Dear Family,
Today is Thursday, April 13, 2023. Today is Day 5 of Week 1 in our Count to Pentecost.
When God began to work with ancient Israel to bring them out of Egypt, He planned to take them to Mt. Sinai and offer them a marriage covenant. The nation was to “marry” their Creator. This covenant between God and ancient Israel stands as a physical type of what the Mighty Ones plan for the Church of God forever.
Isaiah 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of Hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called.
Thousands of years ago God was creating a nation to be a wife for Himself. And, today, God is creating a CHURCH to be His bride, His Wife forever.
As humans, we tend to look at things on the surface, and we often miss the intricate, generous, beautiful purposes and details that God is working out. Isn’t that just like a loving God? He creates more goodness than we expect. He lavishes His love upon His chosen ones. And, much of this is done in quietness, even in secret.
Psalm 139:13-16 (13) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. (15) My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, (16) Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.
Do we see ourselves this way? Do we see ourselves as God’s work in progress as He knits us together into a Body?
Colossians 2:2, 19 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ…. (19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Soon, the mystery of God will be finished; and, we are part of that mystery!
Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets.
Do we really comprehend the treasures and the potential happiness that God has determined to give us? Do we understand our great God-planned destiny? God has magnificent purposes in bringing us out of our Egypt. Our future is far, far better than any of us have every imagined.
Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written; Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
God blesses each of us so richly. May He give us the hearts to embrace His gifts.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God