We are into the New Year. What the year 2011 is going to be like, only God knows. I started the year by talking about the new heaven and earth and what a beautiful and wondrous place it is, waiting for the people of God (as described for us in Rev. 21-22). I had also mentioned the kind of people that will be there and those that will not. The people found in the new heaven are those who thirst for God and those that overcome. They will be satisfied and rewarded. But the list of those who did not make it was a whole lot longer. There is a book of life (Rev. 20:15) in heaven that contains the names of those redeemed by the Lamb, which will certainly include the thirsty and the overcomers.
There are two things I would like to see more in my life for the coming year, that is to have a thirst and hunger for God and to be an overcomer in relation to sin and trials in life. What does it mean to thirst for God? The psalmist likens his spiritual thirst for God to that of a deer panting for 'streams of water' (Ps. 42:1-2). In his season of dryness, he longs to meet with the living God to satisfy him, as he remembers during a time of joyous celebration and worship in God's house. Jesus says in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matt. 5:6) To thirst and hunger for God and His righteousness is to have a desire for a relationship of obedience and trust with God. The water of life is freely given by God (Rev. 21:6; Isa. 55:1) There is blessing and happiness when our spiritual needs are met. We feel satisfied and contented. Are you feeling dry in your soul? Do you thirst for God to satisfy you? There's a hymn that says, "Fill me till I want no more" May this be your prayer as it is mine.
The seven churches in Revelation (ch.2-3) faced great trials and persecution. One had lost their first love. Another was neither hot nor cold. There were many threats within and without that endangered their existence. Yet Jesus challenged them to overcome and be a conqueror. How did they conquer? By the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony (Rev. 12:11) Ironically whilst the enemy wants to conquer them by taking their lives, they overcame by giving away theirs! All this is not in vain. To each of the church were given a promise of reward if they overcome their trials (2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21). There is a price and cost to pay to be victorious. It can come in many forms and varying degrees including being threatened, marginalised, imprisoned, loss of job or business and to some even death. This is certainly not for the fainthearted and cowardly. It is no wonder that Jesus warns us to count the cost before following Him and to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23). Is there anything that will keep us from the love of God? No! For we are more than conquerors in Christ! (Rom. 8:37-39)
May this year be one that finds your thirst for God satisfied and your life lived victoriously, not ashamed of the gospel of the Lord Jesus.
Blessings for the New Year.
Pr. Ben
