“The Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, ‘You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.’ And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.” [1]
Now and then, New Agers try to engineer what they call “harmonic convergence.” They’ll gather near Taos or Sundance (never Inuvik or Moose Jaw) when the planets are aligned just so. In these locations, they’ll don their crystals and sit under makeshift pyramids, hoping to soak up the salubrious energies. Inevitably, this gathering will be a festive occasion for those gathered there. They may even speak of peace and harmony flooding the universe. Assuredly, those gathered for these occasions will say they can “feel” the energy flowing through them and into the world.
In contrast, we may speak meaningfully of a true and holy harmonic convergence—one created by God Himself. By this, I mean His sovereign arrangement of circumstances to bring about revival of His people and awakening of many lost souls. In this connection, we might turn to great revivals of the past for help as we try to read our current times. Let’s look briefly at two.
In a treatise that he entitled, “A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God, in the Conversion of Many Hundred Souls,” Jonathan Edwards details the precursors and manifestations of the Northampton revival, part of the 18th century's Great Awakening in the United States. Edwards' powerful biblical preaching was crucial to these events. You can't read his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and doubt that this pastor came to church to do the sort of serious spiritual work God honours. But Edwards gives strong credit to the social context.
Edwards details how, in April 1734, “a young man in the bloom of his youth” suffered “a very sudden and awful death” from pleurisy. This sudden and unexpected death, and the subsequent funeral service, “much affected many young people.” Not long after this solemn event, a young married woman died. She’d struggled with assurance of salvation, and when she found comfort in the Lord, she counselled others to seek the same. Edwards observed, “This seemed to contribute to rendering the spirits of many young persons solemn; and there began evidently to appear more of a religious concern on people's minds.”
Perhaps we see signs of that solemnity in North America in this day. Of course, that would mean that we should expect to see such signs in Canada as well. Following 9/11, we read reports that crime, divorce and bar patronage were down, and that Bible sales and worship attendance were up. We heard television accounts of the collapse of tourist trade in Las Vegas and on Miami's South Beach. The fear of flying counted, but so did the growing sense that what transpires there is tacky and even revolting.
The Washington, D.C. Chief of Police reported that crimes against property were down following the September 11 attack. Fox News reported that spontaneous prayers were being offered at football games and in the opening of civic meetings. The Hamilton Country Commission in Chattanooga, Tennessee voted to post the Ten Commandments in city and county government buildings. Similarly, the town of Ringgold, Georgia voted to post three plaques—one with the Ten Commandments, one with the Lord’s Prayer, and one blank for those who believe in nothing. “God Bless America” was sung at the opening of baseball games instead of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
Well, that describes events removed from the present by almost two decades now, and the sobering view of events that then prevailed has changed quite a bit. The solemnity of 2001 has been replaced by the blasé attitude of 2019. The serious reflection on the brevity of life and the tenuous nature of peace has been replaced by an increasingly hardened view of life. An extended war in the Middle East has ensured that many of us have become jaded in our outlook concerning peace and safety.
Let your mind go back to 1857. It was the eve of the Civil War, the United States was in a financial panic—bank failures, bankruptcies, factory closings, soaring unemployment. In the midst of these ominous signs, Jeremiah Lanphier of New York City passed out handbills inviting businessmen to a prayer meeting at the Old Dutch North Church at Fulton and Williams streets. Only six appeared at the first gathering, and they were late, but they decided to continue the prayer meeting the next week. By God's grace, the cause grew exponentially throughout the city, and ultimately throughout the nation and the world. Six months after that first meeting, 10,000 New Yorkers met regularly for noonday prayer, and in two years, American churches gained a million members.
Is it too much to hope that the present uncertainties in our world will prompt a nation to turn to sustained and desperate prayer? For some years, I've heard the accumulating signs of impending revival likened to the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees [see 2 SAMUEL 5:24]. Let's turn again to Jonathan Edwards for items we might correlate with these rustlings in our own day.
He tells of a miracle his church experienced in March, 1737. The freezing and thawing of ground had, through the years, spread the walls. The timbers loosened, and the balcony fell during the morning service. All expected to find dead and maimed parishioners in the rubble, but there were only cuts and bruises. Not a single broken bone. They called a special service to celebrate God's gracious providence, and the revival advanced.
Edwards also talks of the radical conversion of a woman, “one of the greatest company-keepers in the whole town.” He was most gratified that “God had given her a new heart, truly broken and sanctified,” but he was concerned that some might take it wrong, as a sign they could continue in sin for a season or that they could fault the church for low associations.
He found the reverse to be true and estimated that it was “the greatest occasion of awakening to others, of any thing that ever came to pass in the town.” He said the news of it was “almost like a flash of lightning, upon the hearts of young people, all over the town, and upon many others.”
Christian, watch and pray—and listen. Did you just hear something in the treetops?
THE STORY BEHIND THE TEXT — Some of the best-loved stories of the Bible provide sound instruction which is too frequently overlooked in this day. If the great stories give us insight, what can we say about stories which are less well-known? Again, even these stories which are not so well known are included in the Word of God for our benefit. Consequently, they provide sound teaching for those willing to listen when God speaks. That is assuredly true of the account of one war that pitted Israel against the Philistines.
The nation was disoriented, rocked on its heels. The Philistines had defeated Israel in combat, and the Army of Israel had fled in terror. National leadership was removed in a stroke when the king and his sons were killed in battle. Their bodies had been dishonoured when they were hung on the wall of the Philistine town of Beth-shan. The king’s armour was displayed as a trophy of war in the temple of the pagan goddess, Ashtaroth. The feared Philistines now occupied numerous cities from which the Israelites had fled.
David had been appointed King of Israel by God. You will no doubt remember the account of Samuel seeking out the son of Jesse. However, Saul was enraged at the thought of David’s ascension to the throne. Thus, he determine to destroy the young man. Despite God’s appointment, David refused to appeal to the methods of the world to achieve what God promised. Now, with the death of Saul, David openly assumed the position of king. However, his reign was not without continued opposition. A son of Saul still reigned in Israel; and this son was supported by powerful individuals. Thus, Israel was racked with a civil war.
A nation at war with itself is vulnerable. There are always nations prepared to take advantage of any weakness to impose hegemony over a region, to enrich itself through seizing resources and commodities of the warring nation, or simply to gain a geopolitical advantage through extending its own borders. That was what was happening at this time.
David had secured one flank of the nation when he concluded a treaty with Hiram, King of Tyre. However, the Philistines saw an opportunity to weaken Israel through invading the land while the nation was engaged in an internal war. The Philistines, a seafaring nation with roots in the Aegean region, occupied the western flank of Israel. Witnessing what they saw as a weakened kingdom, they determined to attack David, perhaps capturing him and placing their own puppet on the throne of Israel. Thus, we read, “When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold” [2 SAMUEL 5:17].
We use the word “Philistine” to indicate that someone is uncouth, uncultured, crude; however, the Philistines were in many respects more culturally advanced than the people of Israel. They were certainly a formidable foe for Israel. They were a threat that would demand attention until they were subdued. And God began subduing them through David during his reign. The Philistine army occupied the Valley of Rephaim. They were less than five kilometers from Bethlehem when David confronted them. This battle is described thusly. “David inquired of the LORD, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?’ And the LORD said to David, ‘Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.’ And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there” [2 SAMUEL 5:19-20a].
Soon after this invasion and the subsequent battle, in which Israel repelled the Philistines, the rapacious invaders again swarmed into Israel. The Philistines again occupied the Valley of Rephaim. This path leading through the Valley of Rephaim was too good for the invaders to ignore. The valley formed a natural corridor that allowed the invaders to thrust at Bethlehem, situated at the heart of Israel. A successful thrust against Bethlehem would be seen as a disgrace for David, the new king of Israel. Bethlehem was the natal home of David, and occupying Bethlehem would embarrass the king and success there would prove to be a disgrace to all Israel for failing to repel the invaders. Moreover, occupying Bethlehem would effectively divide the nation making it more difficult to assemble an army to repel the invaders.
As his practise was revealed in multiple instances, David inquired of the LORD before attempting a defence. In fact, it is fair to say that David’s defence was seeking the LORD. This time, when David inquired of the LORD, God commanded him to make a different approach to the Philistine army. This is the account in our text for this day. “The Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, ‘You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.’ And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer” [2 SAMUEL 5:22-25].
Focus on David’s response to a challenge. Through even a cursory review of the text, principles for successful response to our own challenges become evident. I am not suggesting that you are the head of an army or that you face some form of invasion by foreign hosts; however, you do face challenges, some on a daily basis. You face temptations as the evil one solicits you to succumb to evil. You face people who are prepared to slander your good name, people who seek to do you harm. You are required to meet challenges that demand your immediate attention if you wish to continue serving the Lord. Each of these challenges, and multiplied other challenges, will place demands on you throughout your lifetime. How shall you respond? What is the appropriate response, the God-honouring response, to these challenges?
APPLICATIONS FOR OUR DAY — The account of the battle David fought is brief. Of course, I’m speaking of the battle that is the focus of study this day. In fact, in the account of David’s life and reign, this particular pericope is almost incidental. It could almost be counted as white noise, background, explaining the life of the King of Israel. Don’t pass such seemingly minute incidents too quickly as you read the Word of God.
Every Word from the mouth of the Lord is for our benefit. Perhaps you will recall this affirmation delivered by the LORD God through His servant Moses. Moses had just recited how the Lord had led His people through the wilderness. Though there were difficulties, the trials was to teach the people that, “Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” [DEUTERONOMY 8:2-3].
This is made evident as we read something which the Apostle Paul wrote. He had just spoken of how the Lord had judged His people in the wilderness. Then, he states, “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did” [1 CORINTHIANS 10:6]. The events that are recorded in the Word are for our instruction, for our benefit.
Life consists of numerous small events that combine to define who you are. The great events of your life, those events in which you either tower over the challenge or in which you cower before the challenge, are determined before they ever happen. The outcome of the major events you will encounter in your life are predetermined by your response to multiplied lesser events. What you are in the daily grind is what you will be in the great challenges that are certain to come into your life.
If your practise is to trust in your own abilities, to rely upon your own wisdom as you grapple with the daily events of your life, that is how you will respond when you are challenged by the great events that shall surely come into your life. Challenged by some crisis, your immediate response will be to attempt to use your own resources to avoid disaster. Perhaps you are well trained to respond to the challenge, but it is more likely you will be driven by your fear in your response. Rather than dealing with the challenge, you will fumble the opportunity.
If you flirt with temptation, enjoying the thrill, the titillation that comes with seeing how close to the edge you can walk, you will almost assuredly succumb to the temptation when that temptation is presented. And temptations are sure to come. Jesus warns those who will hear, “Temptations to sin are sure to come” [LUKE 17:1a]!
Let’s review the text, The text reads, “The Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, ‘You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.’ And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer” [2 SAMUEL 5:22-25].
The greatest takeaway from what has been recorded is to learn from David that Before engaging an enemy, inquire of the Lord. What would the Lord have us do? This initial action should be obvious, even for the most jaded person reading the pericope. Perhaps there are times that we are forced to respond to an attack that doesn’t permit opportunity to seek the mind of the Lord. Even in those cases, it is expected that the child of God would cry out for deliverance even as they turn to face the problem. It should be obvious that we who believe the Lord will ensure that we remain on speaking terms with Him so that we immediately respond to the challenges we face.
No doubt you will have heard the Apostle’s admonition written toward the end of his First Letter to the Thessalonian saints: “Pray without ceasing” [1 THESSALONIANS 5:17]. There it is in simple words even the most obtuse can understand: “Pray without ceasing.” What is this admonition except a concise restatement of a parable the Master told when He sought to encourage His disciples to cultivate a life of prayer.
No doubt you will recall the account Doctor Luke has provided. As you read this portion of the Word, take special note of the reason Jesus provided the parable. “[Jesus] told [those listening] a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, “Give me justice against my adversary.” For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, “Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming”’” [LUKE 18:1-5].
Jesus warned that disciples must “Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” [LUKE 21:36].
Paul has urged Christians, “Be constant in prayer” [ROMANS 12:12b].
The Apostle has always cautioned all who would follow the Master that they must be, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” [EPHESIANS 6:18].
Note one final place that admonishes all who name the Name of the Master to pray. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” [COLOSSIANS 4:2].
I believe there is a theme developing throughout these passages. We are to pray—steadfastly, constantly, unceasingly. The life of the saint of God is to be marked by prayer. There is plenty of opportunity to engage the enemy, but no one should imagine that we can engage our foe without the Lord’s guidance, without His strength, without His might displayed on our behalf.
There is no decision that is too small to seek the Lord’s guidance. From which dress to select for a given day to which groceries to buy, from how to initiate a conversation to whom you should speak, no decision is too small for the Lord’s guidance. I understand that God directs the steps of His people, but I also know that we are dependent upon Him if we will fulfil His will. I have no doubt that we do seek the mind of the Lord in what we consider great decisions, but I would urge the people of God to realise that every decision we must make has the potential for great consequences. This is the thrust of the Apostolic admonition, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” [COLOSSIANS 3:17].
And lest you are tempted to exclude what many consider to be the mundane aspects of life when seeking the Lord’s guidance, consider what Paul has written to the saints in Corinth. The Apostle wrote in this letter, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” [1 CORINTHIANS 10:31]. Scope in on the breadth of concern for the Christian’s conduct: “Whatever you do!” There is no facet of life that lies beneath the Master’s concern for His people. Therefore, let us make every effort to glorify His Name always.
This is a practical expression of the concept that Peter will write about when he says, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’ And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” [1 PETER 1:14-19].
Listen for the sound of God’s movement before advancing. Before acting, determine where God is working. I should imagine that every follower of the Christ would agree with this point, tacitly if not explicitly. In the same way, I would imagine that few of us actually apply this provision before we act. We need to keep the point before one another to encourage us to look for the Lord’s leadership and to discover where He is working so that we may join Him there.
So very often, we Christians determine what we will do, and when we have begun working at whatever we have decided to do, we invite the Lord to come work with us there. Things don’t work that way, however. Our responsibility is to discover where God is working and work with Him there. We are to watch so that we can see where the Lord is leading and follow Him there. We are to be sensitive to the leadership of the Spirit of Christ.
A powerful example of God’s leadership is provided in the account of the first missionary journey into Europe. The missionaries travelling on their second trip were enjoying a measure of success, having passed through Phrygia and Galatia. However, their plans were upset at this point. Doctor Luke notes, “[The missionaries] went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia” [ACTS 16:6].
The divine account further informs us, “When they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them” [ACTS 16:7]. The Lord was maneuvering the missionaries into a position where they could accomplish His divine will. They crossed the Hellespont into Europe, penetrating that darkened continent with the light of the Gospel for the first time.
As Paul Harvey used to say, “And here's the rest of the story.” Scope in on what is written in the verses following. “So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them” [ACTS 16:8-10].
Of course, when the missionaries arrived in Philippi, they discovered that the Lord had preceded them. God had not sent them where He had not already been at work. The Lord had already prepared the heart of a woman of that city. The missionaries likely thought they would find a synagogue where they could preach, which had been the plan they had implemented to that point. It is reasonable to assume that they thought they would see some men turn to Christ after they had ministered in that region. However, it was a woman that God had prepared to receive the message. Here is the account.
“So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us” [ACTS 16:11-15].
Take note of where God is working, and determine that you will work there with Him. Determine that you will be “God’s fellow worker” [see 1 CORINTHIANS 3:9]. That is the term that Paul uses to describe himself and the missionaries who laboured alongside him. When you see God working, join Him in that work! When you see where the Lord is standing, determine that you will stand with Him in that place. It is the safest place to be, and it will ensure that whatever you do will yield fruit.
Anticipate victory as you follow God. If you are seeking God with all your heart, anticipate that He will give you His victory. His purpose is not your comfort, but His glory. The Living God still employs mere mortals to bring glory to His Name. We must marvel, and rejoice, in the knowledge of the truth declared by the Psalmist.
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
[PSALM 50:14-15]
“I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me!” When God has lifted His mighty arm to deliver His child, that child of God will, indeed, glorify His Name!
We don’t know the outcome of the challenges we face, but we know the One who defends us because we are His child. We can’t say how God will deliver His people, but we are certain that He will deliver His people. Perhaps you will recall the words of three young men when threatened by a powerful king. They were named Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were taken captive by an invading army and transported to a foreign land. There, the king changed them name and cruelly degraded those young men. But God was with them. We are told that “God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom” [DANIEL 1:17].
The king may have been powerful, but he did not always act with wisdom. He certainly was not known for acting righteously. He made an image of gold, a massive structure that represented His power and the power of His reign, commanding that everyone must bow down before the image he had made.
The three men did not bow. They were not obstreperous, neither were they combative; however, to bow to anyone or anything other than the Living God was not in their makeup. When the king was informed of their disobedience, he saw their action as lèse majesté, an affront and a challenge to His power. Haling these three men before His throne, he demanded that they submit to his power or suffer death by being thrown into a blazing furnace. The king’s arrogance was on full display when he boasted, “If you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands” [DANIEL 3:15b]?
The three men facing this awful death did not consult with one another; they boldly responded to the threat, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” [DANIEL 3:16b-18].
This was an affirmation of confidence in the Living God. Should God choose to deliver them, they would serve Him and rejoice in His mercy. However, should it be God’s will to allow them to leave this life, they were confident that they would soon be in His presence. They were confident in God’s goodness, which enabled them to defy the wicked demands of a pagan king. This is a lesson that we must learn in each succeeding generation. This is a lesson that needs to be taught again in this day. God is worthy of our best and boldest service.
The boldness displayed by these three man anticipated the affirmation that was written by the Apostle Paul many years after the king attempted to barbeque them. Paul has taught, “We are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” [2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-9]. Good courage! That is what is required in this hour. Good courage. And it comes from walking by faith; it comes when we are standing with the Lord.
Do we believe the Word of God? Do we believe the bold promise we read in the Letter to Christians in Philippi? We will remember that Paul has written, “I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” [PHILIPPIANS 1:19-23].
Our Master has pledged on His sacred honour that He will stand with us in every storm, that He will walk with us through every dark valley, that He will deliver us into His presence. Won’t He do it? I know He will do it! I’ve read the promise of the Apostle. “I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” [2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8]. I won’t enter into glory with my sails tattered and torn, and the bilge pumps labouring to keep my barque afloat. Through Christ, I shall enter into that safe harbour with flags flying and under full sail to the praise of His glory! He has promised, and He shall give me victory!
CAN YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF MARCHING? — You’ve heard the message and by now you’ve weighed the call of God to follow Him. Can you hear the sound of marching? When you still your heart and listen, do you hear a sound of marching in the treetops? God is moving. He goes before His people, and we are called to follow Him.
We face difficult times. Great challenges face us as Christians and as a congregation. No one knows what the coming year holds. There seems to be formidable challenges facing the faithful in the year ahead. On foreign fronts, our brothers and sisters are already paying an awful price to follow the Lamb of God. No one can say that we won’t face our own challenges in the year that now stretches out before us. In fact, it seems certain that we will face opposition, we will witness those who seek to damage the testimony of our Master, we will see days that try our souls. It is a tragic truth that almost certainly we will see from among our own ranks men arise speaking twisted things [see ACTS 20:30]. None of us know whether we will be present to see the coming year draw to a conclusion. We have learned to confess to the LORD with the Psalmist,
“My times are in your hand!”
[PSALM 31:15a]
We are confident that God is leading His people.
We know that He goes before His flock.
We know that He reigns on high.
We know that the Son of God is coming again.
We know that He will hold the wicked of this world to account.
We know that we shall see Him as He is.
We know that Christ shall reign and that we shall reign with Him.
We know that God will reveal the perfection of His work in us.
Now, we listen to hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees. We are looking up, knowing that He is moving and that we shall witness His power displayed on our behalf. We anticipate that He shall be glorified in His saints and marvelled at among all who have believed. Our God is leading, and we anticipate victory in the coming year. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen. Amen, indeed.
[1] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
