KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Chapters: Psalms 74-77
Message: Be Ready For Christ’s Return
Hello My Friend,
The second we receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour we become part of a royal family, we are princes and princesses, heir to the throne of our King. I do not know much about royalty, but I do know that they do the exact same things that we do, same successes, failures, messes, only the entire world knows about it. How amazing would the world be if the royal family of God would proclaim their King in a way that is dignified. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”- I Peter 2:9,10,20,21.
With the world in such chaos today you would think more people would be flocking to the Saviour than ever, but the truth is, they are not. The problem is that many of the royals of God are not proclaiming Christ, they are saved, but living their lives not as though they do not know Him. If the world cannot see Christ they will not see the need to know Him. Jesus will return one day, He is taking all His family to safety when that happens, but it is going to get much worse before that time comes. Psalm 74 gives a little insight as to what was going on in the minds of God’s faithful when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the army of the Chaldeans, after they took most of people captive into Babylon. While this is talking about the state of Judah, we too can relate to it.
“They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land. We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long. O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom. For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.” – Psalm 74:8-12,22.
“there is no more any prophet:” Could you imagine a time when there was no communication between God and man at all? Malachi was the last prophet to speak the words of God after the Jews were released from captivity to Babylon (440-410 BC) until John the Baptist (30-34 AD) began preaching that Jesus was coming to save them from their sins. For over four hundred years there was no signs from God whatsoever, but they had hope, they knew God was their salvation and would appear one day. Now, we know the King did appear, and we know Him to be Jesus Christ, many still reject Him today, including the Jews, and if we think it was bad in Jerusalem, it is going to get much worse all over the world as the time approaches of Jesus returning. “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.” – Luke 21:8-11.
The number one reason why people reject Christ, is pride, many people develop an, “I did it myself” attitude, an attitude that sees no need for God to be in their lives because they got where they did without Him. Christians too can get caught up in the attitude that they do not need Him anymore because of their successes in life. Psalm 75 teaches us not to boast of ourselves, but also gives us a warning of what will happen to those who reject Christ. “I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.” – Psalm 75:4-9.
“For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup,” This is not a cup of blessings, but a cup of afflictions, natural disasters and judgments, which are measured out in proportion to mans sins. The whole cup that God has measured out and filled up shall be poured out upon Christ’s return and judgment of the world. Dregs, Waste or worthless matter. The dregs, all the wicked things that brought much pleasure in the world, will turn nothing and all who do not know Christ will be punished with eternal death in the lake of fire. “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:13-15.
The fool says in their heart that there is no God. Sooner or later they will find out how foolish they were, and that God’s mercy will subside one day. Psalm 77 is a reminder that we better find Christ while He may be found. “Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.” – Psalm 77:7-14.
“doth his promise fail for evermore?” God’s promises do not fail, and His mercies do not either if we are faithful to Him. We must understand that while we can never lose our salvation, we can lose that sense of protection of God here on earth if we live a sinful life. All this past week we have heard of nothing, but love people no matter who they love or what they do even Christians boasting of their sin as though it is no sin. The time is now to seek God while He may be found because we are getting closer to Christ’s return, and once He does, there is no turning back. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” – Isaiah 55:6-8.
Jesus Christ Magnified: Today, Jesus is revealed as the Judge (75:7). When Jesus returns every person will stand before Him in judgment. “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” – John 5:30.
Today’s Prayer: God, The time is fast approaching that Your Son will return, we may not know the hour, but we have some signs that He is coming soon. Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace, and for sending Your Son to give us a way to be one of Yours. We do not have to work for our salvation, but being the example of Your Son is a good thing because we can lead many to Him while He may be found. Lead us and guide us, show us how to be like true royals, boldly proclaiming Your Son as our Saviour and leading the lost to Him. Give us the strength, wisdom, and guidance we need to endure all that afflictions, disasters, and judgments that are coming as the day to Christ returning draws near. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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