“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” –1 Timothy 4:7-8(KJV)
This is a statement from a life of total commitment, dedication, resilience and tenacity in pursuit of divine assignment and purpose. I hear a similar declaration at the cross of Calvary: IT IS FINISHED. Apostle Paul demonstrated doggedness in the cause of living out his life for the course of Jesus Christ and like Christ, he can confidently say I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE. In the above scriptural quote Paul stated with certainty that the crown of righteousness is also available to all them that love his appearing. The question is, do we love his appearing? You cannot love his appearing without loving him. You cannot love him without obeying his word. You cannot obey his word without his Spirit in you. “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:..” – Acts 1:8(KJV). It is the love of God in our heart that make us crave for him and thirst for the flow of the Spirit of his presence. The Psalmist says in Psalm 42:1(KJV), “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God”. It is this craving and hunger for His presence that raises our expectation of His appearance. Such panting, craving and longing cannot come from an ungodly heart, it must be from a heart which is wholly given to the LORD. It is this seeking, longing and expectation that enable us to keep our heart steady, looking for the appearing of our Lord to take us to be with him never to leave His presence forever. The Psalmist vividly describe this thirst and longing in Psalm 63:1-2(KJV); “O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, as I have seen thee in the sanctuary”. This is the type of deep craving Enoch had for God; “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him”.
To the person reading this piece, I request that you ask yourself what will be your case at the appearing of Jesus Christ our Lord. Are you craving for his return or you are indifferent? There is no sitting on the fence in this matter, it’s either you are for God or against Him. Choose you this day where you belong and what you are expecting. What do you crave for – His presence or riches?
Prayer: O God grant me the grace necessary to run this race successfully and to be part of your appearing.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo