To what are you anchored?
Our Master, Jesus, calls us friends (John15:15).
As his friends, we are privy to the things he hears from his father by his holy spirit that lives in us. Therefore he lets us understand what will happen in the last days before he comes for us. Yes we are not told the exact time but we are not in darkness that the day should take us by surprise! [1Thessalonians 5:4-5]
He said to me: ''when the Trumpet blasts, many will hear the call but get pulled back''. This is fully in line with Luke 17.
--
In Genesis 19:15, the Angels from the Lord that were sent to rescue Lot and his family from the impending destruction of the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, hurried him up saying: "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”
Even when they hesitated, God's mercy extended and ''the men (angels) grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city''. Yet Lot's weak faith could still not grasp the greatness of the Lord's mercy towards him and instead of running towards the mountain as instructed, he requested that he be allowed to go to a small town nearby called Zoar. Again this third time, the Lord accommodated his weak trust by increasing his own mercy. In doing this, his nature in Exodus 33:19 is affirmed: He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy, and compassion on whom He will have compassion.
We that have put our trust in Christ are called the ''objects of His mercy'' (Romans9:23). By the blood of Jesus shed for our sins, we have been earmarked for God's mercy and undeserved favour. Therefore as with Lot, he will do everything in his power to save us from the coming tribulation and judgement. Hebrews 7:25.
So why would many believers get pulled back? Remember Lot's wife.
As Lot, his wife and daughters were being pulled by the angels to safety, she followed but her heart was being pulled stronger by her attachment to Sodom culminating in her destruction. Her soul was pulled back by the things she had anchored it to. Her heart pulled towards her treasure; "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:34. The same will be on that day.
Some in the world, hearing the thunder and seeing the lightning carry on, afterall, it is just weather.
- To you, he says ' you must be saved'. The natural man cannot discern the things of the spirit. (1 Cor 2:14)
Others hearing a trumpet will look up, but being distracted by the cares of this life, calloused, hesitate. They are too busy being 'productive' and worried and full of care like Martha to discern and pay attention to his voice.
- To you, he says: 'few things are needed—or indeed only one: time at Jesus' feet. (Luke 10:41)
And those, rightly judging that it is the Lord, and even making their way in their spirit towards his pressing call, like Lot's wife, stop and look back for that spouse, girl/boyfriend, parent, child, 'influential' ministry, fame or 'wealth' they leave are living behind and have their soul immobilised as a pillar! Totally unable to move not because the Lord is not merciful not because they cannot hear, but, but because they were anchored to something far greater than Jesus in their hearts. So despite rising in response to his call, they are pulled back towards their first love.
To them, this is the unpalatable truth he says:
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. " Matthew 10:37, 38 NIV
The solution is not abandoning your emotional, physical or social responsibilities, the solution is prioritising Jesus in the hearts of yourself, your loved ones and in all you do. Do all it takes to keep your heart at rest in him by having the assurance that your children and loved ones love Jesus enough so that as you risel, you innately know they are rising to meet the Lord as well. Till Jesus is truly number one in our lives, we are not ready.
Judge yourself right now:
Where is your soul anchored? On Earth or In Christ?
You will find the answer in this:
What fills your thoughts?
What is your first priority in the use of your time and money?
What is the main 'why' of your goals, desires and aspirations?
A goal being Church or 'Christian' based does not necessarily mean it is motivated by a longing to see the glory of God - it might be the glory-of-self motivated. You and the Lord can tell.
So, dear Jesus follower, to what are you anchored? To what are you bound? Is anything more important to you than intimacy and your relationship with Jesus Christ your saviour? Is it your title, position, family? Wealth or fame? Because whatever you are anchored to, will win that day.
All other ground is sinking sand.
---------
"For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything.
Remember Lot’s wife!
Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.
“Where, Lord?” they asked.
He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”
Luke 17:24, 28, 30-34, 37 NIV
Comments