Record Time
By Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of September 1, 2024
This devo is a bit different in that I don’t normally address this topic. But I have no doubt that many have noticed a wave of passing patriarchs of the faith that seems rather extraordinary.
Some of you have been personally touched by this wave of homegoing as well, because it has extended to husbands and fathers, including my own father’s recent passing.
I believe one of God’s general purposes for this is to make a way for a new wave of leaders to rise and expand in what God is doing in this hour and forward.
When patriarchs and matriarchs depart from among us, those closest to them, as well as any role-replacements, are able to lead Kingdom expansion.
Biblically speaking, Moses and Joshua are an example.
Joshua’s army took their mission way farther than Moses proved capable. But God, in His kindness, allowed Moses to view the progress from above.
God is seating many into positions of authority to make Him and their earthly father’s proud.
These are legacy carriers, builders of the Kingdom, inspired by those who have gone before them, and anointed to pioneer dominion miraculously by God.
I, myself, am taken with the rich mercy and great grace of God that allowed my own earthly father to live 29 years longer than medical experts expected. When they considered his afflictions to be 100 percent fatal, God made a way for life.
I’ll never forget the angelic visitation one sweet morning decades ago after I had cried myself to sleep in prayer. It was two weeks before Christmas and a lot was happening otherwise. I felt like if God had taken my father at that time it would have been too much for me.
He sent an angel to hover over me and awaken me to bring comfort, power and a message of intervention.
At that time, my father lived and didn’t die.
Years later, Holy Spirit spoke to me during a quiet moment, saying my father was a testament to His rich mercy.
And He was right. Dad was an example of what we all need to receive—the rich mercy of God.
When it was finally time for Dad to go home to Heaven to live with Jesus, he went suddenly. Our Lord gave me clues to forewarn me just beforehand and had me read Psalm 91 over him as he lay in ICU on his final evening.
Dad was 91-years-old when he passed.
As I sat on the edge of my bed the morning he entered into his Heavenly home, I thanked God for the extra time and marveled at what a difference 29 years had made: How God had grown me to be much stronger in Him so I could walk through this joyfully. How He had given me a fresh perspective of my father’s new walk in God’s covenant of grace. And how He had enabled me to carry on in legacy.
And oh, how sweet it has been.
All I want to do is connect with that great joy and the banner over my dad that is “Freedom,” as he strolls into the great expanse of Heaven.
I hope that, if you have also seen loved ones off, that you will do the same.
Because, like my earthly father, who was a leader and teacher in the commercial construction trade, we have much to build here in record time and with holy purpose to work out.
God has divine assignments right before us that we’re about to come into. They will be places to express what He put in our hearts long ago.
This is an exciting time to work alongside God in His Kingdom. And we can do it knowing that our loved ones are watching from above as God extends life here on earth as it is in Heaven.
Here are some key scriptures to ponder as we lay the past to rest and enter into legacy overdrive . . .
Psalm 91:14-16 AMPC, which says, "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation."
Job 21:23 AMPC, which says, "One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet."
To God be all glory, honor, and praise.
Amen.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.
