S206P8 – How soon we forget: we need each other more and more

Heb. 10:23-25

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

They might have seemed like a strange people, living in the canopy of the trees high above the ground, but their position had a purpose.  The treehouses they called home gave them a vantage point from which to see their enemies coming from afar.  These high homes also gave them the ability to cut off their enemies from low-ground attacks.  Whenever rumors of wars started or an attack was clearly imminent, the normally widespread community would condense to a few strategically placed perches.  Wisdom told them that unity was necessary to wage war successfully, and it was too easy to be taken out by the enemy when one remained alone.  As time went on and war naturally intensified in frequency and impact, this closeness would be even more valuable.

If we study the scriptures, we know that this world does not become more peaceful and pleasant as we inch closer to the Day of the Lord.  The spiritual battle going on around and inside us is building to a crescendo, but we cannot know how long that process will take.  One thing of which we can be certain is that our progression from now until then will require that we continue growing closer as the body of Christ so that we can be victorious.  The reason we must remember to keep assembling ourselves is for the encouragement and advancement of the brethren.  The closer we get to the Day, the more we must remain a united front.  This unity is not a luxury but a necessity.  Even almost 2,000 years ago, our fellow believers knew to unite more and more as the Day drew closer.

We do not know when Jesus will return for his Church.  We also do not know exactly what the road between here and there will look like for us.  The scriptures tell us that we can be sure of persecution, and that alone is enough of a reason for us to band together.  What we do together today to sow in the spirit can reap great rewards during future times of battle.  We cannot allow petty differences and unimportant disagreements to keep us separated.  That is only one of the enemy’s tactics in this war.  We have to push through the difficulties and contend for unity while the Day is not yet here.  If we wait until then to try to unite, it will be too late.  Father, help us to remember that our spiritual unity is paramount to our victory and worth the work it takes until then.