Time well spent. Living in the goodness of God.

  In a world so full of disappointment, broken promises, instability, "wars and rumours of wars", time spent in the Holy presence of God is the answer and corrective we are in need of. His presence is not only the place of certain joy, clarified purpose, peace and focus, but it is the place we are made to live in, the essence of life itself. 

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; 

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

 Psalm 16:11 

All political leaders disappoint. We live in a season when this is exceptionally true on the largest stage. We watch the news, hoping for an upturn in hope, a new figure or policy to inject some sustained stability, only to find that each hope raised is soon punctured into deflation, further mess, broken promises and a trajectory of despair. In a world so full of chaos, it is too easy for our minds, hearts, and conversations to be taken up with earthbound things. (Col 3;2) 

There is one who never disappoints. 

Psalm 96:9 reminds us to "worship the Lord in the splendour of His Holiness". Our focus is important. The same directional instruction is given in the tone of The Lord Jesus at his meal, when he says, "do this in remembrance of me". We can focus on so many immediate things: our own sin and failure, our broken world,  the failures of world leaders who have so much power but so little compassion, the persecution towards the faithful church, the lack of resources for those who have so much gospel opportunity to the unreached...yet our constant focus and return is to be fixed on Him. He is the eternal constant. All the other observances fit in under our gaze of our God, who has never made a mistake. All world events and even those intended as "private" or "hidden" should be seen in the context of the God whose way and gaze is only Holy, whose Saviour has paid for complete redemption, through complete obedience and spotless fulfilment. 

His Holiness Addresses Our Dispondency ...Because He Does What He Says. 

With a history and knowledge of so many disappointments (including how we disappoint ourselves and our loved ones), there is only one who can lift the gloom and give us hope. So much is said in our overcommunicating world, but that does not mean all of it is true. In fact, we live in an age where truth and words are so cheap, increasingly AI-generated, and much of what is said seeks to devalue the truth. What is typed on Truth Social,  spouted from a White House lectern, whether by a well-turned-out spokesperson or even the leader of the free world (in capitals, with or without expletives, with or without an audience with the Easter bunny),  rarely matches what is truly happening behind the scenes or the trajectory presented. 

Our God does not stage what He says to make it sound more convincing; He simply states eternal truth. The plan of eternity to accomplish our salvation and set above all things one who is only Holy remains steadfast and successful this very second. It will remain constant every day from hereon in. He does not need to amend it or intensify repetition (or start a social media campaign) for it to be true, but we do need to give constant attention ourselves to what he has said, for it still needs to speak to our hearts of the certainty of His character in such an uncertain world. In a world of many voices, we need to hear His. We need to hear his loving voice in its unwavering stability and dependability today. He does what He says. Be reminded of it, discipline yourself to focus on it, and meditate on it with increasing joy. 

Time in His consistent presence changes me.

When I acknowledge my need for God to speak into my life, I am already on the trajectory of change; He is already active in me, to certify that there is hope in Him alone and who He is. His Spirit opens up a certain reality. His word shows the historical faithfulness of the God who deals justly in all things. His gospel is trustworthy because He is trustworthy. He transforms my vision to what could be in Christ for all who listen to Him, whether already his or yet to see his "splendour" and beauty.  

1) As we see His constant Holiness, our passion for our world to know Him is renewed,  our view of injustice and wrongdoing corrected, recalibrated and reinvigorated.

Deut 32:1-6, 43

“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak,

    and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.

May my teaching drop as the rain,

    my speech distill as the dew,

like gentle rain upon the tender grass,

    and like showers upon the herb.

For I will proclaim the name of the Lord;

Ascribe greatness to our God!

The Rock, his work is perfect, For all his ways are justice.

A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

They have dealt corruptly with him: 

they are no longer his children because they are blemished;

    they are a crooked and twisted generation.

Do you thus repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? 

Is not he your father, who created you,

who made you and established you?

Rejoice with him, O heavens, 

bow down to him, all gods,

for he avenges the blood of his children

    and takes vengeance on his adversaries.

He repays those who hate him

and cleanses his people's land.

 The true promised land for Moses, Joshua, the historical people of God and us today is the presence of God. "Be still and know that I am God."

 Exodus 15:11, Psalm 93:5. 

2)  As we see His Holiness, our hope is renewed to prepare to declare the only hope for our world to others.

There is only one who satisfies. Our hope is secure only in Him, but it is secure. Paul says, "Be ready !!!", all those who look into Christ, and gaze on the Holiness given for us. We are to be readied by the holiness of God; this is a gaze which results in action and intent, not simply academic observance. As our appetite is satisfied, as our Holy God is satisfied in Christ and therefore pleased with us as we stand in His grace, clothed in His righteousness, we are to proclaim the giver, not just the gift. Paul says 

"...but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect... "

                                                    1 Peter 3:15

3) Evangelism includes speaking about the God who meets our greatest need, but it is also so much more. 

2 Tim 1:9 

(He has)... saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began..."

Our delight and satisfaction in God is a growing dynamic. The example of our lives should also be a growing witness of Holiness and praise to the one who gives and gives and gives again. What we seek most is not to prove to others that they are sinners and need forgiveness; that is a fact ultimately proven by the Spirit of God, who brings conviction. Our greater intent should be to exemplify that we, as people (children of grace) have come to know His Holiness in Christ, have been lovingly transformed by it, testifying to the beauty and goodness and grace of the God we profess. The apologetic of our lives must ring true. There is a joy about this; it is in no way burdensome. Yes, it is an awesome responsibility to be an ambassador of His Holiness (1 Peter 1:16), but this is far outshone by the privilege of being His child and the joy of being in His purposes.

Romans 12:1, Ephesians 4:24, 1 Thess 4:17, Hebrews 12:14

Lord, transform me by your grace and holiness in your presence.  As I look into your character, historic acts and ways each day, may others transparently see that I increasingly love you, that my ways have been transformed by you, your presence in my life,  and my hope, joy, and trajectory are in the one who will never disappoint.