Various and Sundry Thoughts

SCRIPTURE: Ps. 1:1,2; Acts 3:19-21
¹ Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹ He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

OBSERVATION: The first two verses in Ps. 1 are all about fellowship. If one associates himself with the ungodly he will not be blessed. As I read this again I thought about the "keeping" power of fellowship. I know the Word contains many scriptures about the fellowship of the saints. For example, in yesterday's reading (Acts 2) the breaking of bread together with other believers was stress as one of the main pursuits of the newly formed church. But I never really pondered deeply about the connection between community and holiness. If I want to grow and become more godly, I must spend significant time with others who have the same goal.
My second observation is from Acts 3. Peter is speaking to non-believers about how they crucified the Christ (my husband commented that he did so in a very non "seeker-sensitive" manner as we read together). He then goes on to tell them that they need to repent. As many times as I have read this I never really noticed that Peter connects repentance to "times of refreshing" and the second coming of Jesus. Could it be that the Church engaging in the regular act of repentance could speed the return of Jesus to earth? It would seem so from this passage. I have always focused on the world becoming more engulfed in sin and the apostasy of many in the Church as the primary events that would bring about the second coming. But these are not mutually exclusive. There can be a part of the Church that becomes apostate and some that seek God in prayer and repentance for themselves and the societies in which they live. I really think that repentance may be one of the ways that the Church becomes that Bride that is without spot or wrinkle that is spoken of in the Bible.

APPLICATION: The relevance of these two passages to my life is obvious. First, I must treasure and make a priority of spending time with fellow believers who desire to have a closer walk with the Lord. It will help keep me on the narrow way that leads to life. Second, I have a responsibility to regular come before the Lord and repent for my own sins and the sins of my nation so that the Church may be refreshed and that the Lord may come all the sooner.

PRAYER: Father, right now I repent. I have sinned many times in my life and I know I still sin from time to time. I know you cover my sins. Thank you for doing so. I also repent for the sins of my society. We have become a people that looks to ourselves instead of to you for the solutions of our social ills. And we who are in the Church have not been quick to speak up against evils such as abortion, greed and materialism, injustice, disrespect of authority, etc. Please cleanse us! Help me, and my fellow believers, to shine your light in this dark world and bring many to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Bring times of refreshing to your Bride. Make us pure and holy. And come quickly, Lord. We desire to be with you and to have all things restored. In Jesus' Name, Amen.