by Nancy Taylor Tate
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:3
As I have been looking at the book of Revelation, I am reminded that the purpose of John’s writing is to bring us into a deeper revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ and an understanding of the certain, beautiful and victorious conclusion of God’s plan of redemption.
In this world we have had tribulation, and turbulent times are increasing in this present dispensation. Yet scripture tells us of the posture we are to maintain in the midst of the days we are in.
“Lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28b
If you walk through the book of Revelation, you will see “from start to finish,” a people who are worshipping the Lord. We are called to be a part of this worship. True worship from the heart opens the door for the King of Glory to come in, in all His splendor.
“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Psalm 24:7
Many have their eyes on the darkness about us. In an attitude of worship, we are to have our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ, in earnest expectation of His glory shining forth in us and through us as never before in history.
“For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” Isaiah 60:2-3
This is our calling today and in the coming days: simply to worship the Lord in expectation of His “increasing presence” in our midst. To “look up,” that we might find His grace, strength and wisdom; that His light might shine through us, that others too, might come to know the Lord’s salvation.
The “parousia” of the Lord speaks of the “presencing” of the Lord which precedes the second coming of Christ. We are called to BE a witness. (Acts 1:8) The Lord is coming to be glorified and admired in His people. (2 Thessalonians 1:10) He is raising up today, a people “of His presence” as a witness or sample of the Lord Jesus Christ, that His presence might be made known, that others too, might come to see and know Christ.
Some may feel “very alone” in circumstances they are in. Yet the Lord has promised never to leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24) Yet, even beyond that, He is inviting us to become “joined” with Him in who He is and what He is doing today. There is no greater fellowship or fulfillment in this life. How often I think of Abraham—a man who knew God, who God used. (Genesis 18) So the Lord desires for us to know Him and to become part of what He is doing today.
Though we may only “see” ourselves in the situations we are in today, and even feel very alone at times, there is a multitude of overcomers the Lord is raising up, of which we are a part. There are places “marked by the presence of the Lord” that the Lord is establishing. There is a choir of every nation, tongue, tribe and people singing forth His praises today, both in heaven and on earth. As believers made “one” in Christ Jesus, we are very, very blessed to be part of such a people.
As Christians, we not only have much to be thankful for, there is an expectation and hope we carry in our hearts that goes beyond the circumstances of the day into that which is yet ahead.
My prayer is for the Lord to touch you afresh today, and each and every day, releasing fresh anointing, that you might walk with vision in the days ahead, strengthened and encouraged in the call of God that rests upon you.
Can we, together, make the following commitment?
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:3