As you know, I’m doing Nancy Guthrie’s study of Revelation. Three women’s groups in our church are doing this study, and we are amazed at her insight and perspective. I’ve studied this book previously, several times, with several interpretations of the symbolism and indeed the theories of whether the “saints” will be here or removed for,, from the tribulation. Her study does not deal with this, but rather the Old and New Testament connections, which are amazing.
Perhaps it’s because it’s Lent, and I’m centered on the topic of sanctification, as is this Psalm Poem I’m including today. The categories of the “sins” and shortcomings of the churches addressed in the letters at the beginning of Revelation are as true of us as individuals as they are revealing the shortcomings of the early–an indeed churches throughout the ages and certainly today. Are we lukewarm? Do we tolerate sin to infiltrate our lives and ruin our witness? Have we forgotten the passion we had as Christians we had as “baby” Christians? Do we sometimes listen to false teaching because we’re too lazy to read and study scripture for ourselves? Do we take others’ opinions and teachings rather than Christ’s? These rhetorical questions can surely be answered in the affirmative. It gives us grounds for deep repentance.
I want my faith to be vibrant, renewed each day, current, and be a blessing to others. I want to be one of the witnesses that spreads the story of redemption. I want to be a warning as were the signals in Revelation that we need to constantly repent and have a passion for helping warn people of the horrors of eternity without Christ. We are told to spread God’s message to every tribe, nation, language group–to the whole world. I’m thankful that I can do that through my writing, and that I am selling my Christian books in other countries through the blessing of the internet. It is my mission.
During the remaining days of Lent, let us think hard about our Christian walk, and urgently plead with the Holy Spirit to sanctify us so that we are willing vessels and witnesses to both the warnings and the blessings of knowing Christ’s atoning message. Let us never be found as in Revelation 3:
- Revelation 3:17 English Standard Version 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
MY PSALM 322 SANCTIFICATION
Almighty, Holy, Merciful, Omniscient Father,
We come to You this day in humility
Asking for Your grace and mercy and guidance
That we might become worthy
Of the calling of Jesus Christ.
We know we are considered righteous
Because of His perfect sacrifice,
Yet we long to come closer to Your expectation
Of holiness and purity for His sake.
We fail so miserably when we try to walk the walk.
Even when we do the right things,
Or say the right things,
Or study Your Word,
Or serve Your people,
Or faithfully pray,
Or tithe,
Or try to love others as ourselves,
We fail repeatedly.
Our motives are foul.
Our attitudes give us away
As the sinners we still are
Despite our best efforts.
We confess our inadequacy.
We once more come to You
Begging for forgiveness and cleansing.
While we long for sanctification
Our feet are clay, our tongues betray us,
Our path is not straight
And we feel inadequate.
However, in reading Your Scriptures,
We discover Your mercy and grace,
That You can use even the vilest,
The least likely one,
Those like me
To spread Your gospel
To witness to Your power and love,
And to further Your Kingdom on earth
We pray this day for You to use us,
Weak as we are, yet devoted to You,
To become part of Your cloud of witnesses
To others who struggle as we do.
And we are abundantly thankful
That Jesus paid the price for us all
And declared me too, even me,
Righteous in Your sight. Amen
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