It's the Lord!
Today’s Verse:
Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. ~Isaiah 52:6
Sometimes, I might make a quick shopping run at a store and will run into one of our church families. If they are the first to see and greet me, I tend to be slow in recognizing them. However, after a few moments, I usually blurt out, “Oh, it’s you!” While we might be slow in recognizing another person at an outside location, one thing is for sure: we will know the Lord when we see Him. The Lord said that when He returns at His second coming, His people will know that it is Him.
You know it’s the Lord at conversion.
“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5). Saul was the most hostile man alive towards Jesus and the gospel. The Lord made very clear that day that He came to save Saul from his sins. First, Saul was stopped. The Lord shined a light round about him. Saul was a stubborn man whom the Lord prevented from going further. Second, Saul was subdued. The Lord humbled him by knocking him off his horse. He sensed God’s power bringing him to a prostate position. Third, Saul was saved. When Saul asked, “Who art thou, Lord?” there was a repentant spirit about him. No man calls Jesus "Lord" unless the Spirit of the Lord abides in him. Saul knew that it was the Lord Who met and saved him that day.
You know it’s the Lord when He calls.
“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). Saul received his conversion and calling at the same time. God saved this man so that the same zeal he had displayed in persecuting would be used for promoting the gospel. Saul asked, “What wilt thou have me to do?” He was surrendered and ready to do whatever God said he should do. He realized that Jesus was his Lord from that day on. He knew that it was the Lord Who had called Him.
You know it’s the Lord when He corrects.
“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea” (John 21:7). When Jesus told Peter and the men to cast the net on the right side and they were blessed immediately with a large catch of fish, this brought back memories of a similar nature three years before. The Lord corrected Peter for making a series of bad decisions that were made out of pride and foolishness. The Lord corrected Peter with mercy and a demonstration of His power. Peter knew the authority in the voice. Peter knew that the Lord was the only One Who could meet him as He did.
You know it’s the Lord when He communicates.
“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last” (Revelation 1:17). John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day on the island of Patmos. Jesus revealed Himself not only in His glory, but most importantly, as God. When the Lord speaks to us, He reveals Himself in such a way that we will know that He has a message for us. John was instructed to write down things that would lead to the Book of Revelation. The message in Revelation is for the church. John saw and heard the authority of our Lord in His communication. When God speaks, we know that it is Him. The Lord wants us to know Him, that He is God. It’s the Lord!
Have a Christ-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Exodus 36-38