In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.†Matthew 3:1 (NIV)
Do I know what it means to repent? Turn away from sin. Walk in God’s path.
Do I live like I have repented? John said, that the kingdom of God was near. He was speaking of a kingdom where God would rule and reign. A kingdom where God would live with us! If I have repented of my sins – am I not living with God? Is He not in my heart? Isn’t my spirit is in relationship with His Spirit?
The disciples did not live their lives free from hardship and disease. The Bible and history tell us that all died a martyr’s death except John and I wonder if his death may have been the most difficult of all!
Paul speaks of Timothy’s “frequent illnesses†(1 Timothy 5) and his own torment of the “thorn†which cold have been a physical or spiritual ailment. In any case, the life of a Believer will have sickness and seasons of great trials, even suffering. Does that mean our faith is weak?
God is all about kingdom building. He wants – even desires that all would come to know Him. There is nothing like cancer or death – a crisis – to get an unbeliever’s attention and consider that they just may not have everything under their control as they thought!
God may be allowing a crisis in my life so that His Light – His Presence in this repented heart can shine in a dark world that is desperate for a true Light! Not some glossed-over, self-help way but a true walk that is full of God’s courage and God’s peace in the middle of a storm.
When you think God is not answering your prayer for healing – look up! Your victory is already there! The Kingdom of God is near!
