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Listen while you read: "Lord I'm Coming Home"1 (Lyrics) |
Last summer, our family took a trip that included Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming, USA. We learned that the park is situated over a dome of lava near the surface of the earth that creates a "hot spot" that fuels a huge number of geothermal features, such as geysers, boiling mud pots, and hot springs in great abundance.
The Old Faithful geyser is one of the most predictable geographical features on earth, erupting every 35 to 120 minutes to an average height of 44 metres (145 feet). Eighty years ago, its eruptions used to average 65 minutes apart, but the interval has slowly increased to an average of 91 minutes today, with a variation of plus or minus ten minutes.
On the day that we arrived, the next eruption was scheduled to occur at 1:30 p.m., "plus or minus ten minutes". At the appointed hour, the crowds gathered to watch. 1:30 passed, then 1:40. At 1:45, there was a brief, perfunctory blast, and then, nothing. We waited another five minutes, and then gave up. "I guess that was it," we said. Some of our party waited longer, and then, as they were leaving at 2:00, they heard the eruption starting behind them — at the maximum of 120 minutes.
This immediately reminded me of the scoffing predicted in Scripture on the part of those who were waiting in vain for the Lord to return, as He had promised:
2 Peter 3:3-4 – Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." (NKJV)
It is true that some have falsely predicted exact dates for His return, but Jesus clearly said, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32 NKJV)
It seems that, like the delay in Old Faithful's eruption, Jesus' delay in returning is a test of whether or not we are willing to trust in the sureness of His promise to return. Are we willing to live as if His return could happen at any moment?
Luke 12:42-44 – And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has." (NKJV)
Prayer: Lord, it can be discouraging to see what is happening to Your world, and we may wish that You would come soon to put an end to it all, but You have chosen Your own time for that to happen. You have given each of us certain responsibilities to execute with faithfulness and integrity in the meantime. May we live in obedience to your will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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All in God’s perfect timing! Great message!
Good reminder Robin. Thanks for your work.
Thanks, Robin. I appreciate this devotional and it has given me something to think about.
Thanks Robin for this reminder to remain steadfast and faithful in prayer and praise. Blessings.
Amen to your prayer! Great reminder Robin; may we live each day in the hope Christ’s return. Blessings.
Great devotional! We do have a purpose here to share with others until His return. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you Robin for today’s message is just what we all need to hear and meditate upon and let it permeate the very depth of our being.
May the Lord continue to bless you and use you mightily in proclaiming His Word for our time.
Hello Robin,
Thank you for today’s devotional. I want to also thank you for reading the devotionals daily. When I listen to you read it makes me feel like I am not worshiping alone.
Thank you and God bless you.
Good morning Robin!! Thanks you to God for being Faithful. Thank you for Faithfully continuing your devotional writing skills and Thank you for your inspiration in starting PresybyCan Daily Devotional and seeing it through all it’s changes.
You are Faithful!
Thanks.
Good morning, Robin,
I have just finished reading the devotional which you wrote. Thanks for sharing about Old Faithful. It made me think of a verse I emphasized in a service one Thanksgiving Sunday. I call it the OT call to worship and it occurs about 9 times in the OT. “Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, for his steadfast love lasts forever.”
Hi Robin
Good stuff, as usual. I rest on your concluding prayer, “You have given each of us certain responsibilities to execute with faithfulness and integrity in the meantime.”
Rhetoric and concern over end-times has little interest for me, for by God’s grace, I continue with my “responsibilities,” trusting they are pleasing to God.
Thank you, Robin, for this message. It brought back memories of my family’s trip to Yellowstone years ago. It was amazing to watch Old Faithful, but I think I remember the aroma there took a little getting used to! When it comes to waiting for something, no matter what we are waiting for, the waiting time always seems too long. I hope our decadent society has not reached the point of being beyond redemption. I heard a sermon recently that signs are pointing to our being on the cusp of a religious revival. I hope that is true.
Blessings.
Dear Robin,
My husband passed away several years ago. I still miss him so very much and at times feel very lonely without him.
I have asked repeatedly that my Lord would come “this night” and take me home where I could see His glory and see my Darling once again. So far my prayer has not been answered and I am still waiting, just like the people who are waiting for the geyser to erupt. Every morning when I awaken I remind the Lord that He has not answered my prayer. Well, maybe tomorrow will be the right time.
So when is the right time for me??? Only God knows.
Take each day, yes every hour and minute as a gift from God.
Perhaps one day I will meet you when we meet in glory!
Thank you.
What a great illustration! Keep up the good work, enjoy your writings.
Great devotional Ross! Yes It is frustrating to know that many refuse to accept Jesus and His coming return.
Blessings in you work for Him,
(ON)
Good morning Robin, I just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed your devotional today. Old Faithful is now on my bucket list of things to see!
I think the comparison you made between the timing of eruptions and the return of Jesus’ coming was very apt. I think this is the first devotional that I have noted, anyway, that you wrote. Thank you for all your faithful service and God Bless you.
Hi Mr. Ross,
Without going into detail, it is indeed so discouraging to see what is going on these days. It is my continual prayer that a change would come about.
Thank you for writing and all the work you do for the Kingdom of God.
Blessings.