“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, (Rev. 2:17a)
How many people do you suppose that had little more than manna to eat in the wilderness for forty years would appreciate that verse?
Those that believe the world is not such a bad place, that it’s just the perspective one looks at it with, do you think those people thirst and hunger for righteousness?
What of those who have never really struggled with any true pain, deep and abiding suffering and grief here in their lives, just what would entering into His rest mean to them?
If you are seeking the face of God for His glory, one of the main things that the Holy Spirit will do in your life is alter your perspective of not only this world, but of your life here as well, He will transform your mind.
“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1st John 5:19)
Change is what most people fear, and change is what the Almighty requires of us. Those you love dearly that do not love Him whom you profess to love, are they your enemies or your friends? That which you have become accustomed to, content with, find security in, is it of God or the world? If you have set your affections above, what affections do you have left for anything here?
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)
Willing to leave everything and everyone, even your own desires, for the glory of the Living God. My friends, there is no greater change than that.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2nd Cor. 5:17)
But most people do not want new, not in this regard, for their security rests not in change, but in sameness, in the known and welcome continuation of repetitiveness. Content in the security of that which will not last.
“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” (Gen. 8:22)
That is about as much of the continuation of sameness that you should expect.
If you are going to study to show yourself approved then you must go out into all the world, if not, then there really is no need to study His words, is there? If you are going to keep yourself unspotted from the world, then by default you must understand where and how those spots could get on you, so to speak, in the first place.
Repetition can be a terrible thing my friends, especially when we expect it, for it will deceive you into believing that change is not necessary, and you cannot grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord if you are not willing to accept change. Being transformed means not only changing, but accepting, and even anticipating change.
Those who ate only manna for forty years, how much anticipation do you suppose they had as they prepared to cross the Jordan River into a land of milk and honey?
Serving the Lord Jesus Christ is all about our perspectives and our willingness to change, to let go of everything here, to see all of it as it has been prepared to be, melted in fervent heat.
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
Change in us for His glory is not only expected, it is commanded of us, it is only our willingness, or lack thereof, that hinders us from letting go.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:21)
