We have the whole Bible: do we know the Lord?
We have many teachings and doctrines: do we know the Lord?
We have many opinions and understandings: do we know the Lord?
We serve God in many ways: do we know the Lord?
We have a plethora of conferences: do we know Messiah the Lord?
We say we believe: do we know Yeshua/Jesus Himself?
As in the days which brought the time of the Judges to a close in Israel, there seems to be much confusion in the Body of Messiah: many are doing what is right in their own eyes, and there is much evil in the Kingdom of God. “The Word of YHVH [is] rare in these days. There is no widespread revelation.” (1 Sam 3:1b) There is a lack of clarity and definiteness. The sheep are scattered as if there is no Shepherd; there is much ‘confusion of faces’, as if there is no King.
God is testing our faithfulness, to see whether we will obey Him with faith, hope, and love for what and who we know Him to be; testing the inner man, the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. He is bringing us through times of a widespread and rapid spiritual decline, that we might grow strong in such adverse conditions, that our whole hope and life is found in Jesus alone.
We need a breakthrough from the Lord by the Holy Spirit that will gather the sheep together in a unity and a love that is difficult to discern clearly now, but yet is taking place in those hid with Christ in God, as God works in His mysterious ways that are not seen by ‘the world’.
Perhaps we are in need of what the LORD told Samuel regarding Israel then: “Behold, I will do something in the [Church] at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle!” (1Sam 3:11) Something clear, and unmistakeably of God, to bring godly sorrow unto repentance, promoting holiness in the fear of God, preparing us for the things yet to come, and furthering His purposes to glorify His holy name, and to gather together in one all things in Messiah, both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth — in Him.
Merry Christmas, and a blessed new year for the glory of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!