hope|sounds

Day 7 in prayer room - October 12, 2010

The hour is urgent. You are coming at a time none of us expect. This is why you told us to keep awake and WATCH.

Matthew 24:37-51

vs 42 - Watch therefore (give strict attention, be cautious and active), for you do not know in what kind of a day (whether a near or remote one) your Lord is coming.

vs 43 - But understand this: had the householder known in what (part of the night, whether in a night or morning) watch the thief was coming, he would've watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined and broken into.


Matthew 26:38 - My soul is very sad and deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Say here and keep awake and keep watch with me.

vs 40-41 - ...Are you so utterly unable to stay awake and keep watch with me for one hour? All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

I believe we are in a season where our flesh is weighed down with the cares of this world. Not one person is unaffected. In these last days, "even youth shall faint and be weary and young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted" (Isa 40:30). Oh but the charge to keep awake and watch and pray stands firm and so the promise for those who adhere to it!!

Isaiah 40:28 - Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary, there is no searching of His understanding.

vs 29 - He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might he increases strength (causing it to multiply and making it to abound).

vs 31 - BUT those who wait for the Lord (who expect, look for and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun); they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Our readiness is determined by the attention to and excellence we have with:
1) Waiting
2) Watching
3) Praying

God, if we're being honest...we've grown weary...weary of serving you and not seeing how we have received what you promised; weary of one another; weary of your discipline; weary of the entanglements of sin; weary of the fight against the flesh; weary of the trials and accusations of the enemy; weary of the gatherings where we quench your spirit; weary of our empty words and songs to you; weary of not walking by and keeping in step with the spirit; weary of leaning on our own understanding and taking up confidence in our own righteousness; weary of deception; weary of having a form of godliness but denying its power; weary of not being able to see, hear and discern what is on your heart; weary of the enemy's oppression...

We are tested so we may be strengthened. We are strengthened so we may strengthen. (Lk 22:31-32)

Amen.