Daily devotion – Why are we still here?
We continue to pray for the peace agreement for Israel and the return of all hostages today! God has His Church on the earth at this time for a reason — and it’s not to be self-indulgent or empire-building. We’ll leave that to the Church of Laodicea.
Revelation 3:14–17
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.’”
So why is the Church still here? Why hasn’t the Church been raptured yet?
There are two basic reasons.
1. We still have time — though short — to fulfill the Great Commission.
Before His ascension, Christ commanded us:
Matthew 28:19–20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
There are still people God is preparing — waiting for a believer to share the Gospel with them.
Romans 10:14
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
This week, make it a point to share the Gospel — the death and resurrection of Christ and His soon coming again — with someone. Don’t just talk about the weather or skirt around the main issue. Share the Word of God and leave the results with the Lord.
2. The Church is still here because God channels His power through us when we pray.
Continue to pray for Israel — for all the hostages to be released. Ask God to use you to be salt and light in this dark and troubled world. You can bring hope to the hopeless and joy to the grieving through prayer.
When we pray collectively, God’s power goes out into the darkness and holds back the forces of evil that are straining to bring destruction. When the Church prays, power greater than any nuclear force is released — and even Satan cannot stand against it.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 (NIV)
“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.”
This is why we are still here — to proclaim the Gospel and to pray God’s power into this world until He calls us home.