14 November 2013 - wisdom, live and in person

14 November 2013 - wisdom, live and in person

“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’
The Kingdom isn't primarily an external structure that we can see.  It isn't a form of government or something like that.  It isn't a social structure.  It isn't a building or a crown.  It isn't even an ideology. It isn't a methodology. The Kingdom is something closer to us.  It is something more real  It is something which is more alive than any static and lifeless structure.

For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.
The Kingdom is wherever Jesus is.  We tend to think of governments and nations and social institutions as outlasting particular individuals.  And this may well be true in the case of normal individuals.  Even a young nation like the USA outlasts its presidents, both good and bad.  But Jesus is the one whose "word is for ever".  His truth is the stability of all that truly lasts.

Through all generations your truth endures;
you have established the earth, and it stands firm.
According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.

His word is the source of wisdom "passing into holy souls from age to age".  Wisdom is the gift his word imparts.  It is his very presence.  It is "an aura of the might of God and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty".  He wants to give this gift to all people because "there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with wisdom."

Let us "long to see one of the days of the Son of Man".  But even before he "lights up the sky from one side to the other" his wisdom and his Spirit are here.  The Kingdom is breaking into our world even now in the lives of all who are open to his gift and his presence.  Let us listen to his word and so be filled with the Spirit of Wisdom.  As he fills us with his presence may we long more and for the fulfillment of his presence on the day of the Son of Man.

Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for that, indeed, night supplants,
but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.

Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.