THEN LOOK UP!

 

Friday, September 25, 2026

 

THEN LOOK UP!

 

Luke 21:25-28

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

          Jesus had just told the disciples that their magnificent Temple would one day fall. They couldn’t believe it – indeed couldn’t imagine it. They asked when would these things be and, as they thought, the end of the world. Jesus answered by describing what I believe to be our current condition.

 

          The word “distress” in verse 25 is sunoche and means anxiety. The global anti-anxiety drug market is projected to grow from about USD 11.9 billion in 2024 to USD 16.95 billion by 2034, at a growth of 3.6%, driven by rising prevalence of anxiety disorders. The word “perplexity” is aporia and means “a state of quandary.” Certainly, our time sees enough of both.

 

          Jesus then gives His disciples and us some good advice. When you see these things BEGIN to come to pass then look up! I think our souls are overwhelmed with anxiety when we fail to look up. It is a matter of focus! We can’t stop the brightness of the sun from hurting our eyes, but we don’t have to stare at it!

 

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Dear Lord, the world offers me no peace. Thank you for the peace that passes understanding. AMEN

 

THE COMFORT OF HIS PRESENCE!

 

Thursday, September 24, 2026

 

THE COMFORT OF HIS PRESENCE!

 

Ps 35:22

O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

 

Acts 17:25-28

…he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being…

 

The most difficult times for me are those times when God seems far away. Oh, I know with my mind that He is everywhere and that He is near, even in my heart, but there are times when I need Him so badly to be within reach. I need to sense His presence, and I need to hear his voice. Like a child who pillows his head on his mother’s breast I need to feel His breath on my cheek. Many are the times when my soul cries out to God; for the comfort of His presence.

 

Many are the songs that have been written and sung about our human longing for the divine. “Abide with me” is one and “Nearer my God to Thee” is another. These songs remind us of the great gulf that sin has now fixed between us and our God. Yet our very soul was made for the same fellowship with Him that Adam enjoyed in the cool of the evening.

 

Job deeply felt the absence of God although God was every moment observing his calamity. It may seem cruel to us, but God had set in motion a test for Job that would put Satan to open shame. Job was required to remain faithful to an absentee God. So, it seems often with us. We feel that we must walk the trail of tears alone, yet God is there and He will arrive just in time.

 

Ps 56:3

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

 

Dear Lord, I know with my head that Thou art there, but my spirit needs Thee now. Be not far from me. AMEN

 

NO MORE TEARS!

 

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

 

NO MORE TEARS!

 

Rev 21:4

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

          Perhaps you remember the old commercial for Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. It showed a mother shampooing baby’s hair with lather all over. The happy baby helped to reinforce the selling point of “No More Tears!”

 

          Heaven, the eternal state of the redeemed, will have no more tears! My first thought this morning was “But this is how I worship!” In the presence of the Holy, some folks shout but I just cry.

 

          I weep for my unworthiness. I weep for my ignorance and stubbornness. I sob at His love and generosity toward me. As for me, I just cry. I can’t help myself.

 

          I can only conclude that, in Heaven, the former things will have passed away. My unworthiness will be replaced by guaranteed acceptance. My ignorance will be replaced by full knowledge of the Holy. My stubbornness will have been both subdued and surrendered. My tears will be wiped away by God Himself.

 

Ps 30:4-5

4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

O Lord, even now I can’t help but weep at the thought of it all. Take thy gentle hand and brush away my tears and replace them with joy. AMEN