Crying in the Wilderness
I don’t think they would have let him in the Temple; not dressed the way he was. Not only that, the message he was delivering, would not have suited their set list of rules, or laws. It would have been offensive to them; especially, when he told them to repent.
It seems obvious that he had to operate outside the usual religious kind of structure; in order to speak the things he had been ordained to speak. It did not likely matter to the church leaders, that this ministry, had even been prophesied, years and years ago, in their very own sacred and holy texts.
The prophet Joel, prophesied about some things that were going to come to past, in the last days. We liked to claim the part about God and the pouring out, His Spirit was going to do, and did do. We were also happy to know that the promise, was to all of us; for as long as God kept calling. But there was more to that word; it’s the part that we didn’t hear very many talking or preaching about. Oh, we read the verses, but we actually did not encourage the people to do all of it. I can say, that in the beginning of the church in this country, we did have those who wanted, all of the promises.
Our daughters were supposed to be prophesying; some did at first. But it did not take long for that part of the promise, to fade quickly away. We had a limited recognized few over the years; but, nothing like a real outpouring was supposed to represent. Just like our young men, were supposed to see visions. How many of these young folk, have been allowed to get up and tell the congregation about the visions the Spirit has shown to them? If the New Testament church was in full operation, we wouldn’t need man’s entertainment.
A lot of tears have been shed; some of us have been in our own kind of wilderness; driven there, by a plan, we didn’t even know about. I feel led to say this now. God did not call people, to sit somewhere, never being used; waiting on some man’s approval, which will likely never come. The Spirit, did not spend all those years teaching and training men and women, that had been chosen and ordained before men’s timing, for them to remain in a place where they are unused, and unwanted. Men of old, walked in their deserts, in mountains, in dens and caves of the earth; yet, God used them.
Mighty men of God, like David, Samuel, and all the prophets, knew what it was to be destitute, afflicted and tormented. The book of Hebrews, says that, out of weakness, they were made strong. The wilderness, was not an easy place for Jesus Christ; he was tempted on all sides; but His message came through anyway. If we had known we would end up in a wilderness, we might not have chosen to go.
The cave, can be a lonely place; it can also be a safe place. The Spirit, never let us be led to any place, He could not bring us out of. And He still yet works, from any location, He chooses.
There are prophets, waiting in the wilderness for the time to come. They have already given words of warning to leaders, but those leaders failed to recognize them as prophets. They preferred false prophecies that told them that their churches were OK (all prophecies must be edifying to the church), although prophecy that warned the leaders of their errors would have been edifying for the church, if they had taken heed of it. So take comfort all you prophets who have spoken the true Word of God, your time will come, and it is now close.
Amen! Very encouraging. A beautiful word to remember. Thank u for posting. This is my hope & prayer. Lead me Holy Spirit.
Very good post
After Jesus ascended and they went to hide and wait on His promise…they must ve been feeling very lonely, sad and uncertain, about the future and about what they are to wait upon…how the Holy Spirit would look like and how the batisms will take place…Jesus were living among and with them fir so long and He was there with them talking eating …very real…with all His love…presence…safety…now they were alone and uncertain and didnt know what to expect. They just knew they were told to wait on His promise and to be baptised with His Holy Spirit…and they should not do anything before then. They waited…not quite sure what is expected of them and how they are to wait either…more and more they came to realise that they are indeed alone and Jesus isnt appearing anymore and He is not talking to them anymore…maybe they had to fight against doubts and fears and what-if’s just to be reminded by each other to keep focus and faith and to wait in faith …so they started to encourage one another…by reminding each other of Jesus ‘promises and how faithful He was and that He is trustwortby and that He will do as He said…just keep faith and keep watch and expect from Him…what He promised…and so Jesus did and He baptised them and He send the promise and Halleluja! The Spirit of the Lord came and made dwelling in each of them and clothed them and it was so spectacular! Oh what marvelous beautiful Faithfulness of Our Lord and King that showed Himself still very much filled with love towards all of us on earth! He never gave up on any of us! He do as He say and He still very much loves us and Truly make His dwelling in each of us as He promises…So if you find yourself in waiting, seems like He is silent, just be encouraged…He is very much with you and loving you and faithfull…He will do more than you can expect, wait for and ask…He is our and The marvelous God! He only Living Lord God Most High. Lord, we love You. We look to You. You are faithful. Thank You! Amen.