Waves Roaring
Waves Roaring
Towards the end of February (22nd), I dreamed that I was in a rickety, little bach-crib which was perched high up on a cliff, looking down into a deep-water bay. The sea was being churned up by a massive storm. The waves which were being driven from every direction simultaneously, were clawing their way up the cliffs and tearing trees out by the roots. The little house was wind and weather-blasted...but secure. This violent scene was however over-laid with and contained a kind of beauty, which I took to be the very Presence of God.
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea." (Luke 21.25)
The context for this verse, is the Lord describing events in history during that period which immediately precedes "that time (when) they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." (Verse 27)
He is predicting a time in history when the whole world and all of its nations and societies (all at the same time) will be caught up in natural and socio-political upheaval and turmoil...tending towards chaos, anarchy and destruction. Roaring seas and strange tides, which exceed their usual boundaries! Global disturbances and threats, which the nations united cannot prevent or manage or fix!
And the counsel of God for these circumstances?
Jesus says, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Verse 28)
Clearly from the Lord's perspective, these days are not for running away and hiding (E.g. Buying guns and storing cans of baked beans?). Nor is it time to hit the ejector-botton (E.g. Put your whole life on hold in anticipation of a pre-tribulation Rapture?). Clearly, He sees this moment in history as being an opportunity, an hour, an occasion, a chance for hitherto unseen acts and deeds of redemptive power, to be unleashed all over the world by God through His Church.
"Revive Thy work, O Lord:
Thy mighty arm make bare;
Speak with the voice which wakes the dead,
And make Thy people hear.
"Revive Thy work, O Lord:
Give power unto Thy word;
Grant that Thy blessed Gospel may
In living faith be heard."
(Hymn 679 PCNZ)
We are not called to crouch down in hiding until the storms of life and the Last Days have blown over. We are called to get up onto our feet and prepare for action.
"Your people shall be willing in the day of your power." (Psalm 110.3)
"Gird up your loins like a man." (Job 38.3)
"You therefore gird up your loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command you." (Jeremiah 1.17)
Nor are we called in these days to avert or close our eyes, disappearing off into an internet-fuelled fantasy-land of glitzy, mendacious preachers with their cutsy-pie messages and accompanying mood-music! We are in fact called to look long and hard and steadily at our crashing and burning and sinking world. Then we'll be enlightened and able to see Heaven-sent and Heaven-indicated opportunities and plunge into the melee and maelstrom, carrying His redemptive power.
"He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever - holy and awesome is his name." (Psalm 111.9)
"O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full (plenteous) redemption." (Psalm 130.7)
"There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people - everyone whose name is found written in the book - will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12.1-3)
And finally, what of the rickety, little hut on the cliff's edge? That's us...the Church, His Body, the "tatterdemalion" People of God! And we are all called to be just plain and honest and simple folk...not smart, not particularly impressive in the eyes of the world, never meretricious! (1 Corinthians 1.26-29) And we are who we are because of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ...and He has decreed and promised that wind-buffet-ed and weather-beaten though we be...we will stand until the end.
"On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16.18)
"Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." (Romans 14.4)
