March 16, 2022
I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak and not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:1-3
Those who are longing for Christ’s return may wonder at times why He is taking so long. While it seems that He is tarrying, He will return right on time. The apparent delay is due to His mercy. And do not forget that we have a role to fulfill, for we are instructed to hasten the day (see Matthew 24:14 & 2 Peter 3:12).
Have you been chastened by the Lord? What will you answer when you are corrected? Do you perceive His mercy as severe? A severe mercy that brings a sinner to repentance is an inexplicably wonderful gift! Pray to be willing to accept corrections. Share plainly with others, that he who runs may read [understand] it. Beloved, the LORD has a divine schedule, and as much detail of it as is beneficial for us to know, He has shared in His Word. Like Joel, whose prophecy we read yesterday, other prophets were directed by the Holy Spirit in visions of His coming.
The LORD alone will be exalted in that day, but the idols He shall utterly abolish. They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily. In that day a man will cast away his idols of gold, which they made, each for himself to worship, to the moles and the bats, to go into the clefts of the rocks and into the crags of the rugged rocks, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily. Isaiah 2:17b-21
They shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!” Hosea 10:8b (This verse is quoted by Jesus in Luke 23:30.) The ideas conveyed are presented yet again in Revelation 6:15-16, part of our opening verses yesterday.
Beloved, preparing to welcome the Lord when He comes is joyful business, even as you allow the sword of the Spirit—His Word—to surgically remove those things which do not belong in your life. It may sound painful, but His ways are always best. The intensity of the glory of the Day of His coming can hardly be described in human words. He is presenting a contrast between those who are ready and those who are not. That Day will be both majestic and terrible, glorious and dreadful, magnificent and horrifying, spectacular and frightening, resplendent and awful. He tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 that the lawless one who misleads people will be destroyed “with the brightness of His coming.” The beauty, splendor, and bright glory of Jesus will be the most welcome and wonderful sight for His bride. Paul shared a magnificent truth when he said:
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” 2 Corinthians 4:17