Psalm 99
When we think of the various attributes of God, what are some of the characteristics that first come to mind? We might first think of the fact that God is love. Another might be that He is merciful, or that He is forgiving. These are all very true, and wonderful attributes of God. In today’s Psalm our unknown psalmist seeks to focus our attention on one characteristic that many forget or don’t think about as much, which is that God is holy. Let’s open up our Psalm for this week and see what we can learn from God’s Word.
The word “holy” generally means in the Scriptures that something is sacred, sanctified, and set apart for God’s purpose and use. When the Bible uses this word in reference to God, Himself, it means that He is exalted and worthy of complete devotion. God’s holiness dictates that He is utterly separate, above, and exalted over all other creatures and things. God is also completely holy in His moral character, completely separate from all sin. The psalmist states three times in this brief psalm that God is holy, in verse 3, verse 5, and in verse 9. Knowing this, that God is holy, exalted above all creation, and separate from all sin, isn’t it amazing that such a holy God desires an intimate, saving relationship with us!
In verse one we read that God is enthroned between cherubim. Cherubim are winged angelic beings. They are not cute, chubby, little baby angels we sometimes see on Valentine cards. Cherubim are powerful beings, described in the Book of Ezekiel, as having two pairs of wings and four faces. They were the angelic beings that God placed at the entrance to the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were cast out. Their duty was to guard the way to the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24). Moses was instructed by God to make an image of two Cherubim to place on the Ark of the Covenant, guarding the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:18-22). Here in our psalm and also in the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 37:16) we see that God’s throne in the highest heaven is surrounded by Cherubim and other angelic beings, the Seraphim.
As we read further into the psalm, we are given an admonition in verse 3 to praise God’s Name, and to keep it holy. In a way a person’s name represents their identity. If a high-ranking person in the business, legal, or political realm sends someone to do something “in their name”, that name must carry authority. Misusing their name would bring a penalty. God’s Name symbolizes His nature, His person, His reputation, and His holiness. If misusing a person’s name would be wrong, how much more so should misusing God’s Name be? God’s Name should not be used lightly, nor used as a curse or in vulgar conversation, especially by Christians!
Another thought about how we treat names - Many people are to a degree proud about their family name. Often parents tell their children to remember they are part of a certain family, and that their behavior and actions should bring honor to the family name. As believers, since God is our Father, we need to live worthy of His great Name.
In verse 8 we read how God is the God who forgives. When we get saved, God forgives all of our sins, those committed in the past, those of the present, and all future sins, as well. However, as we are studying, God is all-holy. As such, He is completely separated from sin, and cannot be tainted by it. Nor will He tolerate, ignore, or excuse sin. As a loving Father He still promises to discipline us when necessary (Hebrews 12:5-11).
If we are believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus children of God, He has called us to be holy, as He is holy. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament we see this instruction (Leviticus 20:7; and I Peter 1:15). Though we will never achieve perfect holiness here on earth, this is something we should be striving for. Just as an archer aims for the bullseye of a target, we need to aim for this as we seek to follow our all-holy God.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Keep A Shining Face
Exodus 34:29-35
How can we tell when a young man or woman is in love? One way is by the look on their face. A person in love will often radiate that feeling through their face. When we have been with the one we love, it shows on our face, in our speech, and in the way we act. When things are happy at home, often our co-workers or friends can tell without our actually telling so. The same would go if things are unhappy, as well. In our Scripture passage today from the Old Testament Book of Exodus, we read of the effects of Moses being close to, and in the presence of the One that he loved.
As our Scripture passage begins, Moses has been alone on Mt. Sinai for 40 days, meeting personally with Yahweh, where he has been given the Law personally from His hand. After 40 days of prayer, fasting, and being with the Lord God, Moses descends from the mountain, returning to the people of Israel, who have been encamped and waiting at the base of the mountain. When Moses rejoined the people there was one thing that they saw, something that Moses was unaware of, and that was that his face was shining (vs. 29). This scared the people, and he had to resort to wearing a veil to hide his face. Every time that Moses would go to be alone with Yahweh he took the veil off. When he was with the people, though, he put the veil back on (vs. 34-35).
What makes our faces shine? When we spend time doing what we enjoy, perhaps a sports activity or our favorite hobby, we are more relaxed and happy. We are then more pleasant to be around. Can our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers tell that we have been with the Lord? After we’ve spent time with God in prayer and reading of His Word, is our countenance radiating from that time with Him? Our face won’t literally shine, but God’s love, joy, and peace will just be overflowing out of us, that it will be overwhelmingly evident to all who see us, and are with us, that we spend time with the Lord.
On any given Sunday morning, we should take a look at the faces of those in our church service, or look at the faces of the people as they exit the service. Do they reflect a glory from having spent time in God’s presence? Or, if I may borrow a phrase of a former pastor of mine, now deceased, do they look more like they have been weaned on a pickle? The time we spend with Jesus should make a difference in our personality. His sweet and loving nature should rub off on us, making us more like Him, and eliminating a lot of that prickly and cantankerous temperament.
Shining with the love, joy, and peace of the Lord is not something that we can generate from ourselves on our own. We are reflecting God’s glory. We do not shine with our own glory. We are like the moon. The moon reflects the sun’s light. It does not generate light on its own. Moses did not generate the shine from his face on his own. It came from being with the Lord.
How meaningful is my time with the Lord? Do I hurry through my prayers, hurry through my Bible reading, so I can get on to other things? When I am in church, is my mind a million miles away during the sermon or while worshipping? Moses willingly spent 40 days on the mountain with God. He didn’t complain to the Lord that he was tired and hungry, and that he wanted to get back down the mountain to be with his friends. His time with Yahweh was so wonderful that Moses just glowed because of it! Let’s be sure that we spend quality time with the Lord each day, and that we try not to leave our home until we shine with His presence!
How can we tell when a young man or woman is in love? One way is by the look on their face. A person in love will often radiate that feeling through their face. When we have been with the one we love, it shows on our face, in our speech, and in the way we act. When things are happy at home, often our co-workers or friends can tell without our actually telling so. The same would go if things are unhappy, as well. In our Scripture passage today from the Old Testament Book of Exodus, we read of the effects of Moses being close to, and in the presence of the One that he loved.
As our Scripture passage begins, Moses has been alone on Mt. Sinai for 40 days, meeting personally with Yahweh, where he has been given the Law personally from His hand. After 40 days of prayer, fasting, and being with the Lord God, Moses descends from the mountain, returning to the people of Israel, who have been encamped and waiting at the base of the mountain. When Moses rejoined the people there was one thing that they saw, something that Moses was unaware of, and that was that his face was shining (vs. 29). This scared the people, and he had to resort to wearing a veil to hide his face. Every time that Moses would go to be alone with Yahweh he took the veil off. When he was with the people, though, he put the veil back on (vs. 34-35).
What makes our faces shine? When we spend time doing what we enjoy, perhaps a sports activity or our favorite hobby, we are more relaxed and happy. We are then more pleasant to be around. Can our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers tell that we have been with the Lord? After we’ve spent time with God in prayer and reading of His Word, is our countenance radiating from that time with Him? Our face won’t literally shine, but God’s love, joy, and peace will just be overflowing out of us, that it will be overwhelmingly evident to all who see us, and are with us, that we spend time with the Lord.
On any given Sunday morning, we should take a look at the faces of those in our church service, or look at the faces of the people as they exit the service. Do they reflect a glory from having spent time in God’s presence? Or, if I may borrow a phrase of a former pastor of mine, now deceased, do they look more like they have been weaned on a pickle? The time we spend with Jesus should make a difference in our personality. His sweet and loving nature should rub off on us, making us more like Him, and eliminating a lot of that prickly and cantankerous temperament.
Shining with the love, joy, and peace of the Lord is not something that we can generate from ourselves on our own. We are reflecting God’s glory. We do not shine with our own glory. We are like the moon. The moon reflects the sun’s light. It does not generate light on its own. Moses did not generate the shine from his face on his own. It came from being with the Lord.
How meaningful is my time with the Lord? Do I hurry through my prayers, hurry through my Bible reading, so I can get on to other things? When I am in church, is my mind a million miles away during the sermon or while worshipping? Moses willingly spent 40 days on the mountain with God. He didn’t complain to the Lord that he was tired and hungry, and that he wanted to get back down the mountain to be with his friends. His time with Yahweh was so wonderful that Moses just glowed because of it! Let’s be sure that we spend quality time with the Lord each day, and that we try not to leave our home until we shine with His presence!
Friday, March 1, 2019
How Can I Love My Enemy?
Luke 6:27-38
Wherever Jesus went, the crowds liked to follow. They liked what they saw, as He healed the sick, fed crowds, and told nice, but often puzzling stories. However, the lesson that Jesus was now teaching was one that was a difficult one to follow. He had just spoken an abbreviated version of the Beatitudes to the crowds, telling them things, such as you are blessed if you are poor or weep, or men hate you for His sake, and woe to the rich and those that men speak well of, things that seem the opposite of what everyone would think. Now Jesus was telling everyone to love their enemies and bless those who treat them badly! This was a difficult lesson for the crowd that day, and for us today, as well. Let’s take a closer look.
From our earliest years we have all had to deal with people who have mistreated us. There were always other children at the playground who were brats, and as we grow older, there those at work or in the neighborhood who do us wrong. Our natural inclination is to dislike them, and even hate some of them. Often we think of ways that we can get back at them. In today’s Scripture passage, though, the Lord Jesus tells us that this is not the way that the Father wants His children to act. Instead of showing hate, He wants us to love our enemies, and do good to them, rather than to retaliate.
How is this possible when our natural reaction is to want to clobber them, to give back to them what they did to us? Feelings of love just do not issue forth. This love isn’t affection that comes when we really like someone and agree with them. This is an act of the will. One doesn’t “fall into” this love. It is a conscious effort. It is acting in their best interest, helping them, praying for them. It is following the example of Jesus, who loves the whole world even though it is in rebellion against Him and hates Him.
Love is action. It is easy to show kindness and generosity to those who are kind to us. Not so easy for those who hate us. However, if God was not kind and generous to us sinners when we were opposing Him, where would any of us be? (Romans 5:8). When we have turned to the Lord and accepted Jesus as Savior, we become His children. So if we are God’s children, we should act like it by showing forth His moral character (vs. 35). God is loving, gracious, and generous even to His enemies, and we should, too.
We who have been shown divine mercy are to practice a lifestyle of forgiveness (vs. 37-38). Forgive as God forgave us. A forgiving spirit shows we have received God’s forgiveness. What we give out to others will come back to us in full measure. Jesus wants us to offer forgiveness to those who have hurt us. It won’t change what they did, but it will change us. Forgiveness is too important to ignore for our spiritual health.
This is not to say that God will just ignore the terrible things people have done. God will judge sin, and He greatly desires people to turn from their sin and receive His salvation. By our showing loving kindness to those who least deserve it, we will show the lost God’s love and mercy, hoping they will repent and be saved (II Peter 3:9).
As followers of Jesus, we are to be different from the world, not like the people of the world. Be someone who is known for their compassion, their thoughtfulness, and their consideration of others, including to those who do not deserve it.
Wherever Jesus went, the crowds liked to follow. They liked what they saw, as He healed the sick, fed crowds, and told nice, but often puzzling stories. However, the lesson that Jesus was now teaching was one that was a difficult one to follow. He had just spoken an abbreviated version of the Beatitudes to the crowds, telling them things, such as you are blessed if you are poor or weep, or men hate you for His sake, and woe to the rich and those that men speak well of, things that seem the opposite of what everyone would think. Now Jesus was telling everyone to love their enemies and bless those who treat them badly! This was a difficult lesson for the crowd that day, and for us today, as well. Let’s take a closer look.
From our earliest years we have all had to deal with people who have mistreated us. There were always other children at the playground who were brats, and as we grow older, there those at work or in the neighborhood who do us wrong. Our natural inclination is to dislike them, and even hate some of them. Often we think of ways that we can get back at them. In today’s Scripture passage, though, the Lord Jesus tells us that this is not the way that the Father wants His children to act. Instead of showing hate, He wants us to love our enemies, and do good to them, rather than to retaliate.
How is this possible when our natural reaction is to want to clobber them, to give back to them what they did to us? Feelings of love just do not issue forth. This love isn’t affection that comes when we really like someone and agree with them. This is an act of the will. One doesn’t “fall into” this love. It is a conscious effort. It is acting in their best interest, helping them, praying for them. It is following the example of Jesus, who loves the whole world even though it is in rebellion against Him and hates Him.
Love is action. It is easy to show kindness and generosity to those who are kind to us. Not so easy for those who hate us. However, if God was not kind and generous to us sinners when we were opposing Him, where would any of us be? (Romans 5:8). When we have turned to the Lord and accepted Jesus as Savior, we become His children. So if we are God’s children, we should act like it by showing forth His moral character (vs. 35). God is loving, gracious, and generous even to His enemies, and we should, too.
We who have been shown divine mercy are to practice a lifestyle of forgiveness (vs. 37-38). Forgive as God forgave us. A forgiving spirit shows we have received God’s forgiveness. What we give out to others will come back to us in full measure. Jesus wants us to offer forgiveness to those who have hurt us. It won’t change what they did, but it will change us. Forgiveness is too important to ignore for our spiritual health.
This is not to say that God will just ignore the terrible things people have done. God will judge sin, and He greatly desires people to turn from their sin and receive His salvation. By our showing loving kindness to those who least deserve it, we will show the lost God’s love and mercy, hoping they will repent and be saved (II Peter 3:9).
As followers of Jesus, we are to be different from the world, not like the people of the world. Be someone who is known for their compassion, their thoughtfulness, and their consideration of others, including to those who do not deserve it.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Our Resurrected Bodies
I Corinthians 15:35-50
The New Testament reading from this week’s Lectionary continues with the Apostle Paul’s discussion and teachings on the resurrection. In today’s portion of Scripture, Paul answers the question that some of the Corinthians asked about what the resurrected body would be like. Some of those in the Corinthian church were still holding to the popular Greek philosophical thinking that the soul would pass into the afterlife, but not the physical body. Contemplating the prospect of the resurrection of the physical body, they wondered what the resurrected body would be like? Let’s look at what Paul answered here in our Scripture passage.
Paul compares the body, when it dies and is then resurrected, to new life, similar to that of seeds which we sow in the ground and which grow into a full plant (vs. 36 - 38). Seeds can do nothing until they fall off the plant, in a sense “dying”. Then they are buried in the soil, where they come to life. The plant that comes forth looks nothing like the seed that was sown. The oak looks nothing like the acorn it came from. Neither do beautiful tulips look like the ugly bulbs they came from.
Paul explains that God created different types of bodies for different types of creatures, whether they are people, animals, birds, or fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. The stars, sun, moon, and planets all differ from each other, as well (vs 39 - 41). There are many different types of bodies that God created in this universe, and each type of body was especially created to suit their particular existence. God designed the bird’s body to fly, the fish to swim, the polar bear’s for cold weather, and the armadillo’s for the desert. He will design our resurrected body perfect for our resurrected life.
The physical body we have now gets old and weaker. Parts don’t work like they used to. It is a perishable body. Our resurrected body will be transformed (vs. 42 - 44). It will be different, more capable than our present, earthly body. It will not be weak, it will never get sick again, and will never die again.
Paul gives us examples of how the resurrected body will differ from our present body. He tells how our physical body here on earth is corrupt, meaning that it gets sick and will eventually die (vs. 42). Our resurrected body will never get sick, it will be raised in incorruption. Our physical bodies suffer from “dishonor” because of sin (vs. 43). Our resurrected body will not have such dishonor. The physical body grows weak with age (vs. 43). We all see how many things we used to be able to do, but now our aging, weaker bodies just can’t anymore. There is no aging or weakness in heaven. Our natural bodies are limited here by time and space. Our resurrected body will be raised in glory.
As Paul continues on, he describes how our physical body here on earth is patterned after the first man, Adam. The resurrected body we will have will be after the “last Adam”, which is the Lord Jesus Christ (vs 45 - 49). The resurrection body of Jesus was the prototype. Adam was created with a natural body. We received our natural bodies through our descent from Adam. Through the “last Adam” we will receive our spiritual bodies in resurrection. Because Jesus rose from the dead He is a life-giving spirit (vs. 45). He is the source of the spiritual life that will result in our resurrection.
When Jesus rose from the dead He had a new, glorified human body that suited His new, glorified life. This was apparent to all who first saw Him after He rose. Jesus wasn’t just a ghost. He had an actual, physical body. However, it was a new and glorified one. When our bodies are resurrected God will give us a transformed, eternal body, that will be suited for our eternal life.
Do you wish to have an eternal resurrection body like that? If you have accepted the Lord Jesus into your heart, confessing your sins and asking Him to be your Lord and Savior, you will one day. What a blessed hope, a blessed day, to look forward to!
The New Testament reading from this week’s Lectionary continues with the Apostle Paul’s discussion and teachings on the resurrection. In today’s portion of Scripture, Paul answers the question that some of the Corinthians asked about what the resurrected body would be like. Some of those in the Corinthian church were still holding to the popular Greek philosophical thinking that the soul would pass into the afterlife, but not the physical body. Contemplating the prospect of the resurrection of the physical body, they wondered what the resurrected body would be like? Let’s look at what Paul answered here in our Scripture passage.
Paul compares the body, when it dies and is then resurrected, to new life, similar to that of seeds which we sow in the ground and which grow into a full plant (vs. 36 - 38). Seeds can do nothing until they fall off the plant, in a sense “dying”. Then they are buried in the soil, where they come to life. The plant that comes forth looks nothing like the seed that was sown. The oak looks nothing like the acorn it came from. Neither do beautiful tulips look like the ugly bulbs they came from.
Paul explains that God created different types of bodies for different types of creatures, whether they are people, animals, birds, or fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. The stars, sun, moon, and planets all differ from each other, as well (vs 39 - 41). There are many different types of bodies that God created in this universe, and each type of body was especially created to suit their particular existence. God designed the bird’s body to fly, the fish to swim, the polar bear’s for cold weather, and the armadillo’s for the desert. He will design our resurrected body perfect for our resurrected life.
The physical body we have now gets old and weaker. Parts don’t work like they used to. It is a perishable body. Our resurrected body will be transformed (vs. 42 - 44). It will be different, more capable than our present, earthly body. It will not be weak, it will never get sick again, and will never die again.
Paul gives us examples of how the resurrected body will differ from our present body. He tells how our physical body here on earth is corrupt, meaning that it gets sick and will eventually die (vs. 42). Our resurrected body will never get sick, it will be raised in incorruption. Our physical bodies suffer from “dishonor” because of sin (vs. 43). Our resurrected body will not have such dishonor. The physical body grows weak with age (vs. 43). We all see how many things we used to be able to do, but now our aging, weaker bodies just can’t anymore. There is no aging or weakness in heaven. Our natural bodies are limited here by time and space. Our resurrected body will be raised in glory.
As Paul continues on, he describes how our physical body here on earth is patterned after the first man, Adam. The resurrected body we will have will be after the “last Adam”, which is the Lord Jesus Christ (vs 45 - 49). The resurrection body of Jesus was the prototype. Adam was created with a natural body. We received our natural bodies through our descent from Adam. Through the “last Adam” we will receive our spiritual bodies in resurrection. Because Jesus rose from the dead He is a life-giving spirit (vs. 45). He is the source of the spiritual life that will result in our resurrection.
When Jesus rose from the dead He had a new, glorified human body that suited His new, glorified life. This was apparent to all who first saw Him after He rose. Jesus wasn’t just a ghost. He had an actual, physical body. However, it was a new and glorified one. When our bodies are resurrected God will give us a transformed, eternal body, that will be suited for our eternal life.
Do you wish to have an eternal resurrection body like that? If you have accepted the Lord Jesus into your heart, confessing your sins and asking Him to be your Lord and Savior, you will one day. What a blessed hope, a blessed day, to look forward to!
Monday, February 25, 2019
Be Thou Our Guide
Psalm 37
Many people have wondered at some point in their life, why the ungodly people in the world seem to frequently prosper, while the godly folk have to painfully struggle throughout life. It doesn’t seem fair. We do what’s right, and life is difficult for us, while the wicked turn their back on God and things go their way. This is a question that King David, the author of our Psalm today, also asked. Let’s look at what God taught him in our Scripture passage today.
As we look at the ungodly people around us, we may see that they are prospering. They have all they could want, and seemingly few problems. God tells us, though, not to be envious of them (vs. 1). Don’t envy them, despite their popularity or riches. What they have won’t last for eternity, and often does not even last them through this life (vs. 2). A believer’s treasures should be stored up in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). God wants us to trust in Him, to do good, and cultivate faithfulness (vs. 3). He will deal with the ungodly. Our responsibility is to watch our own actions.
In verse 4 we read how David says a believer should “delight” themselves in the Lord. Delighting in someone is to take pleasure in their presence. We want to know them well. When we delight in God, we will trust Him and commit our life to Him. To “commit” to the Lord is to entrust everything to His control, and to trust Him (vs. 5). God can care for us better than we can ourselves. As we seek His desires, our own desires will fall into place. God’s desires become our desires. As we wait patiently for Him, He will work out what’s best for us (vs. 7).
One thing that happens when we look at others, and are envious at their riches and supposed ease in life, is we become angry and fret or worry (vs. 7-8). Anger and worry reveal a lack of trust and faith that God loves us, and that He is in control. When we dwell on our problems we become anxious and angry. Instead, David instructs us to concentrate on God and His goodness, and we will have peace. If we wait patiently, He will intervene on behalf of His people. We need to keep a humble attitude, with calm faith and humility before God, hoping in His deliverance (vs. 11).
As David continues in his psalm, he tells us of some of the blessings that the godly will receive from the Lord. God delights in the one who trusts in Him, and who seeks to do His will (vs. 23-24). He promises to watch over every step that the godly take, directing their ways. This isn’t something that He has promised to the ungodly or the wicked, so why do we envy them? God will provide for His own people as long as they are seeking to obey and trust Him (vs. 25). Our task is to follow God each day, and to leave the future and it’s problems to Him.
The tune for the great clock in the tower at Westminster Palace, also known as Big Ben, actually has words, which are displayed in the clock room. They read: “Lord, through this hour, be Thou our guide; So by Thy power, no foot shall slide”. This is in reference to verse 24 of our psalm.
Throughout his psalm, David urges us to have patience, as God’s timing is not our timing. The ungodly may be prospering now, they may seem to have the upper hand now, but that is not going to be their case in the end. We need to wait patiently for God to act in our situation. As we submit to His timing, God will honor us. Trust God’s flawless timing. His timing is perfect.
We need to keep God’s Word in our heart. When the devil comes to attack us, it is then too late to start opening our Bible (vs. 31). David urges us to focus our steps on God’s path. That will lead us into the right direction. Keep on His purposeful path. When our strength has failed, go to God, and find His (vs. 39). He will not fail us!
Many people have wondered at some point in their life, why the ungodly people in the world seem to frequently prosper, while the godly folk have to painfully struggle throughout life. It doesn’t seem fair. We do what’s right, and life is difficult for us, while the wicked turn their back on God and things go their way. This is a question that King David, the author of our Psalm today, also asked. Let’s look at what God taught him in our Scripture passage today.
As we look at the ungodly people around us, we may see that they are prospering. They have all they could want, and seemingly few problems. God tells us, though, not to be envious of them (vs. 1). Don’t envy them, despite their popularity or riches. What they have won’t last for eternity, and often does not even last them through this life (vs. 2). A believer’s treasures should be stored up in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). God wants us to trust in Him, to do good, and cultivate faithfulness (vs. 3). He will deal with the ungodly. Our responsibility is to watch our own actions.
In verse 4 we read how David says a believer should “delight” themselves in the Lord. Delighting in someone is to take pleasure in their presence. We want to know them well. When we delight in God, we will trust Him and commit our life to Him. To “commit” to the Lord is to entrust everything to His control, and to trust Him (vs. 5). God can care for us better than we can ourselves. As we seek His desires, our own desires will fall into place. God’s desires become our desires. As we wait patiently for Him, He will work out what’s best for us (vs. 7).
One thing that happens when we look at others, and are envious at their riches and supposed ease in life, is we become angry and fret or worry (vs. 7-8). Anger and worry reveal a lack of trust and faith that God loves us, and that He is in control. When we dwell on our problems we become anxious and angry. Instead, David instructs us to concentrate on God and His goodness, and we will have peace. If we wait patiently, He will intervene on behalf of His people. We need to keep a humble attitude, with calm faith and humility before God, hoping in His deliverance (vs. 11).
As David continues in his psalm, he tells us of some of the blessings that the godly will receive from the Lord. God delights in the one who trusts in Him, and who seeks to do His will (vs. 23-24). He promises to watch over every step that the godly take, directing their ways. This isn’t something that He has promised to the ungodly or the wicked, so why do we envy them? God will provide for His own people as long as they are seeking to obey and trust Him (vs. 25). Our task is to follow God each day, and to leave the future and it’s problems to Him.
The tune for the great clock in the tower at Westminster Palace, also known as Big Ben, actually has words, which are displayed in the clock room. They read: “Lord, through this hour, be Thou our guide; So by Thy power, no foot shall slide”. This is in reference to verse 24 of our psalm.
Throughout his psalm, David urges us to have patience, as God’s timing is not our timing. The ungodly may be prospering now, they may seem to have the upper hand now, but that is not going to be their case in the end. We need to wait patiently for God to act in our situation. As we submit to His timing, God will honor us. Trust God’s flawless timing. His timing is perfect.
We need to keep God’s Word in our heart. When the devil comes to attack us, it is then too late to start opening our Bible (vs. 31). David urges us to focus our steps on God’s path. That will lead us into the right direction. Keep on His purposeful path. When our strength has failed, go to God, and find His (vs. 39). He will not fail us!
Saturday, February 23, 2019
When Forgiveness Is Very Difficult
Genesis 45:3-28
“The offense is just too big for me to ever forgive!” Many of us have said or thought such words. We’ve all had offenses committed against us, many of them small and minor, though some have been considerable. Forgiveness doesn’t always come easy. “If you only knew what this person did to me, you’d know why I can’t forgive him!”, we think. In our Scripture passage for today we see the young man, Joseph, and how, through the power of the Holy Spirit, he was able to forgive what was truly something that most would consider “unforgivable”.
A quick look at the background of Joseph’s story reveals that out of uncontrolled jealousy his ten older brothers had sold him as a slave to traveling merchants. Those merchants brought him into Egypt, a foreign country for him, and again sold him as a slave. Owing to lies told by his master’s wife, he ended up in prison. Because of his faithfulness to God, He turned his condition around, and Joseph quickly found himself the prime minister of all of Egypt, and in charge of food distribution during a devastating famine (see Genesis 37, 39, 41).
The famine has spread throughout the Middle East, and Joseph’s brothers have come to Egypt to purchase food. They do not recognize Joseph, as over 20 years have passed, and they hardly expect the brother that they sold as a slave to be the prime minister of the greatest and most powerful country at the time. However, Joseph does immediately recognize them.
If you were in that position, what would you do? Many of us have had some things done to us that we find very hard to forgive. Joseph clearly remembered his brothers abuse, probably beating him severely before throwing him into a pit, then actually selling him to become a slave! Then followed years as slave and then years in a prison. Chains, hunger, thirst, beatings. Now was his chance to get even. What did Joseph do?
With his brothers gathered around him, Joseph tells them that he is the brother that they sold many years ago (vs. 3-4). Having spent many years closely walking with the Lord despite his circumstances, with his “spiritual meter” always in tune, Joseph recognized the hand of God at move in all that had happened to him. Though the brothers had wanted to get rid of him, some even wanting to kill him, God used their evil actions to fulfill His plan. God sent Joseph ahead to preserve their lives (vs. 5-8). God is sovereign. His plans are not dictated by human actions. Joseph recognized and submitted to the sovereignty of God. He knew that the Lord had providential rule over the events of his life, both the good and bad.
Joseph held no grudges, and had forgiven his brothers. As second in command of all of Egypt, he could have had them all immediately executed, or at the very least expelled from the country, telling them to try and find food somewhere else. What would we do? Joseph was a spiritually mature man, and chose to follow how he knew God would want him to act.
Joseph had been rejected by his brothers, kidnapped, enslaved, and falsely imprisoned, yet he graciously forgave them, and shared his prosperity. Did Joseph’s brothers deserve to be forgiven? No! He would have had every right to imprison them or worse. How many times have we said that we can never forgive this or that person, and that they don’t deserve forgiveness because of what they did, or that they never said they were sorry. Joseph saw the hand of God in all that had happened. God is at work in our lives, as well. Every event that we go through has passed through His providential hand. Nothing is an accident. God can use whatever happens in our life for good if we allow Him.
Joseph was a picture of how God forgives us, and pours His goodness upon us. We don’t deserve forgiveness any more than his brothers did, yet God loves us and forgives us each and every day. Joseph showed grace and mercy, just as God does to us. Joseph lived so closely with his Savior, his life and behavior reflected His. Because we have received Divine forgiveness, even though we did not deserve it, we, in turn, need to pass that forgiveness on to others, just as Joseph did.
“The offense is just too big for me to ever forgive!” Many of us have said or thought such words. We’ve all had offenses committed against us, many of them small and minor, though some have been considerable. Forgiveness doesn’t always come easy. “If you only knew what this person did to me, you’d know why I can’t forgive him!”, we think. In our Scripture passage for today we see the young man, Joseph, and how, through the power of the Holy Spirit, he was able to forgive what was truly something that most would consider “unforgivable”.
A quick look at the background of Joseph’s story reveals that out of uncontrolled jealousy his ten older brothers had sold him as a slave to traveling merchants. Those merchants brought him into Egypt, a foreign country for him, and again sold him as a slave. Owing to lies told by his master’s wife, he ended up in prison. Because of his faithfulness to God, He turned his condition around, and Joseph quickly found himself the prime minister of all of Egypt, and in charge of food distribution during a devastating famine (see Genesis 37, 39, 41).
The famine has spread throughout the Middle East, and Joseph’s brothers have come to Egypt to purchase food. They do not recognize Joseph, as over 20 years have passed, and they hardly expect the brother that they sold as a slave to be the prime minister of the greatest and most powerful country at the time. However, Joseph does immediately recognize them.
If you were in that position, what would you do? Many of us have had some things done to us that we find very hard to forgive. Joseph clearly remembered his brothers abuse, probably beating him severely before throwing him into a pit, then actually selling him to become a slave! Then followed years as slave and then years in a prison. Chains, hunger, thirst, beatings. Now was his chance to get even. What did Joseph do?
With his brothers gathered around him, Joseph tells them that he is the brother that they sold many years ago (vs. 3-4). Having spent many years closely walking with the Lord despite his circumstances, with his “spiritual meter” always in tune, Joseph recognized the hand of God at move in all that had happened to him. Though the brothers had wanted to get rid of him, some even wanting to kill him, God used their evil actions to fulfill His plan. God sent Joseph ahead to preserve their lives (vs. 5-8). God is sovereign. His plans are not dictated by human actions. Joseph recognized and submitted to the sovereignty of God. He knew that the Lord had providential rule over the events of his life, both the good and bad.
Joseph held no grudges, and had forgiven his brothers. As second in command of all of Egypt, he could have had them all immediately executed, or at the very least expelled from the country, telling them to try and find food somewhere else. What would we do? Joseph was a spiritually mature man, and chose to follow how he knew God would want him to act.
Joseph had been rejected by his brothers, kidnapped, enslaved, and falsely imprisoned, yet he graciously forgave them, and shared his prosperity. Did Joseph’s brothers deserve to be forgiven? No! He would have had every right to imprison them or worse. How many times have we said that we can never forgive this or that person, and that they don’t deserve forgiveness because of what they did, or that they never said they were sorry. Joseph saw the hand of God in all that had happened. God is at work in our lives, as well. Every event that we go through has passed through His providential hand. Nothing is an accident. God can use whatever happens in our life for good if we allow Him.
Joseph was a picture of how God forgives us, and pours His goodness upon us. We don’t deserve forgiveness any more than his brothers did, yet God loves us and forgives us each and every day. Joseph showed grace and mercy, just as God does to us. Joseph lived so closely with his Savior, his life and behavior reflected His. Because we have received Divine forgiveness, even though we did not deserve it, we, in turn, need to pass that forgiveness on to others, just as Joseph did.
Friday, February 22, 2019
What Brings You To Jesus?
Luke 6:17-26
As we continue with the Gospel readings from Luke in the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer, we see that word of Jesus and the miracles that had been performed had spread. Jesus had only recently started His ministry, but news spread of the people that had been healed. The paralyzed were now walking, demons had been cast out of the afflicted and people were coming to see for themselves (vs. 17-19). For many people, they came to see Jesus to receive a miracle for themselves, or at least witness one. Perhaps they needed healing from some ailment, or they wanted to see something spectacular happen. Others thought that Jesus would bring them good fortune. Some of them thought He was something like a magician, and that all they needed to do was to just touch Him and they would receive a miracle, like some lucky charm. These people might not have cared about the teachings that Jesus gave, and possibly were not even listening. Then there were those who did seek Jesus out for the message He taught about God, not just for what they could get for themselves.
What brings people to Jesus today? There are some who come to Him for healing, either for themselves or a loved one. Others for a financial breakthrough when they are in need. Whatever draws them to Jesus, my prayer is that they will also open their ears to hear His message of salvation. Whatever initially brings someone to Jesus is good, if it ends up bringing another soul to salvation.
As Luke continues his narrative, we see Jesus giving an abbreviated version of the Beatitudes that were related more in full in Matthew 5. Since there were no television, radio, or any other modern media at this time, Jesus quite possibly told some of His messages and teachings more than once to different audiences, to new crowds (vs. 20-23). These verses describe what it means to be a Christ-follower. As Christians these should be a standard of conduct for us. As we look at these verses, it is easy to see how these values contrast with that of the world. The world tells us to seek to become rich. TV and magazines entice us with displays of tempting foods. The world urges us to be popular.
As believers and followers of Jesus, we shouldn’t spend our time and effort seeking worldly wealth and comfort. Jesus left His throne in heaven to come to earth to bring salvation to mankind. While on earth He had no wealth. If we give up seeking after wealth, and instead seek after His kingdom, God promises that we will be blessed. If we have a hunger and thirst for the lost, we will be blessed. Though no one should actively seek out persecution, however when persecution comes for Jesus’s sake we will receive God’s blessings, as well.
Those who seek fulfillment only through worldly riches, that’s the only reward that they will get (vs. 24-26). Worldly riches do not last. How many people have lost their fortune in a stock market crash or in a costly divorce? Natural disasters can come and wipe out everything we have in an instant. No one can take their wealth with them after death! Jesus is warning us not to put our hearts on these things, but instead in what will last for eternity.
There were many people who were false prophets in Old Testament days (vs. 26). They only gave messages that the people wanted hear, such as prosperity and peace. There are plenty of false prophets today, just like them. Just because one likes to hear those messages doesn’t mean they are true. God does not bless human flattery, nor the words of those who like to tickle our ears with “good news”. Jesus warns us not to chase after the crowd’s praise, but instead to seek out God’s truth.
In closing, we can see through this passage that no matter what reasons have brought us to Jesus, let His love for us bring us to salvation through His shed Blood. Also, we should never seek comfort in this life at the expense of our eternal life!
As we continue with the Gospel readings from Luke in the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer, we see that word of Jesus and the miracles that had been performed had spread. Jesus had only recently started His ministry, but news spread of the people that had been healed. The paralyzed were now walking, demons had been cast out of the afflicted and people were coming to see for themselves (vs. 17-19). For many people, they came to see Jesus to receive a miracle for themselves, or at least witness one. Perhaps they needed healing from some ailment, or they wanted to see something spectacular happen. Others thought that Jesus would bring them good fortune. Some of them thought He was something like a magician, and that all they needed to do was to just touch Him and they would receive a miracle, like some lucky charm. These people might not have cared about the teachings that Jesus gave, and possibly were not even listening. Then there were those who did seek Jesus out for the message He taught about God, not just for what they could get for themselves.
What brings people to Jesus today? There are some who come to Him for healing, either for themselves or a loved one. Others for a financial breakthrough when they are in need. Whatever draws them to Jesus, my prayer is that they will also open their ears to hear His message of salvation. Whatever initially brings someone to Jesus is good, if it ends up bringing another soul to salvation.
As Luke continues his narrative, we see Jesus giving an abbreviated version of the Beatitudes that were related more in full in Matthew 5. Since there were no television, radio, or any other modern media at this time, Jesus quite possibly told some of His messages and teachings more than once to different audiences, to new crowds (vs. 20-23). These verses describe what it means to be a Christ-follower. As Christians these should be a standard of conduct for us. As we look at these verses, it is easy to see how these values contrast with that of the world. The world tells us to seek to become rich. TV and magazines entice us with displays of tempting foods. The world urges us to be popular.
As believers and followers of Jesus, we shouldn’t spend our time and effort seeking worldly wealth and comfort. Jesus left His throne in heaven to come to earth to bring salvation to mankind. While on earth He had no wealth. If we give up seeking after wealth, and instead seek after His kingdom, God promises that we will be blessed. If we have a hunger and thirst for the lost, we will be blessed. Though no one should actively seek out persecution, however when persecution comes for Jesus’s sake we will receive God’s blessings, as well.
Those who seek fulfillment only through worldly riches, that’s the only reward that they will get (vs. 24-26). Worldly riches do not last. How many people have lost their fortune in a stock market crash or in a costly divorce? Natural disasters can come and wipe out everything we have in an instant. No one can take their wealth with them after death! Jesus is warning us not to put our hearts on these things, but instead in what will last for eternity.
There were many people who were false prophets in Old Testament days (vs. 26). They only gave messages that the people wanted hear, such as prosperity and peace. There are plenty of false prophets today, just like them. Just because one likes to hear those messages doesn’t mean they are true. God does not bless human flattery, nor the words of those who like to tickle our ears with “good news”. Jesus warns us not to chase after the crowd’s praise, but instead to seek out God’s truth.
In closing, we can see through this passage that no matter what reasons have brought us to Jesus, let His love for us bring us to salvation through His shed Blood. Also, we should never seek comfort in this life at the expense of our eternal life!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)