Another email to a good friend

D____,

I just returned from down south. If I remember correctly, there will be no Ezekiel study until Jan. 8. Is that correct? I’m reading my emails since I had no access to them since Tuesday.

I understand your torment, as you call it. I’ve been there and done that. I was reading about it in Revelation 14:10,11 today. “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night.”

Would that describe your experience pretty closely? This was to be a warning to the world similar to what John wrote in his gospel. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (Jn. 3:36). Same writer, same language, same thought. Revelation is not only very figurative, but also very gospel oriented. It gives us a new paradigm on what worshiping the beast is all about.

I see it as being about choosing someone else to look to other than the Jesus who called us to come to Him for rest. His gracious friendship alone can calm our nerves and soften our hearts. He wants to be our best friend, a friend forever. Job said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Jesus wasn’t trying to slay Job, Satan was. But Job was forcing Jesus to let Satan harrass him. It was Job’s fault that the traumatic experience happened to him. Jesus boasted about Job to Satan even though Job was not perfectly perfect, in the same way Jesus commended Nathanael as an Israelite indeed in whom was no guile. Yet after the crucifixion Nathanael was ready to give up the whole Messiah thing as a big mistake and turn to fishing for a career with Peter and the others. (Jn. 21:2,3).

Jesus loves to call us better than what we are. “God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” (Rom. 4:17). It is Their joy to be gracious, both Father and Son. (If you’ve see the Son you’ve seen the Father. The Son is the express image of the Father in character.) And I have a hunch, D_____, Jesus would do the same to you. He tells Satan, “Do you see My servant D_____, an Israelite indeed in whom in no guile?” Satan says, “You’ve got to be kidding? D____ L_____?” Jesus answers, “Yes, D_____, My servant. He is faithful in everything he does, because he seeks My approval and yearns for My love.” So Satan says, “Let me at him and we’ll see if he is all that faithful!” Jesus says, “I warn you, you’ll have egg all over your face. But, go ahead! Just don’t end his life. He is very precious to Me.”

And as with Job it will be seen with you, my beloved brother, “that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (Jas. 5:11). Just wait, and wait on Him. Sit at His feet like Mary did. Ask Him to reveal His kind spirit and you will slowly begin to perceive it in all His dealings. It has taken me a long time, but as I see His love in everything He did, I find the long wait was well worth it all. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus.

There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!
None else could heal all our souls’ diseases:
No, not one! no, not one!

Chorus
Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide ‘til the day is done:
There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!

No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! no, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! no, not one!

Chorus
Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide ‘til the day is done:
There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!

There’s not an hour that He is not near us,
No, not one! no, not one!
No night so dark, but His love can cheer us,
No, not one! no, not one!

Chorus
Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide ‘til the day is done:
There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!

Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! no, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! no, not one!

Chorus
Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide ‘til the day is done:
There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!

Was e’er a gift like the Savior given?
No, not one! no, not one!
Will He refuse us the bliss of heaven?
No, not one! no, not one!

Chorus
Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide ‘til the day is done:
There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!

Love you, brother,
David