Holding on with faith
by Pastor Tim Klein
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I am coming soon. So hold firmly to what you have, and no one will take away the crown you will be given as your reward (Revelation 3:11).
Read Revelation 3:7–13
Again, comes this invitation to listen. So, what might we hear today from the Lord?
At an aged-care service this week, we reflected on Isaiah 60, focusing on verse 1: ‘Jerusalem, stand up! Shine! Your new day is dawning.’
Have you heard the phrase ‘realised eschatology’? It literally says, ‘end time things are being realised right in the here and now’. If you are a baptised child of God, then you, with me and other baptised people, are in God’s kingdom right now! That’s built into Isaiah 60:1!
We live in two kingdoms: the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light! Both are spoken of in Isaiah 60 (and other places in the word). ‘The earth and its people are covered with darkness, but the glory of the Lord is shining upon you’ (Isaiah 60:2).
As baptised children of the Lord, we have been gifted with a rock-solid promise – life in the kingdom of God. It’s our crown – the crown of eternal life. Here. As we listen, we are told to hold firmly to what we have. If we want that promise to be fully realised in the eternal kingdom of God, then we need to hold on to it – firmly.
What can we do then? Let faith be our daily practice; read and reflect on the word of God and listen to what he is saying. Allow his Spirit to guide our daily lives: our decisions, hopes and dreams. Let the Spirit focus our hearts and minds on Christ – our ultimate reward. In faith, do as Isaiah says: stand up and shine in this new dawning day to which we belong. Smile into the dark places you encounter. Share with people in darkness – give them some light. Serve in those dark places, just as the Lord has done for you and me. Finally, sing to the Lord a new song.
Lord, we know well the whelming darkness all around and even within us. Give us your strength to hold onto the promised crown of life. We thank and praise you for shining your light with mercy and forgiveness into our hearts. Use us now to shine your light into the darkness around us. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for over 30 years in Australia and New Zealand and is currently at Faith Warradale in South Australia. Husband to his wife, father of three and grandfather of more than nine. Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of over 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.
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