Some of the headwater tributaries of the Amazon River are crystal clear. They rise in ancient rock formations and the pools they form are so clear that fish can be filmed as if they were in an aquarium. The documentary we were watching showed two parent Cichlid fish. They are faithful to each other and lay 100 eggs or more. When the fry hatch, they stay together in a tight group keeping close to their parents.
However, we were shown that larger fish like rays can steal into this blissful pool and totally conceal themselves by hiding on the floor of the pool where because of their disk-like shape they can totally blend in with the colours around them so that only their greedy eyes are showing. They can take 100 young fry at a gulp.
However, in the video one faithful parent hurled herself (or himself) against the predator and drove it away. It was not unlike a table tennis ball aggressively attacking a bat, however the predator didnโt attempt to fight but made good it’s escape.
I thought what an illustration of the Kingdom of God which is both โNowโ and โNot yetโ. The pure waters bubbling up from ancient rock could well belong in paradise itself and we ourselves are in those waters now flowing with the stream of the Holy Spirit. But as yet there are predators capable of stealing the next generation, and even of severely injuring us.ย So, like the Cichlids, we need to be always alert and full of God-given courage.
Margaret and I were meditating on Luke 17:21
โThe Kingdom of God is within you.โ and we felt the Lord was saying:-
Live in My Kingdom from day to day, moment by moment. Love My people. Be good to them. Love Me with all your heart and soul and mind. Be fully for Me and totally Mine. My Kingdom is full of faith and love and joy and peace. It is full of patience and hope and lovingkindness and all things that are good and to be admired. It is full of blessings of every kind.
So, look to Me at all times and in all places and on every hand. Walk in My ways and donโtโ lean on your own understanding but live in My peace and in My word.
I would have you move through the world with the quiet confidence of your identity in Christ. Your sins are atoned for, and you have an advocate with the Father.
You are an heir of the Father and a joint heir with the Son. You are now a son of God.
Anointing will flow from you because you have an anointing from the Holy One.
Others will feel your love and know that you have been with me. There will be power in the touch of your hands. It matters to me that you believe these things, and do not constantly deny their reality because of bashfulness and fear. The promises which are true for all my children are your inheritance as well. It grieves me when my children live on earth as if they were spiritual paupers or kept on short rations.
Believe that where you move, the kingdom of God is within you as the light is within a burning lamp. Since the kingdom is within you, watch over it as a trusted steward would guard his Masterโs mansion.
