Jonathan Evans

Consecration Is Preparation

On the eve of something wonderful, our anticipation is heightened when we've waited for it patiently. On the eve of something fearful, our anticipation is calmed when we've prepared for it diligently.

Joshua and Israel are on the brink of inheriting God's promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They are about to receive the promised land, but they must first wait for three days on the edge of the River Jordan. It is here, on the eve of something wonderful and fearful, that Joshua gives instructions to Israel: "Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." (Joshua 3:5) There was no question where Israel was headed. There was no question who was in charge. The question was, "Will you consecrate yourselves today, since God will do wonders tomorrow?" The bottom line was that God was going to do great wonders and advance His people and purpose. That much was certain. What was uncertain was whether or not Israel would prepare for this by consecrating themselves. Would God need to wait another forty years for a new generation? He would not. Joshua knew that God had given them the land, they needed only to prepare to receive it by consecrating their hearts to God.

In an infinitely greater way, Jesus came to the brink of receiving the promise of the Father for the salvation of all peoples, and He stood on the edge of death and prayed, "And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth." (John 17:19) Jesus set Himself apart in death, so that the Father's work of eternal life could be accomplished in our hearts. Furthermore, Jesus consecrated Himself, so that in Him by the power of the Holy Spirit we would be consecrated to God and join Him as He does great wonders on earth in the hearts of men.

Oh, to live in a state of consecration, because "tomorrow the Lord will do miracles among you." What great things has God prepared for us? We are on the brink of some that are truly wonderful, while we are on the edge of others that may be fearful in our eyes. In all things and at all times He is good and only does good! He desires a consecrated people through which His wonderful, powerful deeds can be accomplished for His glory and their joy. Therefore, let us consecrate ourselves to Him and let His will be done and His kingdom come.

THREE BENEFITS OF PRAYER

Prayer unites our hearts in three ways: 

 

1. Prayer unites my heart to God’s
   Prayer comes naturally to the heart of every believer. This is because through prayer we demonstrate our dependency upon God and declare our desire to know Him and to abide in Him. Apart from prayer we can never fully come to know God’s heart. My wife and I could carry on a conversation from two separate rooms in the same house, but the inclination of my heart when I hear her voice is to see her face. When we hear God’s voice we desire to draw nearer to His face. Likewise, when God hears our voice He desires to draw near to our hearts.
   
   
2. Prayer unites my heart to another’s
   When our hearts are united to God in prayer the overflow inevitably is prayer for others. It is impossible to love God and hate your brother. It is impossible to pray to God and not to pray for another. Jesus’ heart is as full of kindness and love towards others as it is towards us. When we pray for others there is a connection that is established between our heart and theirs. This connection becomes visible and tangible in the relationship. The next time you see them, in your heart there exists a love for them that didn’t exist prior to being in prayer over them.
   
   
3. Prayer unites our hearts to God’s
   Through prayer we enter into the depths of God’s heart as worshippers, so that through prayer we can enter into the lives of others as servants. Both these strands come together to form a rope of three stands which cannot easily be broken. A church united by prayer and united in prayer is being filled by the Spirit of God with the knowledge of Jesus Christ and is being led by the Spirit of God with power to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A praying church understands that they can take no rest and give God no rest in prayer until He establishes His kingdom in their midst. (Isaiah 62:6, 7) 

Two particulars of a work of God

There is nothing that God does on earth that is not filled with the fragrance of the sacrifice of Christ and the incense of the prayers of the redeemed. If it does not cherish the sacrifice of Christ it is not of God. And if it is not accompanied with prayer it is of man.

The mantle of holiness

When His servants bow in prayer, King Jesus passes by and lays upon them His mantle of holiness. Here is how ordinary men become extraordinary men. For in the laying upon them of His mantle, Jesus both commends His servants and commissions them in His name.

The day manna will cease

The desert was not meant to be Israel’s home. After God had miraculously delivered Israel from Egypt, He intended to lead them through the desert and into the promised land of Canaan. But Israel grumbled about God to Moses and soon thereafter sinned before the face of God by worshipping an idol calf. The result was that God made them wander in the desert for forty years. Yet, God was merciful and full of grace and provided water and food. The food he provided was a one-of-a-kind, never-before-seen bread called Manna. This bread came directly from God from heaven everyday for forty years. Can you imagine eating the same thing everyday for forty years?! Still, it was God’s provision for His people. In addition to this bread, God provided something much more extraordinary in the desert for Israel. He gave detailed instructions to Moses for building the Tabernacle. This was a tent of meeting, whereby God would dwell in the midst of His people, sinful and rebellious as they were. Here was the very thing that distinguished them from every other people group on earth. No, it wasn’t the Manna. It was the very presence of God. The Manna was a miraculous reminder of their Miraculous God, who provided all HIs people needed for living in the desert, both physically and spiritually.

This world is not meant to be our home. God has miraculously delivered us from our sin. He intends now to lead us through this world and into the promised land of a new heaven and a new earth. Still, while we are far removed from the land of our slavery by the power of the blood of Jesus, our hearts still host the remains of our sinful nature. This nature God is daily transforming by His Spirit and the daily sustenance of His Word, which renews our minds. Additionally, we know that Jesus is the true Bread of Life, who came down from heaven. He is both the miracle and the Great Miracle Worker. In Him we are assured of God’s provision and protection, and ushered into God’s presence. His presence is the safety and refuge of His people throughout their journey in this desert-world. And since Jesus has said He will never leave us or forsake us, this means that the presence of God will always go with us.

Finally, after forty years, Joshua and Israel crossed the Jordan River and first stepped into the promised land. On the very day they enjoyed the fruit of the land the Manna ceased. (Joshua 5:12) One day, we will all cross the spiritual Jordan River and step into the new heaven and new earth Jesus has prepared for us. On that day all the Manna of this present day will cease and be replaced by a feast. By comparison, the trickle of the presence of God we now enjoy will give way to an everlasting mighty river of love.