds contempt. Who God is has never changed – He is still “a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29). What has changed – radically – is our access to God. Now, “we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus” (Heb 10:19). But still, “Guard your steps as you go to the house of God” (Ecc 5:1).God commanded Israel to “be ready” to meet Him (Exo 19:11, 15). “Be ready” is an act of the heart. Be ready with a cleansed heart: “let them wash their garments” (Exo 19:10, 14). Be ready with a consecrated heart: “consecrate them” (Exo 19: 10, 14). God required Israel to take three days to be ready (Exo 19:10, 11, 15). Our heart and who God is require the “three days”.The Coming Lord knocks on the door of our hearts that we may open it and let Him come in to eat with us and we with Him (Rev 3:20).
Application:
What changes do I need to make in my life regarding meeting the Lord?
Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
- Give thanks and praise
- Pray for Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To have the hunger for meeting the Lord
- Pray for significant people
- Pray for those in need
- Pray for self
