There is this butcher who works in an area where I typically purchase my meats. What amazes me about this gentleman, is that he is always reading the bible in the front of his shop. There is no exaggeration here, I do mean always. I only see this gentleman in two states, reading God’s word or servicing his customers and when not serving his customers, he is reading God’s word. Every time I drive pass his stall or visit as a patron, I look upon him with great respect and admiration. If I watch and admire his diligence and commitment to studying God’s word, can you imagine how the Father is looking at him. As God asked Satan in Job 1:8, “Have you considered my servant Job?”. In like manner, I can hear the Father say, “Have you considered my servant the Butcher?”

Let us put the story of that butcher and the reality check which goes with it, aside for a moment. This week, I was speaking to a colleague from work about the eye opening Covid 19 situation and she made this statement during the conversation, “This is why we have to look forward to the coming to our Lord and Saviour Jesus”.  When my colleague made that statement, everything within lit up, it was like someone hitting a light switch to a 1000-watt bulb within me.

In that moment, I said Dane, there are scriptures which speak about this, do you remember?

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21)

“And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

In that moment, I felt a little embarrassed because this scripture should be uppermost in believers’ minds (my mind), especially during this time of great uncertainty, due to the pandemic.  In the same moment, I remembered the butcher. I said, the way this man submerges himself in God’s word, there is no way he would have forgotten these scriptures about looking to the heavens and putting our hope in the coming of the Lord. Because of how he buries himself in God’s word, it makes it easy for the Holy Spirit to bring the ideal scriptures back to his remembrance in the key, daily moments, and seasons.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” John 14:26

Having God’s words deposited in us, makes it easier for the Holy Spirit to extract it and make it rise from within. In times of trouble, that is where the Word comes from, it comes from within, where the deposits were placed.

When deposits are running low, God sends people, work colleagues 😊 , friends, bloggers 😊 and such like, to provide us with a top up. Today, the top up words are, “What are you hoping for? Look to the Heavens and Hope in the return of your Lord, for he went to prepare a place for you and for a surety He would burst the Heavens and return!”.

Brethren, I was reminded this week, that I should lesson the amount of hope I have in this world and look more to the heavens from where my redeemer is set to come. Doing this, would not only increase my hope but also my happiness, while I traverse this temporary world that will soon pass away.

The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever – 1 John 2:17 (AMP)

Our hope is in our Lord Jesus Christ and putting our hope in anything else is vain. Are you putting your hope in your job? Look how many persons are losing their jobs all around. Is your hope  in your health and strength? Sickness can take you in an instance, here today and gone tomorrow.

My friends,  now is the time to look up and hope in our Lord and NOTHING ELSE. I ask you to examine your life, see what is keeping you anchored from hoping upwards, then Let go and let God be the centrepiece of your deepest desire.  

Sometimes, it is  good to simply let the words of God do the talking. Therefore, I leave you with the following scriptures as encouragement.

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” – Luke 21:28

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth”. – Colossians 3:2 ESV

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him”.- 1 John 2:15 ESV

“As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal”. – 2 Corinthians 4:18 ESV

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:7-8)

“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” (Matthew 16:27)

PS: Dane Miller was last seen by a butcher’s shop reading and looking forward to the coming of the Lord.  

Your Brother in the Lord,

Dane Miller | Author

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