Hastening the Lord's Return

Jer. 29: 12-14 says, "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from captivity." What a promise from the Lord.

The Lord wants us to DESIRE Him, to SEEK after Him with all our heart. In the story of the prodigal son, the Father did not go seeking after the son in a foreign land. He waited until the son DESIRED to come home and be in the Father's presence.

After Jesus had died and risen again, he appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The disciples didn't recognize him, and they were sad and discouraged because of the Lord's death. Jesus expounded the scriptures to them (after rebuking them for their slowness to believe), and their hearts burned within them as He spoke. The interesting thing is, when they got to the village they were heading to, Jesus acted like He was going to keep on going, but the disciples urged him to stay. Jesus wanted them to desire Him and His presence. (Luke 24:13)

2 Tim. 4:8 says, "And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return." And 2 Pet. 3:11 says we "ought to live Holy and Godly lives, as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." Other versions say, those who"look forward to that day and hurry it along" or "waiting for and hastening to the coming of the Lord". Again, the Lord is waiting on His Bride to cry out to Him, "Come Lord Jesus!" He wants us to want Him, to Seek Him, to Watch Daily at the Gate, looking for His return. Are we waiting on the Lord to return, or is HE waiting on US?! We must be found in faith, our lamps full of oil, pure and Holy, and longing to be with Him.

Our hearts need to burn for God. They burn for everything else - for money, music, success, recognition - just hang around someone long enough, and you will discover what their hearts burn for.

God is waiting for His church to bring back the King!

Lord, fill us with a desire for Your presence, a desire to be with You. May we seek Your face with all our heart, and watch daily at your doors, longing for your return!



These thoughts were taken from various excerpts from Pastor Mike Steven's sermons. Thanks for the inspiration, Pastor Mike!