Month: March 2015

A Song to Sing

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“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1 (KJV)

A Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite is the title of this Psalm.  A song of instruction; and surely there is not much else to sing of than of the LORD and His mercy.

The mercy of the LORD is everlasting.  There is another of the Psalms which magnifies the mercy of the LORD.  Psalm 136 has every verse ending with “For His mercy endureth forever”.  The mercies of God.  Let that be your song for today.

Part of His mercies is also that He is faithful.  He is faithful to every generation.  He is faithful to all the earth, and to all His creation.  He is faithful to His own glory, power and praise.

Sing a song today; and let it be a song of His mercies.  The greatest display of His mercy was by the judgment of His Son Jesus on the cross for your sins and mine.

LORD God of My Salvation

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“O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before Thee: Let my prayer come before Thee: incline Thine ear unto my cry; For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.” Psalm 88:1-3 (KJV)

For the commentary today I will let  a scholar from the past speak:

I. A man of prayer, one that gave himself to prayer at all times, but especially now that he was in affliction; for is any afflicted? let him pray. It is his comfort that he had prayed; it is his complaint that, notwithstanding his prayer, he was still in affliction. He was, 1. Very earnest in prayer: “I have cried unto thee (Psa_88:1), and have stretched out my hands unto thee (Psa_88:9), as one that would take hold on thee, and even catch at the mercy, with a holy fear of coming short and missing of it.” 2. He was very frequent and constant in prayer: I have called upon thee daily (Psa_88:9), nay, day and night, Psa_88:1. For thus men ought always to pray, and not to faint; God’s own elect cry day and night to him, not only morning and evening, beginning every day and every night with prayer, but spending the day and night in prayer. This is indeed praying always; and then we shall speed in prayer, when we continue instant in prayer. 3. He directed his prayer to God, and from him expected and desired an answer (Psa_88:2): “Let my prayer come before thee, to be accepted of thee, not before men, to be seen of them, as the Pharisees’ prayers.” He does not desire that men should hear them, but, “Lord, incline thy ear unto my cry, for to that I refer myself; give what answer to it thou pleasest.”
II. He was a man of sorrows, and therefore some make him, in this psalm, a type of Christ, whose complaints on the cross, and sometimes before, were much to the same purport with this psalm. He cries out (Psa_88:3): My soul is full of troubles; so Christ said, Now is my soul troubled; and, in his agony, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful even unto death, like the psalmist’s here, for he says, My life draws nigh unto the grave. Heman was a very wise man, and a very good man, a man of God, and a singer too, and one may therefore suppose him to have been a man of a cheerful spirit, and yet now a man of sorrowful spirit, troubled in mind, and upon the brink of despair. Inward trouble is the sorest trouble, and that which, sometimes, the best of God’s saints and servants have been severely exercised with. The spirit of man, of the greatest of men, will not always sustain his infirmity, but will droop and sink under it; who then can bear a wounded spirit?
From the Matthew Henry Commentary

May your heart hear God as He speaks with you, and draws you to Himself.

City on a Hill

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“His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.” Psalm 87:1-3 (KJV)

Our thoughts of the mountains are often of their strength and power; their height as they reach into the clouds.  The “Holy mountains” are those where Jerusalem is setting.  Jerusalem is the place where our Lord Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again.

That is the place where God chose for His  name to dwell.  It is the place that He loves more than all the dwellings of Jacob, ie., more than Shiloh, and the other places the ark of the covenant has been.

If you will note the final word of the above verses.  “Selah”  It means “Pause”, or I see it as pausing to think about what has just been said.  God is holy.  The gates of Zion are holy.  This can really be speaking of the person of Jesus Christ.  He is the One, the only One by whom God’s people can enter into the holiest of all places; the throne of God, and worship Him.

Glorious is His name.

Bow down Thine ear…

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“Bow down Thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.” Psalm 86:1 (KJV)

A prayer, a Psalm of David; he humbles himself before the LORD in a time of need.

As should any child of God; but also any who realize they are outside the will of God, and will humble themselves before the Potentate of all of life.

God will hear the prayer of the humble.  He has no ear for hearing the self sufficient, the arrogant, the proud; for they are holding on to the iniquity of their hearts (Psalm 66:18).

If you will notice the position of David’s heart.  He sees himself as “Poor” and “Needy”.  His greatest need; as is mine and yours is God Himself.  He has given us Jesus, and His death on the cross that we might come to Him.  It is the only way.  So come.

Cause of Prayer – To Recognize the False Messiah

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“…and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” Daniel 9:26b-27 (KJV)

In the ninth place we see the SEVENTIETH WEEK; THE PRINCE TO COME; AND HIS COVENANT OF PEACE WITH ISRAEL (vv. 26b-27). The ‘prince that shall come’ is speaking of a deceiver. Some time following the disappearance of the saints of God, this man will come on the scene and make a peace covenant with Israel for seven years “One week”.

In the midst of the week – 3.5 years – this prince will break that covenant, and set himself up in the temple of God – “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” 2 Thes. 2:3-4.

He will desolate the temple. Really just his presence in the temple will be worse than the pig which Antiochus Epiphanes placed on the altar. In his desolation he will call for the people of the world to worship him. That is when he begins running into problems. The last 3.5 years will be a time of judgment upon the earth such as no one has ever seen.

Not only will Israel be delivered during this time, but when Jesus comes to put an end to sin, they will look upon Him whom they have pierced (Rev. 1:7). In John 19:37 it says, “And again another scripture saith, ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced”.

The seven years of ‘tribulation will end with Jesus coming in the clouds with His saints, conquering the rebellious nations of earth, ‘the inhabitants of earth’, cleansing the land; and reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords.

There is no torment on earth today that can compare to what will come when the earth comes under the final judgment of Jesus Christ. One day, every knee will bow to God, and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS. MARANATHA.

Favorable

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“LORD, Thou hast been favourable unto Thy land: Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.” Psalm 85:1 (KJV)

Another Psalm for the sons of Korah.

This Psalm is written in the past tense.  YaHWeH has shown favor to His land.  The Promised Land, the land of Canaan is the LORD’S.  This shows that God is not through with the people of Jacob.  He brings them back from their trials, their captivity.

The LORD is gracious unto His land and His people who will rest in Him; find peace, comfort, and joy in Him.

The LORD has sent redemption for His land and people through the cross of Jesus Christ is only holy and blessed Son.  Through His Son He shows His favor to the world.

Cause of Prayer – For the Restoration of Jerusalem to the Messiah – Jesus Christ

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“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself…” Daniel 9:25-26a (KJV)

In the eighth place we are told of THE RESTORATION OF JERUSALEM UNTO THE MESSIAH – WHO IS CHRIST JESUS (vv.25-26a). A decree would go forth for the restoration of Jerusalem from a Gentile king. There was such a decree that went forth from a king to Nehemiah to go and rebuild the walls of the city (Nehemiah 2).

The restoration of Jerusalem was done in 49 years. This period of time equals the ‘seven weeks’. There are 7 days in a week times 7 weeks equals 49 days. Each day equals 1 year. After the restoration of Jerusalem it would be 62 weeks until Messiah was ‘cut off’ this would equal 483 years. The Messiah, that is Jesus Chris, would be crucified on a cross in Jerusalem.

NOTICE – Seventy (70) weeks times 7 equals 490 weeks. This means that only 69 weeks have been fulfilled. The first 483 have been fulfilled exactly as God told Daniel. There have been approximately 2000 years since the completion of the 483 years. There remains 7 yet to be fulfilled. That seven years is known by at least two different titles; first, “The time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7); secondly, we know it better; as Christians today by “Tribulation period” – “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds” (Rev. 2:22). It is also known as the “Day of the LORD” in many Old Testament passages.

I for one am anxiously awaiting the second coming of Jesus to restore His kingdom on earth, and rule from His throne in Jerusalem. Come quickly Lord Jesus.

The Lovely Dwelling Place

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“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!” Psalm 84:1

A Psalm for the sons of Korah (See Numbers 16).

The word “Amiable” means lovely.  Tabernacles is the dwelling place of the LORD.  The wilderness tabernacle was moved from one place to another as the children of Israel travelled, until they reached the promised land, and then it was kept at a place called Shiloh (Joshua 18:1;  1 Samuel 1:3, 9, 24).

When Jesus Christ came into the world and gave Himself an offering for our sins; following His ascension into heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to be God within all who will trust and believe in Him (Romans 8:9).  Now we are told by the apostle Paul that we are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19).

The tabernacles of the LORD are lovely; because they are the dwelling places of the LORD of hosts.  Are you one of His dwelling places?  Then, prove it.  Show Christ Jesus alive, and at work in you.

Cause of Prayer – Understanding the Prophecy of Seventy Weeks

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“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.” Daniel 9:24 (KJV)

In the seventh thing we see the angel giving DANIEL THE PURPOSE OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS (v. 24). This is the thing Daniel read from Jeremiah concerning Israel (Daniel 9:2). In the prophecy each seven day week represents seven years, thus the seventy weeks would represent a total of 490 years. What was the purpose of these years – one week of which or seven years, has not yet come to pass.

“For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform My good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:10-11

The purpose of the seventy weeks has a six fold purpose; 1) “To finish the transgression” ie., to bring an end to Israel’s transgression – their sin and rebellion against God in worshipping idols; 2) “To make an end of sins”; 3) “To make reconciliation for iniquity”, ie., that is to reconcile the nation to God; 4) To bring in everlasting righteousness; 5) To seal up the vision of the prophecy; and 6) To anoint the most Holy.

The power of God in prayer will be revealed to those who love the Lord, and love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).

The Enemy of God

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“Keep not Thou silence, O God: hold not Thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, Thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate Thee have lifted up the head.” Psalm 83:1-2 (KJV)

This song of Asaph is directed toward the Godhead (Colossians 1:16-19), to ‘El, the Mighty One of the Godhead.  It appears that Asaph has been feeling like God is being silent, in the midst of facing the enemy of Israel.

Like Asaph when we feel like God is being silent we need to see our enemy as God’s enemy; and God’s enemy as our enemy.  The Prime Minister of Israel in his recent speech to a Joint Session of Congress made the statement, “So when it comes to Iran and ISIS, the enemy of your enemy is your enemy”.  Christian the enemy of God is definitely your enemy.

The psalmist calls for God to fight against His enemies. Do you desire to hear God speak on the matter of your troubles and heart aches; even sometimes of our own making?  Then, you can cry out to Him.We must understand though that the enemies of God are not our troubles.

The enemies of God are those who seek to through down every principle of holiness, godliness, righteousness, justice, peace, and love of God.  The enemy of God is evil, and unrighteousness, and every vain thing that seeks to exalt itself against the LORD (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).  We must not rely on the flesh of men – even our own – to deliver us from the enemy of God.

Remember that God loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day.  He is returning soon to rid the word of all unrighteousness.  Trust Him today.

Cause of Prayer – To Receive Skill and Understanding in the Word

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The following verses were used previously. Here they are used to make another point.

“And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.” Daniel 9:20-23 (KJV)

The sixth thing we see is, that while DANIEL PRAYING, THE ANGEL GABRIEL CAME AND GAVE HIM UNDERSTANDING (vv. 20-23). Daniel prayed; confessing the sins of the people of Israel and his own sins, and lifting up supplications unto the Lord for their land. While he was praying the angel Gabriel appeared to him once again.

Gabriel said he had come to give Daniel “Skill and understanding”. I do not think it is too bold of a statement to say that it was because of Daniel’s devotion to God and His Word that God chose him for “Skill and understanding”. Daniel was fervent in prayer. He was consistent in his prayers. He was devoted to the Word of God. He was an obedient servant to God. He fasted. He wept. He mourned. I find it no surprise that God chose Daniel to give “Skill and understanding”.

Notice, the angel said, “At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee..” Daniel’s prayers were heard from day one. His faith was strong in the Word of God.

The angel also tells him, “Thou are greatly beloved…” What a decree to come from the mouth of one of God’s angels.

When the Christians of the world today will be in fervent prayer, and have a devotion to God, to Christ Jesus, and His Word; as was Daniel, then, God will give to Christians “Skill and Understanding” in the word and prophecy.

On eve of Purim, Netanyahu warns of new Persian threat to Israel & the world. Here’s my analysis.

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We need to listen.

joelcrosenberg's avatarJoel C. Rosenberg's Blog

The Prime Minister of Israel addressing a Joint Session of Congress on March 3, 2015. The Prime Minister of Israel addressing a Joint Session of Congress on March 3, 2015.

(Washington, D.C.) — That was one for the ages.

In 25 years living in or near the nation’s capital, I have never actually been to a Joint Session of Congress. But if there was ever a speech I wanted to hear, it was this one.

I wish you could have been there with me. It was so fascinating — and so humbling — to be in the House Chamber as the Prime Minister of Israel arrived to thunderous and continuous applause.

As I listened to him speak, I felt I was witnessing history being made, as if Winston Churchill himself were personally warning us of the gathering storm.

On the eve of Purim, the Jewish holiday remembering the Biblical book of Esther and the Persian plot to annihilate the Jewish people 2,500 years ago, Prime Minister…

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GOD, Among the Mighty

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“God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods.” Psalm 82:1 (KJV)

There are many on the earth who are made so by men; in governments whether in cities, states, provinces, or nations.  Guess what God stands among them.

O how our leaders need to stop and realize that God is overlooking all their affairs.  Do you believe He is pleased?  There is coming a day of judgment.  He knows when a payment is received to make a godless, ungodly law.

God (the fulness of the Godhead; Colossians 1:17-19) also judges the gods which men erect, which may be monuments to glorify men. In our own day it could be our technology, our science, our wealth, our medicine.  God judged the gods of Egypt and showed  them to be without authority and power (Exodus 12:12;  Numbers 33:4).

One day the governments of men will be put in place, and all our “achievements” will be seen to be vain; and God will be glorified.

There are many mighty men in the earth, but all those who exalt themselves against the Lord will be brought down.

The Lord Jesus Christ; the crucified, buried, resurrected, and coming King will be the Judge.

Believe Him today.

Cause of Prayer – There is a Fervent Need

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“O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God: for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name. And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” Daniel 9:19-27 (KJV)

In the fifth place we see that, DANIEL’S PRAYER WAS A FERVENT PRAYER. Daniel’s heart yearned for the day of deliverance. Even though he probably knew he would never see it – he would die in Babylon – still longed for that day when the people would return to Jerusalem, rebuild its walls, streets, temple and everything that goes with it all.

He fervently prayed – ie., with passion, commitment, and fire. Here are some things which accompany fervent prayer:

Humility – Change of garments – to garments of mourning ;; shaving off the hair on the head;
Crying – almost uncontrollable weeping;
Tearing of clothes – an outward sign of sorrow;
Fasting – committed to seeing God’s will done, even to the place of denying one’s self the physical needs one may have;
Sighing, groaning, even the sweating of blood.

Fervent prayer cares nothing for the negative opinions of others – the things listed above will seem fanatical to others who are less devoted, and unconcerned.

Daniel fasted.

Reasons people in the Bible fasted; 1)Private problems; 2) Hannah for a child; 3) Public disasters; 4) The death of a king and his sons (1 Samuel 31); 5) Personal grief; 6) Grief for personal sin; 7) Pity for friends or others; 8) Searching for the will of God. It would do the Church of Jesus Christ wonders, if we would begin doing some fasting. We, today, are more familiar with feasting.

Sing Unto GOD

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“Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.” Psalm 81:1 (KJV)

Singing was probably what Asaph was about. He must have loved music and singing; especially unto the Lord.  We have many of the Psalms with his name on them.

Music and singing has a way of redirecting our thoughts.  Music can inspire us, motivate us, drive us; sometimes even toward wrong thinking.

The Song Book of the Bible – Psalms – is a great example of what music and singing can do for the soul and the heart.

The Christian is to sing aloud unto God who is our strength.  We are to make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.  When we realize that God is our strength we can truly sing.  Sometimes even though we do not feel like it, we ought to sing until we do feel like it.

That He is called “the God of Jacob” ought to assure us that no matter what we may think or do He is still our God.  The word ‘Elohiym is used here, and is speaking of the fulness of the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Sing unto Him.  Be joyful, and make a joyful noise unto Him.  God loves you.  Sing.

Cause of Prayer – Recognizing Our Offenses Against God, and His Righteousness

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“O Lord, according to all Thy righteousness, I beseech Thee, let Thine anger and Thy fury be turned away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God: for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name.” Daniel 9:16-19 (KJV)

In the fourth point we see DANIEL RECOGNIZES THE OFFENSES AGAINST GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS (vv. 16-19). When the people of God are disobedient to Him we become a reproach to Him and to the nations or people around us. The Israelites lost their witness to surrounding nations, because they were rebellious to God, His prophets, and His Word. They began living like the world around them, they built and worshipped idols, they practiced temple prostitution, and by doing these things they committed spiritual adultery against God. Notice what Daniel prays. First, that God’s face might shine upon His desolate sanctuary; second, to purpose His ear to hear this prayer; third, open His eyes to behold the people’s desolation; and fourth, that God answer them according to His own righteousness and mercy.

Prayer is for the purpose of the glory of God. It is not a wishing well, a genie in a bottle where you get three wishes. It is not akin to tea leaves, tarot cards, or palm reading. Knowing God’s will, then praying for it to come to pass is the prayer that glorifies God. Daniel knew God’s will. He prayed God’s will, then, what he prayed came to pass. This gets us in on God’s will; rather than expecting God to get in our will. David Jeremiah said,

“Our prayers really ought to be prompted out of our deep understanding of what the will of God is”. From ‘THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL’ pg. 175.

He also went on to say,

“The biggest waste of time in Christendom is praying about things that God already said we shouldn’t do.” IBID.

God will answer the prayers that are prayed to glorify Him. That is how Daniel prayed. NOTE; Daniel prayed, “For we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies…” We do not deserve it, O God, but remember Your promise. It was God’s integrity Daniel was concerned with. He knew Israel did not deserve to go back to Jerusalem; but God must keep His Word. Daniel simply knew God never broke a promise. He was demanding nothing. He was merely standing on God’s own integrity and power.

HAVING RECOGNIZED, FROM READING JEREMIAH THE PROPHET, OF THE SEVENTY YEAR CAPTIVITY; DANIEL PRAYS FOR GOD’S WILL TO BE DONE ACCORDING TO GOD’S MERCY (v. 18).

Shepherd

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“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.” Psalm 80:1 (KJV)

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus sweetest name I know.  He fills my every longing.  He keeps me singing as I go.

The Shepherd of Israel is none other than Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God.  Jesus can be seen as the Shepherd as He feeds the five thousand men (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:44; Luke 9:14; John 6:10), and as He fed the four thousand men (Matthew 15:38; Mark 8:9).  Notice in those verses where He commanded that they sit down on the grass.

His glory is seen as the one who dwells betwee the cherubims.  They were the ones who are formed bowing on the mercy seat facing one another with their faces toward the ark of the covenant, which represents the presence of GOD.  The ark itself is the representation of the fulness of the Godhead.

“The LORD is my shepherd;  I shall not want.”  Psalm 23:1

Is the Lord Jesus your Shepherd today?  He will give ear to you when you call on Him.

Cause of Prayer – Recognizing God’s Judgments

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“And He hath confirmed His words, which He spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Thy truth. Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all His works which He doeth: for we obeyed not His voice.” Daniel 9:12-14 (KJV)

The third point we see is that DANIEL RECOGNIZES GOD’S JUDGMENTS. Daniel realized that the nation of Israel was being judged by God. That was the reason for their captivity.
The Christians of our day are not recognizing the judgments of God. “It’s the weather”, “It’s the way things are”, “It’s just a mad-man leading mad men”, “It’s just the way of the day”. Why are Christians not recognizing the judgments of God on our nation today? They do not know God. It takes personal accountability away. After all, what can we do about what someone else is doing to us. We can do nothing about the weather.

What are some ways God is judging America – the good ole USA? Basically because the USA has accepted marriage as being open to any situation other than between a man and a woman; that is judgment already upon us. Then there is drought, flood, earthquake, tornado, storms that seem to be wreaking vengeance upon those it strikes, this would include Winter storms of excessive snow and ice. Power outages caused by these events. Terrorism from enemies. We were once protected from these things.

Now, ie., in the past ten to twenty five years we have had three noted terrorist attacks one of those was from a fellow citizen of our own country. One in 1993 on the World Trade Center that caused much damage, but not like the last attack on the WTC which completely destroyed it, and killed nearly 3000 people in conjunction with the attack on the Pentagon. According to some, “God is not judging our country”. What about Bengazai, and the Ambassador and people who died there? These people who say such things very much need to WAKE UP from their sleep, and take a good look at God. We are being judged by the influences of sodomy in our country.

Because we have gotten away from God we have become tolerant of all forms of evil. Because of the philosophies of men we have an excuse for every vile affection. We call ‘adultery’ an affair. We call an unborn child ‘a mass of tissue’. We call sodomy ‘an alternative lifestyle’. There are no drunks anymore they are all ‘alcohol dependent’. If a young man murders someone, it is due to their environment in which they were raised. Why can we not quit “mealy mouthin’” around about sin, call it sin, and admit we have sinned, get right with God and get God’s people and His churches back in touch with the One who created us. When God’s people get right, then there will be a much better chance of reaching the rest of the Nation, and the world.
It will begin the healing, growing, and strengthening process with God when we get on our knees and pray fervently concerning our sin, seeking forgiveness, repenting, and seeking God’s power again

Profaned

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“O God, the heathen are come into Thine inheritance; Thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.” Psalm 79:1 (KJV)

This Psalm is another of Asaph’s a patriotic poet of the day.  One who had a heart for God, and God’s people.  One who was grieved at seeing the land of Israel defiled; profaned; by unholy feet and hands.

This Psalm seems to have been written concerning the invasion of Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar’s leadership.  Of course we know this as the judgment of God on Israel for previously becoming unholy in their practices.  The prophet Jeremiah addressed this matter in his prophecy.

For those who have a heart for God and His holiness, knowing that it is God’s judgment on His own people does not ease the pain of seeing the unclean heathen nation coming in a taking it over; even removing the holy articles from the temple.

One thing we Christians can learn from this is that when a nation has been blessed by God, and turns its back on God, His word, His law, and His Spirit; then God will send invaders in judgment.

The Church has been profaned today by crossless, bloodless, Christless, unholy preaching.  Preaching that magnifies men rather than God.  It ought to grieve the hearts of men and women of God everywhere.  We ought to cry out with Asaph,

“O God, the heathen are come into Thine inheritance; Thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.” Psalm 79:1 (KJV)