December 30
Malachi 1:1-2:17 | PS 149:1-9 | Prov 31:10-24 | Rev 21:1-27
The opening scene of "Saving Private Ryan" features men in the "Higgins Boat", which were the vessels leading the men onto the beach of Normandy. The scene was intense as they heard the bullets already being sent from the ridge above them, and they were focused with all their minds at the moment the door of their boat would be opened before they engaged the battle. I think of what our focus would be like if separated in foxholes ready for that first shot of war. How about the intensity if you heard someone break into your house, but the intruder did not realize you were present. All of these scenes should bring to mind an intensity, being ready for that moment experience. We can relate when our earthly lives are literally on the line. Now consider these phrases which recur throughout the prophets, "And the Word of the Lord came to me", "That they may know that I am the Lord", or as Jeremiah stated in Jeremiah 20:9, that he tried to remain quiet, but could not hold back from speaking forth God's Word. Are the eternal lives of those we come in contact with not more important than our earthly lives? Like the soldier on the Higgins Boat, we must be at the ready. As God's priests, we never know when God will give us a revelation, give us an opportunity, offer us a moment. The prophets of old did not hear from God continuously, they were at the ready, and when God spoke they were prepared and open, at a moment's notice, to move forward as His soldiers.
In the opening chapters of Malachi, we see the prophet rebuking the people and its leaders. They were not at the ready. They were sleeping, going through the motions, complacent. We read in Malachi 2:7-8, "“For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have departed from the way; You have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” Says the Lord of hosts." When Paul talks about the institution of the Lord's Supper, he begins in 1 Corinthians 11:23, "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you..." We get a beautiful vision of the new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem in Revelation 21. Do we stop and pause to consider which of our friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances, contacts, will get to experience this? Jesus has clearly stated that most do not end up there. This beautiful scene is reserved for those who have chosen to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Another holiday season is passing. Was this another opportunity lost? Do you think to yourself, there is always the next holiday, or next year? Is there? The prophets were given opportunities and took them. How many opportunities do we ignore, consider wrongly timed, etc. We need to stay in His Word continuously, in prayer constantly, so like the soldier in the boat storming Normandy, we are ready to pounce on the opportunity. It just might be your last time with that individual. For any who might be reading this and perhaps have not already made that decision to repent and accept the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and make Him your Lord and Savior, what are you waiting for? Are you certain that you will have another opportunity? Ready, vigilant, always, for the Lord. May this be our stance.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: