But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming. Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Rule
He Is Awesome
“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honour of His name: make His praise glorious.
Say unto God, ‘How terrible art Thou in Thy works! Through the greatness of Thy power shall Thine enemies submit themselves unto Thee. All the earth shall worship Thee, and shall sing unto Thee; they shall sing to Thy name. Selah.
Come and see the works of God: He is terrible in His doing toward the children of men.
He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in Him.
He ruleth by His power for ever; His eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.” Psalm 66:1-7 (KJB)
The BRANCH and The Temple
“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
‘Take of them of the captivity, of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah; then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; and speak unto him, saying, ‘Thus speaketh the LORD of Hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the LORD: even He shall build the temple of the LORD; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD. And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of Hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.’ ” Zechariah 6:9-15 (KJB)
STUDY HELPS: Zechariah 3:8; 6:1-8; Exodus 29:6; 2 Samuel 12:30; Psalm 21:2; Haggai 1:1; Isaiah 22:24; 57:19; 58:10-14; Hebrews 3:1
The Heart of the Righteous King
The Heart of the Righteous King – Proverbs 16:10-15
In the United States of America we have no Monarchy. We live in a Republic which is governed of the people, by the people and for the people. I do believe, however, that seeing our leaders as under the same rules as a king would be sufficient to show us how a ruler should govern the people.
This surely is reference to the King of kings, and all are to pattern themselves after Him.
Verse 10 – The godly ruler is one who represents God to the people; and should speak the “Divine sentences” “Oracles” of God. Solomon’s wisdom was known and respected (1 Kings 3:28). See Proverbs 20:28; and 28:15-16.
Verse 11 – Though a monarch or any ruler is not mentioned in the verse it is certainly a decree that leaders/rulers are to operate function in business with the proper scales and weights. Proverbs 11:1.
Verse 12 – It is a moral tragedy for leaders to place their leadership; whether it be king or President; over the throne and sovereign power of God. The throne of David, and every king of Israel was established due to the righteousness of the king. Proverbs 25:5; 29:14; Isaiah 16:5.
Verse 13 – Righteous words and lips should be the desire of kings and all leadership who lead people. Proverbs 14:35; 22:11. We must remember that what is in the heart will be manisfested through the lips and the life (Matthew 15:10-20).
Verse 14 – John Gill from e-Sword:
“The wrath of a king is as messengers of death,…. Or, “angels of death”, as the Targum. As the wrath of Ahasuerus was to Haman; when it is either discovered in the countenance of a king, or expressed by his words, or signified by a messenger; it sometimes has been immediate death to a person, and often as terrible as if a messenger brought the sentence of death; yea, it is as if one messenger after another was sent on such an errand, and therefore the word is in the plural number. How terrible is the wrath of the King of kings; and even to kings themselves, who are represented as flying to rocks and mountains to hide them from it! Rev_6:15;
but a wise man will pacify it; by a proper acknowledgment of the offence committed; or by a prudent representation of his case, or the case of his friends; by soft answers and strong arguments, as Jonathan pacified the wrath of King Saul his father against David. He is a wise man that believes in Christ, and pleads his propitiatory sacrifice for the expiation of his sin, at the same time frankly acknowledging it.”
Verse 15 – Just as the “wrath of the king” is as “Messengers of death” so is the “Light of the king’s countenance”… “Life”.
The “Latter rain” was the final rain fall before the harvest of the crops; and was the necessary rain for nourishing the harvest. So the king’s favor would be like that rain.
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
When There is no Rule of Law
Please read Judges 17 – 19 for today…
“Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light. And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.” Judges 19:26-27 (KJB)
It is stated at least three times in Judges that there was no king in Israel. Chapters 19:1 and 21:25 are two of those references. Since there was no king there was no direct human guidance for any law. We must remember the people of Israel did have God’s law, and they had strayed in horrible fashion.
When there is no rule of law people become a a…
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Wisdom, Leadership and Justice
The personification of wisdom was first witnessed in the first chapter; and another time or two. Now again in chapters eight and nine. I want us to remember that Wisdom lives in the Person of Jesus Christ.
There is a need for wisdom, and justice in this world; especially in leadership positions, and more so among Christians and leadership. Hear from Wisdom today…
“I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” Proverbs 8:12-21 (KJV)
Justice is found through Wisdom. Remember the wisdom of Solomon when he took a sword, and would divide the child, due to the dispute between two mothers (1 Kings 3:16-28). To the erring mind that judgment would seem harsh; however there was prudence, discretion, subtilty, in that judgment.
You could also use that event to show that wisdom “find’s out knowledge of witty inventions”.
Wisdom hates what God hates; loves what God loves. Here in verse 13 we see some of what God hates again, through Wisdom – Pride, arrogance, evil paths, and a froward mouth. The “froward mouth” is a perverse mouth. You ever hear someone that when they speak all that comes out of their mouth is rot, stink and filth. That is not just dealing with vulgarity of language, but assination of anothers life and character, gossip – whether it is from a bitter heart or not. Hear the words of Jesus…
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:45
True and good “counsel” belongs to Wisdom (v. 14). Leadership sponsored by Wisdom is a leadership of Justice. The Judge of all promises riches and righteousness, and will fill the treasures of those who follow Wisdom.
Christmas Day Two Hundred Forty and Two
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to always rest in the mercy of GOD, and I want all people to know that God is merciful to all; He gives us each breath we breath, every beat of our heart; when you know of Him and His mercy you can trust His grace through the cross of Jesus Christ.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for His mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him who alone doeth great wonders: for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him that by wisdom made the heavens: for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him that made great lights: for His mercy endureth for ever: the sun to rule by day: for His mercy endureth for ever: the moon and stars to rule by night: for His mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 136:1-9 (KJV)
Day Three Hundred Thirty and Five
What do I want for Christmas?
I want the leaders of our Nation (U. S. of A.) to lead, not rule; to be godly, not ungodly; to deny themselves any special privileges, but to only allow themselves the rights and privileges of the people; that the people might respect, love, and honor those who serve with distinction.
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV)
To Rule
“Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.” Judges 8:22-23 (KJV)
The people of Israel had been under the rule of the Midianites; a ruthless, demon worshipping body of people who caused fear in God’s people because they were not right with God due to disobedience.
Gideon had been threshing wheat, which had been grown secretly, then was being threshed secretly (6:1-24). At our current reading we find Gideon through the power of God had defeated the Midianites, set them to flight, and destroyed many of them. Gideon knew from where the victory had come.
The response of the Israelites was to make Gideon their ruler; maybe their king; but Gideon would have none of it. He made the correct decision: “The LORD shall rule over you”.
As followers of Christ today we must realize it is not for men to rule others. The rule of mankind must be God’s. The Great Leader of all times – the King of kings and Lord of lords is coming soon. Mankind may have leaders; but godly leaders lead others to God, not themselves; and not by force.
Nations today cannot prosper with despots and dictators; nor do men or women want weak leaders. People need leaders, but leaders who will not lie, cheat, steal; but who live on the same level, go by the same rules, and laws as we all do.
In the Rule, and Fall of the Kingdoms of Men
…In The Rule, And Fall Of The Kingdom’s Of Men
Daniel 2:24-49
purpose – To show the peril and fallacious thinking in putting confidence in the rule of man; and the wisdom in putting your confidence in God and the rule of God.
“The reason we have democracy is because we don’t have righteous-rule monarchy. We need some kind of checks and balances, which is why our government is established as it is.” Dr. David Jeremiah THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL pg. 62.
The following is a quote from Professor Alexander Tyler which he wrote concerning the fall of the Athenian republic which fell over a thousand years ago. He said,
“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasure. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most money from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s great civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependency, from dependency back to bondage.” IBID. pg. 62.
One of the things we can see from the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and its interpretation is that man’s kingdoms are not eternal, they will fall; and that those who believe God and live for Him are promised a future eternal kingdom. God’s King will overthrow the kingdoms of this world. Now, for those who are “inhabiters of this world”, ie., those who love this world; they will be angry at our King, however, their anger will go to naught.
INTRODUCTORY OUTLINE –
I. DANIEL WAS A MAN WITH A HEART FOR OTHERS, AND A HEART FOR GOD (vv. 24-30).
II. DANIEL WAS THE REVEALER GOD CHOSE TO REVEAL THE SECRETS OF THE KING’S MIND (vv. 31-35).
III. DANIEL WAS GIVEN THE SECRET OF THE DREAMS INTERPRETATION (vv. 36-45).
IV. DANIEL WAS THOUGHTFUL OF HIS FRIENDS AND WAS REWARDED (vv. 46-49).
During the rule and fall of the kingdom’s of men we must follow the heart of our Savior and Lord. It was also the heart of Daniel.
I. AS CHRISTIANS WE HAVE THE ANSWER FOR MANKIND’S PROBLEMS; WE MUST BE LOVING TOWARD OTHERS (vv. 24-30).
The answer to governments who rule, and don’t rule well is Jesus Christ. The answer for an empty bank account, is to trust the Lord. These answers may not put food on the table or money in the bank, but it is the answer to peace of mind and heart. Jesus saving the soul of troubled people changes the minds and hearts of government, eventually, Jesus will rule and reign on the earth. Peace of mind, and especially “peace with God” is the greatest thing in this world to possess.
Do we sincerely believe that Jesus is the means of mankind’s salvation? Do we sincerely believe that He [Jesus Christ] died on a cross, was buried, and three days later came out of that grave alive? Christian, if you sincerely believe that then we need to be sharing that message. Daniel had the answer for the king, but when he received the answer his immediate response wasn’t to run in declaring, “I have the interpretation. I know the dream and its interpretation.” His immediate response was for the lives of the “wise men”. We live under the governments of men; which at any time could turn on its people and declare anything unlawful, and with a mad ruler could declare “Christians are unfit to live. We declare it just and legal to kill anyone who calls themselves ‘Christian’”. Let’s pray that doesn’t happen; but it could.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” Acts 4:12 (KJV)
When Arioch hears of Daniel’s revelation he immediately tells the king, “I have found a man…”. It seems as though he is trying to assume at least part of the responsiblity for discovering the secret. I guess we all want some approval for what we do.
As Daniel we to should not take credit for what God has done. We must give Him the glory for the answer for our hearts problems, and fears, and declare along with Daniel, “There is a God in heaven…”, and this is as opposed to statues, cash, bank accounts, health care, investments, bonds, any material possession; even family; which are temporary. There is a God in heaven who has made all things, holds them together, and saves His prized creation from the death brought on by our sin.
We cannot avoid the issue of the “Latter days”. What days is Daniel speaking of. It seems that those latter days which the Old Testament speaks of is those days which referr to the coming of Jesus Christ; and beginning with His first coming where He died for our sins and rose from the dead, until the time He returns and sets up His kingdom upon earth; ruling and reigning from Jerusalem. We are in those latter days. If people don’t know Jesus Christ trusting Him for their eternity and life, then, they will be part of those who are crushed by the “stone cut out without hands”.
II. WHEN UNGODLY RULERS SEE THE GREAT IMAGE, CHRISTIANS SEE THE GREAT MOUNTAIN (vv. 31-45).
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14 (KJV)
When Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed of this great image, which may be the inspiration for the design of the image he erects in his own honor in chapter three; we find that Daniel sees these things as “Beasts” in chapter seven when he begins to dream of these things. We will cover this more when we get to chapter seven, however, the beasts which Daniel sees are devouring beasts, and that is how governments of men behave. Not only do they devour people, but they devour people’s goods and gold. Ruling men often see their empires as “great images” to pattern others by; God sees them as devouring beasts.
Rulers often see their kingdoms brightly arrayed, and glorious; and Daniel was respectful. Nebuchadnezzar was a proud man, and “pride goes before destruction”. How long will it take for wicked rulers to realize that their kingdoms cannot defeat the power and authority of God? Only until Jesus comes again and defeats wicked men’s hearts will they continue on their slippery slope to destruction.
You will notice in the interpretation of the dream that the metals become less and less precious; less and less valuable. The most valuable being gold down to the feet which are “iron mixed with clay”. The kingdoms become more and more inferior. John Calvin in his commentary of Daniel writing of the kings following writes,
“We see then that his kingdom is not called inferior through having less splendour or opulence in human estimation, but because the general condition of the world was worse under the second monarchy, as men’s vices and corruptions increase more and more.” John Calvin Commentary pg. 173 Daniel 2:39
If this be the case and I believe that it is then, how far have we slid since then? Kings and kingdoms seem even more set on setting themselves over all men and over all the earth and over God’s Word and will.
In the dream Nebuchadnezzar saw an image with a head of gold; arms and chest of silver; belly and thighs of brass [bronze]; legs of iron; and feet of iron mixed with clay. These are representative of five nations which succeed one from the other, having great power, but deteriorating in moral strength and character. The head of gold is representative of Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar; the arms and chest of silver represent the Medo-Persian empire; the belly and thighs of brass represent Greece; the legs of iron represent Rome; and the feet of iron and clay represent the future new world order.
It is a wonderful and gracious thing to have the assurance, that all the kingdoms of this world are under the authoritative hand of Almighty God. The world and her “rulers” may see an “great and awesome” image, but in the eyes of the Almighty they are devouring beasts. Sounds like Jesus’s description of the “thief”,
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 (KJV)
The Psalmist tells us where we are not to put our trust; and that is in the princes of this world; including the “prince of darkness”,
“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” Psalms 146:3 (KJV)
There is no help in man or beasts. Our help and our hope is in the Lord God Almighty.
III. THERE IS REWARD AWAITING THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN IN THE KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST (vv. 46-49).
Jesus said, “Great is your reward in heaven” when referring to the blessed who are persecuted in Matthew 5:12. There are other places He mentions reward; having “their own reward”, or not receiving “reward” because it was already received. (See Matthew 5:46; 6:1-18; 10:41-42; 16:27). God will always honor faithfulness to Himself and His Word. He has promised rewards to the faitful. The greatest reward is not escaping hell, death, punishment; not walking on “streets of gold” or through “gates of pearl”, or living in a “mansion” in heaven; the greatest reward will be beholding the face of our Lord who bled, died, was buried, and rose again that we might be saved.
There is nothing wrong with expecting reward for faithfulness in ministry. It is wrong if that is the only reason, or the main reason for doing the ministry. The main reason for serving the Lord in ministry is loving Him, and giving the opportunity to others to love Him. Remember we can only love Him, because He first loved us;
“We love Him, because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19.
Loving Him can stand alone; even with no other reward; because we cannot love Him, except we first realize His great love for us in dying on the cross for our sin, being buried, then rising again from the grave paying the debt that was ours to pay.
God loves you and me enough to send the very best; His Son. He loves you so much to save us as we are; He loves us too much to leave us the way we are.
There is fear and dread in the rule of the kings and kingdom’s of men. However, there is peace in knowing that God rules in the political, economical, social, and national affairs of kings. The King of all kings reigns supremely.
application –
i. Christians love others through Christ Jesus, and stand for their rights and their lives.
ii. Christians are committed to the King of kings, and will loyally serve the kings of earth, in Christ.
iii. Christians serve the Lord; the King of kings; because of love for Him, and are expecting the rewards He has promised.
iv. Christians, by faith, know and believe that all things are in the hands of the Almighty God.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Day 3 – Destiny of a Nation
Many trust in what is called fate. Some trust in faith as though faith has power of its own. “Just have faith” is what is heard quite often. What is the difference in “fate” and “faith”. Fate is events guided by events to the best of my knowledge; “What ever will be will be” mentality. Faith is belief in something or someone to have power of guiding events or times or things even; but “faith” in what or whom? It does make a difference what you believe.
As we continue at reading the Bible through in these next 87 days we will find that there is a Person; a divine Individual who is guiding the events and times of our lives.
That is evident in the life of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We can see it in the life of Joseph as well.
God told Abraham back in Genesis 15:13-14,
“And He said unto Abram, ‘Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.”
Then as we read today in Genesis 29 – 42 we find one of Jacob’s children, a younger son, is sold into slavery by his older brothers due to their jealousy, and Joseph ends up in Egypt, in prison and eventually the Pharoah’s second man ruling the nation.
Joseph was a man of dreams, and passion for God, His promises, and His Word. Joseph dreamed that all his brethren would one day bow down to him,
“And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, ‘Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: for, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.’ And his brethren said to him, ‘Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?’ And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, ‘Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.’ And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, ‘What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?’ And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.” Genesis 37:5-12 (KJV)
I tell this because it was by his faith in God Joseph was able to deal with the betrayal of his own brethren, the selling into Egypt, the false accusation of Potiphar’s wife, and his imprisonment. Through it all Joseph kept God as his guide, his comfort and his strength. Believing that God would bring about what He had shown him in his dreams.
After Joseph has arrived in Egypt and imprison; in prison Joseph continues to say and believe,
“Do not interpretations belong to God?” Genesis 40:8 and,
“It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” 41:16
The Psalmist even mentions Joseph in the 105th Psalm,
“Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.” (v.19)
Faith that God is guiding the affairs of His people to be a great nation was a part of Joseph’s life. He believed God, and though it does not say it by verse, and words; it says it by implication; “It was counted to him for righteousness.
God not only guides and directs nations; he directs individual lives. He prefers to use you for good and His glory. He will do that through your faith in His Son Jesus; as you humbly bow before Him as your own personal Lord and Savior; believing that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead; and that He is eternally alive; and through Him you will live eternally.
Believe/Trust and be saved.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The King’s Rod
The last time in the Psalm 2 we looked at verse 8, and we see that God has promised as an inheritance, to His Son. the nations, and the uttermost parts of the earth are given Him as His possession. It is His rightful possession, because in His death, He paid the sin debt of the whole world, but for the most part has been rejected.
In the Twenty third Psalm we find the phrase, “Thy rod, and thy staff they comfort me…” (Psalm 23:4b). The use of that rod and staff sounds encouraging, and blessed, but the one we will look at here today, does not sound very pleasant at all. This “rod, and… staff” is one instrument. The shepherd’s staff, often seen with a crook on the upper end also had the rod on the other, and could be used for a walking stick over rough terrain, driving off wolves, bears, lions, and for correcting straying sheep.
“Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Psalm 2:9 (KJV).
Nations are ruled by the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) on earth. These nations have rejected Christ, hated Christ, and you can see from the beginning of the Psalm have sought to work against Him and defeat Him, but always to no avail.
This “rod of iron” is a means of judgment. Judgment is in the hands of the Son –
“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” John 5:22 (KJV).
In this Psalm, it is clearly judgment that it is speaking of. The Potter’s vessel’s are all baked brittle, and and iron rod would easily smash them to pieces. The judgment will be just and righteous. Jesus would judge no other type judgment. This will be a judgment of the nations who have plotted and worked against the God of gods, the King of kings, and Lord of lords to have their own way in the world. It is these nations which are out to destroy God’s people, and develop their own kingdom, establish their own god; setting themselves up on the throne or royalty; and acknowledging no other. They will be broken, shattered, smashed to pieces by the rod of God.
The rod which Moses carried became the “Rod of God” for the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 4:20; 17:9). It is only a foreshadowing of the deliverance Jesus Himself will do in delivering Israel from the clutches of evil nations as they seek to destroy Israel. Those who have the discernment can see the nations lining up against Israel even now. The judgment of these aligned nations will be swift, unexpected and sure.
You can experience the comforting staff of the Shepherd of the Twenty third Psalm rather than the iron rod. That is by submitting to the Lordship of Jesus over all your life. Confess you have sinned against Him, repent of your sin, believe that He died on the cross, was buried and that He rose from the grave and now is seated at the Father’s right hand.
If you enjoy singing you should like the Psalms of the Bible. The songs which several men penned, inspired by the Spirit of God, concerning their walk with the Lord, and they go so far, at times, of naming some of their sorrows, griefs, and even frustrations with God and other men.
Sing and make melody in your heart to the LORD; for He is coming soon to let the world know that He is Lord.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 