Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 12.7.2016” on Spreaker.
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:10–11).
It’s time to clean up (been time)! No, I am not talking about Spring cleaning. I am not talking about cleaning out your garage. I am not talking about getting your guest rooms tidied for visitors during the holidays. Here’s a verse: “Dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). There you have it. It is time for our lives to be clean!
I know. I know what you’re thinking: “How am I supposed to do that?” Good question. Here’s an example of a man who figured it out. He said, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:5–7). Beloved King David knew how to get all cleaned up—ask God to do it!
I need not tell you that we are living during the final moments of earth’s history. Signs are rapidly fulfilling and shouting to those willing to listen, “Jesus is coming soon! Get ready to meet Him!”
So, without making this worship thought too dramatic, let me ask you to do yourself a favor in light of the times: Ask God to clean out your life from all the filth that displeases Him, then cooperate with Him in the process. Surrender pride, unholy thoughts, lazy Bible reading, absent prayer life, missing loveliness, unrighteous intentions, evil planning, and anything else He reveals to you. When the greatest trials hit the earth soon, you (and I) really need to be on the winning team in order to receive the promise resident in our theme text. God will say to those who embrace His command to persevere until the end, “I will be with you and keep you with my righteousness.”
Ask God to make you holy every moment of every day, teach you to live like Jesus, and persevere until He comes. Simple. Now, go do it.
