February 28, 2005
10. CAUSE FOR REJOICING. A very special invitation to the daughter of Zion to enter into a time of gladness, anthems of praise to ascend unto the Lord. He has accomplished His purpose in His people. Zech. 2:10a The daughter of Zion identified by their response to the message of Christ. Those who receive the salvation and work of redemption that is proffered them are to be rewarded and are privileged to participate in His work. They are to be called the holy people. Not because they are self-righteous but because of His mighty work in them, in sanctification and purification. They are the blood washed who have been redeemed by the precious, priceless, blood of the Lord Jesus. They become a city that is ought after. The city that Abraham sought when he left Ur of the Chaldees. A city that fully knows the presence of the Lord. The New Jerusalem. Isa. 63:11-12
THE DWELLING PLACE OF THE LORD. The Lord promised that He would dwell in the midst of His holy people. Which raises a question, just where is He? Is He afar off? Somewhere out there in the vastness of the universe? At times it seems that we are trying to call Him forth from that far off dwelling place. How futile, when all the time He is here. Paul made it quite evident that all humanity owe their existence to the One who is very Life itself. For, in the Lord we live, move and have our being. Even natural life is totally dependent on His presence. Without His daily supply of light, air and so on we could not live on earth. He is Omnipresent, every where at one and the same time. Acts 17:27 His promise is that He, “will dwell in the midst” of His people. Zech. 2:10b
JESUS PROMISED ANOTHER COMFORTER. One like Himself. Jesus promise that He would ask of the Father another who would abide FOREVER. He was not to come and then disappear into thin air. Visiting
the early church just to get them started then to leave and return unto the Father. No, He, the Spirit of Truth, does, and will remain with us forever. Now, this very moment of time He not only is with us, but He dwells WITHIN us. John 14:16-17 It is this closeness, this intimacy, this affinity with the Lord that needs to be emphasized. It is not certain that we are fully aware of the tremendous contact and indwelling presence of Christ that is ours, even at this very moment of time. Paul said that, not only are we the temple of God, but that, now, “The Spirit of God dwelleth in you.” 1 Cor.3:16 Seriously consider such a statement. It means exactly what it says. If we have been filled with the Holy Spirit, then He dwells within. He is our life. He motivates us. When the Spirit dwells within, He is in absolute control, or should be. Life takes on a whole new meaning. Where once we were overwhelmed with the carnal nature and the things of this world. Now, our joy is to live and walk in the power of the Spirit of the Lord. If the Spirit is not made welcome within and we do not recognize Him in accepting and acknowledging Him, then Paul said, we are none of His. Hard words indeed. Rom. 8:9 .