If we have but a blink of an eye to be on this earth – don’t we want to live it well? Don’t we want to live as disciples of Jesus, both feet in the kingdom of God, living with reckless abandoned… not for this world, but for the future we are promised?
Let’s ask ourselves – what IS my purpose? In light of the instability and frailty of life – why am I really here?
According to a book called The Wisdom Of The Enneagram – The Complete Guide To Psychological and Spiritual Growth For The Nine Personality Types, by Riso and Hudson, “We are all driven by a deep inner restlessness. We may feel this restlessness as a sense that something is missing in us, although it is usually difficult to define exactly what it is.
We have all sorts of notions about what we think we need or want – a better relationship, a better job, a better physique, a better car, and on and on. We believe that if we acquire that perfect relationship or job or new “toy,” the restlessness will go away, and we will feel satisfied and complete. But experience teaches us that the new car makes us feel better for only a short time. The new relationship may be wonderful, but it never quite fulfills us in the way we thought it would. So what are we really looking for?
If we reflect for a moment, we may realize that what our hearts yearn for is to know who we are and why we are here. But little in our culture encourages us to look for answers to these important questions. We have been taught that the quality of our life will improve primarily if our external fortunes improve. Sooner or later, however, we realize that external things, while valuable in themselves, cannot address the deep restlessness of our soul.”
David wrote Psalm 62 in a time of great stress and challenge.
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. “Psalm 62:1-2
Timothy Keller explains David’s psalm in his book, The Songs of Jesus, “This is a psalm for those under stress, and the first verse is the key to facing it. Literally it says, “Only toward God my soul is silence.” When we are in trouble our soul chatters to us, ‘We have to have this, or we won’t make it. This must happen, or all is lost.’ The assumption is that God alone will not be enough — some other circumstance or condition or possession is necessary to be happy and secure. David, however, learned to tell his soul, ‘I need only one thing to survive and thrive — and I have it. I need only God and his all-powerful fatherly love and care — everything else is expendable.’ When this realization sinks in, you will ‘never be shaken.'”
Let’s look at three different sources that give us a picture as to how to satisfy this restlessness of our soul, live with purpose, and stand firm in an unstable world.
First, we are given Godly direction in Matthew 22:37-40, “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The Westminster Shorter Catechism written in a Q and A style, asks in the first question, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”
And yet a third source, The Heidelberg Catechism also with a Q and A style, authored by a noted team of Reformed theologians in the 1500’s and endures as a teaching tool and form of confessional unity among the churches.
The first question asks, “What is your only comfort, in life and in death?”
The Answer: “That I belong — body and soul, in life and in death –not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him. “
If we look at life as a game or a sport for a minute – I want to play hard. I want to leave it all out on the field. Life is the big game!
Jesus bought you and I with his blood. He is the bridge to God the Father. He made it possible for the Spirit to live within us, to be sealed, and have an inheritance that far outweighs anything we can imagine.
Revelation is all about Jesus who has overcome. He is victorious. He wins! I am on his team, and I hope you are too. Do you want to sit as a bench warmer or do you want to get put in the game? To be used by God to further his kingdom? To use your gifts and talents to serve God, and see others come to know Jesus, as we share our lives and testimony of God’s faithfulness with others who don’t know him yet?
Pastor Jeff Vines from One & All Church said in his sermon this past weekend that, “People would rather have their freedom than salvation.” I believe this statement is true, but what they don’t understand is freedom is in Christ alone.
To break free from shame, fear, brokenness – and trust Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, IS freedom and salvation.
If you have not opened your heart, prayed and asked the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ to come into your life, forgive your sins, renew your life, and be His forever – I invite you to pray along with me now.
(Just pray the words to God from your heart, as you read along. If you are a child of God, then recommit your trust in Him, or pray He would stir in that someone who does not yet know God as Lord and Savior.)
Father God, in your great love and mercy, you sent your son, Jesus Christ to earth as our sacrifice and Savior. Thank you Jesus, for leaving the Father’s right hand, humbling yourself to walk among us, as fully God and fully man, and although you knew no sin at all, you took on all of my sin. You bled and died for me, and I want to thank you for that incredible sacrifice. You made a way for me to be redeemed, washed clean, and made new. Father God, you are calling me into your family, and today I put my wholehearted trust in you for the forgiveness of my sins, everlasting righteousness and salvation, out of grace, because of Christ’s saving work. I receive your Spirit today to live within me forever, sealed as yours. May you lead me and transform me, that I may grow in my faith, wisdom and knowledge of who you are, and who you call me to be. In my Lord Jesus’ name, Amen.
I want to leave you with a challenge to read the book of Revelation. As a companion study book, I highly recommend Darrell Johnson’s book, Discipleship on the Edge. He writes in a clear, understandable way.
The reading and hearing of this book comes with a blessing, as stated in Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
But I give you this warning. By the end, if your heart is open, and you allow the Spirit to lead you, you will be transformed — living with reckless abandon for the One who gave it all.
I’d like to end with more from Psalm 62. May these words bless you, strengthen you, and allow you to stand firm as you put your trust in God alone.
Psalm 62:5-8
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
AMEN!
Study Sources:
*A year study through: “A life-changing encounter with God’s Word from the book of REVELATION,” Life Change Series
*Discipleship On the Edge An Expository Journey Through The Book Of Revelation by Darrell W. Johnson
*“The End of the Beginning – a study of Revelation” Pastor Jeff Vines, Christ Church of the Valley, 14 part sermon series
*https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Rev/Rev-1.cfm?a=1168001
*The Story The Bible as one continuing story of God and His People NIV, Foreword By Max Lucado & Randy Frazee
*Daniel For You by David Helm
*Daniel – Bible Study, Lives of Integrity Words of Prophecy by Beth Moore