OUR PASSAGE-NOT PORTION

This troubled world is not our home-it is but a passage way to an eternal place of rest prepared for us by GOD. During our passage through planet earth, there are many of whom the world was not, and is not worthy, These are the people of faith, a peculiar people seperated by God unto Himself.



Hebrews 11:38 speaks of times past of brothers and sisters of the faith who wondered in deserts, wondered in mountains, and who lived in dens and caves of the earth. Children of God living in such conditions? How can this be? I've been told I am blessed as a Believer! God will meet my every need? The Apostle Paul said he was satisfied with food and a place of shelter. In his passage on earth Paul said he learned to be content with much, and with little; with blessing and with what appeared to be failure by the world's standards. The world is not worthy of people who do not live for and worship its temporary blessings.




There are times when God blesses nations. Believers naturally share in those blessing's because they live in that nation. But blessings do not control their heart or spirit. There are times when God judges nations. He raises them up; He casts them aside as dust. To everything there is a season; this is a season of judgment for America.



Where do I fit into this equasion during my passage on earth? As things fall around me I am greatly encouraged by the writings of the Prophets. These men of old are not seperate from Jesus or something other than Jesus; they are a revelation OF Jesus before His coming. Christ Himself said that He is the fulfilment of the Law and Prophets. Not one jot or tittle will cease to be fulfilled of their writings.



As Israel in the past, nation's today are in the judgment phase from God. His righteousness requires that he punish sin, arrogance, and unbelief. He can do nothing else; if He did, He would not be God! He cannot be untrue to Himself! What should I do? What should be my mindset it this season of judgment? My mindset should never change; either during seasons of blessing or judgment.



The Prophet Micah admonishes followers of God to arise and depart; for this is not our rest; the land is polluted; it shall destroy you, even with sore destruction (MICAH 2:10). As Believers in Messiah we must not put our stock and hope in worldly possessions and wealth; if we do it will burn our spirit and soul like cancer and rust as it evaporates before our eyes.




The Bible Commentator Matthew Henry speaks from the late 1700's on the words of the Prophet Micah -



"We may apply this to our state in this present world;
it is polluted; there is a great deal of corruption in the world, through lust.
We should arise and depart out of it, keep at a distance from the corruption that is in it and keep ourselves unspotted from it. "



"It is not our rest;
it was never intended to be so,
it was designed to be our passage,
not our portion.
Our inn,
not our home,
here we have no continuing city
let us arise and depart."



"Let us sit loose to it and seek a continuing city above."




If this admonition was given in the late 1700's, how much more does it apply to us in 2008?



This world is not our home. Like Abraham, we look for a city whose Builder and Maker is God.




The Father's and Mother's of faith, those given special mention in Hebrews 11, sought for a country, a place to dwell, that was not made with the hands of man. This dwelling place, an eternal city, never passes away. It is a heavenly place prepared for us by God!




As in past ages, we must desire a better country, that is, an heavenly city; where God is not ashamed to be called our God; for He has prepared for us a city! A place of dwelling where we will be His people and He will be our God. Living in unity and peace; where the Lamb is the light!



If need be, may we, like they, die in faith; perhaps not having received the promises, but having seen them, afar off, and be persuaded of them, and embrace them, and confess that we are but strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13).




If there is something in believing and living this type of faith that is bothersome, we must cast it away! If something on this planet has part of our heart, identify what it is and lose it! God is first and foremost in every area of our life. The end of all things is upon us. His Kingdom comes, His will will be done! As His children we must be pure, unattatched, and clean from the lusts and attractions of the world.




1st John 2 15-17 cannot make this fact any plainer. It says- " LOVE NOT THE WORLD, NEITHER THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM."



"FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD,
THE LUST OF THE FLESH,
AND THE LUST OF THE EYES,
AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE,
IS NOT OF THE FATHER BUT IS OF THE WORLD.
AND THE WORLD PASSES AWAY AND THE LUST THEREOF;
BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF GOD ABIDETH FOREVER."



I want to abide forever!
Not in the land of our passage,
but in the land of our Portion!