MORE AND MORE. This morning, I took a picture of the sun rising. It is seen below. I have an assurance that the Lord is coming for me every morning when I wake up. My back deck faces the East and I get to witness the sun rise. Guess what? The sun rises every day without failure. Maybe we take the sun for granted, but it does it’s job and is faithful to show up.
The sun is no slack and it is surely not unfaithful. It rises and will continue to rise until He makes a new heaven and new earth. So until that time, I have a promise from the Lord: “Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.” Hosea 6:3 HCSB
We are promised that He is coming, so we are told to strive to know Him. What does this mean? His appearance or some translations “going forth”; or the going forth of God, “is prepared,” firm, fixed, certain, established, (so the word means) “as the morning.” Not only was this Word fulfilled in the first coming of Christ; but will be fulfilled in His second coming as well, “as sure as the dawn”. For He has said, “If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3 HCSB“If” we follow on to know the Lord—The result of His recovered favor (Ho 6:2) to His people who repent will be ongoing growth in the knowledge of God.
AS THE result of perseverance in following after Him SO THE knowledge of Him will bring with it all blessings. This knowledge is practice, not mere theory. The word “if” is not in the original text, and the passage is not conditional, but rather absolute. Therefore, when we are converted and come to know Christ and in turn He is revealed to us and in us as the only Saviour and Redeemer; then we will continue and increase in the knowledge of Him, “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.” Proverbs 4:18 HCSB
We are to know Him as more than Savior, but as Lord and Master, Protector, High Tower, Shield and friend. When we earnestly desire to know more of Him, and eagerly pursue those means by which we attain to a greater degree of knowing Him, (seeking for Him with all our heart while He may be found); we will want more, again in practice not theory. The grace of God, which has given us the first measure of spiritual and experimental knowledge of Him, will then influence and engage us to seek after more.
As sure as the sun rises, I can know Him more. I can grow more and more in Him. I can grow more and more in His favor. I can have more and more of His blessings. I can know His ways, His Word, His mercy- more and more. I can know Him as my Lord and my King. I can know Him more as my protector and only safety. And as sure as the sun rises, I am assured He is coming back for me. Whom shall I fear?#runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
