I know that you may think that it is an unusual text to find my favorite verse, but it has always been my choice and today it makes more sense than ever.
“If God reduced the entire cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes (when he sentenced them to destruction as a fearful example to those who wanted to live in defiance of his laws), and yet saved Lot the righteous man, IN ACUTE MENTAL DISTRESS AT THE FILTHY LIVES OF THE GODLESS—Lot, remember, was a good man suffering spiritual agonies day after day at what he saw and heard of their lawlessness—THEN YOU MAY BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THE LORD KNOWS HOW TO RESCUE A GOOD MAN SURROUNDED BY TEMPTATION and how to reserve his punishment for the wicked until his day comes.”
The portion that locked into my spirit man early in my walk of faith is verse 9., THE LORD KNOWS HOW....
2 Peter 2:7-8
6-8 God decreed destruction for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. A mound of ashes was all that was left—grim warning to anyone bent on an ungodly life. BUT THAT GOOD MAN LOT, DRIVEN NEARLY OUT OF HIS MIND BY THE SEXUAL FILTH AND PERVERSITY, WAS RESCUED. SURROUNDED BY MORAL ROT DAY AFTER DAY. THAT RIGHTEOUS MAN WAS IN CONSTANT TORMENT. BUT THAT GOOD MAN LOT, DRIVEN NEARLY OUT OF HIS MIND BY THE SEXUAL FILTH AND PERVESTIY, WAS RESCUED. SURROUNDED BY MORAL ROT DAY BY DAY, THAT RIGHTEOUS MAN WAS IN CONSTANT TORMENT. The Message Translation
I was thinking about these verses recently and I asked myself a question. I am not really talking to myself as much as I am just trying to figure things out. Let me ask you the same question: “If a man or woman is not nearly driven out of his mind the sexual filth, perversity and moral rot we now find ourselves surrounded by day by day, what does that say about us?”
We are not a starry-eyed visionaries, when it comes to the backdrop of the day, in which we live. We are not fatalist; we are realist and we are looking forward to the unfolding of the grand scheme of what God has planned from before the foundation of the world. My favorite verse is found right in the middle of the darkness of the text, “THE LORD KNOWS HOW TO DELIVER, THE GODLY OUT OF TEMPTATION.”
Don’t you think it is a sad paradox that Heaven is getting ready for the most magnificent wedding in the history of mankind? Think about it, all those who are really the most important characters of history will be in attendance. They were called salt and light as they prepared for the wedding for what we call the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. So herein is the problem, we are going to come out of this moral morass, spotless and dressed in white, it is called the righteousness of the saints. May I remind you that we are told, (to keep ourselves unspotted from this world? Some of the old songs we used to sing spoke to the importance of preparation for a better world, one of those songs was I’m getting ready to leave this world, getting ready for the gates of pearl, keeping my record bright watching both day and night, I’m getting ready to leave this world.” Heaven is in preparation and we should be as well. I am more excited about what awaits us than
what is going on around us. John the Revelator spoke about this Wonderful Day:
Revelation 19:8-10
The church that suffered and remained pure is now prepared for a time of glorious celebration. As Israel has been the bride of God, now the church—the bride of the Anointed One—will be intimately united with the Lamb. God and His people are about to become one. The marriage feast has been arranged at great expense, and the festivities are about to begin. But before the wedding, some things need to be put in order.
She had been given the finest linens to wear, linens bright and pure, woven from the righteous deeds of the saints.
Write this down: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb.” What I am telling you are the true words of God.
We are blessed to have the invitation and for my monies worth and I believe these words and I am keeping my eye on the Eastern Sky, knowing these words are true.
Passion Conference is at the end of the month June 19th thought the 26th, it is time now to plan to attend.
I believe in you and thank you for your prayers. Join us as we corporately pray for the Glory of God to fill our lives and homes.
Thank you for your constant support and faithfulness to the church.
In His Grip,
Pastor Cleddie and GayNell