Pinch Me (Jul 17)

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1Pe 1:24-25

Sometimes when a person is having an exceptional time or something unbelievable happens, that person will request to be pinched in order to ensure that they are not dreaming. “How could this possibly be real? I must be dreaming!” the person might say.

A few weeks ago, I had a dream that was very realistic. What happened in the dream was very wonderful and left me both shocked and happy. It was much unexpected, yet a pleasant surprise. As the dream came to a close, I remember just walking around and smiling and just thinking about how good life was at the moment. Well, it was at that moment that I began to wake up. For a little bit, as I was in that semi-lucid state, I came to realize that I was not at the location that I just dreamed, but I somehow was still believing that the situation had truly happened. As I woke up further, my mind submitted to the now very-real fact that it was all a dream. I lay there equally as shocked as I had been earlier. It had all been a dream and none of it was real. I’m sure this has happened to all of us at some point, at least to some extent.

I was impressed with how much of a disappointment it can be when something that we believe to be true is found to be false…or something that we believe to be real is found to be a dream. It also got me to thinking about one thing that is not a dream. And that is the promise of God’s faithfulness. God’s promises are real. His words are real. His plan is real. We’re not going to wake up someday and all of a sudden, his promises are gone. We’re not going to wake up someday and find that God’s word is untrue or his plan has unraveled. No, we’re going to wake up tomorrow to find that God is still faithful. We’re going to find that tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and the next day…

Lam 3:21-26 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. (22) It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (24) The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. (25) The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. (26) It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Heb 6:11-12 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: (12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

2Co 6:16-7:1 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (7:1) Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Psa 119:159-160 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. (160) Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.