Stay in Jerusalem!

Hi all! I hope all the mamas out there had a wonderful Mother's Day! I was sitting in church yesterday and the pastor read Acts 1:4. At this point in the sermon, I am sorry to say, I mentally derailed. Not really quite sure why he read the verse, but as I stared at it on the big screen I had one of those moments when something just jumped out at me. 

This verse comes from the days after Jesus had risen from the dead but before he ascended to heaven. It says, "While being together and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Of which,” He said, “you have heard Me speak."

Stop and read that again. What? Stay in Jerusalem? Do you have any idea what Jerusalem was like for the disciples at that time? These men, big, strong, blue-collar guys, were hiding for their lives. Just a few days before they thought they had lost everything when the One for Whom they had laid everything down was crusified on a cross for all to see. Their faith was shaken to the core. Then three days later when He rose from the grave, as He had already told them He would, their faith was restored, but their lives were in more danger than ever. They were being hunted by all of the officials and all of the guards. The most feared officers in the known world wanted their heads. People were threatened by Christ just as they are today. When His body was gone the officials were willing to go to any extremes necessary to prove that the disciples were behind the disappearance. As the disciples most likely were making plans to get out of Dodge, Christ said, "Stay in Jerusalem. Stay in the midst of your trouble. Stay in the middle of the hardest time of your life. Stay though fear so grips you that death would be a welcome escape. Stay in Jerusalem," he said, "and wait for what God has promised, which you have already heard from me."

 Wow! What a powerful message for our lives. We've all had those times where maybe it would be easier to just run away. We're scared or frightened. We just want to get out of the situation. We frantically look around searching for a way of escape, but listen. Is Christ whispering to your heart, "Stay and wait to see what God has promised. The promises what you have already read in my Word. The promises I already told you about. Stay and wait and see."?

This reminds me of another of my very favorite verses found in Exodus 14:13-14, "Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest."

There are times when common sense tells you God has provided a way out of your tough situation, and you need to take it. But there are other times when God wants to show you just how awesome He is, and He says, "Stand still and watch. I will fight for you!"

Only personal, devoted, quiet time with the Lord will answer the question for you of which type of situation you're in. But rest assured, God will do what He has promised. The things you have already heard from His Word!