Reasons to Praise God

Psalm 145

Our psalm for this week, Psalm 145, is one of eight acrostic psalms in the Bible.  An acrostic psalm is one where each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  Acrostics have been used for years to help teach young children their alphabet - A is for apple, B is for bear, etc.  Sometimes acrostics are used to help in memorizing a list or group of things.  When I was a young girl in school, we learned the planets in order by an acrostic - “My very energetic mother just sent us nine pies” for Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (back when Pluto was considered a planet!).  Today, however, rather than the whole alphabet, I am only going to focus on the letter “G” in our psalm.  In this psalm of praise by King David, we will look at several attributes of God that David praises Him for, each beginning with the letter “G” - greatness, grace, goodness, glory, and generosity.  Let’s take a look into our psalm.

In opening, David commits himself to praise God every single day, throughout his whole life (vs. 1-2).  Before one wonders how they could keep that up every day, David gives us many things to praise God for, besides just material blessings.  He begins to praise the Lord for His nature and His many character traits that He displays for us each day, several which begin with “G”.  The first one is the Lord’s greatness (vs. 3).  When we consider God, He is beyond the range of physical human experience.  He is immeasurable and beyond human comprehension.  God created the whole universe, each galaxy, each star and solar system, by the word of His mouth.  He created each animal and plant with their complexities and differences.  That shows awe-inspiring greatness!

The second characteristic of the Lord that we can praise Him for is His grace (vs. 8, 17).  God’s grace is often coupled with His mercy, as they go hand in hand.  Grace is God bestowing upon us blessings that we don’t deserve, and mercy is withholding the punishment that we do deserve.  He knows our every step, word, and deed, and yet forgives us, showing mercy when we turn to Him.  We experience God’s saving grace when we call upon His Son Jesus for salvation, when we fear Him and call upon Him in truth (vs. 18-20).  God’s grace and mercy are evidence of just how much He loves us.

Another characteristic that begins with “G” is the Lord’s goodness (vs. 9).  Believers, in particular, receive God’s saving grace and mercy, but His goodness is evident to all of mankind.  God’s goodness is universal, and extends to all creation.  Satan tries to get us to believe that God is not good, that He does not love us.  Just look around you, and you can see that is a lie, that it is not true.  God is kind and compassionate to all of His creation.  As Jesus told us, God makes the sun and the rain to fall on both the evil and the good (Matthew 5:45).  Because of God’s love and goodness shown to everyone, it should lead sinners to repentance (Romans 2:4).

The next one is glory (vs. 11-13).  This psalm gives a cosmic proclamation that God’s Kingdom is glorious, powerful, and everlasting, enduring through all generations.  God’s glory is so overwhelming that no one can look upon Him and live.  Even Moses could only look upon His back (Exodus 33:18-23).  Prophets, such as Isaiah and Daniel, fell face down before the glory of God.  God, in all of His glory, holds absolute rule over history, nations, and individuals.  God’s Kingdom is not symbolic.  It is real, eternal, and grounded in His authority.  As believers, we need to live under His kingship, not cultural trends.  God’s glory, power, and authority provides stability in a chaotic world.

Our God is a generous God (vs. 14-16).  He upholds the fallen, feeds all living things, and satisfies the desires of every creature.  This is not a vague goodwill, it is divine specific caring.  God actively sustains His creation and cares for His people.  As believers, we can trust Him with our daily needs, and His care is never unjust or arbitrary.

In closing, we can praise the Lord for His greatness, as He is infinitely majestic.  We can praise Him for His goodness, as He is kind and compassionate, and also for His glory, since He rules eternally.  As Christians we need to cultivate daily praise, along with teaching the next generation to do so also.  When we live a life of praise, we have the Lord’s help in every situation.  No wonder David blessed the Lord so much!

Messianic Prophecy

Zechariah 9:9-12

Sometimes our eyes can play little tricks on us, like an optical illusion.  Our mind misinterprets what we are seeing.  When we look at something, we perceive it one way, when in reality it is different. One example of this is when driving and we see a couple of mountains in the distance.  Being many miles away, they look like they are right next to each other.  But as we get closer and closer, we see that is not the case.  The one mountain is in the front, but the other is miles and miles further behind.  Our distance from them made it appear as if they were both together.  This is similar to the way some people looked at some prophecies, particularly prophecies regarding the coming Messiah.  They perceived all of the prophecies of the Messiah as happening at the same time, just like perceiving the mountains being together, whereas in reality some would happen at one time and others at another.  One example is in our Scripture today.

Our Scripture comes from the Old Testament prophet Zechariah.  His ministry was in the years following the Babylonian exile, and he encouraged the returned remnant to rebuild the Temple and to renew their covenant loyalty to Yahweh.  This portion of the Old Testament book reveals the Lord Jesus Christ’s identity, His character, His mission, and His future restoration of Israel.  It speaks of the coming of the Messiah, who arrives in humility, bringing salvation, establishing peace, and ultimately restoring His covenant people, calling them to return to Him.

As we begin, we read a verse that is often associated with Palm Sunday.  That is because Zechariah prophesied of the coming Messiah arriving humbly, riding upon a donkey (vs. 9).  The prophet speaks of the people’s king arriving.  Israel’s rightful king was not a foreign ruler, but the promised Messiah, the Son of David.  They had recently been under the rule of the Babylonian emperor, and now, though they were allowed to return to their homeland, they were under Persian rule.  In the near future they would be under Greek rule, and then Roman rule.  However, one day their Messiah would come, and free them from oppression.  His rule would be just, morally perfect, and with divine righteousness.

This verse speaks of Jesus’ first coming, which is marked by humility, not political triumph.  He is humble, riding upon a lowly donkey, not a military war horse.  Matthew 21:1-9 and John 12:14-16 record Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, which explicitly fulfills this prophecy.  His first coming is characterized by humility, not conquest.  Jesus comes first to save before He comes to reign.

Verse 10 shifts from Jesus’ first coming to His second coming and His millennial reign.  At this time, the Messiah will end warfare, abolishing the instruments of war.  His dominion will be universal, and He will bring global peace to all nations.  This is where many of the Jewish people at the time of Jesus were confused.  They read this verse, along with other prophecies in Scripture, where the Messiah would restore Israel, and bring peace to God’s people.  Jesus fulfilled many prophecies, but why not these?  This is why many people wanted to make Him a king and urge Him to overthrow Rome.  However, this was not to be fulfilled in the Messiah’s first coming, but instead in His second.  This is like the second mountain, miles behind the first one.  Though we don’t know when His second coming will be, it is many years following the first.  These events await Christ’s return when He establishes His kingdom.

In verse 11 we see God’s covenant faithfulness and deliverance. God’s faithfulness to Israel is grounded in His covenant promises.  That covenant is still in effect.  God will literally restore them because He is faithful to His promises.  Verse 12 is a call for His people to return and a promise for their restoration and future blessings.  Israel’s hope is grounded in God’s covenant faithfulness and the coming Messianic King.  These promises of restoration are literal.  God is not finished with His people of Israel.

As we see in verse 12, when we place our hurts, our broken dreams, dissolved relationships, and shattered hopes into God’s hands, and stay close to Him through Bible reading and prayer, He will replace doubly the losses in our life with rich blessings.

The Messiah Jesus brings deliverance from spiritual bondage, which was fulfilled in His first coming, and deliverance from national oppression, which will be fulfilled in His second coming.  This is a powerful Messianic prophecy that anchors both Israel’s future and the Church’s hope in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The Cost of Discipleship

Matthew 10:34-42

One big happy family.  That’s what a lot of TV shows, particularly in the past, liked to portray, and that is what most of us would like to have - family harmony.  However, though we try our best, sometimes that is not achievable.  There are a number of things that can cause the conflict and dissension, and we read about a significant one in our Scripture today.  Though often we want to do what we can to smooth things over, including compromise, the Lord Jesus warned that this is something that we can never compromise about.  Let’s look into our Gospel reading for today.

This portion of the Gospel of Matthew is a continuation of the message that the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples as He commissioned them to go throughout the land of Israel, two by two, bringing His message to the villages in preparation of His coming there.  Jesus had warned them of persecution, and now He told them what the cost of discipleship would be.  We will see what loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ looks like in a hostile world.

First we read something that might be a bit of a surprise, especially when we so often think of Jesus as One who brings peace.  In our opening verses we read that Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace, but a sword, setting family members against one another (vs. 34-36).  An important thing to realize when we read these verses is that Jesus is not contradicting His role as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Rather, He is teaching us that the Gospel divides.  It divides those who follow God and His Word, the Bible from those who reject Him and follow Satan’s lies.  The “sword” is figurative, referring to the sharp division that God’s truth creates.  In a world opposed to God, the Gospel cannot help but create sharp lines of separation.

When a person follows Jesus, unbelieving family members may respond with hostility.  The Lord quoted Micah 7:6 to show that such division is characteristic of the last days, and His return.  Genuine Christians must expect opposition, even from those closest to them, because loyalty to Jesus exposes the spiritual loyalties of others.  It is true that Jesus is the Great Peacemaker, but before peace He brings division.  Where light comes, the darkness must leave.  Where the truth is, the lie must be trampled underfoot.  Christ’s truth is absolute, therefore conflict with error and darkness is inevitable. Faithfulness may cost relationships.  Standing with Jesus is worth more than maintaining peace at the expense of truth.  If we follow Jesus, we will have enemies.  He who is friends with the world is an enemy of God (James 4:4).

Continuing on we read that Jesus demands our supreme love.  He requires first place, above parents, children, and one’s own life (vs. 37-39).  Jesus tells us that we cannot become His disciple unless we place Him as our top priority, which could cause unbelieving family to reject us.  Taking up our cross is embracing a path of suffering, shame, and death to self.  In Jesus’ day, the listeners knew the cross meant execution.  One who “finds his life” in vs. 39 means clinging to earthly comfort and self-preservation.  “Losing life” means to surrender everything for the Savior’s sake.  Losing the lesser life will gain the greater, eternal one.

Jesus’ Lordship is total.  No earthly relationship or personal ambition can rival obedience to Him.  True salvation produces a willingness to forsake all (Luke 14:26-33).  What in my life is competing for my allegiance?  Truly following the Savior should reorder our loves so that He is supreme.

Jesus concluded this segment of Scripture by stating that receiving His servants is receiving Him (vs. 40-42).  Jesus identified Himself with His messengers.  To welcome them is to welcome Him.  The one who opens the door to a Christian believer out of hospitality also opens the door to Jesus, who sent him, and therefore to God the Father.  To open the door to God’s messenger is to open the door to God’s message.

God sees and rewards even the smallest acts done for Jesus and His servants.  Acts of kindness done for believers will be noted and rewarded.  Even a cup of water given to a thirsty disciple will not be overlooked on Judgment Day.

In closing, when we stand for Biblical truth we can expect opposition, even from family members.  We will also see various things in our life that will try to compete with our loyalty to Jesus, such as relationships and responsibilities.  However, as a faithful Christian, we must always choose Jesus first and foremost.  Finally, we must remember the promise that Jesus gave - losing our life for Him will lead to finding true life.

Dead to Sin

Romans 6:3-11

Many of us have attended a funeral or a wake where the deceased was visible in their open coffin.  As you stand by the coffin of your friend or loved one perhaps you say something to them.  Of course, there is no response.  Maybe you even confess some secret that you had never told them.  The deceased doesn’t sit up and sock you in the nose.  If the confused little child tells daddy to get up, he doesn’t move.  He won’t hear or obey anything that is said because he is dead.  The dead don’t respond.  They have no interest in what is going on, whether in that room, or outside in the world at large.  In our Scripture today as we continue on in the Book of Romans, St. Paul tells us that in one way we are to be like that dead person in the coffin.  Let’s look into our Scripture to discover what he means.

At the time of the Apostle Paul’s writing of this epistle to the church in Rome, there was a false teaching circulating among the churches which taught that it was okay for believers to continue to sin.  They taught that since God gives us His grace when He forgives our sins, that the more we sin the more grace we will receive.  They felt that it was actually good to sin, because the more sin, the more grace.  Paul refutes this false teaching here.

Ongoing sin in our life is incompatible with salvation.  The justification that we receive when saved brings us into a new position before God.  That position brings a new relationship to sin, with a new mindset and new obedience.  Paul begins by saying that when we were saved, we were baptized into Christ’s death (vs. 3).  This is not referring to water baptism, but rather the spiritual union we have with Jesus.  Our water baptism symbolizes our union with His death.  His death counts as ours.  We are now no longer the person that we were before Jesus saved us.

The burial of the deceased shows the finality of death.  However, as Christians we have a new hope because of the resurrection of the Lord from the dead (vs. 4-5).  His death and burial was not final.  He rose again!  His resurrection is not merely a future hope, it is the pattern and power of Christian living now.  Being united with Jesus means our lifestyle must reflect His resurrection power, not the grave of our old life.  We are united to the Savior just like a plant is grafted onto another one.  Jesus’ death and resurrection were not just events in the past, they are spiritually shared realities for us.  Our union with Jesus is the root, and our sanctification, our living an obedient and sanctified life is the fruit.

Paul continues by stating that our old man, our old nature, was crucified with the Lord Jesus, and we are no longer slaves to sin (vs. 6).  The “old man” is who we were in Adam, when we lived under sin’s rule.  That old man was executed, just as Jesus was on the cross.  The “body of sin” is the whole system of sin’s influence over our mortal life.  It was destroyed, rendered powerless, but not annihilated.  Sin remains present with us, however its authority is broken.

The Emancipation Proclamation was made during the U.S. Civil War, and it freed the slaves.  When they were freed, they no longer had to obey their masters.  Their former master could shout at them to go work in the fields, but they did not have to obey.  They were free.  In like manner, a dead person does not obey anything said to them.  They are dead.  Similarly, we are freed from sin’s control and authority (vs. 7).  It can tell us to do any manner of wickedness, but we don’t have to obey.  Jesus’ death broke the power of sin, and when we accepted Him as Savior, we also died to sin and were set free from its power and authority over us.  Sin’s demands are no longer binding.  Jesus Christ is the new Master.

Christians are now dead to sin, and the Bible promises that we shall also live with God for eternity (vs. 8).  Our life is inseparable from Jesus.  He empowers our spiritual life currently in the present, and in the future promises a bodily resurrection and eternal life. Death cannot reclaim Jesus (vs. 9). His resurrection is irreversible and triumphant.  Our new life shares the permanence of Jesus’ risen life.

Jesus’ death was a single, decisive act.  When He died on the cross, He conquered death (vs. 10).  Now He lives in perfect fellowship and victory with the Father.  As believers, our relationship to sin and to God mirrors that of Jesus.  To “reckon” ourselves as dead to sin, as Paul says in verse 11, is to count it as true, to adopt it as our mindset. This is not wishful thinking, but a declared reality.  Our victory over sin begins with believing what God says about ourselves.

Looking back over our Scripture, we have learned from God’s Word that if we have accepted Jesus as Savior, then we are dead to sin and alive to God.  This is not just some motivational language, it is spiritual reality.  Sin’s power over us is broken.  We are no longer enslaved by it.  Just as a dead person doesn’t obey anything said to him, nor a freed slave has to obey, we are dead and freed from sin’s power.  Knowing this, our daily choices should reflect Christ’s risen life, with purity, obedience, and holiness.

A Covenant Promise Kept

Psalm 89:1-21

Do you know who Ethan the Ezrahite is?  Most people, including Christians who read and study their Bible, do not know who he is.  Some might be vaguely familiar with the name.  He is one of the countless people whose names are mentioned in the Bible once or twice, but very little is actually known about them.  Ethan the Ezrahite is listed as the author of today’s psalm, which we will take a look at the first half.

Ethan wrote only one psalm, the somewhat long Psalm 89, which remembers God’s covenant with King David, and His steadfast love for His people.  Ethan was a court musician in the latter part of King David’s reign, and then into the reign of King Solomon, where he was reputed to have been the second wisest man of the country after Solomon (I Kings 4:31).  Though none of his wise sayings and thoughts were recorded, the one thing that we have from him is Psalm 89, the first half which declares God’s covenant faithfulness which is unbreakable, and His unmatched power.  It also speaks of His choice of David as king, ultimately pointing forward to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our psalm begins with worship, where Ethan declares God’s mercy and faithfulness (vs 1-2).  The Hebrew word here for mercy is “hesed”, which not only means the mercy that God shows us, but also His lovingkindness and favor. Faithfulness, the Hebrew word emuna, describes God’s reliability and truthfulness.  God’s character is the anchor of our faith.  We can proclaim God’s faithfulness even when circumstances appear contradictory.

Ethan then proceeds to recall the covenant that God made with King David (vs. 3-4).  This covenant is recorded in Scripture in II Samuel 7, where God promises David both a perpetual dynasty, and to establish his throne forever.  This covenant is both unconditional and everlasting.  Nothing that David or any of his descendants could ever do will break this covenant.  It is ultimately fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal King (Luke 1:32-33).

Next we read how the heavens praise God’s wonders (vs. 5-8).  We see how both heavenly beings, such as the angels, along with holy ones upon earth, the assembly of saints, praise the incomparable Lord.  No one in heaven or earth can rival God’s holiness or power.  He transcends and goes beyond all of creation.  There is nothing that can compare with Him, and He is supreme over all heavenly beings.

If you have ever been to the ocean shore or out on a boat during a strong storm, you know how wild the waves and water can be, and how dangerous, as well.  There is absolutely nothing we can do to calm or control those waves.  However, God, and He alone, can rule the raging sea (vs. 9-10).  He also breaks Rahab, which can refer to a large sea monster, and is also symbolic of a figure representing chaos, arrogance, and the enemies of God (such as Egypt).  He controls nature, defeats nations, and brings order out of chaos.  The God who subdued Egypt in the Exodus is the same God who keeps His covenant promises.

As we know, everything belongs to God - the heavens, the earth, and all of creation upon the earth (vs. 11-13).  He created everything from the north to the south.  Ethan mentions two mountains that were in Israel - Mt. Tabor which was in southern Galilee, and Mt. Hermon which was on the far northern border.  God’s arm is strong and His hand is mighty.  Verse 14 speaks of the four attributes that form God’s rule - justice, righteousness, mercy, and truth.  His rule is morally perfect.  His covenant faithfulness flows from His nature, not from any human merit.

Ethan continues by recounting the blessings for God’s covenant people (vs. 15-18).  Those who know the “joyful sound” (possibly referring to worship or covenant celebrations) will walk in God’s light.  We have the blessings of His presence and His Name.  We have His righteousness, and the protection of His strength and defense.  True joy comes from walking in obedience and worship.

Our portion of this psalm closes with God speaking of finding David, and anointing and establishing him as king (vs. 19-21).  David’s kingship was God-initiated, not man-made.  David is a type or symbol of the Lord Jesus, who was chosen, anointed, strengthened, and victorious.  Jesus fulfills the Davidic covenant perfectly and eternally.

As we look back at this first half of Psalm 89 and what the wise Ethan seeks to teach us, we see that God’s faithfulness is absolute and unchanging.  His sovereignty extends over all creation, nations, and spiritual beings.  We also see that the Davidic covenant is literal, everlasting, and is fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.  When God makes a covenant, His character guarantees His promises.

What Will Happen to the Proud

Isaiah 2:10-17

Have you ever met someone who was just so full of themself?  They couldn’t stop trying to let everyone know how great they thought they were, and how witty or important they felt their every word was.  It is even worse if this proud person has any type of power, whether in the political realm or in the business world.  Sometimes we end up hoping that someone or something will come along and knock them down a peg or two!  This is especially true if these proud ones try to come against the Lord God and our faith.  In our Scripture for today we will see what the Lord has warned will happen to those who are too full of pride, especially against Himself.  As we will see in today’s Scripture from the Book of Isaiah, God will bring down everything that exalts itself against Himself.

As Isaiah began this Scripture passage, he pictured people fleeing into caves and rocks to hide from God’s presence (vs. 10).  When we know that something bad is coming, we might like to hide away from it.  When we were little, and we had done something wrong, we might have tried hiding from our father when we heard him coming.  Criminals flee from the police when a crime is committed.  They don’t want to get caught.  This verse is not symbolic.  It is a literal, future event when humanity will attempt to hide from the visible glory of God.  We read in Revelation 6:15-17 where people will hide from the Lamb, the Lord Jesus’ wrath.  There is terror when facing God without repentance, but it is futile to try and escape from God’s divine judgment.

On this coming Day of the Lord, all human pride will collapse (vs. 11).  This will include all national pride, one’s feelings of self-sufficiency and personal exaltation, and also the arrogance of false religions.  This is the central theme of today’s Scripture.  The Lord alone will be exalted.

Several prophets speak of the Day of the Lord, including Isaiah here (vs. 12).  This is a future time in history when God will intervene to judge evil, rescue His people, and establish His Kingdom.  It will be a time of dread and judgment for those who are in rebellion against Him.  It will also be a time of deliverance and hope for faithful believers.  This will come when the Lord Jesus returns to defeat evil, pour out His wrath against unbelievers, and establish His Kingdom.  The Day of the Lord is God’s appointed time of reckoning.

Isaiah continues on by listing some things and places that can serve as symbols of prideful human greatness (vs. 13-16).  The cedars of Lebanon have traditionally been symbols of strength and majesty.  The oaks of Bashan are symbols of endurance and stability.  High mountains and hills can be seen as political powers and kingdoms, and the high towers and fortified walls as military might.  The ships of Tarshish picture economic power and global trade.  These represent many spheres of human pride, such as political, military, and economic.  God warns us that He will bring all of these low in His judgment in the end times.

Our Scripture concludes with Isaiah stating that everything that man exalts will fall, but everything that God exalts will stand (vs. 17).  The Apostle Paul repeats this thought in Philippians 2:10-11 when he states that every knee will ultimately bow to the Lord Jesus. As Psalm 2 states, God will overthrow all nations which have rebelled against Him.  God will not share His glory with human pride.

Not only is pride the first of the seven deadly sins, it is the root of all of the other ones.  Pride is also the root of idolatry, self-reliance, rebellion, humanism, and false religions.  Pride is not merely a personal flaw, it is a cosmic offense against God’s rightful rule.

The Day of the Lord is not a myth or a symbol.  It is coming.  Knowing this, we need to walk in holiness and be proclaiming the Gospel.  As believers, we need to live with eternal priorities, and fear God rather than man.

The phrase “the Lord alone shall be exalted” is repeated twice in this Scripture passage, in verses 11 and 17.  God alone is supreme.  It is His right to judge, and at the end of history, He will receive ultimate glory.  Nations rise and fall, economies collapse, and cultures shift.  However, the Lord alone remains exalted. 

A Courageous Christian

Matthew 10:16-33

In last week’s Gospel study we read about Jesus sending out His disciples on their first mission, bringing His message throughout Galilee and Judea.  Today’s Gospel continues where last week’s left off, with Jesus telling them, and us today, that those who follow Him will face persecutions, what the cost of discipleship will entail, and also that we do not need to fear because God cares for us.  Let’s look at this teaching of the Lord Jesus, because what we read applies to all believers today, especially regarding persecution and having a bold witness.

Jesus begins His instruction to the disciples by warning them that they are being sent out like sheep among wolves (vs. 16).  Sheep are vulnerable, dependent, and gentle creatures, while wolves are aggressive, predatory, and in this situation, spiritually dangerous.  This world is not neutral to Christians.  Instead it is hostile to the Lord Jesus and His people (John 15:18-19).  Jesus told us that we need to be as wise as serpents when going out into a world that is hostile against our faith.  We need to be discerning and strategic, not naive.  He also told us to be as harmless as doves, pure, innocent, and without retaliation.  We must avoid compromise while also avoiding foolish provocation.  We may encounter threats, hardship, and even pain, but God assures us of His presence.

Continuing on, we are warned that we will also face persecution from religious and civil authorities (vs. 17-18).  We see this happening all across the globe, even in countries where we never would have expected it a few years back, but now there is persecution.  This is not a sign of failure, but of faithfulness.  God uses opposition to advance His Gospel, as it becomes a platform for witness.  When dragged before the authorities, Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will say, as He promises that the Holy Spirit will give us the words to speak (vs. 19-20).  That doesn’t mean that we don’t need to read and study God’s Word, but it is a promise that He will give us just the right words to answer those who come against us.

Jesus warns His followers that sometimes those who oppose them will be those in their own families (vs. 21-22).  Persecution may come from our siblings, our parents, or our children.  The words that “he that endures to the end shall be saved” is not salvation by endurance, but rather that endurance is the evidence of genuine salvation.  True believers will persevere, they won’t permanently fall away.  As Jesus’ followers, we are called to stand firm and share the Gospel.  We should not seek out martyrdom, nor be reckless, but instead Jesus tells us to move on when rejected (vs. 23).  Courage is not stupidity.  Christians may flee danger without denying Christ.

Our Savior faced persecution.  He was ridiculed, slandered, and called names, and we should expect similar treatment (vs. 24-25).  Opposition is normal, not the exception.  When we follow Him the world will be hostile to us.  Jesus tells us to not be afraid, but instead to speak openly and proclaim His message boldly (vs. 26-27).  There is to be no secret discipleship.  Public confession is important.  We do not need to fear men.  The worst they can do is kill the body.  Instead we must fear God (give reverential respect), as He can destroy both body and soul in hell (vs. 28).  Jesus states that there is a hell, and it is a serious thing to reject Him.  Human threats are temporary, but God’s judgment is eternal.

God is not a heartless God who doesn’t care what happens to His followers.  He loves and cares about each one of us in a personal and intimate way.  He is so involved in our lives that He knows the number of hairs that each of us has (vs. 29-31).  He loves all of His creation, so much so that He takes notice when a sparrow dies.  Don’t you think, then, that He cares more about you?

Lastly, we read about confessing or denying Christ before others (vs. 32-33).  We have two parallel truths - If we confess Christ before men, He will confess you before God the Father.  If we deny Christ before men, then He will deny you before the Father.  This is not about momentary fear, but instead a settled rejection.  Peter had a moment of fear and denied Jesus.  He had not rejected the Savior, though, and immediately repented.

In closing, as we look back over this Scripture passage, we see that we are called to be courageous Christians, ones who refuse to compromise, who speak God’s Word boldly, and who trust Him completely.  Jesus does not send His people into a world of ease, but into battle.  However, we don’t need to fear, as He goes with us and strengthens us.  In the end, Jesus promises eternal rewards for those who are faithful.