The Joy of Sharpening

Ugandan Strong Leader's Hand Training--God's Word

When I lived in the Philippines from 1974-‘77, it took three weeks for a letter to get from Manila to anyone in the United States. My parents did not call our grandparents so we could talk on the phone because it was way too expensive. So I continually marvel at the ability to connect with brothers and sisters in the faith from Colorado, California, Georgia, and Uganda via ZOOM calls. We can provide leadership training for 90 minutes and see each other and interact for very little cost—incredible! ​

One of the reasons I suspect we are close to the end times is that technology allows us to witness in real time what is happening around the world. Revelation 11:9-10 says:
And representatives from the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will view their bodies for three and a half days and not permit their bodies to be put into a tomb. Those who live on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets brought judgment to those who live on the earth.
The passage is speaking about the demise of God’s two witnesses, and the fact is, were this happening now, it would be possible for people around the earth to see their dead bodies and gloat. 
 
Meditation
Proverbs 27:17--Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
 
            As followers of Jesus, we are sharpened by fellowship, by speaking the truth in love, by applying God’s Word to our lives, and by sharing what we are learning from the Holy Spirit. Today, when I asked for prayer requests or praises, three of our eleven Ugandan participants thanked us for the depth and importance of the leadership training and shared how much it was helping them. Oscar noted how he was even more in love with Jesus than ever as a result of our weekly sessions. That kind of feedback warms every part of my heart. 
            If my sense that we are closing in on tribulation is accurate, more than ever, we need to be sharpening each other so that we are prepared for what is coming. Paul wrote, 
“This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand” (Ephesians 6:13). God’s intent is that we should stand together, sharpened for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Rusted armor fails. We stand best when we are honed and prepared for whatever the enemy chooses to throw at us. So are we being sharpened, or are we complacent and neglecting the opportunity each day to grow stronger in our walks with God?
 
Inspiration
Be sure you stand in close order amongst yourselves; these times give us too many sad examples of such, who first fell from communion with their brethren, and then into the devourer’s hands; stragglers are soon snapped, you will find you are safest in a body. Take heed of a private spirit.—Willam Gurnall in The Christian in Complete Armour
 
©2026 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10—"The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.”  (Holman CSB)