Watchful Eyes and Listening Ears

One of the many lovely things about Blairmore House is the open fire that warms our drawing room. However, this fire devours quite a bit of wood in a year, so this means that there’s work to be done. So this month we took two days, with all the men on the team working together, on cutting, splitting and storing logs for the coming winter(s). Needless to say a good time was had by all.

At one point I used a log-splitter, which I’d never used before. I have to admit: it was good fun. But the best part came when, after working for a bit, I took the earmuffs off. Now I could not only see the wood being split, I could also hear the cracking of the wood. What a wonderful sound! Suddenly this job became even more satisfying than it already was.

It was then, as I enjoyed the, what was to me, beautiful sound of huge logs being split open, that the Lord started speaking to me about how much we’re aware of the signs of the times. So much is happening for the sake of God’s Kingdom in this world, but the enemy wants to close our eyes and ears to this wonderful fact. Satan doesn’t want us to be encouraged or excited. The Gospel is being preached, and bearing fruit all around the world. Many people in Islamic nations are now turning to the living God. God’s promises to Israel are being fulfilled before our eyes. We truly live in exciting times.

We must admit, of course, that the enemy is roaring, and that many troubling things are happening as well. But Jesus did tell us that the nearer we get to the end, the more people will live in fear (Luke 21:26). But for us, we have this security: God’s in charge and He’s fulfilling His sovereign plan. Though trouble will come on this world, even more trouble than we’re seeing right now, the Lord’s encouragement still stands: ‘Your redemption draws near’.

When the enemy is seeking to intimidate us, overwhelm us or instil fear in us, it’s good to remind ourselves of all the things that God’s doing in this world. The enemy wants us to be fearful, and to grow despondent. But we can take the earmuffs off our ears, and the blinkers off our eyes, which the enemy has sought to control us with. Yes, it’s true that our world’s in a mess, but there’s a still greater truth, which is the very reason we have joyful hope: Jesus is coming back soon.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You’re coming back, and that You’re in charge of the time leading up to Your return. I pray that You’ll set me free from any fear or despondency that I’ve become victim to. And will you open my eyes to all that You’re doing in the world today, in Jesus’ name. AMEN!