There are few things that the Lord has been highlighting for me for us to cope with the current season of drastic change:
- Don’t put the new wine in the old wine skin anymore. For many, the bursting of the old wine is bitter and painful. Unless we are resolute with our devotion and dedication for the entrustment of God’s new grace, the lost would just that, a lost that will only lead to even further lost. Yet God is earnestly seeking those who are like Caleb that would be willing to move on with His purpose and progressive work.
- The spirit of lawlessness and unbelief have to be exposed and rooted out. Some continue to pursue God’s new direction with human strength and human presumptions. For their good, God will “shut” them down, so that repentance into a true and wise faith and the obedience thereby can be worked out. Here lies the need to confront the spirit of rebellion and pride. The dealings of God will be “consequential” in many ways. It will be regarded as “harsh” for a foolish heart or a unwilling mind. Therefore, we need to beware of the noises of human sympathy and the counsels from a heart lack of love and devotion to God.It is our personal responsibility to learn to hear and obey God. We have no one else to blame when God’s calling and warning were clearly given. The Lord will make this even more evident as the season of greater conflicts intensifies.
- True unity and peace can only be founded and fostered upon the foundation of wisdom, love and righteousness in God. God’s heavy dealings are not merely for the discipline of His people, but rather more about the revelation of His goodness and glory. His divine order, thereof His divine authority and power, is not merely to restrain His chosen (a wild horse or an unwilling sheep) or punish the wicked (a vicious serpent or a ravenous lion), but rather to bless the faithful and righteous (the pure dove or the innocent lamb). Divine favor always is preceded by divine retribution.“There shall be no peace for the wicked”. “Away from me, you evil-doers (sons of lawlessness, wicked ones)!”
- Due to the lack of holiness and enlightened obedience, some who were called will find themselves in a precarious position: God will mete out His living word and His standard, what shall we do? On His balance, many will be found wanting. God will not continue to have Job to indulge in his own pitifulness and religiosity; nor to have Jacob to rely on his own schemes and selfishness to go about his calling; nor to have Joshua to charge up in his own imagination and determination; nor to have Moses sway around in his own false humility or fear to run away from the day of his visitation; nor to have David move the Ark of God’s holiness on a cart little different from the one used by the pagans….. “Get ye behind (get out of my face), Satan, for you are for the interest of man (human goodness and ideals), but not for the interest of God (death to sin, sacrifice of self, total dedication to His calling and purposes)!”
To root out, to tear down, to cut off, to burn up. These are imaginaries of decrease and destruction. Few will endure, not mention to embrace or enjoy. God’s Kingdom is to subdue and rule all other kingdoms. In other words, His Culture is ultimate and sovereign. He will not have it to be defiled, not mention to be challenged.
“Wow to you. This perverted and evil generation!” Jesus, through such a confrontation, introduced the early church from amidst of the Jews into His Kingdom. Now, as the Church Age is summed up, and His Kingdom dawning in our midst, what do we think He will do?
Who are His messengers? What is the message? Some question needs an square answer, with understanding and joy, without a shadow of doubt or a morbid attitude.
