"The Gathering" -2

"Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds." (Psalms 149:5)

  Forgive me for hesitating, because there are just some things that are a little too hard to figure out; at least from a human point of view. I know we deal with certain issues from time to time, it is just part of living in these tents; sometimes they need to be mended, sometimes they require cleaning; and there are times when the thing just does not seem worth anything at all. But God, He is more about the things that matter the most; which just so happens to be the things that we loose sight of the easiest. As I was reading chapter two of Revelation, I could help thinking about the good things being mentioned, yet how they were overshadowed by those things that were bad. It reminded me of what Jesus was saying about putting new wine in old wineskins. Maybe it might be good for us to be kept apart as we are, so that we might appreciate it more when we can soon come together! It is more about old customs and the way that we just get use to doing certain things, almost as if they are the things we are expected to do, without even having a particular reason. Looking back to the first verse, and then placing this verse along side of it, when can get a little clearer picture of what is being said: This is all about God doing something new; as it is His custom to do, especially when there needs to be some sort of an awakening in His people. Sometimes it is not the obvious things that He cares about, but it is the things that are subtle and that are worked into generations; little habits and things that are not even noticed to be sins; but that are things which just distract us, or cause us to stop doing the things that are important to Him. If there was anything of any value to these things we walk in, it is when they come together to praise their maker! If there is anything that might cause us to take more time examining these torn-up and weary tents, it is the fact that we are made to focus upon them, as if they are alone and set apart! We are never alone...

"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold -though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ's suffering and his great glory afterward." (1 Peter 1:7-11) NLT