Love Notes

Based on James 5:1-20, Psalm 13:10-18, Ezekiel 39:1-40:49.

Father in heaven, in Christ and by Your Holy Spirit, I declare we do not know the hour or the day, but we know the time. Look at it! The lawlessness and the lies! Pharaoh has enslaved the people in delusions and illusions. By mendacity, he rules and reigns, and freedom sighs. Yet You say, "Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the LORD. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the LORD is at hand."

According to the epistle of James, the Judge is at the door, and we who endure are counted as blessed. Thus we cling to the One who died and rose, for You tell us that the fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much. Thus we pray in faith, believing, like Elijah, who was a man with a nature like ours. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, this time for rain, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 

Three-and-a-half years! What does THAT mean, LORD?

I hear You saying, "This is the day of which I have  spoken. Surely it is coming, and it shall be done." You are jealous, GOD, for Your holy name. You working all things to good for Your people: Your anointed, Your priests, Your saints. Your enemies. Scripture says You will clothe Your enemies with shame, but upon Your Anointed Son, Your crown shall flourish. Therefore, we commit our hearts and minds to be patient, to  persevere in waiting for the precious fruit and for the early rain and for the latter rain. Your rain, Your reign! Foursquare!

We count ourselves blessed, O GOD, for we have seen the end that is intended by You, and we know You are very compassionate and merciful. Thank You, LORD, for preparing a lamp for us to see the Gateway. We know that, soon and very soon, that Gate will open. Until then, we pray to You and point to You, confessing our sins to one another  and praying for one another that we may be healed. Earnestly, fervently, effectively, because Your Son has made us righteous. We are clothed with His salvation and with joy by the Holy Spirit whom You, by grace, have imparted to us. Thus we live in hope that is confident, awaiting the day You have foretold, a day we know is coming. For us, it is amazing. Grace. Amazing.

This photograph is by Kristofer Rowe.