CWW Week 18 - Day 6 - A Work In Progress
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Scripture.
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
Devotional
Years ago I heard a modern day parable that stayed in my memory because it was about me. I think it will be about you too.
A young and fortunate man built a beautiful waterfront mansion over looking the ocean. It was his pride and joy. Three stories high it dominated the headland on which it was built and he was the envy of all who saw the magnificent home in this prime location.
One day there was a knock on the door. When the man answered, there stood Jesus smiling. Overwhelmed at the surprise visit the man invited Jesus in. “What can I do for you Lord?” the man asked. Jesus replied,”I have come to stay with you if you will have me.” Incredibly honoured that the Creator would want to live with the man he offered him the top floor master sweet. “ The entire top floor is yours Lord,” said the man, and Jesus was shown to his rooms. “You have all of this, my own personal sweet to yourself Jesus. You are my guest and I will move downstairs to the guest wing. Please make yourself at home.” the man said.
That night there was a knock at the main entry door. The man answered and was assaulted at the door by evil. He struggled to keep the intruder out but to no avail. The man wrestled all night in what was a noisy scuffle that lasted till dawn. Eventually the intruder left and as the man gathered himself exhausted, Jesus came down the stairs. “Are you alright?” asked Jesus. “No Lord I have been fighting an intruder all night and I am exhausted. I am surprised you did not hear the noise and come and help me.” Jesus replied saying, “You only gave me the top floor of your house so I was not invited further.”
The man, feeling so thoughtless, extended the top two floors to Jesus and said that he would stay on the ground floor and Jesus could enjoy the run of the top two floors.
That night the intruder returned. The man answered the door and the battle of the previous night continued at a fever pitch. The man struggled and finally evicted the intruder as the sun came up. Just then Jesus came down stairs and asked the man what was wrong. The man covered in perspiration replied, “Did you not hear the commotion down here Lord. I have been fighting an intruder all night and I thought you would have come down.”
Jesus replied, “Oh I am so sorry. You only gave me the top two floors of the house.” The man had a light bulb moment. He could see that Jesus needed to be granted permission to occupy and have freedom to move in the entire house. The man apologised to Jesus and and offered him the entire house.
That night there was a knock on the door and Jesus answered. Jesus looked at evil in the eye and asked,”Can I help you?” The intruder looked at Jesus and then bowed down as he backed out of the entry saying, “I am so sorry Lord, I appear to have come to the wrong house.” The owner of the house slept soundly.
As our restoration works go ahead, we often need a night watchman who has the keys to the whole job site. He cannot secure the site unless we give Him full access to every room of the house. There will always be an intruder who seeks to plunder and vandalise as the work continues. Evil loves to target us works in progress.
Only by shining a light into every crevasse of our soul can Jesus do His amazing work so the reconstruction may continue.
We all have secrets and regrets and they slow down the construction process. He knows all of these dark shadows in our lives anyway so who are we kidding?
I’ll give you a hint. It’s not Jesus. He is at the door now knocking. Will you let Him in?
Questions.
- Do you have a room under lock and key that you refuse to let anyone see?
- Does the stench coming from within that room make your entire house uninhabitable?
- Are you ready today to give Jesus the keys to that room and let Him clear it?
Prayer
Dear Lord, Papa God.
I want a clean house Papa. I am tired of pretending that all is well as something stinks in my back room. Before this drives me out of my own home I beg you lord; come and make my house clean. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and make me whole, is my prayer in Your precious name Jesus. Amen.
Have a great day with Jesus.
Graham Hood.
