Jesus

The Question of “Why?”

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“O God, why hast Thou cast us off for ever? Why doth Thine anger smoke against the sheep of Thy pasture?” Psalm 74:1 (KJV)

If you have not at some point in your life asked the question “Why?” to God; you will.  You may not verbalize it; but you will think it.

There have been Christians who believed we should never ask God “Why?”  Well Why not?  Let us face it we all face trials; tough situations, circumstances; and some of these; maybe many of these are out of our control.  We believe we have been faithful to God, and yet this death, this sickness, this disease, this tragedy or chaotic event has happened in our lives.

This Psalm is a song of instruction from Asaph.  He knows about asking the question “Why?”

For myself; I have asked God “Why?”  He has never given me an answer as to the reason for the event or trial; but He has given me faith to bear it, and to trust Him through it.

The reason we would ask Him “Why?” is because we trust Him.  That is of course if we have asked without a rebellious heart; thinking if He gives me no good answer, then, I will never mention His name again, nor will I worship Him again.  Now that would be tragic.

I must say there have been times I asked God in anger “Why?” concerning my wife’s illness, or about the aorta problem she had a few years ago, that could have caused her death in an instant.  He never answered, but He gave me peace, and a greater trust in Him.

Let us hear the heart of Asaph.  Know that it is okay for the child of God to ask “Why?”  It does show who you are trusting.

The Righteous King

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“Give the king Thy judgments, O God, and Thy righteousness unto the king’s son. He shall judge Thy people with righteousness, and Thy poor with judgment.” Psalm 72:1-2 (KJV)

This is a Psalm most likely written by David to his son Solomon.  The title of it says, “A Psalm for Solomon.” Solomon was part of the Davidic dynasty which God ordained.

Of this verse the MacArthur Study Bible note reads,

Your judgments. A prayer that the king would faithfully mediate God’s justice on the nation (cf. Deut. 17:18-20).  the king’s Son. A reference primarily to Solomon, emphasizing his bond with the Davidic dynasty; but it also anticipates Messiah’s reign as the culmination of the Davidic covenant (cf. 2 Sam. 7:12, 13; Ps. 2:1-12).

This was a prayer for Solomon to be a just and right judge for the people of all the people of Israel.  He was to represent the right and just rule of the coming King who would be the Right and Just Judge of all the earth.

The Just and Righteous King is Jesus Christ.  He is coming soon.  Though we do not know the day or the hour.  We are told to be ready.  Believe His Word, trust Him, live for Him.

Confidence and/or Confusion

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“In Thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.” Psalm 71:1 (KJV)

The LORD is the place for our trust.  We far too often place our trust, our confidence in our own abilities.  We are blessed, and we are a blessing unto the Lord Jehovah when we affirm with our words of prayer and praise that our trust is in Him.  That is what the Psalmist is affirming here.

Will I daily; and will you daily affirm with me that our trust is in the LORD?  I pray that you will, and speak it loudly to Him, and show it loudly to Him and the rest of the world as well.

If we will not walk with Him, putting our trust, our confidence in Him and His Word then we will be put to confusion.  Confusion is not of God.  The apostle Paul has written,

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33

When a professing Christian is not putting their trust in God, but walking after their own lust, and passions they will be confused, there will be confusion in the world concerning what Christianity is; and it is quite obvious we have that today.  Trusting the LORD means believing His word, and living according to what He says, not what the rest of the world is living and saying.

Have confidence in the LORD and His Word; and you will not be confused.

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.

Save Me

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“Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.” Psalm 69:1 (KJV)

As Peter stepped out of the boat, in a storm, to walk on the water to Jesus; he began to sink.  His words as he was going down were “Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:30).  Have you ever cried out to Him, “Lord, save me”?

I never make a secret of the fact that I enjoy reading the preachers of old.  Many of them like Spurgeon, Edwards, Gill, Henry, and Wesley are ones that I am blessed in reading.  Most of the time I post the commentary of Spurgeon; and I do so today from The Treasury of David.

“Save me, O God.” “He saved others, himself he cannot save.” With strong cryings and tears he offered up prayers and supplications unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared (Heb_5:7). Thus David had prayed, and here his Son and Lord utters the same cry. This is the second Psalm which begins with a “Save me, O God,” and the former (Psa_54:1-7) is but a short summary of this more lengthened complaint. It is remarkable that such a scene of woe should be presented to us immediately after the jubilant ascension hymn of the last Psalm, but this only shows how interwoven are the glories and the sorrows of our ever-blessed Redeemer. The head which now is crowned with glory is the same which wore the thorns; he to whom we pray, “Save us, O God,” is the selfsame person who cried, “Save me, O God.” “For the waters are come in unto my soul.” Sorrows, deep, abounding, deadly, had penetrated his inner nature. Bodily anguish is not his first complaint; he begins not with the gall which embittered his lips, but with the mighty griefs which broke into his heart. All the sea outside a vessel is less to be feared than that which finds its way into the hold. A wounded spirit who can bear. Our Lord in this verse is seen before us as a Jonah, crying, “The waters compassed me about, even to the soul.” He was doing business for us on the great waters, at his Father’s command; the stormy wind was lifting up the waves thereof, and he went down to the depths till his soul was melted because of trouble. In all this he has sympathy with us, and is able to succour us when we, like Peter, beginning to sink, cry to him, “Lord, save, or we perish.”
from THE TREASURY OF DAVID

Jesus is our salvation.  When have you cried to Him for eternal salvation?  If you have not, then, do so now.

God and His Enemies

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“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him.” Psalm 68:1 (KJV)

I would think that David had read the writings of Moses, and would have known the prayer of Moses on this same order (Numbers 10:35).

Many will be thinking that read this that “Well God would have no enemies”, but all who refuse to see God as God are His enemies.  All who refuse to hear His Word.  All who refuse to believe His Son.  All who refuse to come to Him His way, but seek other ways.  These are all His enemies.

Are you the enemy of God?  “Let God arise” in your heart and life today, through the cross of His Son Jesus.  The enemy of God in your heart will flee when you invite Jesus in.  “Let His enemies be scattered” by the blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ.

Christian.  Let God arise in your life that the enemies you and I face flee.  Let us pray that the soul will flee unto Christ, and be delivered from the enemy of men’s souls.  That enemy is Satan, the devil.  He is already defeated.  Defeated by the cross of Jesus, and proved to be true by the resurrection of Jesus.

God does have enemies.  Make sure you are not one.  God has made provision for those who might hate Him;

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:8-10

Let God arise in your heart and life today.  Come to Him through His provision of the gift of Jesus Christ.

Mercy and Blessing

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“God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; Selah.” Psalm 67:1 (KJV)

Mercy and blessing is what the world needs today.  Mercy and blessing is what the Lord has given us.  Many will curse that last sentence because they curse God and all that He has said; all that He has done; and all that He is doing.

The Psalmist in praying this prayer may have the one big event in mind.  The coming of His Son; our Saviour into the world.  The greatest show of mercy from God toward the world was the sending of Jesus Christ, Son of God into the world to be propitiation for our sin.

The sinless Son of God became sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), took the judgment of God; and when we by faith look to Him He makes us the righteousness of God.  Now what could be more merciful than that?  What could be more gracious than that?

When we trust Jesus as our Lord and Saviour the face of God shines upon us and within us.  “Selah”  I always view this word as being a word to tell us “Pause and think on this for a while”.  Rejoice in the grace and mercy of God today and always.

The Duty of Man, and All Creation

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“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honour of His name: make His praise glorious.” Psalm 66:1-2 (KJV)

God created man to voice praise to Him.  To bring honor and glory to His name.  There is no higher or nobler purpose for man than to praise the LORD; glory in His name.

When Adam and Eve chose to do their own thing, they fell out of that purpose; they fell short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  When they fell short they tried to hide from God as He came to walk among them in the day.

We are not told who this Psalmist was.  It could have been David.  It could have been another.  At any rate it is a song for all to sing.  We are to “Make a joyful noise unto God…”  Not to any other thing called god, but to our Creator alone who spoke all things, including you and me, into existence.

It is not only for the people of the United States of America; not just the nation of Israel; not just Egypt, Iran, Iraq, India, Korea, Japan or China.  It is the duty of all men, women, boys and girls; yea, even all creation to praise the Lord, and sing forth honor of His name.

The best and only way to do that is through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, “This is the work of God that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” John 6:29  Jesus was speaking of Himself as being the one who God sent.

Praising the LORD

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“Praise waiteth for Thee, O God, in Sion: and unto Thee shall the vow be performed.” Psalm 65:1 (KJV)

David was a man who was continually praising God; the three in one.  He is due the praise of His people.  He is worthy of the praise of the whole Universe; and all praise is due Him.

There is a proper place of praise, and that is before His throne.  He has made it possible for sinful man to approach His throne, and that is through the atoning death of Jesus Christ His holy, and blessed Son.  We can continually be before His throne.  We approach His throne through Christ being cleansed, forgiven, made whole through Him.

Of this Psalm “Praise waiteth for Thee, O God, in Sion…” Spurgeon has written,

Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion.” Though Babylon adores Antichrist, Zion remains faithful to her King; to him, and to him only, she brings her perpetual oblation of worship. Those who have seen in Zion the blood of sprinkling, and know themselves to belong to the church of the firstborn, can never think of her without presenting humble praise to Zion’s God; his mercies are too numerous and precious to be forgotten. The praises of the saints wait for a signal from the divine Lord, and when he shows his face they burst forth at once. Like a company of musicians gathered to welcome and honour a prince, who wait till he makes his appearance, so do we reserve our best praises till the Lord reveals himself in the assembly of his saints; and, indeed, till he shall descend from heaven in the day of his appearing. Praise also waits like a servant or courtier in the royal halls – gratitude is humble and obedient. Praise attends the Lord’s pleasure, and continues to bless him, whether he shows tokens of present favour or no; she is not soon wearied, but all through the night she sings on in sure hope that the morning cometh.

THE TREASURY OF DAVID

Praising the LORD God is recognizing, knowing who He is, and blessing Him with words, acts of faith, and our lives.  Recognize who He is today.  Praise Him.

You owe Him praise.  No matter who you are; all praise is due Him.

Preserve My Life

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

“Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.” Psalm 64:1 (KJV)

We have here another of David’s prayers.  David was a unique man and king.  He often called on God in prayer, and it was a normal thing for Him, because he had a heart for God.  Of David C. H. Spurgeon has written,

It is our duty to note how constantly David turns to prayer; it is his battleaxe and weapon of war he uses it under every pressure, whether of inward sin or outward wrath, foreign invasion or domestic rebellion. We shall act wisely if we make prayer to God our first and best trusted resource in every hour of need.
from THE TREASURY OF DAVID

In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he has written,

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…” Ephesians 6:17-18 (KJV)

We note that for the Christian, in particular the Spirit filled Christian the Word of God is an weapon of offense, and I believe defense as well; and then there is the matter of prayer.  It is a weapon as well.  When we are in touch with God, and He is in communication with us then He is the Champion of our battles.

To conclude this study I will include some of the words from Matthew Henry:

He earnestly begs of God to preserve him (Psa_64:1, Psa_64:2): Hear my voice, O God! in my prayer; that is, grant me the thing I pray for, and this is it, Lord, preserve my life from fear of the enemy, that is, fro the enemy that I am in fear of. He makes request for his life, which is, in a particular manner, dear to him, because he knows it is designed to be very serviceable to God and his generation. When his life is struck at it cannot be thought he should altogether hold his peace, Est_7:2, Est_7:4. And, if he plead his fear of the enemy, it is no disparagement to his courage; his father Jacob, that prince with God, did so before him. Gen_32:11, Deliver me from the hand of Esau, for I fear him. Preserve my life from fear, not only from the thing itself which I fear, but from the disquieting fear of it; this is, in effect, the preservation of the life, for fear has torment, particularly the fear of death, by reason of which some are all their life-time subject to bondage.
from Matthew Henry Commentary

Let us, however, not just use prayer for our help; but also for praising Him  who alone is worthy of our worship, praise, honor and glory.  That is Christ Jesus.

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.

 

The Hearing

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“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.” Psalm 61:1 (KJV)

Does a believer, the child of God, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ need to plead with God for His hearing?  It depends on one’s earnest, urgency in prayer.

David felt an urgency in this prayer.  The point  is prayer is a part of the believer’s life.  Where we go when we are fearful; when we are needy, when we feel threatened whether it be by an enemy, a sickness, etc.

Many times David has plead for God to hear.  Many times I also have plead for God’s hearing and His attention to my prayers.  When we have need we can know that we have a Wonderful, Powerful, Almighty GOD who hears us when we pray.  I can rest in Him.  How about you?

Cast Off, Scattered, Displeased?

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“O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast scattered us, Thou hast been displeased; O turn Thyself to us again.” Psalm 60:1 (KJV)

Contrary to the way this Psalm begins it is really a Psalm of victory.  Of God being the Deliverer.

Just for a short thought.  It may feel sometimes as though God has cast us off, scattered us from our people, and from Himself; and/or even that He is displeased with us; however, there is always hope for the child of God.

With this one verse we see the Psalmists’ hope “O turn Thyself to us again”, and God always hears the cry of His people.

Remember how much God loves you.  He sent His Son to die on the cross for us, for you, and by trusting that precious work of Christ you can look to Him and live eternally.

To GOD for Deliverance

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“Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.” Psalm 59:1 (KJV)

Oh that I had a heart like that of David.  David often; as we read in the Psalms; would go to God when he found himself in peril.  I try too often to deliver myself, and that is usually to my own peril until I plead for God’s help, God’s deliverance.

Here are Spurgeon’s words on this verse,

“Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God.” They were all round the house with the warrant of authority, and a force equal to the carrying of it out. He was to be taken dead or alive, well or ill, and carried to the slaughter. No prowess could avail him to break the cordon of armed men, neither could any eloquence stay the hand of his bloody persecutor. He was taken like a bird in a net, and no friend was near to set him free. Unlike the famous starling, he did not cry, “I can’t get out,” but his faith uttered quite another note. Unbelief would have suggested that prayer was a waste of breath, but not so thought the good man, for he makes it his sole resort. He cries for deliverance and leaves ways and means with his God. “Defend me from them that rise up against me.” Saul was a king, and therefore sat in high places, and used all his authority to crush David; the persecuted one therefore beseeches the Lord to set him on high also, only in another sense. He asks to be lifted up, as into a lofty tower, beyond the reach of his adversary. Note how he sets the title “My God,” over against the word “mine enemies.” This is the right method of effectually catching and quenching the fiery darts of the enemy upon the shield of faith. God is our God, and therefore deliverance and defence are ours.

from THE TREASURY OF DAVID

Do you find yourself in a world of hurt, pain, despair, doubt, fear, anguish?  Your only help that will give you peace, and comfort is found in the One who made you from the dust of the earth.  He may not end the trouble or trial; but He will give you peace through it.

The Right Ones

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“Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.” Psalm 58:1-2 (KJV)

It seems that when men get power they begin to think in their own minds that they are right.  No matter what they do it is right in their own minds and heart they are convinced of that.  Men and women who get into politics seem to think they better know what is right for the State government or the Federal government; and the people have no clue.  They are right the people are wrong.

In David’s case the “congregation” evidently believed they were the righteous ones; but they were against God.  They are in fact the wicked, and are working wickedness.  It may be that David has king Saul, and his people in mind here.

As followers of Jesus Christ we need to know that “Power does not make right”.  Those in authority do not have permission to suddenly change what is right and what is wrong; making right wrong and wrong right.  And in the United States of America the Supreme Court does not have the right, nor the power to change the laws of God.  Just because they have deemed something legal, does not make it right.  They are in fact, before the eyes of God, declared unrighteous, unholy, and wicked.

I want to ask all Christians to pray for our Supreme Court of the U. S. of A. as in a few weeks they will hear arguments concerning “Same sex marriage”; an abomination in the eyes of God, and according to His Word.  Let us pray that the court will make a godly decision, and uphold the law of God.  If they do not, then they break His law; and are indeed wicked, vile and evil.

O turn to God through His Son Jesus.  Hear Him, believe and be saved.

In the Shadow

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“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” Psalm 57:1 (KJV)

Once again David realizes his need for the mercy of God.  He is fleeing from king Saul.  He is not fleeing because he is only fearful.  He is fleeing, at least in part, because he fears he might end up needing to slay the king to save his own life.  He is avoiding the possibility.  For David to kill Saul, king of Israel, even for protecting his own life would be a sin against God.

We all need mercy, even in times of avoidance of what could happen.  Maybe that is why Jabez prayed “…keep me from evil…” (1 Chronicles 4:10).

David hid in caves.  Maybe he is hiding in a cave when he is praying this prayer; or shortly after leaving the cave.  David trust in the God.  The God [‘Elohiym]; the fulness of God.

As I read this Psalm I think of what Jesus said as He was preparing to leave the temple for the final time,

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37 (KJV)

In the “shadow of Thy wings” is far better than anything our mind can imagine.  When we flee from what we fear where do we flee?  I choose to flee to Christ Jesus the fulness and the glory of God.

Communication With GOD

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“Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my supplication.” Psalm 55:1 (KJV)

In all of life communication is a necessity.  Many times if we would communicate with those who are an enemy we could solve many problems between us.

We communicate sometimes without words.  For instance when we are driving an automobile we use turn signals to let someone know we are making a turn.  We turn on our headlights even though we can see to let others see us on a cloudy, raining, inclement day.

God desires to communicate with His crown of creation.  God’s greatest and loudest communication with people is the death of His only Son on the cross.  He does, and has for centuries, even millenniums spoken through the Law and the Prophets, through His Word.  That is still the chief way that people can hear from God.

God has given to us a way of speaking with Him.  It begins by believing Him through Jesus Christ.  It is given to us to pray.  Prayer is our communication with Him.  The apostle Paul tells us to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Our focus on GOD.

The Psalmist prays, “Give ear to my prayer, O God…”  Of this Matthew Henry wrote,

Prayer is a salve for every sore and a relief to the spirit under every burden: Give ear to my prayer, O God! Psa_55:1, Psa_55:2.

-Matthew Henry Commentary

Prayer is also our way of remaining in contact with the King in the spiritual warfare we fight (Ephesians 6:18).  We cannot fight without the armor, the sword of the Spirit, or without prayer.

In summary of this Matthew Henry has written,

If we, in our prayers, sincerely lay open ourselves, our case, our hearts, to God, we have reason to hope that he will not hide himself, his favours, his comforts, from us.

When we are in the Lord Jesus Christ, God does not hide from our supplications.

Veil on the Face

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“And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.” Exodus 34:33-35 (KJV)

Moses would share with the people the words the LORD gave him.  He would speak as he was commanded to speak.  The words he spoke were not easy words; as the words of the LORD are not often easy.

When Moses would speak with Israel he wore a veil over his face.  On first appearance it would appear that Moses put the veil on his face to cover the glow of his countenance, that the people might not fear or cower in his appearance to them.  When we read Paul’s account of this in the New Testament we read,

“And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: but their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:13-16 (KJV)

The veil was on the face of Moses so they could not see the glory fading.  Yet, Paul says there is a veil on the hearts of the people of Israel, because they have refused to see Jesus as their Messiah.  Oh how I pray for the removal of that veil, that they might see Jesus, and we are informed by Scripture that one day they will “Look upon Him whom they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10;  John 19:37;  Revelation 1:7).  They will look and they will believe.

Turn, Oh turn to the Lord Jesus Christ; and live in His glory.  The glory of Christ does not fade away.

 

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.

Know That I Am the LORD

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“And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.” Exodus 29:45-46 (KJV)

After spending time with Moses giving him direction and commandment concerning the priestly garments, their materials, making, and anointing God gives Moses the above words.

There is a woven theme throughout all the Old Testament, and that is that GOD desires that the world may “know that I AM the LORD.”  Everything that is written in the Bible is written that the world may know Him, and that He is the LORD.

The ultimate gift of GOD to the world that we might know Him, and that He is the LORD was sending His only begotten Son to die on the cross in our place; and that when we look upon Him, to Him, trusting Him we might have redemption through His blood.

Do you know today that God is the LORD?

The Holy and the Most Holy Place

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: and thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the Testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the Most Holy. And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy place.” Exodus 26:31-34 (KJV)

GOD was giving Moses instructions on the proper worship of Himself, and His holiness.  To approach God any other way than God’s way is a terminal endeavor.  You will die.  You will perish, and still not see God.

The ark of the Testimony above is a representation, or symbol of the presence of God.  This pattern was given to Moses, and is a pattern from heaven itself (Hebrews 8:5; 9:22-28).  In the tabernacle of the wilderness only the priests had access into the holy place, and only the High Priest had access to the Most Holy place, and that only one day in the year, and not without blood.

As we consider this today we have one access to GOD, and that is through the cross of Jesus Christ of whom the ark of the Testimony represents.  It was His own blood that was shed.  It was while Jesus was on the cross that the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom showing that GOD had made the way for all who will believe to come to the very throne of grace to find mercy in our time of need (See Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38 and Hebrews 4:16).

May the GOD of all glory give you peace through His Son Jesus today.

God’s Glory in the Sight of the People

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“And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.” Exodus 24:17 (KJV)

Moses had gone up on the mountain and Joshua had gone part of the way with Him.  Moses alone had gone into the cloud of God’s glorious presence.  It was here that Moses would receive instruction for the pattern of the ark of the covenant, all the furniture of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle itself with its “wall” around it.

I have asked for years within my own heart and mind, “What is the glory of GOD?”  I do not know that I have received a clear answer or not; but one that gives me peace is that it is the fullness of God.

While Moses and Joshua were gone all the people could see was this cloud with fire and smoke.  It seemed to be a “devouring fire” to them.  We have record that Moses went into it; and Moses alone was allowed to do so.  Except for the covering of God’s hand Moses would perish.  For anyone approaching God without that protecting hand they will perish.

God has provided us a covering for entering into His presence by His Son Jesus.  The writer of Hebrews has written,

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high…” Hebrews 1:1-3 (KJV)

Notice, if you will, who is the “brightness of His glory”.  It is also written that Jesus is the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).  When we see Jesus; when we come to Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we are coming to and into the glory and glorious presence of GOD.

The Keeper, Protector, and Comforter

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him, and obey His voice, provoke Him not; for He will not pardon your transgressions: for My name is in Him. But if thou shalt indeed obey His voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For Mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images. And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” Exodus 23:20-25 (KJV)

Within the Scriptures there are many appearances of the Angel of the LORD.  One of them is in the above verses.  Though called “an Angel” in verse 20; God calls Him “Mine Angel” in verse 23, and He has the same authority, and power as GOD Himself.  He is to be obeyed.  He is to be worshipped.  He is to be heard.  He is also the One who blesses the people, and takes away sickness.

Who is this Angel?  Just an angel given the power to speak for Jehovah?  No!  He is the Son of God.  He is the living Presence of God in the camp.  It could be that He is the pillar of the cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night.  He is always present with them

In most cases where “Angel of the LORD” is mentioned in the Bible many Christians agree that it is a reference to the preincarnate Son of God Jesus Christ.

Notice if you will, before I close for today, how verse 20 says, “…To bring thee into the place I have prepared for you” and then Jesus’ words in John 14 “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  (John 14:2-3)

Fear Not: Fear GOD

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“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” Exodus 20:18-21 (KJV)

This follows the event of receiving the Ten Commandments.  The people have witnessed the seemingly stormy, troubling, loud, odorous, and fearful scene, and are very much afraid to approach the Lord GOD.  However, this was an unwarranted, undesired fear.  God is an awe-inspiring God.

The lives, and words of the people following this event show that their fear was not what was a godly fear; but a “Sorry I am here” fear which kept them from God, rather than drawing near to Him.

Moses, drew near to God.  The “Darkness” mentioned shows us that God is unapproachable, except we come to Him His way.  Moses approached God and “drew near unto the thick darkness where God was”.

Moses tells the people “Fear not” yet there is a fear of God that keeps us from sinning against Him.  When we come to Him through His Son Jesus He accepts us, and welcomes  us into His blessed and holy presence.  That is when we do not fear.

Glorious Power of the LORD

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“The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is His name…
…Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: Thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.” Exodus 15:3, 6 (KJV)

The fifteenth chapter of Exodus is dedicated to the Song of Moses (vv. 1-19).  It is a song of triumph against a nation that at the time was the center of the known world.  The people of Israel were in bondage in Egypt.  Enslaved by a king who had no mercy on them, thus was God’s judgment to come for their deliverance.

There are many who do not like looking at GOD  as being a “Man of war” or like a “Man of war”; however, that is how the Scriptures speak of Him in two different verses.  In the above verses of Exodus, and in Isaiah we read,

“The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies.” Isaiah 42:13 (KJV)

Many today want a lovey, dovey god who supplies all their wants and wishes.  That god is more of a genie who grants the every wish of the one who “trust” in that god.  The GOD of glory and power is the One who has made all things; the seen and the unseen.  His glory is above and beyond that of men or women.  There is only one glory that will stand and that is the LORD’S.

When someone like the Pharaoh of Egypt exalts themselves against the LORD, the GOD will show Himself strong in His own behalf and His people.  One day all the world will know that GOD is the LORD.  For some that will not be a pleasant day or hereafter.

Make today a good one by believing in the Son whom the LORD has sent to be the payment for your sins.  When you trust His Son Jesus you are no longer His enemy, but His child.