Intimacy is Waiting For the Soul Who Daily Takes Up Their Cross
Afghanistan is a country where suffering toward those who believe in the grace and kindness of the LORD Jesus Christ is growing. Religious and political suffering and persecution is finding more victims to punish, but God has grace enough and love enough to sustain those who choose to follow Christ.
Was HE not anointed of God to preach the gospel to the poor, the physically poor, the needy, the persecuted who were wanton of basic needs? Was HE not anointed by God to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, those bound by persecutors and imprisoned falsely? Did HE not receive HIS anointing to give sight to the blind, to feed the hungry, and to set at liberty them that were wounded? The beloved Christ, HE has “…loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” (Hebrews 1:9) And it was Mary, that most beloved sinner who took “…a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” (John 12:3) HE is the anointed of God and HIS aroma draws every passionate heart to greater intimacy with HIM.
“Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.” (Song of Solomon 1:3)
The people of Afghanistan are being given the opportunity to deepen their grace faith walk with the Savior. To develop and deepen their intimacy with HIM. With a new regime change has also come the release of the power of the Taliban against Christians throughout the country. There is a great massacre of civilians taking place in Afghanistan and Christians are hiding and seeking opportunities to escape. VOC has been working feverishly to help Christians escape from the on going trials and tribulations that are presently taking place. They have been successful, but there is much more to do. There are not enough dollars, nor manpower to save all. Many must needs go through these struggles bearing the load of sorrow. Will we pray for them? Stop for a moment and pray for them.
Their deliverance from time will produce a seat very close to the throne of God, but what must we do. Shall we pray? Shall we go? Shall we give? Close yourself off into a quiet place, a secret place with the LORD and see if HE has wisdom and direction for you.
The description of the King begins with an aroma, a sweet savour blown by the wind into the nostrils of the virgins who love thee. Jesus is the anointed of God. The fulness of the Godhead bodily is manifested in and through HIM. HE is the offering consumed in the fire of the alter which becomes a sweet-smelling savour unto God. We too, who go through the fiery trials become a sweet-smelling savour to our beloved. The trial and tribulation just or unjust produces an aroma that glorifies the Father and the Son. Trust HIM beloved brother and sister IN CHRIST and HIS kisses of intimacy shall be yours.
HIS death, burial and resurrection is the foundation of the hope we have in the finished work of Redemption. All that is contained in this so great salvation has been wrought through HIS condescension to the cross. Down from above, to the cross and through the cross by the power of the resurrection. HE ascended and now sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for the saints of God who are HIS beloved. HIS name, JESUS, to the bride of Christ, HE is like a healing ointment poured out upon the soul. Daily he shall load the Developing Disciples with every blessing of grace and provision required to accomplish the will of the Father and to develop intimacy with the Son.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;” (Psalms 103:2-4)
This is who HE is! This is what HE has done! This is what HE shall continue to do all the days of our lives and on into the ceaseless ages of eternity. We have become HIS beloved. If this is what HE has done, what shall our response to HIM be? “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalms 29:2) As we gaze upon HIM, HIS name, HIS wisdom, HIS love, through HIS word, we see the beauty of HIS holiness. Our desires begin to change from longings for the world to longings simply for HIM. These virgins love HIM and carry the same aroma, the comeliness of Christ for HIS ointments have fallen upon them.
The journey has begun. HE is altogether lovely. HE is the anointed of God and HE has come to bring healing for the souls of men. All who taste of HIM desire to be with HIM. “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalms 119:103) What is the flavor of HIS love? Are we stunned to silence by its’ sweetness? Is it something we soon forget or is it forged upon the memory of our soul? When mercy enters the heart of our being, do we bow before HIM in worship? “Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.” (Jude 1:2) These anointings are for the healing of our soul. We receive times of refreshing from HIS presence with us. HIS mercy, HIS peace, HIS love is multiplied to us, and we sing the song of songs to our beloved Savior, LORD and God.
Do you believe? Do you trust in HIS Word? The kiss is given, the intimacy is provided but do we respond to the grace with faith. I believe I am forgiven for HE has declared it to be so. I have not earned it. I do no deserve it. The guilt and shame of my sin would drive me to insanity were it not for the promise that HE took it. HE wore it. The Father judged it. The Son paid for it, and the Holy Spirit carried it as far away as the east is from the west. But there is more for as the sin was removed, then my soul was adorned with the very righteousness of Jesus Christ.
“Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.” (Psalms 149:1)
Praise shall be the key to maintaining a constant pursuit of our beloved. The enemy will come with distractions, deceptions, with pain and persecution, but we must maintain our gaze upon HIM. For God will vindicate HIS own, even if that vindication be in the realm of the eternal. Will we be like Moses who was willing to “…suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” (Hebrews 11:25-26)
It is difficult to believe love, joy, and peace, true eternal happiness will be the final result of suffering, and persecution, upon the earth, but intimacy in time is reserved for those who believe and trust in the promises of God.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)
The Mission of VOC is to become a lifeline for persecuted Christians by providing them Rescue and Refuge while Replenishing their mind, body, and soul in order to help them grow their Christian faith. Donate To VOC