Friday

The Happy People

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“ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.” Psalm 119:1-2 (KJV)

The happiness of the world is fleeting.  Many people go along searching for happiness, and find what they think is “Happiness”, then……. it is gone.  Like a puff of smoke, a gust of wind; and it is done.  The search begins all over again.

The Psalmist has given us 176 verses in Psalm 119.  They all show us the way of the “Blessed” or the truely “Happy” people.

Happy  people walk in the way that is God’s.  They are the undefiled, not by their own decree, but by God’s decree, and that is by the blood of the sacrificed Lamb of God who is Jesus Christ.  These happy people find themselves in possession of the law of the LORD within their hearts, desiring to live for the LORD in all His holiness.

Happy people keep His testimonies, and seek Him with a “whole heart”.  That is a heart that is right with God; a redeemed heart, a clean heart, free from guilt shame, condemnation.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“There is therefor now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  Romans 8:1

and he writes also,

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1

Happy people have found true happiness through God’s own decree.  “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him.”  Matthew 17:5   You will not be happy until you do.

True Happiness

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“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1 (KJV)

Happiness from the world in which we live is fleeting.  We can laugh and be “happy” one minute, then, sadly defeated, depressed, and discouraged the next.  Where we were “happy” for an hour or two; we are the other for days and weeks on end.

Let me give you three things that lead to true happiness;

  1.  Fear the LORD; and that means you want to do nothing to anger Him, but you live in love for Him;
  2.   Praise the LORD;  you make much of Him, and little of yourself.  He is your reason for being, for living.  Lift high the glorious name of Jehovah, through His only begotten Son Jesus;
  3.   Delight in His commandments; rejoice in His Word.  Hide it in your heart, that you might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).

Let your life be a life filled with the Spirit of the LORD, and you will be Blessed – happy; truly joyous.  The only way to be able to live this is through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God, and God the Son.

Make Known His Deeds

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“O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people.” Psalm 105:1 (KJV)

The people of God ought always give thanks unto the LORD; unto YHWH.  He alone is the One who is Sovereign over all things, and over us.  He alone directs our paths, and our praise.

We make known the deeds, the works, the power of God in our lives.  It shows on the countenance of the faithful child of God.  It is revealed in the family of the faithful child of God.  It shines forth as the faithful child of God goes into the world with the message that God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus Himself said,

“This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:29

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you show the deeds the work of God among the people.

The Secret Place of the Most High

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“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (KJV)

I will let John Gills commentary speak with you concerning this verse today.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High,…. Or the Supreme; a title of God, who is superior to all beings, the Creator and Preserver of them, God over all, higher than the highest of angels or men; see Gen_14:22, “his secret place” is his heart, his bosom, where his only begotten Son lies; and into which he takes his people, where they are set as a seal, and who enjoy intimate communion with him; which is no other than his gracious presence, called “the secret of his presence”, Psa_31:20, which none but saints are admitted to, when his everlasting love, which was a secret in his heart, is made known unto them, and in which they also dwell, 1Jo_4:16, as they likewise do in the eternal decree of election; which perhaps is meant by “the clefts of the rock, and secret places of the stairs”, where the church is said to dwell, Son_2:14, unless rather Christ the Rock, and who may be signified by the cleft of that Moses was put into, when the goodness of the Lord passed before him, is intended; and who is the hiding place from the wind: mention is made of “the secret” of God’s “tabernacle”, Psa_27:5, in which he hides his people; alluding to the tabernacle, or temple, and the most holy place in it, called his secret place, Eze_7:22, and may refer to the ministry of the word and ordinances, where saints dwell, and enjoy much communion with God; and who are particularly under his special providence, protection, and power; which may here be designed:

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty: who is able to do all things for his people, and is “Shaddai”, all sufficient, as this word is thought to signify; has a sufficiency of happiness in and for himself, and of provisions for all his creatures, and of power and grace for his own children: his “shadow” may be the same with his secret place, his power and protection, often in this book of Psalms called “the shadow of his wings”, Psa_17:8, in allusion to birds that overshadow and protect their young with their wings; though perhaps the allusion here may be to the shadow of a tree, and design the word and ordinances of the Lord’s house, which are a delightful, refreshing, reviving, and fruitful shadow, Son_2:3, where gracious souls dwell, and abide with great delight and pleasure. Christ, the Son of God, is sometimes compared to the shadow of a rock, or tree, which screens and shelters from heat; as he preserves his people from the heat of a fiery law, the flaming sword of justice, the wrath of God, the fiery darts of Satan, and the fury of persecutors: under this shadow do they abide or lodge all night, safe and secure, as the word (o) signifies: the Targum calls this shadow the shadow of the clouds of glory; the Arabic version, “the shadow of the God of heaven.”

From e-Sword John Gill Commentary.

It is in the heart of every believer to desire to dwell in that Secret Place.

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).

Cause of Prayer – Devotion to the Word of God

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This is going to be a nine part study on the prayer of Daniel. It is basically a repost from December 2006. If you desire to read the whole thing in one setting you may read Daniel’s Prayer (1), and Daniel’s Prayer (2)
Daniel was first and foremost, not a prophet who could look into the future, but a man of God. He is even referred to as the “a man greatly beloved” (v. 23; 10:11). Being a “Man of God” means more than just being able to understand, tell, and know God’s will and plan for the future. It is first knowing God and loving Him.

This prayer shows us why Daniel was ‘a man greatly beloved’ – why he was a ‘man of God’. Many a preacher and pastor could learn from Daniel. Looking at Daniel we could learn to pray and know God, and know His heart. Every preacher and pastor who is leading a church, or group of Christians should be ‘a man of God’ first. Too many are now becoming “Men of the people” or “Men of the congregation”, and rather than praying they are playing. Rather than preaching the Word of God, they preach the words and philosophies of men.

In this study we will see nine different points. Six are related to the prayer, and the final three are answer to the prayer. For a quicker read, and points to ponder we will look at these one point at a time.

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; in the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.” Daniel 9:1-2 (KJV)

The first thing that we see was what brought Daniel to prayer, and that was HIS DEVOTION TO THE WORD OF GOD (vv. 1-2). It is quite evident that Daniel was devoted to the study of God’s Word – as much of it as he had – because he was reading very devoutly the writing of Jeremiah the prophet. It must have encouraged his heart as he ready Jeremiah 25:1-12 and 29:10 that his Nation would be held captive for only 70 years. He knew the time was getting close, and this got him on his knees.

That is how it should affect Christians today when we read the Scriptures, and see the signs the Word speaks of concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus again. Remembering that the signs are only of the Lord’s second coming – the time when Jesus will literally come to earth to rule and reign as King – should make us mindful that the rapture of the Church is nearer. Knowing this we ought to be in earnest prayer. Getting ourselves ready by confession of sin. Confessing how we have brought shame to the name of Jesus, and pleading the mercy of God upon us. The Word of God is the “Sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17); and is the only weapon we hold in our hands. Of course, the only other weapon we have is PRAYER.

GOD Hears

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“I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and He gave ear unto me.” Psalm 77:1 (KJV)

Another of the Psalms of Asaph.  Of this verse Spurgeon from The Treasury of David has written,

“I cried unto God with my voice.” This Psalm has much sadness in it, but we may be sure it will end well, for it begins with prayer, and prayer never has an ill issue. Asaph did not run to man but to the Lord, and to him he went, not with studied, stately, stilted words, but with a cry, the natural, unaffected, unfeigned expression of pain. He used his voice also, for though vocal utterance is not necessary to the life of prayer, it often seems forced upon us by the energy of our desires. Sometimes the soul feels compelled to use the voice, for thus it finds a freer vent for its agony. It is a comfort to hear the alarm-bell ringing when the house is invaded by thieves. “Even unto God with my voice.” He returned to his pleading. If once sufficed not, he cried again. He needed an answer, he expected one, he was eager to have it soon, therefore he cried again and again, and with his voice too, for the sound helped his earnestness. “And he gave ear unto me.” Importunity prevailed. The gate opened to the steady knock. It shall be so with us in our hour of trial, the God of grace will hear us in due season.

In the times of our grief, or sorrow, or fear; let us flee to God, not to men.  Let us search out the word of God; and find our peace in Him, and He hears us.

Speed Deliverance

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“Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.” Psalm 70:1 (KJV)

Like the Psalmist most of us often feel the pressures of this life; work, home, family, friends, even society and culture; pushing us, crowding us, holding us, even destroying us.  At least that is how we feel at times.

It  is in these times we plead for help.  Many who know not God through His Son Jesus will seek out solace, and comfort from sources which will only lead to more problems, and addictions.

For the Christian, born again by the Spirit of God, it is always the right time to plead for God’s deliverance, His help, His strength, His comfort.

If you are an non believer, no follower of Christ Jesus, and you find yourself in a quandary; you realize you cannot solve the problem of life, you realize you are a condemned, dying, person; then is the right time for you to cry out to the Living God for deliverance.  He will with all speed come to your deliverance.

Christian brother and sister; never fear God makes haste to come to you aid.  You may call out to Him from what ever situation you may find yourself.  He hears, He comes, He delivers, and gives you peace.

Thirsting for GOD

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“O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.” Psalm 63:1-2 (KJV)

A declaration of faith.  A lived faith. A faith  that is walked in the LORD.  That was David.  He had the desire, and heart to seek God at every opportunity of his life; even while hiding from Saul in the wilderness. 

Though separated from the sanctuary; the Tabernacle; David still desired to seek God.  “Early” is not necessarily a time of day or morning; it expresses eagerness to be with God, in the quiet and still of the day.

Being with the LORD in His word, in prayer, hearing Him helps the Christian deal with life.  If we have problem people we can love them with the love of God, and show them the love of Christ as we journey through our day.

I have never experienced a really dry mouth; having never been too far from a source of water; however, I have heard that it is a horrible thing.  That is the comparison the Psalmist uses to say that he desires GOD, and to see His power and His glory.

We can see the power and the glory of God when we look upon the cross of Jesus Christ.  It is a wonderful thing to have a place of worship, and know that you can meet GOD there.  The Christian, however, needs to know, that, no matter where we are He is there with us.  As a matter of fact we must worship Him; not once a week; but everyday, throughout the whole day, praying without ceasing, walking with Him, praising Him.

If you are not worshipping Him throughout the week what makes you think you can catch up on your worship on Sunday.  No worship through the week.  No worship on Sunday.  Maybe that is why you go to Church on Sunday, and do not give anything, or receive anything from it. If you know Jesus worship Him.  He is with you always.

 

Be Merciful Unto Me…

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“Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.” Psalm 56:1 (KJV)

O how I need mercy.  I pray that I am just as merciful as much as I need it; for I need it greatly.  The world needs mercy.  We need God’s mercy.  Being gracious; having pity upon another is the meaning of mercy.

Of this verse Spurgeon has written,

“Be merciful unto me, O God.” In my deep distress my soul turns to thee, my God. Man has no mercy on me, therefore double thy mercy to me. If thy justice has let loose my enemies, let thy mercy shorten their chain. It Is sweet to see how the tender dove-like spirit of the Psalmist flies to the tenderest attribute for succour in the hour of peril. “For man would swallow me up.” He is but thy creature, a mere man, yet like a monster he is eager for blood, he pants, he gapes for me; he would not merely wound me, or feed on my substance, but he would fain swallow me altogether, and so make an end of me. The open mouths of sinners when they rage against us should open our months in prayer. We may plead the cruelty of men as a reason for the divine interposition – a father is soon aroused when his children are shamefully entreated. “He fighting daily oppresseth me.” He gives me no interval – he fights daily. He is successful in his unrighteous war – he oppresses me, he crushes me, he presses me sore. David has his eye on the leader of his foes, and lays his plaint against him in the right place. If we may thus plead against man, much more against that great enemy of souls, the devil. We ask the Lord to forgive us our trespasses, which is another way of saying, “Be merciful unto me, O God,” and then we say, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” The more violent the attack of Satan the stronger our plea for deliverance.

From THE TREASURY OF DAVID by C. H. Spurgeon

Are you feeling desperate, down hearted, discouraged, or hated by others? Plead for God’s mercy.  He will give it.  Even David the king of Israel asked for mercy.  The mercy of God is given to us everyday; even though many do not realize it.  Believe it and receive it.

Responsible for Sin

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“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book. Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, Mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” Exodus 32:31-35 (KJV)

Moses had been on the Mount receiving instructions of the worship of God for the people of Israel.  They had previously received the Ten Commandments in word, having heard the voice of God speaking to them in Exodus 20.

The first Commandment is, “You shall have no other gods before Me”.  The second is “You shall not make for yourself any graven image…”, and that is exactly what Aaron and the people had done.  They had disobeyed God the LORD of all glory.  They, by making the golden calf, had separated themselves from the worship of YaHWeH.  They transgressed the law of God.

Moses, the man of God, the prophet of the Law of God, prays that if someone is to perish for their sin, “…Blot me, I pray Thee out of Thy book which Thou has written”.  It is apparent from God’s response that no one is responsible for the payment of sin except the one committing the transgression.

There is the promise of God that “Mine Angel shall go before thee…”, but there is still a visitation of judgment that must be made upon sin.

God has not, nor will He ever forsake His  people; but Oh how His people have forsaken Him.  Yet, He is merciful.  He is forever with us.

We are the ones responsible for our own sin debt, but God has provided a Substitute who has paid the price, by becoming “sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  The name of that Substitute is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Living in the Presence

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“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22 (KJV)

The LORD had just worked out the deliverance of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.  Now He gives them the assurance of His presence, and His abiding with them with a pillar.  By day it was a Pillar of cloud; by night a Pillar of fire.  He would lead them by day and by night.

How did the Moses and the children of Israel know where to go?  God was leading them with His powerful presence.

This Pillar was associated with the “Angel of the LORD” and with when Moses spoke with the LORD (Exodus 33:9-11).  The Pillar was to stand between the Israelites and the Egyptians later before they would cross the Red Sea.  He was their Guide and Protector.  Notice too, that “He took not away the Pillar…”  He is the Living Presence.

For the Christian  that Pillar is the presence of GOD within every follower of Jesus Christ.  He is that Cloud by day, and Fire by night.  He is our Comforter, our Conviction, our Direction and Guide every moment of the day and the night (John 16:7-11).  The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ in you to lead and guide you to become like Jesus in living.  That is the desire of every born again believer; to be like Jesus: loving the Father, doing the Father’s will, glorifying the Father, doing the work of the Father.

Living in the Presence of the LORD begins by following His Son Jesus Christ.

Now Hear This

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“Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: both low and high, rich and poor, together.” Psalm 49:1-2 (KJV)

There are voices all around the world crying out for a hearing.  Weeping, wailing, mourning, crying, shouting, rioting, killing; and all for someone to hear them.  Some for a show of power and authority.  Some because they hurt in their innermost being.  Sometimes, most times in fact that hurt is worse than any hurt.

The Most Holy One wants our attention.  Does He have it?  With some; with very few does He have our attention.  We cry out for His attention, but does He have ours?

This Psalm is for the “sons of Korah” once again.  It is for all who have lost.  It is for the low and high , the rich and the poor.  God calls out for our attention.  He calls out for us to hear.

Are you one of those people who say, “Well, I cry out for God.  I want to hear Him, but He never speaks to me.” type people?  He will not hear you, until you hear Him.  It begins by hearing His Word, and His Son.  If you feel God is not listening to you; listen to what God says of His Son Jesus.  “This is My beloved Son… hear Him” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5).

The message of Jesus Christ breaks all barriers.  The high in society and culture; or the low in society and culture need Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.  Hear this, all ye people…

The Greatest Desire

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As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. Psalm 42:1

This Psalm’s title is “For the sons of Korah”.  Korah was a leader in rebellion against Moses’ leadership through the wilderness journey (Numbers 16).  There were three men who are noted for that rebellion; Dathan and Abiram being the other two.  All who joined these three in the rebellion were destroyed when the ground opened up and swallowed them alive.  Some of Korah’s sons evidently did not join their father, and lived.  They had a heart for God; which was given them by God’s grace.

There are human desires aplenty in our times.  They have in fact run amuck.  Many think that life is all about having their desires fulfilled.  The greatest desire for which I am aware is the desire to know God.  Many will deny that of course.  The desire for God is usually masked by craving other things to find fulfillment.  They do not.

Whether it is beer, wine, hard liquor, cannibis, cocaine, heroine, or any other mind robbing drug; there is no fulfillment for the human mind and heart until we find our rest and peace in GOD.

The deer, or hart as the text says, after running through the woods, or across the plains, or the meadow longs for that fresh, flowing stream of water for a drink, for refreshment.  Just as that deer desires water, and finds refreshment the one who knows GOD seeks fulfillment in Him.  Once you are fulfilled in Him, you long, you desire to know Him even more.

You can look in religion, but you will not be fulfilled there.  You can look in nature you will not find fulfillment there.  You can look wherever you choose, but you will not find fulfillment until you believe what God says about His Son Jesus Christ.  “This is my beloved Son, hear Him.”

In Jesus Christ Son of the Living God there is fulfillment, and everlasting life.

Dealing with the Enemy

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“Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.” Psalm 35:1 (KJV)

Titled as “A Psalm of David” we can assume that at least one of his enemies was king Saul.  David never lifted a hand against Saul.  Saul was his king.  David loved Saul.  Saul did not, however, love David.

Like David we, as Christians, are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27, 35), and trust that the LORD will deal with them in His own way.

It does not seem, by this verse, that David considered anyone his enemy.  He just asked the LORD, “Plead my cause…” and “Fight against them…”  It is a tough thing sometimes not to strike back when we are attacked, by words, accusations, or physically assaulted; but the child of God needs to remember what God says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19).

Let the LORD God do your fighting.  He handles it so much better.

The LORD My Rock

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“Unto Thee will I cry, O LORD my Rock; be not silent to me: lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.” Psalm28:1 (KJV)

The Psalmist David is praying again.  It is important to pray.  It is important to whom you pray even more.  David prayed to the One he calls “My Rock”.  Who is this Rock?  He is the One who followed the Israelites through the wilderness of the Exodus.

The apostle Paul says, “And that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4).

Have you; as a Christian; ever felt as though He was being silent to you?  That silence is a motivation to be fervent, to be earnest, to be patient, and bold in your praying.  This is something I must remember.

It does seem when you begin to feel as though He is silent to you that also feel like one whom God will not hear; like those who “Go down to the pit”.  They are those who do not know God; those who have chosen to reject His free gift of grace, and refuse to receive His daily mercies.

You can go to the Rock, and He will hear you.  That Rock is Jesus Christ Son of the Living God, and God of the living.

Rejoicing in GOD Our Salvation

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“The king shall joy in Thy strength, O LORD; and in Thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!” Psalm 21:1 (KJV)

Kings and all leadership ought always rejoice in God’s salvation, and in His strength.He never abandons those who are His.

When king David wrote these words he may have had a deliverance in a battle in mind.  Whether that is what it was or not does not negate the truth of the glorious salvation that GOD provides through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ.

That word “Salvation” is from the Hebrew word “yeshua” which means salvation.  It is also the name that Christian Jews call Jesus.

Join me in rejoicing in GOD’S glorious salvation through the gift of His crucified, buried and resurrected Son.

No God???

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“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Psalm 14:1 (KJV)

Who would dare to say that there is “No God”?  Not the wise, observant person who has eyes to see.  Not the one’s who know that things do not just appear from nothing.  Everything has a designer, and builder.

When I see this verse and the one similar to it in Psalm 53:1 my mind goes immediately to those who are non theist.  They have conventions.  Just recently they had one in Springfield, MO. calling it “Scepticon”  I guess for a gathering of non believers in God.  They try to win people over to the idea that “God does not exist”.

Notice what the Psalmist says of these people.  “They are corrupt” they are wasters, destroyers, spoilers.  “They have done abominable works” the works that they do may seem good in the eyes of men, but according to God and His Word they are “abominable” abhor the honor and glory of God. “None that doeth good” all that they do is done for their own pride and pleasure, rather than to glorify God in whom they say they do not believe.

I need not prove the existence of God.  “The earth is the LORD’S  and all that is therein”  He has made it.  It declares His glory; and the greatest knowledge of God comes from the cross of Christ.  God came to man in human flesh in His Son Jesus Christ and gave His life a ransom for all who will believe.  God is for He is the “I Am” of all eternity.

Trust

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“O LORD my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:” Psalm 7:1 (KJV)

We people put our trust in things and people everyday.  Every time we sit in a chair we are trusting that the chair will not fall or break in pieces.  We get in our cars, and trust that it will start (of course sometimes they do not). We do those things without so much as a second thought most of the time.

Is it not amazing that we can put so much trust in things made and built by human kind, but when it comes to God we cannot trust Him to the same extent.

The Psalmist did.  God is more trust worthy than any object made by man.  He may not always deliver us from our situation, tragedy, or circumstance in life; as we ask Him to, but trust goes much further than deliverance from situations.  With God it goes to His character, and who He is.

There is a question which has been asked:  “If God never answered another one of your prayers would you still trust Him?”

My answer to that question is Yes.  He is still God.  He still loves me.  I can still trust Him for my future, and for today.  He knows what is best for you and me.

Be as the Psalmist.  Put your trust in the LORD God through the death, burial and bodily resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Possessing the Promise

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Possessing the Promise

Numbers 33:50-56

What Israel had to do to Possess the Promise:

1. Drive out the Inhabitants of the Land.
2. Rid the Land of all their Images of worship.
3. Destroy all their places of Worship.

What the Christian must do to Possess the Promise:

I. RID THE HEART OF ALL EVIL
II. DRIVE OUT ALL PAST SINS; PUT ON THE LORD JESUS.
III. THE HEART MUST BE CLEARED OF ALL PAST IMAGES OF WORSHIP.
IV. THE HEART GIVEN FULLY TO JESUS.
A. Possessing the Promise – We are to Put on the Lord Jesus Christ…
Rom. 13:12, 14; 1 Cor.15:53, 54; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:24; 6:11; Col. 3:10, 12, 14; 1 Thes.5:8; 2 Tim. 1:6

Where Our Possession Is

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Where Your Possession Is

Numbers 32:20-33

1. The Land of Canaan; the Land of Promise was on the West Side of Jordan.
2. Two Tribes were Content to Be Given Land on the East Side of Jordan.
3. Agreement Was Reached; then the Half Tribe of Manasseh Wants in Too.
4. What Happens When God’s People do not Receive the Promise by Their Own Choice?

I. THE PROMISE FOR THE CHRISTIAN IS CHRIST AND HIS INHERITANCE.
II. THE CHRISTIAN CANNOT BE CONTENT OUTSIDE OF THAT PROMISE.
III. THERE WILL BE CONTINUING DISCONTENT ON THE EAST SIDE OF GOD’S PROMISE.
IV. WHERE DOES YOUR POSSESSION LIE?

 

They Shall Inherit the Earth

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The Be-Attitudes continuing…

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5 (KJV).

Someone has defined ‘Meekness’ as “Strength/Power under control”. If there was ever a picture of meekness in men it came from Jesus Christ Himself. It is also said of Moses. ” (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Numbers 12:3 (KJV). Meekness can also be called ‘gentleness’. Meekness comes when we realize the greatness of God.

The meek are those who know and realize who they are in Christ, but do not seek to exploit their position, power or person above others. The meek are not quick to defend themselves, but will be quick in defending others, and standing for the righteousness, holiness, and justice of God.

The meek are those who will not complain about the rough spots in their lives, but are grateful, thankful, and trusting that they are in the care of God, and that all things are under His control. This attitude would be the position of the meek in relation to their world. The meek would see the positon of themselves as apposed to the thinking of the world.

The inheritance of the ‘Meek’ is the earth. This is mentioned in the Psalms; “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” Psalm 37:9-11 (KJV). Those who are always out for themselves; never defend the holy; never defend the helpless, but are always stepping on others to get their way – they will be “Cut off”; but the “Meek shall inherit the earth”. Notice that it says that of “…Those that wait upon the LORD..” as well.

Through Jesus Christ is there meekness, true meekness in the earth.

GOD Does Love the World

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“In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, ‘The city of destruction.’ In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and He shall send them a Saviour, and a Great One, and He shall deliver them. And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. And the LORD shall smite Egypt: He shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and He shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance.’” Isaiah 19:18-25 (KJV)

These verses speak of a day coming when Egypt will be saved.  Salvation is of the LORD.  It comes from no one or any where else.  Of course the salvation this speaks of is soul salvation, eternal salvation, through the blood of the Lord Jesus shed on the cross of Calvary.

You will note too, that, the Assyrians will also come to faith in Christ Jesus.  Yes!  I know there is no mention of Jesus in the text, however, Jesus is seen throughout all the Old Testament in type, figure and in the Angel of the LORD.

Concerning the “Highway out of Egypt to Assyria” the MacArthur Study Bible note says,

19:23 a highway out of Egypt to Assyria. The two great warring nations of Isaiah’s time are to reach a lasting peace with each other during “that day” of Christ’s reign (27:13; cf.2:2-4).

Not only does Christ Jesus make a difference in one’s life today, but things will be far better when He returns and sets the world right.

Jesus is coming soon.  Be sure all is right with Him before He comes for His own.

 

Seek GOD and His Word

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“And when they shall say unto you, ‘Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter:’ should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:19-20 (KJV)

There is a whole lot of seeking going on.  People seeking for wealth, treasures, truth, life, liberty, happiness; just to name a few.

In the days of the prophet Isaiah they were seeking to know what tomorrow holds by way of wizards, sorcery, and/or mediums, channelers, and such as that.  May I say to you, if you happen to be one of those people; there is only One who knows tomorrow, and who knows and will give you the absolute Truth; and His name is Jesus the Christ.

The people of God; those who follow Jesus should never seek out those kinds of things.  Like the prophet says above, “Should not a people (and he is referring to God’s people) seek unto their God?”  Most definitely so.

There are many places to search for peace, happiness, justice, and love; but the only place you will find it to be lasting is in the arms of the Father God through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose bodily from the grave, and will return one day.

Turn to the pages of God’s Word [The Holy Bible] to find out more about Him.