September 2nd, 20

Today’s readings are Ezekiel 20 – 21, Psalm 11, and Revelation 8.  We are reading from the New Living Translation.

How sobering it all is.  Terror! Terror! Terror!, cries the eagle.  A Sword! A Sword! A Sword!, cries the Prophet.  The world’s great rebellion will reach it’s peak.  We see that happening even now.  The world’s great rebellion will exhaust itself in it’s own fury.  And then God will bring this rebellion to an end.  That’s what we see these prophets speaking of.  That’s what the eagle cries aloud, about. God is bringing the rebellion to an end.  And the terrifying and awesome depth of our rebellion will be exposed to us. That will indeed be a terrifying sight.  But this is what the Psalmist says, lest you despair over the terror and the sword.  He reminds us in verse 7 that

For the righteous Lord loves justice.  The virtuous will see his face. (Ps 11:7 NLT)

God desires to know us face to face, but our rebellion and violence have blinded us to the righteousness, justice, and face of God. So in his love and justice he has made a way for us to meet him, as he is and as we are, face to face. We are in Him. Forgiven – Clean – New –  Loved.

The 7th seal is broken by the Lamb.  When that happens, all Heaven stops because all Heaven knows the terror and sword that will soon be unleashed on the earth.  But the Psalmist reminds us:

I trust in the Lord for protection.  So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! (Psalm 11:1 NLT)

We who know him face to face need not know the terror of the sword.  We can trust in him for our protection and safety. He is our mountain of safety. We fly to Calvary, for his protection.  On that mountain the Lamb of God absorbed the sword of terror and judgement due me and this rebellious world.  Because of His love and justice, He made a way for us.  He gathers all those who trust in him and who find their shelter and life in him.  We need not be terrorized.  

But like in Heaven, when the seventh seal is broken, we ought to be silent.  We ought to stand in silent awe, and worship the Lamb who breaks the seventh seal and offers himself as payment for the terror and sword that is due us.  

Take some time to be silent today and consider the great great love that was poured out for you on the mountain.  He is the mountain that you run to, the mountain where you find your shelter and safety.  Be silent, known, and seen – face to face.

You are loved!