Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
28 “And the Lord heard your words, when you spoke to me. And the Lord said to me, ‘I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. 29 Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants[a] forever! 30 Go and say to them, “Return to your tents.” 31 But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you the whole commandment and the statutes and the rules that you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.’32 You shall be careful therefore to do as the Lord your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Where does Deuteronomy 5:32-33 Lead Us?
Deuteronomy 5:32-33 in the King James Version of the Bible says:
“Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.”
This passage comes from the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Bible and is attributed to Moses. Deuteronomy is a book of laws and guidance for the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
In this specific passage, Moses is reiterating the importance of explicitly following the commands and instructions of the Lord in order to live a prosperous and fulfilling life.
The themes present in this passage are obedience, guidance, and the promise of blessings. The overarching theme is the sheer importance of obedience to God’s commands in order to walk, to experience, a blessed, good and prosperous life.
The passage emphasizes the idea that following God’s instructions will lead to blessings and a fulfilling life.
The context of this passage is important to understand its significance.
The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for forty years, and they were about to enter the Promised Land.
Moses, their leader for the last 40 years, knew that they needed to be reminded of the importance of following God’s commands in order to succeed in their new land. The book of Deuteronomy is essentially Moses’ final speeches to the Israelites, and he is impressing upon them the importance of obedience to God’s laws as they enter the land that God had promised to their ancestors.
The symbolism in this passage lies in the instructions to “not turn aside to the right hand or to the left” and to “walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you.”
This symbolism represents the critical idea of our staying on the path that God has set for us, not straying nor walking neither to the left or to the right from it.
It also symbolizes the idea of being disciplined, devoted, focused and 10000% committed to following God’s commands in order to experience the blessings and prosperity that he has promised.
The ancient passage can also be interpreted on a much deeper, spiritual level.
It can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian journey, with the “land we are promised” representing the spiritual promised land that believers are striving towards.
In this context, the passage emphasizes the over abundance of importance of following God’s commands, neither straying nor walking to the right or left in order to experience the fullness of life and His blessings in the spiritual realm.
Overall, this ancient biblical text from Deuteronomy 5:32-33 is a powerful reminder of the importance of straight line obedience to God’s commands.
It serves as a travel guide for living a fulfilling and prosperous life, both in the physical and spiritual realms. The passage carries a message of deep hope and a sure and true promise, reminding all believers by following God’s instructions, they will experience abundant blessings and a spiritually rich, meaningful life.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 1
The Two Ways
1 How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams[a] that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
4 The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand up in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
12 Watch out, brothers, so that there will not be in any one of you an evil heart lacking trust, which could lead you to apostatize from the living God! 13 Instead, keep exhorting each other every day, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you will become hardened by the deceit of sin. 14 For we have become sharers in the Messiah, provided, however, that we hold firmly to the conviction we began with, right through until the goal is reached.
15 Now where it says,
“Today, if you hear God’s voice, don’t harden your hearts, as you did in the Bitter Quarrel,”[a]
16 who were the people who, after they heard, quarreled so bitterly? All those whom Moshe brought out of Egypt. 17 And with whom was God disgusted for forty years? Those who sinned — yes, they fell dead in the Wilderness! 18 And to whom was it that he swore that they would not enter his rest? Those who were disobedient. 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of lack of trust.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Faith and belief unlocks the storehouse of God but doubt, unbelief locks it tight.
Are we hardcore stuck in doubt and unbelief – not walking in the land of Canaan and promise, where the Spirit of God, in all His blessing, falls and ignites?
We have a great number of churches in a great many wildernesses. We have a great many wilderness Christians in our churches – walking and stumbling and arguing and bickering and back biting and back stabbing humanities pettiness.
The wilderness is a place of death; a place of unrest; a place of aimlessness; and a place of dissatisfaction. They have never entered into Gods promises because they must enter by faith not by the sights and sounds of hardcore bitter debate.
Are we aimlessly wandering unbelieving churches, pews filled with aimlessly wandering, “don’t you dare think or pray over helping my unbelief” believers?
This devotion addresses the enemy of faith – doubt and unbelief, Hard, Harder, Hardcore, Hardened, Hardest Hearts of Stone immune to the best relief efforts.
Faith and Belief Comes by Hearing God’s Voice …
Romans 10:16-21 Disciples’ Literal New Testament
16 But[a] they did not all obey the good-news, for Isaiah says [in Isa 53:1], “Lord, who put-faith-in our report?” 17 So[b] the faith[c] comes from a report-hearing[d], and the report-hearing through a word[e] about[f] Christ.
But It Is Not As Though Israel Did Not Hear
18 But I say[g]— it is not that they did not hear[h], is it ? On the contrary: “Their voice went-out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world” [Ps 19:4].
And It Is Not As Though Israel Did Not Know
19 But I say— it is not that Israel did not know[i], is it ? First, Moses says [in Deut. 32:21] “I will provoke you to jealousy over what is not a nation. I will provoke you to anger over a nation without-understanding[j]”. 20 And Isaiah is very-bold and says [in Isa 65:1] “I was found by the ones not seeking Me. I became visible[k] to the ones not asking-for Me”. 21 But with-regard-to Israel He says [in Isa 65:2], “I held-out[l] My hands the whole day toward a disobeying[m] and contradicting[n] people”.
The Book of Hebrews was written to believers who were in a faith crisis – it was written to sternly warn them of the coming dangers of unbelief and doubt and to encourage them in their faith.
In our passage from Hebrews 3, we see God speaking – faith comes by hearing – but not just hearing – BUT 1hearing what God has to say and according to the scripture God is speaking!
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit Speaks
As the Holy Spirit says –– this passage draws attention to its Author the Holy Spirit – it links up with –
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, and Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord – In the former it is God, the Father, who “spoke.”
In Hebrews 2:3, it is the Son – here in Hebrews 3:7 the Speaker is the Spirit; thus, by linking together these three passages we hear all the Persons of the Godhead.
How does God speak? – through various means – reading the word – hearing the word – the inner voice – the prophetic word – the word of circumstances and situations – but all is based on the inspired written word of God the Bible.
As the Holy Spirit says – the tense of the verb used here; it is not “the Holy Spirit said,” but “says:” it is an ever-present, continuing living message to God’s people in each succeeding generation.
“Whatever was given by inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and is recorded in the Scripture is for the use of the Church today” “he that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches” Revelation chapters 2 and 3
When does God speak?
Today – “Today” signifies the present time, and it includes a continuance of it.
It is not to be limited to twenty-four hours; instead, this term covers a present interval which consists of many days or years.
Hebrews 3:13 says exhort one another daily, while it is called Today.
In Hebrews 13:8 it says Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.
What does God speak?
His voice – The “voice” of God is the declaration of His will, which demands our obedience.
His will is made known in His Word, which is a living Word, by which the voice of God is now uttered. Psalm 19 and Psalm 29and Psalm 119 and Psalm 139.
The Response to His Voice
Psalm 95:6-11 Complete Jewish Bible
6 Come, let’s bow down and worship; let’s kneel before Adonai who made us. 7 For he is our God, and we are the people in his pasture, the sheep in his care.
If only today you would listen to his voice: 8 “Don’t harden your hearts, as you did at M’rivah, as you did on that day at Massah in the desert, 9 when your fathers put me to the test; they challenged me, even though they saw my work. 10 For forty years I loathed that generation; I said, ‘This is a people whose hearts go astray, they don’t understand how I do things.’ 11 Therefore I swore in my anger that they would not enter my rest.”
If you will hear, will listen To “hear” God’s voice signifies,
to diligently ponder, to readily receive, and to heed or obey it. Hearing then implies an action that follows the hearing.
Notice where they strayed – In their minds?
No, in their hearts – God’s Word is addressed to the heart the center of our being out of which are the issues of life.
23 Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life’s consequences.
There may be conviction of the conscience, the assent of the intellect, the deep admiration of understanding, the realization of wisdom greater than our own is informing us, teaching us, but unless the heart is moved there is no response.
Here hardcore hardening of the heart is attributed to the person it is due to – neglect in not taking notice of the ways and means where God calls us to faith and obedience – forgetfulness and rejection of Gods Word and God’s works – a harder hardcore holding onto worldly pleasures preferring them to obedience
An unbelieving heart is an untrusting heart –
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life –
Deuteronomy 8:1-3
8 “All the mitzvot I am giving you today you are to take care to obey, so that you will live, increase your numbers, enter and take possession of the land Adonai swore about to your ancestors. 2 You are to remember everything of the way in which Adonai led you these forty years in the desert, humbling and testing you in order to know what was in your heart — whether you would obey his mitzvot or not. 3 He humbled you, allowing you to become hungry, and then fed you with man, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever known, to make you understand that a person does not live on food alone but on everything that comes from the mouth of Adonai.
Ten times Israel tested God as a result of unbelief –
When the Egyptians were marching after them – Exodus 14:11
At the bitter waters of Marah – Exodus 15:24
In wilderness of Sin when they complained about their lack of good food – Exodus 16:2
At Rephidim (Meribah, Massah) when they were thirsty- Exodus 17:2, 3
When they made a calf – Exodus 32:1
When they became like those who complain of adversity – Numbers 11:1
When they had “greedy desires” at Taberah – Numbers 11:4
When they complained about Moses after he married the Cushite woman – Numbers 12:1
After the spies brought back their report – Numbers 14:2
When they were thirsty and Moses failed to regard the Lord as holy – Numbers 20:1-13
Ten in biblical numerology refers to testing and tribulation
– notice that in these contexts it was man testing God not God testing man –
this is a sin of rebellion
“Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,” – the reference here is to what is recorded in the early verses of Exodus 17 – the congregation of Israel journeyed to Rephidim, where there was “no water for the people to drink.”
Instead of them counting on Jehovah to supply their need, as He had at Marah (Exodus 15:25) and in the wilderness of Sin – they murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?”
Though Moses cried unto the Lord, and the Lord graciously responded by bringing water out of the rock for them, yet God was greatly displeased.
In verse 7 we are told, “And he called the name of the place Massah (Temptation) and Meribah (Strife), because of the children of Israel and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not”.
Difficulties and trials of the way test us, this testing reveals the state of our hearts a crisis neither makes nor mars a person but it does manifest their real selves – while all is smooth sailing we appear to be getting along nicely – When the storm breaks, it is not so much that we fail under it, as that our habitual lack of leaning upon God, of daily walking in dependency upon Him, is made evident. Circumstances do not change us, but they do expose us as vulnerable.
The reason Israel murmured at Meribah was because there was no water; they were occupied with their circumstances, they were walking by sight. The crisis they then faced only served to make manifest the state of their hearts, namely, an “evil heart of unbelief.”
Had their trust been in Jehovah, they would at once have turned to Him, spread their need before Him, counted on Him to supply it. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?” (James 2:14).
“When your fathers tempted Me, proved Me and saw My works forty years”
God showed them wonder signs: did they trust and follow in faith?
And if Israel was not faithful to Moses, and their unbelief brought ruin upon them, how much more guilty shall we be, and how much greater our danger?
If we are not faithful to the Lord Jesus –
Israel’s sins in the wilderness are here pictured under two terms: they are “tempted” and “proved” God – to tempt one is to try or prove whether he be such as he is declared to be, or whether he can or will do such and such a thing.
By tempting God Israel found out by experience that He was indeed the God He had made Himself known to be.
In this passage the tempting of God is set down as a sin which provoked Him, and so is to be taken in its worst sense scenario.
Instead of believing His declaration Israel acted in unbelief.
“And saw My works forty years”
This is the inexcusableness of Israel’s sin.
It was not that God was a Stranger to them; again and again He had shown Himself strong on their behalf.
“Works” of God mentioned here are the many and great wonders which He did from the time that He first took them up in Egypt until the end of the wilderness journey.
Some of them were works of mercy – in delivering them from enemies and dangers, and in providing for them – others were works of judgment – the plagues upon the Egyptians, their destruction at the Red Sea – others were manifestations of Himself, by the Cloud which led them by day and by night, the awesome proofs of His presence on Sinai, and the Shekinah glory which filled the tabernacle.
These were not “works” done in bygone ages, or in far-distant places, of which they had only heard of; but were actually performed before them, upon them, which they “saw.”
What clearer evidence could they have of God’s providence and power?
Yet they tempted Him!
The clearest evidences God grants to us have no effect upon unbelieving and obdurate hearts.
The generation that came out of Egypt doubted God, and because of their doubt they never entered the land of Canaan – they sang the song of Moses
Exodus 15:1 “I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea!”-“God has delivered us how great He is!”
They believed Him to come out of Egypt but they didn’t believe Him enough to enter into Canaan – after Sinai, an eleven-day journey could have brought them into the Promised Land. But they had to send spies in to search out the land. God had said He would take care of them, but they didn’t believe God.
God yielded to their wishes and let them send in spies. Although the spies did see the wonderful land, they were most impressed by the giants, and they saw themselves as grasshoppers.
They didn’t see God. Except Caleb and Joshua who insisted that God could handle the giants if they trusted Him.
They spent forty years on a journey that should have taken a few days.
What was the reason?
Unbelief!
In Numbers 13 we learn lessons that are applicable to us today – representatives from each of the twelve tribes of Israel were selected to spy out the land of the twelve who went out…10 came back with a majority report – 2 came back with a minority report – there is a lesson here it is that the majority is not always right.
– from this incident we find out –
Doubt looks through mans eyes – Doubt always sees the obstacles – Doubt speaks a bad report – Faith sees with the eyes of God – Faith always sees the victory – Faith speaks a good report – Doubt leads to discontentment, rebellion and fear – Faith produces a positive attitude and peace – Faith glimpses the future – Why did the spies fall prey to the “grasshopper complex? – Negative thinking – exaggerating the situation – ergo, their desire to return to Egypt
Rest in Scripture “They shall not enter into my rest”
The rest of salvation – Matthew 11:28 when He said in effect, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” –
that is, I’ll lift the burden of sin from you.”
you don’t have to do anything so that God will forgive you; Christ has already done it when He died for you. All you have to do is believe and receive Christ.
The rest of redemption – no longer slaves in Egypt – they came out by blood – they came out by power God delivered them.
The rest of obedience – Matt. 11:29“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls”
We are now joined to a living Christ, and that is the only way we will enjoy Canaan – Canaan is not heaven it is the rest that believers are to have as they live on earth the only way to enter is to study and believe the Word of God.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
The Result of Unbelief and Doubt
The generation of Israel who came out of Egypt were cited to the Hebrew believers as a warning not to repeat their sin.
They could not enter in because of unbelief – we do not recognize and I am sure they did not recognize that doubting God’s Word is a serious sin – because it leads to other sins.
For these Israelites in the wilderness it led to calf worship; it led to fornication, and it led to an absolute denial and rejection of God, as they turned their backs upon Him and even wanted to go back to Egypt
Matthew 13:58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
The Antidote for Unbelief and Doubt
Exhort one another daily, while it is called – Today –
Exhort means to call near, i.e. invite, invoke by imploration, beseech, call for, pray – we have a responsibility to spur one another on in the faith – just as Caleb and Joshua attempted to do with the Israelites –we must obey Today because we will find that:
Immediate obedience is easier – Another opportunity may never come –
The desire to obey may fade – Time spent in sin is a waste
– Problems may arise to make obedience difficult if not impossible.
Procrastination will settle into the tillable earth …
Enough time passes, Procrastination will become the mighty Oak Tree …
Too many great and mighty Oak Trees eventually becomes a greater forest …
Then we spend too much time admiring the Greater Procrastination Forest.
Completely losing heart sight of the original call to obedience, belief and faith.
Then God, the Father and Son and Holy Spirit become hidden beneath the great canopy of Oak from the 11th world wonder Great Procrastination National Park.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 Complete Jewish Bible
3 For everything there is a season, a right time for every intention under heaven — 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to discard, 7 a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to keep silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his efforts? 10 I have seen the task God has given humanity to keep us occupied. 11 He has made everything suited to its time; also, he has given human beings an awareness of eternity; but in such a way that they can’t fully comprehend, from beginning to end, the things God does. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them to do than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live. 13 Still, the fact that everyone can eat and drink and enjoy the good that results from all his work, is a gift of God. 14 I know that
whatever God does will last forever; there is nothing to add or subtract from it; and God has done it so that people will fear him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
9 That night Adonai said to him, “Get up and attack the camp, because I have handed it over to you. 10 But if you are afraid to attack, go down with your servant Purah; 11 and after you hear what they are saying, you will have the courage to attack the camp.” So with his servant Purah he went down to the outposts of the camp.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
The Slow Walk to Fear or Spirit-Filled Boldness
Gideon knew a lot about fear and the hesitation it birthed.
He hesitated when God’s angel called him to lead Israel (Judges 6:13, 15).
He hesitated when Israel’s enemies gathered to oppose him (v 36-40).
And, it seems, he hesitated again the night before the battle in which God had promised victory (7:9-10).
And into this fear and hesitancy, God spoke.
Notice God’s grace and patience with Gideon as He says, “But if you are afraid…” and encourages him to take his servant down to the camp with him.
This is a sensitive way to address Gideon’s fear. It recognizes that, humanly speaking, there was great reason to be afraid! He was about to go into battle against an opponent whose soldiers outnumbered his by tens of thousands.
God didn’t rebuke him for his fear; instead, He gave him a valid reason to be bold and confident.
Like Gideon, we need such kind words from our Lord.
We are often slow to remember that we can cast all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). We can boldly approach lay down all of our burdens and fears at His feet.
The veil is torn.
We’re permitted to come to Him and say that we don’t know what to do.
And His response is always filled with grace and sensitivity towards us.
What makes this story even more beautiful is Gideon’s response to God’s gentle suggestion.
During his discreet visit to the enemy camp, he overhears two men discussing a dream, which one soldier interprets as meaning that they will fall under “the sword of Gideon” because “God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp” (Judges 7:14).
When Gideon hears that and realizes that God has indeed gone before him to do what is impossible for him to do alone, what does he do? “He worshiped” (v 15).
There’s such wealth of gratitude and wisdom contained in that response.
Facing impossible odds but assured of God’s promise, this fearful, fragile, unlikely leader poured out his heart in worship and praise, and prayer and then utilized his new found God-given gift of steady courage to rally his troops. His boldness came from a private, secret moment between him and the Lord God.
There’s a difference between personality-driven schemes for manipulating people and genuine, Spirit-filled boldness.
One is produced on a purely human plane and is apt to crumble; the other can be discovered only as we humble ourselves before God, we freely acknowledge our inadequacy, and turn to His Word, remember His infinitely greater sufficiency.
That is a firm place on which to take our stand.
The antidote to fear isn’t more fear or more folly to think more highly of yourself, as so many claim. It’s to think more highly, reverently, of God.
It’s to trust in God’s enablement, over our own, which can grant you a holy, humble boldness beyond compare.
What are you fearful of right now?
Why are you delaying?
Why are you procrastinating?
Why are you hanging around, lingering, malingering, in all those shadows?
Why are you, like Jonah, looking for the fastest and most discrete ship to sail far in the opposite direction, to the furthest possible point away from the action?
What are you making what are obviously the world’s worst excuses against?
What responsibility are you really trying your hardcore hardest to avoid doing?
What lie or truth are you really trying your hardcore hardest to avoid learning?
Did Nathan visit your throne room? Is there a Psalm 51 thing you are avoiding?
Is there a truth you are trying your hardcore hardest to keep the deepest secret?
In what way are you tempted to hang back even though God is calling you to walk forward in obedience? Bring your fears to God. Ask Him to show you His ability to do what you cannot. Then trust Him, worship Him, and obey Him.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 32 Complete Jewish Bible
32 (0) By David. A maskil:
(1) How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven, those whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit!
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long; 4 day and night your hand was heavy on me; the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah)
5 When I acknowledged my sin to you, when I stopped concealing my guilt, and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”; then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah)
6 This is what everyone faithful should pray at a time when you can be found. Then, when the floodwaters are raging, they will not reach to him.
7 You are a hiding-place for me, you will keep me from distress; you will surround me with songs of deliverance. (Selah)
8 “I will instruct and teach you in this way that you are to go; I will give you counsel; my eyes will be watching you.”
9 Don’t be like a horse or mule that has no understanding, that has to be curbed with bit and bridle, or else it won’t come near you.
10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but grace surrounds those who trust in Adonai. 11 Be glad in Adonai; rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
14 But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
The authority, sufficiency, infallibility, and inerrancy of Scripture are doctrines that are absolutely foundational to the ongoing work of God and His church.
We well can we authentically engage a slowly disintegrating, lost and hurting world with the gospel truth unless we are 100% convinced of its divine origin.
As Bishop J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) wrote, without the Bible as a “divine book to turn to as the basis of their doctrine and practice,” Christians “have no solid ground for present peace or hope, and has no right to claim the attention of mankind.”[1]
1Bible Inspiration: Its Reality and Nature(William Hunt, 1877), p 6.
Apostle Paul towards the end of his life, addressed this very issue when he sternly reminded Timothy that “all Scripture is breathed out by God.”
In other words, the Bible is not a human product infused with divinity; it’s a divine gift produced through human instrumentality. Its every book, chapter, sentence, word and syllable was originally given by God’s inspiration.
The doctrine of Scripture, like many other Christian doctrines, can be hugely challenging to grapple with.
But the fact that something is difficult to understand does not undermine its depths of authentic hardcore truthfulness.
Furthermore, when it comes to the doctrine of Scripture, there are matters that we can consider objectively.
For example, it’s easy to see that the Bible is a completely harmonious work.
While it was written by more than thirty authors over a period of about fifteen hundred years, all the writers tell the same story, giving the same account of this world, the character of its Creator, and the problem of the human heart, and broken spirit all pointing to the same wonderful way of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God—all the way from Genesis through Revelation!
The Bible also transcends time, culture, gender, wealth, power and intellect.
Some books may fit a certain person, a certain era, or a certain place, but there is no other book that perfectly stands up to the challenges of every day and of every age and to the myriad and myriad of questions that confronts life itself.
The brightest minds, the greatest thinkers, charismatic of speakers, cannot exhaust the riches of God’s word, and yet, at the same time, even young girls and boys can read their Bibles and discover its truth transforming their lives.
Try to plumb for yourselves the utter depths of Genesis 1:1 Amplified Bible
The Creation
1 In the beginning God ([a]Elohim) [b]created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth.
Your efforts may be so vast, so comprehensive, so mind boggling, so fully enriching, so empowering, overwhelming, you may never get to verse 2.
2 The earth was [a]formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.
Once you look up at a clear star filled night sky or through a telescope, at the pictures from the Hubble and James Webb Space telescopes, try to calculate what it means to go from one end of the universe to the other or trying to find the exact center of an ever expanding universe then hearing that it would take you tens of trillions of light years (look that up) if not more to accomplish it.
Who else but God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit can ever hope to speak of it in such a way that the finite intellect and wisdom of mankind can grasp even .01% what our own finite eyes can observe and thoughts grasp?
Psalm 19 Amplified Bible
The Works and the Word of God.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
19 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands. 2 Day after day pours forth speech, And night after night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars]; Their voice is not heard. 4 Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth, Their words to the end of the world. In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul; The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed]; In keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults. 13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins; Let them not rule and have control over me. Then I will be blameless (complete), And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.
The authority, sufficiency, infallibility, and inerrancy of Scripture are the grounds on which we must stand; and we have divine help in order to do so.
The same Spirit that inspired the word of God illumines the word of God and illuminates our sin darkened wisdom, convinces us that it is 100% the word of God, given to us so that we may believe in Him who is the Word made flesh.
It is as the Spirit does this work in you that your belief in the divine authorship of Scripture is undergirded and moves from only being an intellectual assent to becoming a doctrine raising to becoming an active starvation level hunger for more of the word—and more of the one who is both its author and its subject.
The Power of the Word of God, the Word of Truth
Acts 6:5-8 Amplified Bible
5 The suggestion pleased the whole congregation; and they selected [a]Stephen, a man full of faith [in Christ Jesus], and [filled with and led by] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Nikolaos), a proselyte (Gentile convert) from Antioch. 6 They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service].
7 And the message of God kept on growing and spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith [accepting Jesus as Messiah and acknowledging Him as the Source of eternal salvation].
8 Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing, favor) and power, was doing great wonders and signs (attesting miracles) among the people.
It is tucked away almost like a fleeting footnote within the biblical story of the rapid growth of the church of Christ in the first months after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven.
And yet, recalling the rejection and betrayal Jesus experienced from his very own people, these so few words in today’s verse come as a surprise: “a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”
Perhaps for a while these priests had gone along with the efforts of their leaders, thinking that if they could force people to stop talking about Jesus, the whole matter would just go away.
Perhaps for a while they had tried to go along with covering up the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection.
It was probably very difficult for some of these priests to change; after all, they had spent their whole lives serving in the temple worship, bringing sacrifices and doing many other rituals on behalf of the people. But now they were called to fulfill new previously unknown roles as believers in Jesus, whom they had opposed but who was also acknowledged the Messiah they had been waiting for.
This little footnote note reminds us how the penetrating virus of self-deception can be overwhelmed and healed by the medicine of simply admitting the truth.
As Jesus himself promised, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
Are you ready acknowledge Jesus as God’s Messiah?
Are we ready to acknowledge the Word of God as being 100% authentic?
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 29
A psalm by David.
1 Give to Yahweh, you heavenly beings. Give to Yahweh glory and power. 2 Give to Yahweh the glory his name deserves. Worship Yahweh in his holy splendor.
3 The voice of Yahweh rolls over the water. The El of glory thunders. Yahweh shouts over raging water. 4 The voice of Yahweh is powerful. The voice of Yahweh is majestic. 5 The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars. Yahweh splinters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip along like a calf and Mount Sirion like a wild ox. 7 The voice of Yahweh strikes with flashes of lightning. 8 The voice of Yahweh makes the wilderness tremble. Yahweh makes the wilderness of Kadesh tremble. 9 The voice of Yahweh splits the oaks[a] and strips the trees of the forests bare. Everyone in his temple is saying, “Glory!”
10 Yahweh sat enthroned over the flood. Yahweh sits enthroned as Melek forever. 11 Yahweh will give power to his people. Yahweh will bless his people with peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
1 The proverbs of Shlomo the son of David, king of Isra’el, 2 are for learning about wisdom and discipline; for understanding words expressing deep insight; 3 for gaining an intelligently disciplined life, doing what is right, just and fair; 4 for endowing with caution those who don’t think and the young person with knowledge and discretion. 5 Someone who is already wise will hear and learn still more; someone who already understands will gain the ability to counsel well; 6 he will understand proverbs, obscure expressions, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of Adonai is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Two things my parents always tried to teach me growing up: what we need are ‘wisdom’ and ‘discipline’. ‘Wisdom’ is living from God’s perspective on life and ‘discipline’ is having the character to consistently do what you know is right.
We must have a “starvation level” of hunger for God’s wisdom and pursue it. Reverent Fear of God is the first step in the quest for a meaningful existence.
Acquiring wisdom is not a particularly hard thing to do.
Who we hang around with, who we call our friends, who we call our enemies, who we choose to ignore or to scorn altogether for some arbitrary reason has a huge influence on who you become. God says Choose your relationships wisely.
Good and blessed things tend to flow from wise and disciplined behavior both exhibited in public or in private ways (but not in a magical or guaranteed way).
Lady Wisdom yearns to set people free from their foolish ways and to impart a spirit of wisdom to them so that they will become more disciplined and wise.
Wisdom proactively shouts and cries out to the simple-minded, urging them to change.
How often she has called out to us.
How often we have neglected her advice – to our own detriment.
If we reject the call of wisdom over and over again, we move beyond the reach of her help. We may then search for her but it may will be far too late. We will have eaten too much, stomached too much of the bitter fruit of living our own way.
Our own complacency will have destroyed us.
What’s the point?
Listen to wisdom!
Accept her advice and pay attention to her correction.
If you do, you will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm.
Do we hear the shriek of urgency of Wisdom’s appeal!
Her appeal is made to all.
To be complacent is as bad as outright rejection.
Lady Wisdom wants the fool, the inexperienced, immature (simple), and the mocker to know and see for themselves the horrible consequences of their not obeying her, so they will turn back to God respond positively to her right away.
Great advice for wise living.
While I do not want to be thought of as an “all wise know-it-all,” I definitely don’t want to be a fool.
The word “fool” is used more than 80 times in the Bible. None of those men-tions me by name, but I don’t want the descriptions there to fit me either. I especially don’t want to be listed as a fool in some record that God might keep.
Thankfully, Proverbs is a book that God gives to help us, to inform us, to see and hear just what a fool is so that we can fight against becoming one. From the beginning it pits wisdom against foolishness. Sometimes the invitation is to embrace what is wise; other times the challenge is to fist fight what is foolish.
Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings that tell us the way things are.
In this world there is wisdom, and there is folly. Wisdom comes from reading and studying to learn disciplined living God’s way, and folly comes from going our own way. God gives us Proverbs to help us see that our heart and character must 100% be shaped by him, so we can live wisely in all kinds of situations.
Ultimately, disciplined living, morally, ethically, wisely, is 100% about being more Christlike than flesh like: having the mind of Christ, who is perfectly wise.
The Bible calls Jesus “the wisdom of God.” And a wisdom-shaped heart, and a wisdom crafted wisdom shape soul and spirit is essentially one that has Christ at the exact center of it. In that way, I want to be that “Christ-Like wise guy.”
If any of us, are fool enough to believe we are all wise
Shalom!
2 Regard it all as joy, my brothers, when you face various kinds of temptations; 3 for you know that the testing of your trust produces perseverance. 4 But let perseverance do its complete work; so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing. 5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in trust, doubting nothing; for the doubter is like a wave in the sea being tossed and driven by the wind. 7 Indeed that person should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 because he is double-minded, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-5 CJB)
It takes a lot of wisdom to run a business.
It takes a lot of wisdom to be a good husband and a good wife
It takes a lot of wisdom to raise children.
It takes a lot of wisdom to be a family to reverently fear, honor, worship God.
It takes a lot of wisdom to be a teacher or a leader in the community.
It takes a lot of wisdom to be a faithful, conscientious worker and to live well, especially as a Christian in these days of foolish rampant divisive immorality.
Think of all the issues we face every day.
Where shall I draw the line between what is right and what is wrong?
How shall I determine what is moral and what is immoral?
How shall I determine what is ethical and what is unethical?
How can I make decisions that are God directed, disciplined, and wise?
The entire book of Proverbs in the Old Testament is written to help believers draw the line in the sand between what is Godly wisdom and human folly.
When Solomon came to the throne to fill the shoes of his father, David, the first thing he asked God for was a wise and discerning heart. (1 Kings 3:4 – 14)
This request pleased God greatly.
Here in the New Covenant book of James, God repeats how pleased he is when his children ask for wisdom.
God is so pleased that he will never turn them down.
What an invitation!
We learn wisdom through disciplined study of God’s Word.
We gain wisdom through the experiences of living.
We develop wisdom by watching and learning from others.
We also receive wisdom when we ask God for it.
According to James, we all ought to be praying for wisdom daily.
James 5:14-20 Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Pray For One Another So That You May Be Healed
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him summon the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, having anointed[a] him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of [b] faith will restore[c] the one being ill, and the Lord will raise him. And if he has committed[d] sins, it will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore be confessing-out[e] your sins to one another, and be praying for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer[f] of a righteous person can-do much while working[g]. 17 Elijah was a person of-like-nature to us, and he prayed with prayer[h] that it not rain. And it did not rain upon the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Try To Turn Back Those Who Stray From The Truth
19 My brothers, if anyone among you errs[i] from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that the one having turned-back a sinner from the error of his way will save his[j] soul[k] from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.
And “God, who 100% gives generously to all without finding fault,” will give it.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 14 Complete Jewish Bible
14 (0) For the leader. By David:
(1) Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They deal corruptly, their deeds are vile, not one does what is right.
2 From heaven Adonai observes humankind to see if anyone has understanding, if anyone seeks God. 3 But all turn aside, all alike are corrupt; no one does what is right, not a single one. 4 Don’t they ever learn, all those evildoers, who eat up my people as if eating bread and never call on Adonai? 5 There they are, utterly terrified; for God is with those who are righteous. 6 You may mock the plans of the poor, but their refuge is Adonai.
7 How I wish Isra’el’s salvation would come out of Tziyon! When Adonai restores his people’s fortunes, Ya‘akov will rejoice, Isra’el will be glad!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
15-16 Don’t interfere with good people’s lives; don’t try to get the best of them. No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don’t stay down long; Soon they’re up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Good men have resilient souls!
Will Lucy of the Peanuts comic strips ever stop enjoying pulling the football away from Charlie Brown when he tries to kick it? Will Charlie Brown ever learn to just stop the insanity and the hurt and the humiliation of falling on his back and instead, just walk away, go somewhere else, far away from Lucy’s antics?
As a young entertainer, Will Rogers’ stage specialty used to be rope tricks. One day, on stage, in the middle of his act, he became tangled in his lariat. But instead of becoming frustrated, Rogers laughed and spoke up in his Oklahoma drawl, “A rope ain’t so bad to get tangled up in if ain’t around your neck!”
The audience just roared at his impromptu response. Encouraged by his warm reception, Rogers began adding commentary and satire to all his performances.
It was his commentary, not his rope tricks, that eventually made him famous.
Had Will Rogers not become tangled in his rope that day, he might never have discovered his ability to wow crowds with his charm, wit and witticisms. That’s because, very often, our mistakes open doors to new possibilities that we never would have ever imagined had things gone the way we had originally intended.
Understanding this can give us a new perspective on our mistakes. When we begin to see our mishaps as opportunities to learn new things and gain new experiences, it completely transforms our outlook on our lives and ourselves.
Don’t let your mistakes discourage you. Instead, look for what God is teaching you through them and swiftly go in new directions. Be willing to turn around, learn blessings from your shortcomings and your mistakes will mature you!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you to learn blessings instead of curses, positive life lessons from your mistakes that would timely spur you on to spiritual maturity.
Questions for Thought
2 Timothy 3:14-17 The Message
14-17 But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
Think of a mistake you’ve made in the past that has actually helped you. What would have happened if things had gone the way you had originally planned?
How can we re-interpret our worldview, seeing our mistakes as true growth opportunities change the way you respond when things don’t go your way?
Did you remember to turn your attention to the Word of God for His Wisdom?
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 15 The Message
15 God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?
2 “Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.
3-4 “Don’t hurt your friend, don’t blame your neighbor; despise the despicable.
5 “Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe.
“You’ll never get blacklisted if you live like this.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
1 O Yahweh, out of the depths I call to you. 2 O Adonay, hear my voice. Let your ears be open to my pleas for mercy. 3 O Yahweh, who would be able to stand if you kept a record of sins? 4 But with you there is forgiveness so that you can be feared. 5 I wait for Yahweh, my soul waits, and with hope I wait for his word. 6 My soul waits for Adonay more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. 7 O Israel, put your hope in Yahweh, because with Yahweh there is mercy and with him there is unlimited forgiveness. 8 He will rescue Israel from all its sins.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Many of the Psalms in the Psalter are penitential hymns, where the people of God cry out to Him for confession and forgiveness or plead for His mercy and blessing. Like us, ancient writers knew that the Lord God is faithful to hear our needy prayer and by God’s standard, quick to answer our pitiful cries for help.
From the moment that Adam and Eve fell, the individual sins we all commit and the inherited sin nature we received from our forefathers, inevitably renders us all as 100% guilty sinners before the Lord.
Our transgressions condemn us and separate us from a holy God.
Without any exceptions, We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and if God were to mark our iniquities not one of us could remain standing. On that hard truth alone, everyman who has been fathered by man is lost in their trespasses and sins and, without any exceptions, be found guilty before God.
The ancient words of the Psalmist are, still today, indeed a chilling reality of what we justly deserve as a member of a rebellious, sinful race of men, for if the Lord should mark our iniquities as we justly deserve, which of us could stand?
But God in His boundless, ceaseless, unlimited mercy, grace, justice, and love sent His Son to us to pay the penalty of every last sin committed by everyman.
Romans 6:23 Names of God Bible
23 The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Yeshua our Lord.
Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, for as we read: “If the Lord should mark our iniquities, who could stand?”
But there is true forgiveness; eternal forgiveness with our Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, that the Lord may be worshipped and glorified for ever and ever.
Coming to Faith: Trust His Love Has Redeemed Us
The eternal redemption afforded to us by the powerful sacrifice of Jesus is a wonderful, life-giving demonstration of God’s unconditional, unchanging love.
I’ve gone through much of my life being bullied, scorned. feeling condemned.
My mindset was to look at my thoughts, actions, reactions, and failures and apply my condemning perspective to my perception of my heavenly Father.
But, in reality, over time, he has so faithfully demonstrated his overwhelming love to me through the securing of my redemption. In reality, he truly loves me just as I am even with all my countless failures, failings, mistakes and faults.
Colossians 1:19-22 Names of God Bible
19 God was pleased to have all of himself live in Christ. 20 God was also pleased to bring everything on earth and in heaven back to himself through Christ. He did this by making peace through Christ’s blood sacrificed on the cross.
21 Once you were separated from God. The evil things you did showed your hostile attitude. 22 But now Christ has brought you back to God by dying in his physical body. He did this so that you could come into God’s presence without sin, fault, or blame.
God sees you and me as “holy and blameless.”
Through his love we have been totally redeemed: set right before the God whose perspectives and beliefs are true above all else. When he says we are redeemed, that truth is now meant to be at the foundation of all we think, believe, and do.
Psalm 130:7 says, “O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.”
You and I are redeemed apart from anything we do. We are made holy apart from any inherent ability or worthiness we possess. God’s passionate desire for restored relationship with us caused him to secure what you and I could never attain on our own: the eternal redemption of all who believe in Jesus Christ.
So what does it mean for you to be redeemed?
What effect does redemption have on your day today?
1 Peter 1:14-15“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
Live your life today in greater light of the redemption secured for you by Jesus.
Allow the Holy Spirit to do a mighty work and help you live differently today than you did yesterday. Your past failures and weaknesses do not define you.
Your present misconceptions and sins can be forgiven, healed, and transformed this instant.
Jesus made a clear path for you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians 4:1-6).
Ephesians 4:1-6 Names of God Bible
Christ’s Gifts to the Church
4 I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live the kind of life which proves that God has called you. 2 Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other. 3 Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives. 4 There is one body and one Spirit. In the same way you were called to share one hope. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything.
All that is required of you, me, we, is to confess with all our heart, believe, trust, open your heart to God, and live today in the constant communion God desires with you. May your day today be filled with all of the life-giving transformation and freedom that comes from living in the light of your present redemption.
Guided Prayer:
1. Meditate on the redemption secured for you by the powerful sacrifice of Jesus.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7
“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalm 130:7
“He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:12
2. Where have sins, lies, past failures, or wounds been causing you to live apart from your redemption?
Where has your life looked more like the world and less like heaven? Confess those sins and your need of God’s forgiveness, transformation, and presence.
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19-20
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
3. Receive God’s forgiveness. Spend time opening, surrendering, bit by bit, piece by piece, and chunk by chunk, your heart and receiving his presence.
“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” Psalm 130:3-4
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
Our heavenly Father is wholly patient with us as we learn to live out this incredible gift of redemption.
He is perfectly kind and forgiving when we come to him and confess our sin.
And God has a perfect plan every day for our transformation, healing, and freedom if we will but simply make .0001% more space in our lives to spend time with Him, His Son and the Holy Spirit and will receive all he has to give.
Through the diligent study of His Living Word, May we as the body of Christ truly learn what it is to live in light of the glorious inheritance of redemption, and freedom, and abundant life secured for us by the precious blood of Jesus.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 15 Names of God Bible
Psalm 15
A psalm by David.
1 O Yahweh, who may stay in your tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one who walks with integrity, does what is righteous, and speaks the truth within his heart.
3 The one who does not slander with his tongue, do evil to a friend, or bring disgrace on his neighbor.
4 The one who despises those rejected by Yahweh but honors those who fear Yahweh.
The one who makes a promise and does not break it, even though he is hurt by it.
5 The one who does not collect interest on a loan or take a bribe against an innocent person.
Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
(1) How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven, those whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit!
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long; 4 day and night your hand was heavy on me; the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah)
5 When I acknowledged my sin to you, when I stopped concealing my guilt, and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”; then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah)
6 This is what everyone faithful should pray at a time when you can be found. Then, when the floodwaters are raging, they will not reach to him.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Sin, Guilt and Your Health – A Health Devotional.
This morning, during my quiet time with God, I was reading Psalm 32 and was reminded of the connection between sin, guilt and health. In this Psalm, David writes when he tried to hide his adultery, sending Uriah to his death, refused to confess his sin that he felt weak and miserable and that he groaned all day long. He also writes that his strength evaporated like water in the dry summer heat.
After reading two other Psalm 32 devotionals, I knew that I wanted to write on this topic of sin, guilt and our health and the interrelationship between them.
Sin, Guilt and Health – What the Bible Says
Psalm 32:1-6 Amplified Bible
Blessedness of Forgiveness and of Trust in God.
Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, favored by God] is he whose transgression is forgiven, And whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute wickedness, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all the day long. 4 For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me; My [b]energy (vitality, strength) was drained away as with the burning heat of summer. Selah. 5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And I did not hide my wickedness; I said, “I will confess [all] my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. 6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You [for forgiveness] in a time when You [are near and] may be found; Surely when the great waters [of trial and distressing times] overflow they will not reach [the spirit in] him.
Those who work in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and social services are often confronted with a strong correlation between what is happening in a person’s heart and mind and what is being displayed in that person’s body.
God’s word speaks into this connection and then goes deeper, for it tells us that there is a connection between the state of our body and the state of our soul.
In Psalm 32, David speaks very personally to God, acknowledging the heaviness he experienced when he hid in the shadows and refused to confess his sin against Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah (see 2 Samuel 11).
And through David, the Spirit teaches us that there is a link between a tortured conscience and lack of repentance, and our physical wellbeing.
Those who were in David’s immediate company may not have been aware of what was going on inside him spiritually, but they could not have avoided the rather obvious manifestations of what was happening to him physically.
The description he provides adds to the account he gives elsewhere: “My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me. My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off” (Psalm 38:10-11). It’s a quite devastating picture.
David recognized his condition for what it was: a punishment.
The Bible makes it clear that there is a natural outcome to lust, excess, and a disregard for the commands of God (see Romans 1:24-25)—all of which David was guilty of. Mood swings, frailty, weight loss, sleeplessness, a deepening sense of rejection, melancholy, anxiety, and despair often haunt individuals who are seeking to hide their “secret” sin from God and deny it to themselves.
What restored David was not a health kick or getting to bed earlier but rather dealing with the root cause—his sin: “I acknowledged my sin to you … and you forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).
God kept His hand heavy upon David until Nathan showed up and told him a story which convicted him.
Then David left his throne, placed his sin into God’s hands and asked Him to help him deal with it. It is a blessing to us when God does not allow us to forget our sin—when we feel physical heaviness because of our spiritual sickness.
It is His means of bringing us to do what we most need: to confess it and ask for forgiveness for it.
Fortunately we have a God who loves us incredibly and because of this, he freely reveals his mercy, he forgives us of our sins when we confess our wrongdoings.
Because of the magnitude of his mercy and his forgiveness of our sins, believers should be able to freely surrender over any guilt or shame that they feel.
God does not want us to experience the heaviness associated with chronic guilt.
His desire is that we live in peace and joy which is available to us when we confess our wrongdoings and believe that God gives us mercy, forgives us.
Peace and joy are health-promoting compared to chronic guilt which can be damaging to our health in more ways than anyone dares to acknowledge.
Are we harboring sin?
Do not cloak it; confess it. David experienced liberating relief from his pain and distress when he sought God’s forgiveness.
You too can know that joy, for the promise of God’s word is that
“if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
A Few Questions to Reflect On:
Are you holding on to guilt and shame because of some past or current sin in your life?
Are you perhaps weak and miserable or plagued with a chronic health related condition – Headaches, High Blood Pressure, tiredness, fatigue, heart ailments that could be caused by the physical strains of coping with long-term guilt?
As soon as possible, to rule out any potentially serious disorder, go see your Primary Care Medical Team for proper assessment, evaluation and treatment
How about issues of anxiety, mood disorders, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, mood swings, irritability, shorter than usual temper control etcetera.
As soon as possible, seek out Licensed Professional Mental Health providers for a proper clinical assessment, evaluation, and therapeutic treatment modalities.
Relieving The Burden of our Guilt and God’s Grace
Psalm 32:6 Amplified Bible
6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You [for forgiveness] in a time when You [are near and] may be found; Surely when the great waters [of trial and distressing times] overflow they will not reach [the spirit in] him.
Psalm 32 reminds me that a moral compass is embedded within everyone’s heart. When we do not chart our lives by that compass, we feel genuine guilt.
David spoke to that reality in Psalm 32. He had made a total mess of his life. His moral failures included adultery, conspiracy and murder. David acknowledged that when we mess up, we are eaten up inside if we keep quiet until a someone tells us a story, we convict ourselves. David had an inner urge to confess his sin.
Once confronted by Nathan, thus came his release. David confessed his sin to the Lord. Yes, there were people in his life with whom David needed to come clean. But only God could grant the full pardon his soul craved. When we mess up, our guilt is first of all toward our Creator, whose law we have violated.
How do you find real forgiveness?
If you have not confessed sins which you feel guilty of, I urge you to prayerfully make that confession to God so you and those around you or those you will soon meet, can return to feeling peaceful and joyful, which is God’s will for your life.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 42 Complete Jewish Bible
Book II: Psalms 42–72
42 (0) For the leader. A maskil of the descendants of Korach:
2 (1) Just as a deer longs for running streams, God, I long for you. 3 (2) I am thirsty for God, for the living God! When can I come and appear before God?
4 (3) My tears are my food, day and night, while all day people ask me, “Where is your God?” 5 (4) I recall, as my feelings well up within me, how I’d go with the crowd to the house of God, with sounds of joy and praise from the throngs observing the festival.
6 (5) My soul, why are you so downcast? Why are you groaning inside me? Hope in God, since I will praise him again for the salvation that comes from his presence. 7 (6) My God, when I feel so downcast, I remind myself of you from the land of Yarden, from the peaks of Hermon, from the hill Mizar. 8 (7) Deep is calling to deep at the thunder of your waterfalls; all your surging rapids and waves are sweeping over me. 9 (8) By day Adonai commands his grace, and at night his song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life. 10 (9) I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, under pressure by the enemy? 11 (10) My adversaries’ taunts make me feel as if my bones were crushed, as they ask me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’ ”
12 (11) My soul, why are you so downcast? Why are you groaning inside me? Hope in God, since I will praise him again for being my Savior and God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
1 I will highly praise you, my Elohim, the Melek. I will bless your name forever and ever. 2 I will bless you every day. I will praise your name forever and ever.
3 Yahweh is great, and he should be highly praised. His greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation will praise your deeds to the next. Each generation will talk about your mighty acts. 5 I will think about the glorious honor of your majesty and the miraculous things you have done. 6 People will talk about the power of your terrifying deeds, and I will tell about your greatness. 7 They will announce what they remember of your great goodness, and they will joyfully sing about your righteousness. 8 Yahweh is merciful, compassionate, patient, and always ready to forgive. 9 Yahweh is good to everyone and has compassion for everything that he has made. 10 Everything that you have made will give thanks to you, O Yahweh, and your faithful ones will praise you. 11 Everyone will talk about the glory of your kingdom and will tell the descendants of Adam about your might 12 in order to make known your mighty deeds and the glorious honor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Your empire endures throughout every generation.
14 Yahweh supports everyone who falls. He straightens the backs of those who are bent over. 15 The eyes of all creatures look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand, and you satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17 Yahweh is fair in all his ways and faithful in everything he does. 18 Yahweh is near to everyone who prays to him, to every faithful person who prays to him. 19 He fills the needs of those who fear him. He hears their cries for help and saves them. 20 Yahweh protects everyone who loves him, but he will destroy all wicked people.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh, and all living creatures will praise his holy name forever and ever.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
David’s Generational Psalm of Praise
A. The Psalmist David, speaking on our behalf, on behalf of all generations to come, makes a vow to bless the name of the LORD “forever and ever” (Psalm 145:1); “Every day” to bless Him; to praise His name “for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:2). This is the only Psalm in the book with the words “of praise” in its title.
A lone voice opens the Psalm:
“I” will extol thee; “I” will bless (Psalm 145:1); “I” will bless; “I” will praise (Psalm 145:2).
“I” will speak and declare (Psalm 145:5-6).
The singer refers to the LORD as “my God, O king” (Psalm 145:1), and speaks “of the glorious honour of thy majesty” (Psalm 145:5).
This song of repeated praise is addressed to no earthly king, but to One King whose kingdom ‘is an everlasting kingdom’ (Psalm 145:13).
It is wonderful when, in our alone times with God, in our study and our prayer times, in our worship times, in our fellowship times, meal times, husband and wife times, family times, camping under the stars, we become thus enamored with singing His praises: but what we’ll discover about God, what we discover God to be, is not only for our alone times, but is also to be shared with others.
This is the role of ours and heavens testimony. “Generations” shall praise and declare, one to another (Psalm 145:4). We must not only pray for our children, and children’s children, etc.; but must teach them the great works of God, and obediently pass on to them the mantle of praise down through the generations.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Names of God Bible
4 Listen, Israel: Yahweh is our Elohim. Yahweh is the only God. 5 Love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 Take to heart these words that I give you today. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. 8 Write them down, and tie them around your wrist, and wear them as headbands as a reminder. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
The word ‘men’ is not in the Hebrew of Psalm 145:6a, but by the next verse there is a reference to a plurality of persons – “they” – who shall utter and sing (Psalm 145:7).
The “glorious honor” of His majesty is shown forth in His “wondrous works” (Psalm 145:5; cf. Creation story (Genesis 1,2) the Incarnation, the Cross, the Resurrection of Jesus, His Ascension, His intercession at the right hand of God, His Coming in Glory; also, the day of Pentecost the shedding abroad of the Holy Spirit).
“The LORD is gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalm 145:8).
This is similar to the self-revelation of the LORD unto Moses (cf. Exodus 34:6).
It is an integral part of Israel’s understanding of their God (cf. Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Jonah 4:2).
The last Hebrew word in Psalm 145:8, ‘hesed,’ speaks of covenant love, God not dealing with us as we deserve, but dealing with us as we are in Christ Jesus.
The long-suffering of God is the last thread of hope for a perishing generation (cf. 2 Peter 3:9).
We encounter a word which is translated “all” or “every” seventeen times throughout this Psalm.
There is a sense of inclusiveness here, but also the particularity of “each” (Psalm 145:9).
To say that the LORD is good to “all” could be quite general: to say that His tender mercies, or compassion, are over “all” His works, or “all” that He has made, is more specific, much, much deeper in its “heart-soul” implications.
We read in the New Testament about the whole Creation groaning (cf. Romans 8:22), eagerly awaiting the revelation of the children of God (cf. Romans 8:19).
Not only so, but those who have the firstfruits of the Spirit (Christians) are also groaning within ourselves as we await the redemption of the body (cf. Romans 8:23). Even the sufferings of the present time become more endurable when we consider the glory of our Savior God yet to be revealed in us (cf. Romans 8:18).
This psalm shows us the other side of that coin.
All of Creation shall praise the LORD, all His faithful shall bless Him (Psalm 145:10). This “all” is comprehensive, it is extensive, but it also comes down to the level of the ‘each’ as well as the ‘every’ on the uniquely individual level.
As David says in Psalm 103:1, ‘Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy Name!’
Psalm 103:1-5 Names of God Bible
Psalm 103
By David.
1 Praise Yahweh, my soul! Praise his holy name, all that is within me. 2 Praise Yahweh, my soul, and never forget all the good he has done: 3 He is the one who forgives all your sins, the one who heals all your diseases, 4 the one who rescues your life from the pit, the one who crowns you with mercy and compassion, 5 the one who fills your life with blessings so that you become young again like an eagle.
As well as praise, there is conversation (Psalm 145:11).
It is also the case that those who are His saints, His faithful, do speak to one another the Word of God (cf. Malachi 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
Sharing our testimony is part and parcel of the Christian life.
Sharing heaven’s testimony is part and parcel of the Christian witness.
Psalm 29 Names of God Bible
Psalm 29
A psalm by David.
1 Give to Yahweh, you heavenly beings. Give to Yahweh glory and power. 2 Give to Yahweh the glory his name deserves. Worship Yahweh in his holy splendor.
3 The voice of Yahweh rolls over the water. The El of glory thunders. Yahweh shouts over raging water. 4 The voice of Yahweh is powerful. The voice of Yahweh is majestic. 5 The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars. Yahweh splinters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip along like a calf and Mount Sirion like a wild ox. 7 The voice of Yahweh strikes with flashes of lightning. 8 The voice of Yahweh makes the wilderness tremble. Yahweh makes the wilderness of Kadesh tremble. 9 The voice of Yahweh splits the oaks[a] and strips the trees of the forests bare. Everyone in his temple is saying, “Glory!”
10 Yahweh sat enthroned over the flood. Yahweh sits enthroned as Melek forever. 11 Yahweh will give power to his people. Yahweh will bless his people with peace.
This conversation is not only for the mutual encouragement, edification of those within the church (1 Thessalonians 5:11), but also for those who are outside the church.
Those who study Creation may well conclude that there is, after all, a God (and praise His Name, many have); but those who are exposed to genuine Christian conversation have an even better opportunity of discovering just Who He is!
There is also a comprehensiveness of God’s kingdom (Psalm 145:13).
It is both eternal and extensive (cf. Psalm 72:17).
Psalm 72:17-19 Names of God Bible
17 May his name endure forever. May his name continue as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him and call him blessed.
18 Thank Yahweh Elohim, the Elohim of Israel, who alone does miracles. 19 Thanks be to his glorious name forever. May the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!
This is the same ‘kingdom of God’, or ‘kingdom of heaven’ about which Jesus speaks; and it belongs to Him, and all who are found in Him (cf. 2 Peter 1:11).
The LORD cares for the weak and vulnerable (Psalm 145:14).
He heard the cry of the children of Israel in their captivity and set His mind to deliver them (cf. Exodus 3:7-8).
Thereafter He taught His people to care for strangers, widows, and orphans – and the poor (cf. Exodus 22:21-23; Exodus 22:25).
This care is continued in the church (cf. Hebrews 13:2; James 1:27; Galatians 2:9-10).
The LORD cares for those of His own who may otherwise fall (cf. Psalm 73:1-2).
He works ‘all’ things together for good (cf. Romans 8:28), for the good of His ‘peculiar’ people (cf. 1 Peter 2:9).
Whether they know it or not, all flesh is dependent upon the LORD for their daily provision (Psalm 145:15).
Whether they will acknowledge it or not, no man can find sufficient sustenance without the LORD.
It is better therefore to seek Him first, knowing that He will add to us ‘all these things’ (Matthew 6:33).
If God provides for the birds of the air, how much more for you (Matthew 6:25-27). It is good, therefore, to acknowledge God’s hand in all these things, and to gratefully receive His bountiful provision (Psalm 145:16).
Our trust in the LORD is not based in our individual ability to believe, but in His perfections. He is righteous in all His ways: He is just. He is kind in all He does:
He is holy (Psalm 145:17).
It is good that we can view the LORD as a God who is not only transcendent, but also immanent.
He is present within His Creation.
He is “near” to all who call upon Him (Psalm 145:18).
We should, therefore, ‘Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near’ (Isaiah 55:6).
The one true God, God of all integrity (Deuteronomy 32:4; John 14:6; 1 John 5:20; Revelation 19:11) draws “nigh” unto all who call upon Him “in truth” with a matching integrity of heart (Psalm 145:18).
It is of the LORD’s mercy that He also hears our petitions (Psalm 145:19).
This is particularly addressed to “those who fear Him” – those who revere His Name.
We may not all presumptuously or blasphemously call out His Name at every approach of trouble: but when we nurture a relationship with him, He is there for us, always.
He grants our desires because our desires are consistent with His. He hears our cry because we are His people. He ‘saves to the uttermost’ all that come to God via Jesus Christ, who forever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).
The LORD preserves all who love Him (Psalm 145:20). This is the other side of our own perseverance: ‘he who endures to the end shall be saved’ (Matthew 24:13). Yet we may not presume upon His grace: the God who is slow to anger (Psalm 145:8), is also the God who will punish the unrepentant (2 Peter 2:9).
The “each” and “every” of God’s 100x% comprehensive care find their final expression as the Psalmist speaks the praise of the LORD, and “all flesh” replies by “blessing” (speaking well of) His holy Name (Psalm 145:21). The groaning Creation (Romans 8:22) at last finds relief in the “for ever and ever.” Amen.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 19 Names of God Bible
Psalm 19
For the choir director; a psalm by David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of El, and the sky displays what his hands have made. 2 One day tells a story to the next. One night shares knowledge with the next 3 without talking, without words, without their voices being heard. 4 Yet, their sound has gone out into the entire world, their message to the ends of the earth. He has set up a tent in the heavens for the sun, 5 which comes out of its chamber like a bridegroom. Like a champion, it is eager to run its course. 6 It rises from one end of the heavens. It circles around to the other. Nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 The teachings of Yahweh are perfect. They renew the soul. The testimony of Yahweh is dependable. It makes gullible people wise. 8 The instructions of Yahweh are correct. They make the heart rejoice. The command of Yahweh is radiant. It makes the eyes shine. 9 The fear of Yahweh is pure. It endures forever. The decisions of Yahweh are true. They are completely fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb. 11 As your servant I am warned by them. There is a great reward in following them.
12 Who can notice every mistake? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep me from sinning. Do not let anyone gain control over me. Then I will be blameless, and I will be free from any great offense.
14 May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my heart be acceptable to you, O Yahweh, my rock and my Go’el.
What is a go el in Hebrew?
: redeemer, reclaimant. especially : a next of kin upon whom according to ancient Hebrew custom devolved certain family rights and duties including the avenging of a murdered kin’s blood and the redemption of the person or the property of a relative in debt or helpless circumstances.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
16 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.[b]
4 The sorrows of those who run after[c] another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.[d] 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being[e] rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.[f]
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84:1-2
Throughout Scripture we see countless examples of God meeting with man and countless lives being transformed as the result. These examples are in Scripture to stir our faith and fill us with a desire to meet with our Creator. When we read about the life of David, we should each be filled with a longing to live as he did, a heart and soul which is centered around, #1, meeting with our heavenly Father.
The meetings between God and David shaped human history forever.
David knew what it was to be in the presence of God. In fact, being in God’s presence was his fuel, greatest joy, and source of courage.
In Psalm 16:11 David writes, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
In verse 5 writes, “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.”
David was a very flawed man who still consistently chose to meet with God over obsessing, filling his days with the fleeting, unsatisfying things of the world.
He centered his life around meeting with God, it consistently, continually had changed his heart, and his soul, learning – sometimes the in the very hardest of ways, God is always and forever sovereign over man, God utterly detests all sin and calls his children to repentance to restored their right relationship with God and it forever changed the history of not only his generations, but countless too more generations to come. David’s heart like ours strays but God’s stays True.
In 1 Samuel 17:34-37, we see a glimpse into the impact of David meeting with God early in his life. Scripture says,
But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
Out on the fields, David learned of God’s power and desire for deliverance.
He learned quickly what it was to meet with God in the daily work of life. He learned even in the night time, guarding his fathers flocks, God counseled him, God upheld him, God taught him his shepherding craft, counseled about life.
And he carried that knowledge with him into every battle, trial, and failure.
We see it in Psalm 16:1-2 where David prays, “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.’”
King David, the greatest king that ever sat on the throne of Israel, claimed, “I have no good apart from you.”
David, about whom 1 Chronicles 29:28 says, “Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor,”claimed he had no good apart from the Lord.
David knew that God’s counsel, God’s presence was the best part of life.
He knew that meeting with his heavenly Father was far greater than any victory, possession, status, or honor. And it was for that reason that he lived a life full of the very thing he sought: his heart in the presence of the living God.
Your heavenly Father longs to meet with you as he did David.
He loves you the same as he loved David.
And through the powerful sacrifice of Jesus, you have even greater access to the heart of God.
You have God, the Holy Spirit dwelling within you.
Choose today to seek meeting with God above all else.
Center your life around the presence of your heavenly Father the way David did.
1 Kings 3:3-15 New American Standard Bible 1995
3 Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.”
Solomon’s Prayer
6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in [a]truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have [b]reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant [c]an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this [d]great people of Yours?”
God’s Answer
10 [e]It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself [f] long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself [g]discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 14 If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”
15 Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
Both day and night, awake or on the job or even asleep, strive to 100% live for transformational encounters with God and watch as the things of this world fall into proper place, acknowledging your propensity to sin, then repent from that sin, turning back to God as God is showing to you the pathway to life providing you with transcendent peace, joy, purpose, in the midst of any circumstance.
Guided Prayer:
1. Meditate on David’s longing for the presence of God. Allow Scripture to fill you with a desire to meet with your heavenly Father as David did.
“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.” Psalm 16:5
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.’” Psalm 16:1-2
2. Allow these other Scriptures to fill you with faith to encounter the presence of God. The Holy Spirit of God is dwelling within you, ready to lead you into a transformational encounter with your heavenly Father.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139:7
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”1 Corinthians 6:19-20
3. Take time to meet with God. Ask him to reveal his nearness to you. Ask him to give you a passion for his presence like David had. Choose to center your life around the goodness of his nearness today.
“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10
How much better would our lives be if we simply chose to center them around meeting with the eternal, living, and active God of love?
What would it be like to seek his counsel throughout our days?
What would it be like to live wholly loved, liked, set free, and filled with his presence? Through Jesus, more has been made available to us than we know.
We’ve been granted access to the fullness of life, love, and freedom. All that is required of us is to make space in our days and seek meeting with God above all else. May we as the bride of Christ choose to love our bridegroom above all else.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 23 King James Version
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 