Looking to 2022
As we look forward to a new year, what will be in store?
I am searching the scriptures, namely the book of Revelation (with a little support from the book of Daniel) to see into GOD’s Word, what lies ahead. I’m slowly but surely gleaning information to ascertain how close we are to His coming, so that I am sure to be prepared.
We don’t know GOD’s time frame, but we do know He holds the keys to our future both individually and corporately. Without Him, I know I would flounder in self-centredness and perhaps also despair. I’m so thankful for Him in my life. And right now, I’m searching the End Times prophecies to discern where we are in terms of the return of our Messiah. In the meantime, whether the Lamb comes to judge quickly by our time frame or by the Father’s, we need to be ready and be full of His Spirit. I know I certainly do…
Our Attitude in His Circumstance
Let us make a commitment about our attitude: To trust GOD unreservedly, and not to court self pity, regardless of our circumstances. Self pity leads the soul to death: self pity erodes our hope, distracts us from seeing the needs of others, and leads us towards despair. It is simply about “self”. Instead, we can be proactive, recognising our circumstances are temporary and a part of GOD’s sovereignty; they are for a season, in order to grow us to be more like him. We can — and must trust Him — asking and even reminding our Father in heaven of the the pickle we find ourselves in. Can we not ask Him for His help to overcome or for His strength to persevere through it? Of course we can.
What GOD values
I have noticed that there are two attributes in particular that are mentioned in Revelation repeatedly, those of patience and perseverance. Both are character traits that take time, patience and perseverance to develop, and they are qualities the LORD wants to grow in us.
As we look to this New Year, shall we recognise we have an opportunity to grow in patience and perseverance when we “run with endurance the race GOD has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1)? I’ve come to think that it is so easy to put all discomfort down to spiritual attack and completely miss GOD’s specific opportunity designed to help us to grow. Instead, it is better, I believe, to rise above our circumstances, to walk on water, and to look onto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2)
This past year has been a very difficult year for me. But my favourite scripture is perhaps this,
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of GOD in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:12-14)
I intend to continue to do my utmost to live out this scripture until He returns. How about you? Shall we do so jointly, spurring one another on?
That is my prayer for the fellowship of all believers for 2022.
Hallelujah. Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus, come.