http://forewordsandafterwords.blogspot.com/2015/07/foreword-and-afterword-revelation-1.html
afterWORD. Turning Away.
Revelation 1 introduces the Seven Spirits and the seven churches. As you review the lesson this week, think on Rom 8:26
Romans 8:26 (ASV) And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;
Incredibly helpful, just as in Revelation, to know that He walks with us in the Spirit and does not leave us alone, even interceding for us when we don't know what or how to pray.
But
not this starts with "and" so go back a few verses. The
Spirit helps us with groanings in like manner as...
Romans 8:22-25 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Romans 8:22-25 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
I mentioned Sunday we've put in our dossier to Haiti for international adoption, finally! I also mentioned there is a little girl in an orphanage there that was born during the time of the earthquake, and as far as we know has known nothing but this orphanage. She is special needs in ways we still don't understand. There are caring people there, some that love the Lord and love this child.
I don't know if she would understand or
remotely grasp the luxury of a home in VA, USA with clean water
right out of the tap, lots of fresh and safe food, her own room,
toys to play with, doctors and medicine, even vacations at the
beach. Makes me think of CS Lewis describing us as little
children who go on making mud pies in the slums unable to
picture the offer of a holiday at the sea. But how could she?
She's lived there her
entire life, in an institution with 60+ kids, in an
impoverished country riddled with all kinds of troubles. She knows nothing different. Unless someone
reveals it to her. And what then? Will she ache for the day we
come to take her home? Or will she have no idea what she's never had and not think much about it?
And what about you?
So with that perspective, read one of the
most misquoted verses in the Bible again:
Romans 8:27-28 ...and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
This is the Spirit which lives in us, a
seal of promise for His coming again. So...how now shall we
live?
I know this is a long email, but if you got
this far, oh boy! I hope you kept your spoon (dessert time)!
Are you seeing this? Go back to the little girl in Haiti. She can't do things for herself. She can't pull herself up by her bootstraps (she doesn't even own boots), she can't earn her way out of the orphanage. She is where she is. It's been a year and a half or more of Robyn and I doing paperwork, two or so years before that when we started getting the call to start the process, plus at least 10 years before that praying for adoption (Robyn much much longer). And yet, before this little girl was born, before her mom was pregnant, before the earthquake, the Lord was ordaining a family to love her deeply and completely, to do whatever it took however long it took to come for her and take her home to be with us where we are. And how much more the Father, since before time ever was, has been seeking you and me, who cannot do anything to save ourselves from the mess we are in, and willing to pay so great a price...
Are you seeing this? Go back to the little girl in Haiti. She can't do things for herself. She can't pull herself up by her bootstraps (she doesn't even own boots), she can't earn her way out of the orphanage. She is where she is. It's been a year and a half or more of Robyn and I doing paperwork, two or so years before that when we started getting the call to start the process, plus at least 10 years before that praying for adoption (Robyn much much longer). And yet, before this little girl was born, before her mom was pregnant, before the earthquake, the Lord was ordaining a family to love her deeply and completely, to do whatever it took however long it took to come for her and take her home to be with us where we are. And how much more the Father, since before time ever was, has been seeking you and me, who cannot do anything to save ourselves from the mess we are in, and willing to pay so great a price...
Romans 8:29-39 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Okay, now read the lyrics of the song:
How Deep the Father's Love for Us
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed to hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that kept Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
I really love you peoples.
Tim
