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."
2 But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be [a]temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in [b] perseverance.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may [c]encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
6 Likewise urge the young men to be [d]sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with [e]purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
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.
Have you seen the car commercial that talks about having “this or that” and how much better it is to have “this and that and the other”?
That commercial illustrates how I feel about the local church I get the privilege of being an Associate Pastor in. We are planted in the quiet rural backroads of Jarrettsville, Maryland and what started simply as a “old country church” has become something far more complex and in need of repairs —yet beautiful.
Many of the churches in our area swing far to one side of the pendulum: they are either comprised of mainly small families, or they have few families but a large group of diverse aged students. Rarely does a church have much of both, but by God’s grace, we are blessed by a small mix of young and order families.
We are the and We need each other
Psalm 71:18 says,
“Even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”
Likewise, Psalm 145:4 declares,
“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.”
Hebrews 10:19-25 New American Standard Bible
A New and Living Way
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let’s approach God with a [a]sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let’s consider how to [b]encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Throughout the Biblical Canon we clearly see that each generation is called to nurture one another, build on the foundation passed on from the previous one.
Mark 4:13-20 New American Standard Bible
Explanation of the Parable
13 And He *said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 16 And in a similar way these are the ones sown with seed on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; 17 and yet they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately they [a]fall away. 18 And others are the ones sown with seed among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19 but the worries of the [b]world, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter and choke the word, and it [c]becomes unfruitful. 20 And those are the ones sown with seed on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much.”
What this illustrates in our local churches context is that in each successive generation, we all absolutely need each other in order to produce Kingdom fruit; a healthy fruitful local church and see Jesus’ mission going very forward.
Mentoring Discipleship
Deuteronomy 6:4-12 New American Standard Bible
4 “Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. 8 You shall also tie them as a [a]sign to your [b]hand, and they shall be as [c]frontlets [d]on your forehead. 9 You shall also write them on the [e]doorposts of your house and on your gates.
10 “Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land that He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and carved cisterns which you did not carve out, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, 12 be [f]careful that you do not forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of [g]slavery.
We need older men and women planting their know how and maturity into younger men and women. This is how we help build godly character, invest in future generations, and help ensure legacies of faith in Jesus going forward.
Sacrificial Service
Psalm 118:24-29 New American Standard Bible
24 This is the day which the Lord has made; Let’s rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Please, O Lord, do save us; Please, O Lord, do send prosperity! 26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice [a]to the horns of the altar with cords. 28 You are my God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, I exalt You. 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His mercy is everlasting.
In all aspects of life we have been covenanted by God to give our sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving in the house of the Lord to serve Jesus and one another.
With a church of multi-generational families the opportunities to sacrifice and serve are innumerable – as the effort of our counting the stars in the night sky.
Carrying our Crosses, Bearing our Burdens, Trusting God
Proverbs 3:5-10 New American Standard Bible
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your [a]body And refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce; 10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
Each of us has probably already made many decisions today. And for the rest of the day, we will continue to make conscious and not-so conscious decisions.
The choices we make say something about who we are and whom we serve.
Is life “all about me,” or am I aware that what I do is really my response to my Creator and Provider?
We read, “In all your ways submit to him.”
That calls for implicitly trusting that God’s ways are good, that following them leads to bearing Kingdom fruit, and living life to the full, as God intends for us.
When Joshua challenged Israel,
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”” (Joshua 24:15),
Joshua knew that his decision to serve the Lord shaped all his other decisions.
When we trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, all our other decisions are based on obeying his teachings, not relying on our own “best understanding.”
Guided by the God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and God’s Word, we know what to do.
We know God’s Spirit will not tell us to do what God’s Word says we may not.
And obedience eventually leads to being on the right path, whatever the cost.
Knowing what to do comes more readily with a whole-hearted commitment to serving Jesus and our neighbors. Then, like Jesus, we will be focused on our own calling to be fruitful disciples who make decisions based on knowing God’s will.
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ….
Praying ….
Psalm 119:33-40 Complete Jewish Bible
ה (Heh)
33 Teach me, Adonai, the way of your laws; keeping them will be its own reward for me. 34 Give me understanding; then I will keep your Torah; I will observe it with all my heart. 35 Guide me on the path of your mitzvot, for I take pleasure in it. 36 Bend my heart toward your instructions and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; with your ways, give me life. 38 Fulfill your promise, which you made to your servant, which you made to those who fear you. 39 Avert the disgrace which I dread, for your rulings are good. 40 See how I long for your precepts; in your righteousness, give me life!
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 Get wisdom—it’s worth more than money; choose insight over income every time.
17 The road of right living bypasses evil; watch your step and save your life.
18 First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
19 It’s better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous.
20 It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in God.
21 A wise person gets known for insight; gracious words add to one’s reputation.
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.
I would describe today’s proverbs as “general proverbs” that offer counsel to those who desire the best of life.
Proverbs 16:16 states a value system that runs contrary to the world.
Proverbs 16:16 – “How much better [precious; pleasant; favorable] is it to get [acquire] wisdom [godly wisdom; spiritual discernment] than gold! and to get understanding [knowledge] rather to be chosen [selected] than silver!”
It is the fallen nature of man to pursue temporal riches over eternal rewards.
In the same way Eve was tantalized by forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6), mankind lusts after gold and silver, diamonds and rubies and pearls of greatest quality.
Matthew 13:45-46 The Message
45-46 “Or, God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for exquisite pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.
Let’s take a practical approach to verse 16, consider its application to our lives.
What is the “end goal” of your life and daily pursuits?
Are we numbered among those poor souls who rise from bed, go to work and pursue gold, pearls and silver with little, if any thought of God, the eternal destiny of your soul?
King Solomon challenged his son to learn that his pursuit of godly wisdom, understanding, insight and discernment were of far greater value than all of those temporal possessions of gold and silver and pearls and precious gems.
Proverbs 16:17 – “The highway [course; way; path] of the upright [just; righteous] is to depart [turn] from evil [sin; wickedness]: he that keepeth [guard; watch] his way [journey; course of life] preserveth [guard; put a hedge about] his soul.”
Men instinctively, impulsively pursue many highways and byways and winding paths and dirt roads in life; however, only one path, one way keeps, preserves a man’s eternal soul—that way is through Jesus Christ and Him alone. (John 14:6)
Solomon warned his son there are ways and paths men take that seem right and prefect to them; however, recall “the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).
There are many religions, but only one way.
John 14:6 – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The way of the upright is to turn from sin, trust Jesus Christ as Savior, the Only Begotten Son of God crucified for our sin, buried raised from the dead by God, the Father on the third day.
Proverbs 16:18-19 – “Pride [arrogance] goeth before destruction [calamity; breach in an ocean wall], and an haughty [proud; self-sufficient] spirit before a fall [ruin]. 19Better [pleasing; good as pure gold] it is to be of an humble [low; modest] spirit with the lowly [humble means, weak, meek], than to divide [apportion; distribute] the spoil [plunder; booty] with the proud [arrogant].”
Pride and humility are the subject of Proverbs 16:18-19.
Pride, that spirit of self-sufficiency independent of one’s Creator, sows the seeds of self-destruction.
Pride precedes calamity and a “haughty spirit” is too proud to seek counsel and too pre-occupied with self to look to the end of its way.
Arrogance is the complete opposite of humility.
Humility means to have a modest view of one’s own importance.
But when someone has an over-inflated opinion of himself or herself, they will often act out in an overbearing way.
That is called arrogance, which is always an irritating unattractive quality.
Did you know for every 100 successful people, there is maybe one who can deal with great success and keep his/her head on straight?
The temptation to give into prideful arrogance is huge.
Arrogance and pride are one and the same!
So how can people blessed with success not be overcome with pride?
Gratitude: Remember all good things come from God: this includes your talents, abilities, and opportunities.
Humility: There’s really no such thing as a self-made man. Every successful person had some help along the way. It’s important to remember the journey.
Self-Awareness: The people with the biggest pride problems often don’t recognize that they have a problem. It’s an inability to self-reflect and identify their areas of growth or weakness; this attitude can stunt personal growth.
PursueChrist-likeness: We are most like the Devil when we are filled with arrogant pride. We are most like Jesus when we are fulfilling God’s will for God’s glory.
If you are struggling with arrogant pride, ask God for forgiveness.
Ask Him to help you leave pride behind and learn to walk in gratitude, and in humility, to become more self-aware as you pursue a life walking with Christ.
It might not happen overnight, it most certainly won’t always be an easy road, but you’ll be a better person for it.
Then as the world around you starts to take notice, you’ll have a great platform to point toward your relationship with Jesus.
There’s no time like the present to begin.
As Jesus’ earthly life set the standard for Christians: It is far better to live by humble means than share the lifestyle of the wicked who divide the spoil of ill-gotten gain among themselves with little to no thought of God’s justice.
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Praying ….
Psalm 1 The Message
1 How well God must like you— you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats, you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings, you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.
2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.
4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust— Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people.
6 God charts the road you take. The road they take leads to nowhere.
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.
6-7 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.
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.
Fuel for Cheerful Giving …
God loves a cheerful giver.
One reason for this is that He is a cheerful giver, gladly and generously giving Himself and every good gift to His people.
And one of the good gifts God has given us is a series of promises and proverbs to fuel our cheer as we give.
2 Corinthians 9 provides an abundance of such fuel.
Paul teaches “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
This is essentially a proverb, like those we read in the Old Testament:
“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want” (Proverbs 11:24).
Proverbs 11:24 The Message
24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
The thing about proverbs, though, is that they should be read for what they are—general truths—rather than what they are not: categorical promises.
Paul is not giving us a formula: If you put in a certain amount, you will receive a larger amount.
Instead, he is encouraging his readers to sow gladly and liberally because there are benefits to be had when we do so.
Generous giving brings its own rewards, which the stingy will never know.
If you scatter only a few seeds of your favorite flower and expect a beautiful display in a few weeks, you will be disappointed.
If you sow handful after handful, the result will be glorious to behold.
More fuel for our giving comes a few verses later, where Paul says that those who are generous “will be enriched in every way.”
Sadly, it is common for people to stop right there, concluding that God will make them wealthy once they’ve given away some money.
He may do just that, but it comes with the purpose revealed in the rest of the verse: “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.”
God may indeed enrich you, but the enrichment is intended for a much greater generosity, which in turn will “produce thanksgiving to God.”
What a promise this is, that God will repay our generosity so that we might continue to be generous!
As we give away, God gives us more to give away.
Who could ever be tight-fisted in the face of such lavish promises?
It is a tragedy that so many have abused these promises and proverbs, using them to bait well-intentioned people into giving for all the wrong reasons.
There is no need or excuse for false assurances of prosperity or manipulative donation calls that tug hard at our heart strings; we have so many good, God-honoring reasons to be generous!
The truths and promises of God’s word are rich enough, and they alone will fuel genuine Christian cheer as we give.
Dwell on these truths, and on our Savior, who “though he was rich, yet for your sake … became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
That is the only authentically generous way to give in a way which truly honors God: to give both sacrificially and cheerfully.
If your church is in the habit of welcoming newcomers in the faith, you know one delightful quality of new believers is the straightforward manner of their obedience.
One Sunday a church in the Midwest was greeted by a welcoming committee of three turkeys, a pig, and 15 chickens tied up just outside the church entrance.
The Pastor’s previous week’s sermon had been on tithing, and these animals represented one tenth of a new member’s flock and herd. It brought smiles to our faces, and we genuinely thanked the farmer for his offering, even though it was a bit tough and tumble for the deacons to collect the whole offering later.
But the farmer understood something else too: he knew that the mission of God requires resources to get it done–not only to provide for the needs of the poor, but also to feed, clothe, and transport the workers.
In the process our gifts can also have the joyous result of prompting praise from the people who benefit from them.
As Paul points out, “Men will praise God … for your generosity.”
It’s true that our gifts are not always appreciated, for some people feel entitled to anything they receive. But this should not deter anyone of us from giving.
Even God’s “indescribable gift” of his Son is not always cherished.
Luke 6:27-34 The Message
27-30 “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously.
31-34 “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
And being aware of the warm appreciation of many who receive our gifts both friends and enemies in God’s name can help us be much more cheerful givers.
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ….
Praying ….
Psalm 119:33-40 The Message
33-40 God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me an appetite for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me— promises made to all who fear you. Deflect the harsh words of my critics— but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!
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 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who can fathom the Spirit[a] of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? 14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?
15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. 16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. 17 Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.
18 With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? 19 As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. 20 A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple.
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.
This section of Isaiah has some of the most majestic and superb language about God found in Scripture.
God himself is asking man,
Can you do what I do?
Can you hold the waters of earth in the hollow of your hand?
I stood on the pier at San Diego.
It was a gorgeous day.
I watched the great combers coming in from the Pacific.
As I watched those great billows crashing on the sand I thought of the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, extending thousands upon thousands of miles to the West.
I thought about the great volumes of waters in what small part of the ocean I could look out at and repeatedly stumbled trying to calculate those remaining.
The volume of the Pacific Ocean, representing about 50.1 percent of the world’s oceanic water, has been estimated at some 714 million cubic kilometers(171 million cubic miles).
These words came to my mind, Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand? God himself in majesty and greatness controls all the forces of earth.
Verses 13 and 14 speak of God’s incredible wisdom:
Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as his counselor has instructed him?(Isaiah 40:13 RSV)
Who could do that?
Many attempt to.
I confess there have been times when I have been confronted with a difficult problem which I studiously analyzed and thought I had solved.
Then I have come to God and told him step by step what he could do to work out the problem—only to find, to my utter astonishment, that he just completely ignored my approach and did nothing about it.
I have become irritated over this.
I have said to him, “Lord, even I can see how to work this out. Surely you ought to be able to understand just how much time it has taken to work it out this far.”
But as the problem remained, and a whole new situation came to light, I humbly realized that God saw far more than I could see, that he knew of obstacles I had no knowledge of, complexities that had touched the lives of hundreds of people.
He was working out purposes that would go on not only for the moment, but on and on, one generation after another; infinity unto infinity, eternity to eternity, that his solution ultimately was the best one.
I had to say, as the Apostle Paul says in Romans 11,
O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33 RSV).
In Verses 15 to 17, God compares himself with the proud nations of earth:
“Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the isles like fine dust.” (Isaiah 40:15 RSV).
How feeble the boasts of men, leaders of the nations, with their ‘claims’ to the glory, might and power, when they are compared with the sheer enormity, the greatness, the majesty and the strength of God himself.
Psalm 139:17-18 New King James Version
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.
They are nothing, as a grain of sand in the desert God says, absolutely nothing.
Ephesians 3:14-19 New King James Version
Appreciation of the Mystery
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [a]of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now, stand in front of a mirror and repeat each statement below … contemplate their meaning (individually and Acts 2 collectively)…. their current relevance …. their current significance, insignificance (individually and Acts 2 collectively)…. their unifying or divisive or polarizing abilities, qualities and also influences ….
Praying ….
Psalm 139:23-24 English Standard Version
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts![a] 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting![b]
The prophet Isaiah gives a vision of the gospel in Isaiah 40:12-17.
Mankind has always found it difficult to believe and accept the word of God.
Our failure to believe the Bible is due to a lack of understanding who God is.
We think of God as like ourselves instead of the almighty, glorious God he is.
Many stumble over Christian doctrines because they have a wrong view of God.
We must start with God, not ourselves, to understand the Bible and its teachings.
Isaiah 40:12-15 shows God’s greatness, might, and power in creation.
Isaiah 40:16 shows God’s transcendent glory that surpasses all human comprehension.
Isaiah 40:17 shows God’s ways are inscrutable and beyond human understanding.
We must come to God with a childlike faith, not demanding to understand everything.
When we see God as he is, we realize how sinful we are and need Jesus as Savior.
Jesus died to bring us to God and save us, not just make us feel happy.
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen
Praying ….
Psalm 119:25-32 Christian Standard Bible
ד Daleth
25 My life is down in the dust; give me life through your word. 26 I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. 27 Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. 28 I am weary[a] from grief; strengthen me through your word. 29 Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. 32 I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.[b]
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.
5 Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a [a]fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not [b]with greed but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as domineering over [c]those assigned to your care, but by [d]proving to be [e]examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading [f]crown of glory. 5 You [g ] younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 [h]So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your [i] brothers and sisters who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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.
When it comes to worry, we have a lot to worry about.
We could fill a blog with a dozen-plus reasons people might be anxious or be fearful in this fallen world.
And we could generate article after article detailing those dozen-plus negative consequences our worries bring.
Instead, let’s hear from God.
In 1 Peter 5:6-7, the apostle addresses the problem of anxiety and provides us with hope-giving, life-changing help to handle it.
Peter writes,
1 Peter 5:6-7 Amplified Bible
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, 7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].
Three simple but profound truths emerge from this brief text.
1) Amid Your Anxiety, God Calls You to Humble Yourself before Him
Peter writes his letter to Christians in exile, believers scattered all over the Roman world (1 Pet. 1:2) who are suffering persecution for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (1:6; 4:12).
When we look at the world around us and the daily pressures that consume us, like Peter’s readers, we realize how little we can control our lives.
We can’t change the economy, the climate, the government, our health, or our friends and family.
We can’t make people act the way we want.
We have a lot to worry about.
For this reason, Peter calls us to humble ourselves before God.
In the previous verse, he exhorts us to humble ourselves before each other and reminds us of God’s deep opposition to pride.
But here, as he treats the problem of anxiety, Peter recognizes that nothing short of completely submitting to the Lord can bring us help and hope.
2) The Way to Humble Yourself amid Your Anxiety Is to Cast It on God
In verse 7, Peter tackles “anxiety.”
While the New Testament sometimes uses this term (Greek, merimna) in a positive sense for the proper care/concern we should have for others (e.g., 2 Cor. 12:28; Phil. 2:20),here, since Peter writes to suffering readers and calls them to cast their anxiety upon the Lord, the word carries its normal negative sense of worry or anxiety.
While the NIV translation above begins verse 7 with a command, in the Greek text, it’s a participle that modifies the main command in verse 6,“humble yourselves.”
The participle . . . explains how believers can humble themselves under God’s strong hand. . . . Believers humble themselves by casting their worries on God. Conversely, if believers continue to worry, then they are caving in to pride.
In other words, Peter roots our anxiety in our self-dependency and self-reliance.
Worry is a form of pride because when believers are filled with anxiety, they are convinced they must solve all the problems in their lives in their own strength.
The only god they trust in is themselves.
When believers throw their worries upon God, they express their trust in His mighty hand, acknowledging that He is Lord/Sovereign over all of life.
Believers fight anxiety by faith.
We “cast” our anxieties by throwing them on God, the same vivid verb Luke 19:35 uses when the disciples “threw their cloaks” on a colt. Fighting anxiety requires the concrete act of deliberately entrusting our worries to God in prayer.
Here, a simple distinction makes a major difference: we entrust to the Lord the things we can’t control, and we trust the Lord to do what He promises to do.
We cannot and must not trust the Lord to do what we want Him to do.
He is not our personal genie or divine bellhop; biblical faith depends on God’s assurances, not our hopes.
But we can and must entrustthe many details of our lives we can’t control into His sovereign, wise, and loving hands.
We shouldn’t trust the Lord to change our family and friends; we should entrustthem into His hands, trustingthe Lord to do what His Word guarantees.
3) God Invites You to Humble Yourself and Cast Your Anxiety on Him Because of Who He Is and What He Promises
Thankfully, God’s Word doesn’t issue raw commands but persuades us with powerful promises.
Consider 8 descriptions of God found in verses 6-7 and the immediate context:
God “shows favor” to those who humble themselves (v. 5). Peter’s call in verse 6 to “humble yourselves” follows (“therefore”) this kind, generous assurance.
God’s hand is “mighty” (v. 6a)—mighty enough to handle those circumstances you worry about.
God promises to “lift you up” in due time—His all-wise timetable—if you humble yourself (v. 6b).
God “cares for you” (v. 7). Note Peter doesn’t say God cares for you because you cast your anxiety on Him. No, it’s the opposite. His care for your predates your actions. Because He already cares, you can now cast!
God reminds you that you are not alone; other believers are facing “the same kind of suffering” (v. 9; also 1 Cor. 10:13-14; 2 Cor. 1:3-5).
God is the God “of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ.” (v. 10a). Whatever your present pressures, God still graciously guarantees a glorious inheritance (cf. 1:3-5).
God will restore you, strengthen you, make you firm, and make you steadfast ( 10b). The Lord is both eager and able to bear your anxieties.
God’s sovereign power reigns “forever and ever” (11). The problems that tempt you to worry are short-lived; God’s power—His mighty hand of v.6—never ends.
What does humble yourself under the mighty hand of God mean?
Humbling ourselves means recognizing that our worth comes from Christ, not performance.
Whether you struggle with pride in success or failure, remember God values you as His child, no matter how you perform.
What is the moral lesson of 1 Peter 5:7?
Peter writes that we should take that fear and cast it—throw it—onto our Father God.
In fact, he tells us to take all of our anxieties, everything that worries us, and to give it to the God who cares so deeply for us.
This is not a promise that God will fix everything which worries us.
Humble yourself in Him, and He will lift you in His time.
Humility and anxiety, together, is like fire and water.
They cannot exist at the same time.
How do I cast my worries to God?
Prayer is the best way to give your anxieties to God and to exercise and demonstrate real faith in Him.
Therefore, to eliminate worry and receive peace, ask God for help, and as the Scripture says, do it with a grateful heart.
Pick up your bible and start reading and studying .
Surrender your worries to God.
Stay in the present moment.
Meditate on God’s Word.
The Lord Himself will go before you. …
God’s way is perfect. …
Don’t be afraid! …
So don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will have its own worries.
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.
11 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“An enemy will overrun your land, pull down your strongholds and plunder your fortresses.”
12 This is what the Lord says:
“As a shepherd rescues from the lion’s mouth only two leg bones or a piece of an ear, so will the Israelites living in Samaria be rescued, with only the head of a bed and a piece of fabric[a] from a couch.[b]”
13 “Hear this and testify against the descendants of Jacob,” declares the Lord, the Lord God Almighty.
14 “On the day I punish Israel for her sins, I will destroy the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground. 15 I will tear down the winter house along with the summer house; the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed and the mansions will be demolished,” declares the Lord.
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.
To begin, let me ask you a couple of questions:
What comes to your mind when you think about God?
Is your understanding of Him rooted in Scripture, or is it shaped by your own experiences, desires, or even misconceptions you’ve picked up along the way?
The way we view God is no small matter.
A distorted picture of Him can lead us down paths of doubt, error, fear, and misunderstanding, depriving, robbing us of the peace and assurance that only from knowing Him as He truly is.
My heart’s desire is to redirect you away from these dangers and guide you into a clearer, more informed, more biblical, and more joyful view of our great God.
Some people imagine God as a distant creator—a kind of cosmic tyrannical administrator who set everything in motion but now stays out of the picture, except for the occasional “system maintenance.”
Perhaps others see Him as little more than a tired grouchy old too stern judge, watching for every mistake to punish us.
Or maybe, they think of Him as powerful but limited, either unable to intervene in the chaos of the world or restrained by human choices.
None of these depictions are the God of the Bible.
Instead, Scripture presents us with a God who is far greater, far more glorious, and far more trustworthy than anything or any character that we could invent on our own. A God who reigns supremely over all creation, infinite in His being, perfect in all of His attributes, and yet still merciful in all His dealings with us.
One of the most helpful summaries I’ve come across that beautifully captures the biblical teaching about who God is comes from the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith: https://www.the1689confession.com/
The Lord, our God, is but one only living and true God; whose subsistence is in and of Himself, infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself; a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; who is immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, every way infinite, most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and withal most just and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.
This God, the God of the Bible, reigns over every part of corner of creation.
He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and fully in control.
And, when we know God as He truly is, that’s good news for us!
Because our hearts are filled with peace, our faith is strengthened, and we are freed from the anxieties, and the worries that come from false views of Him.
That’s why, as we begin this devotional—Let God Reign—we’ll take time to explore some of the attributes of God, starting today with His sovereignty.
In the devotions ahead, we’ll also consider His goodness, immutability, omnipotence, incarnation, and omniscience.
Of course, even an encyclopedias of sermons couldn’t exhaust the riches of who God is, but my prayer is that this series will deepen your love for Him, challenge any of your remaining unbelief, and increase your trust in the Lord. So let us just begin today by considering the absolute sovereignty of our great God.
It starts with the acknowledgment that:
1. God is Sovereign
Whether you and I want to admit it or not, this is reality: God is sovereign.
First, let us define our terms; what does it mean for God to be sovereign?
Here are a few definitions for us to reference:
Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms Sovereignty
The biblical concept of God’s kingly, supreme rule and legal authority over the entire universe.
Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics and Philosophy of Religion Sovereignty
The possession of ultimate authority and power.
Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition Sovereignty of God
God’s authority and power to accomplish his will as the supreme Ruler of all things.
From taking these definitions collectively, we find that sovereignty means God is the absolute King of the universe, with complete ownership, power, and all authority over all of creation- and He is able to accomplish all His holy will.
There is no one and nothing outside of His rule.
James 1:17 ESV
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Our families, our resources, our reputations, and even our ability to know and love Him are neither random nor earned; they are graciously and providentially given by your King.
Let’s consider God’s work in our lives:
His providence has woven together a beautiful tapestry for each of our lives –
Psalm 139:1-18 English Standard Version
Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a] Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.
Consider what the vast tapestry of your life looks like for a moment –
It would begin with:
how He formed you in the womb,
where and when you were born,
what type of family you grew up in,
every single moment of happiness,
all the friendships you enjoy,
each of the jobs and responsibilities you have ever had,
the skills and talents you exercise,
seeing the love of your life for the first time,
getting married,
experiencing the joy of holding your child for the first time,
your daily bread,
your home, your daily protection, and even beyond all of those blessings:
if you are a Christian He has even ordained how and when He adopted you,
He has ordained your ongoing sanctification, eventually He will providentially ordain for your journey to your heavenly home!
He has woven countless bright threads into your life’s tapestry.
Do we have such a good, wise, and loving Father who cares for our every need?
Can we praise God this whole day for just how good His providence is to us!?
Thank you, faithful God, for your ever present providential hand upon our lives!
In the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Praying …
Psalm 84 The Message
84 1-2 What a beautiful home, God-of-the-Angel-Armies! I’ve always longed to live in a place like this, Always dreamed of a room in your house, where I could sing for joy to God-alive!
3-4 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house, sparrows and swallows make nests there. They lay their eggs and raise their young, singing their songs in the place where we worship. God-of-the-Angel-Armies! King! God! How blessed they are to live and sing there!
5-7 And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!
8-9 God-of-the-Angel-Armies, listen: O God of Jacob, open your ears—I’m praying! Look at our shields, glistening in the sun, our faces, shining with your gracious anointing.
10-12 One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I’d rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin. All sunshine and sovereign is God, generous in gifts and glory. He doesn’t scrimp with his traveling companions. It’s smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
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.
2 Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. 3 At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery] in the way I should.
5 Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. 6 Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].
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.
This short concise section of Scripture offers a great deal of instruction.
Paul addresses the critical concepts of earnest prayer, vigilance in prayer and thanksgiving, praying for open doors of opportunity for communicating and sharing the gospel, and the boldness to teach the gospel clearly, and daily.
He then instructs the members at Colossae to walk in wisdom, not being deceived by those outside the church, and to redeem the time.
His teaching includes graceful speech, and knowledge of just how to answer questions that come your way. While this passage is only five verses, it packs a great deal of teaching into this small, but potent, parcel of information.
The over-arching principles found in this passage are basic thoughts by which to live the Christian life.
Prayer is a lifeline, a power source for the believer.
Prayer should be a priority, a matter of vigilance, and Christians should be thankful for the opportunity to commune with the Creator.
Prayer should involve time with God to speak to Him, to hear from Him, and to pray His word as well.
It also should involve praying for others, as Paul asks the Colossians to pray for his ministry opportunities.
Even though he is in chains, he longs to see the gospel preached and souls saved. Wisdom is another principle expounded upon here. Know well your community and do not be taken advantage of by those who would abuse you.
Wisdom leads to time management and prioritizing the events and tasks of your day in order to achieve more.
Christians should not live haphazard lives, but rather be organized and efficient as well.
Finally, grace is a principle upon which a Christian should base their lives and especially their speech. Our words matter, because how we are received has a lot to do with the feelings we arouse in others as we speak to them. God will direct your words as you seek Him and submit to the Holy Spirit’s leadership.
So, Paul instructs his disciples to pray, use Godly wisdom, to speak with grace.
These are powerful principles for Christians to bring to bear on their lives and relationships.
Seek God deeply and then follow His leadership and direction in your life in every way.
He will direct your paths, your words, and your actions when you spend time with Him, making Him a priority, and listening to His voice.
Be His disciple and live well!
Additional thoughts worth meditating upon …
Proverbs 27:6 Amplified Bible
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out their of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].
Some conversations are life-giving, inspiring individuals towards greater hope, while others are draining and difficult.
At times, we can feel as if we are defending ourselves from blows like a warrior shielding himself against the attacks from an enemy.
Or we might be the ones dealing the blows, using our words as weapons, aiming to wound just as we have been wounded. Regardless of our role in the proverbial fight of words, certain talks with others leave us battle-weary and exhausted.
As much as we dislike challenging conversations, they are inevitable in life, as is the possibility that we will misuse words and harmed by the speech of another.
Yet, that does not mean we have to continue treating the relationship as an area of scorched earth war. Even after hard talks, we can bring in elements of grace and healing through a willingness to admit wrongdoing, to quickly forgive, to mutually acknowledge the slippery sloped complexities of the crisis situation.
We can also start adding saltiness to our speech, as Paul advised the Colossian believers to do. Their speech was meant to be appealing and life-giving.
Likewise, graciousness and love should color the way we talk to others, even during heavy conversations in which we may have to give rebuke. Our words are not meant to be sickly sweet like a flatterer or sharp because of rashness, but lovingly honest since “Wounds from a friend can be trusted” (Proverbs 27:6).
In the aftermath of a hard talk, we can use our words to promote healing, even if difficult things had to be said, for the wise will use their speech to heal, not cause more unnecessary harm (Proverbs 12:18).
Proverbs 12:18 Amplified Bible
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
There is value in speaking the truth in love, which does not negate the need to address issues and engage in heavy conversations (Ephesians 4:15).
Ephesians 4:15 Amplified Bible
15 But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.
However, we should do so with a focus on showing the love and grace of God, affirming our care for the individual.
So, if you have recently experienced a difficult conversation that weighs heavily upon you, take heart.
Healing is possible, as is the ability to start using your words to bring disarming peace into hard talks.
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …
Praying …
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.
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.
97 How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. 98 Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts. 101 I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow your word. 102 I have not turned from your judgments, for you yourself have instructed me. 103 How sweet your word is to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth. 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.
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.
Encouraging believers to immerse themselves in studying the Scriptures, to discern, meditate upon, understand God’s promises, to discern lies, false and fraudulent teaching, so to find strength, wisdom, and comfort in God’s Word.
Laudable goal?
Certifiably impossible?
Worthy of being locked away with all the gold in Fort Knox?
A secret second only to therecipe of Coca Cola … two halves – each half is held by two persons neither of whom knows who the other is.
Today, we are going to dive deep into God’s word, for exploring the immense power of His promises, the deadly poison of lies, and the life-giving habits of Scripture study.
Listen to what Charles Spurgeon once said. “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” Ain’t that the truth? There’s something about immersing ourselves in Scripture that steadies our hearts and clears our minds.
The Power of Promises in Scripture
The power of God’s promises in Scripture is a profound and transformative force in the life of a believer.
These promises are not mere words on a page, but divine assurances that truly provide hope, strength, and guidance in our daily walk with Christ.
They are the bedrock of our faith, the anchor for our souls, and the compass that directs our path.
Delving deeper into the power of God’s promises, we discover that they are not only a source of comfort but also a catalyst for spiritual growth and maturity.
Their inherent truthfulness: Unlike human promises, which can be broken or unfulfilled, God’s promises are infallible and unchanging.
Numbers 23:19 reminds us, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
This verse assures us that God’s promises are steadfast and reliable. When God makes a promise, He will undoubtedly fulfill it, regardless of the circumstances.
This unshakeable truthfulness provides us with a sense of security and peace, knowing that we can fully trust in God’s word completely.
They’re incredibly personal: They are not generic or one-size-fits-all, but tailored to our individual needs and circumstances.
Whether it’s a promise of provision, protection, or peace, or purpose, each promise speaks directly to our hearts, addressing our deepest fears, desires, and aspirations.
This personal nature of God’s promises makes them a vastly powerful tool for spiritual growth.
As we claim these promises, experience them, fulfilled in our lives, our faith in God deepens, our connectional relationship with Him becomes more intimate.
They’re transformative: They have the power to change our perspective, attitudes, and actions.
When we grasp the full extent of God’s promises, we begin to see ourselves and our circumstances through the lens of His love and faithfulness.
This new perspective can radically alter how we respond to life’s challenges and opportunities.
Instead of reacting out of fear, doubt, or self-reliance, we can respond with faith, hope, and dependence on God.
This transformative power of God’s promises is beautifully captured in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
A source of hope: In a world filled with uncertainty, disappointment, and pain, God’s promises offer beacons of hope shining brightly in the darkness.
They remind us that no matter what we are going through, God is with us, and He has a good plan for our lives.
This hope is not just wishful thinking or blind optimism, but a confident expectation based on the character and promises of God.
Romans 15:13 declares, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
They are the words that God has spoken over us, the infallible promises He has made to us, and the truths that He wants us to cling to in every season of life.
Friends, here would be a good place to share a personal testimony about how God’s promises have been true in your own life. How did they affect your faith?
The Poison of Lies
From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, we see the destructive power of deception.
The serpent, embodying the father of lies, deceived Eve, leading to the fall of humanity into sin. Lies are not just false statements or untruths; they are a perversion of God’s truth, a distortion of His perfect design. They are a tool of the enemy, used to sow doubt, confusion, and discord among God’s people.
Their subtlety: They often come cloaked in half-truths, making them difficult to discern.
This is why it is so crucial for us to immerse ourselves in God’s Word, to know His truth intimately.
When we know the truth, we can recognize the lies.
Jesus said in John 8:32, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
A corrosive effect on our relationships:
This is true both with God and with others.
They create barriers of mistrust and misunderstanding.
They can lead us to doubt God’s goodness and faithfulness, to question His love for us.
Lies can also cause us to view others with suspicion and fear, undermining the unity and love that God desires for His people.
Can lead us into sinful behaviors and attitudes: When we believe the lie that we can find fulfillment and satisfaction living apart from God, we may be tempted to pursue worldly pleasures and desires.
Or when we believe the lie we are not loved or valued, we may seek validation and approval from others, leading us deep into pride, jealousy, and insecurity.
God’s truth brings freedom, peace, and joy: It reveals our true identity as beloved children of God, created in His image.
It assures us of His unfailing love and faithfulness, His power and presence in our lives.
It guides us in the way of righteousness, leading us into a life of purpose and fulfillment.
As Jonathan Edwards once said, “Truth is the agreement of our ideas with the ideas of God.”
When we align our thoughts and beliefs with God’s truth, we are protected from the poison of lies.
We are equipped to discern deception, to reject falsehood, and to walk in the light of God’s truth.
The Habits of Scripture Study
Studying Scripture is not just about reading the Bible.
It’s about immersing ourselves in God’s Word, meditating on it, and applying it to our lives.
It’s about letting the Word of God shape our thoughts, our actions, and our very being.
Psalmist in Psalm 119:97 declares, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.”
This is the kind of relationship we should strive to have with God’s Word.
Regularity: Just as we need physical food every day, we need spiritual food every day.
We should set aside a specific time each day for Bible study.
It could be early in the morning, during lunch break, or before bed.
The important thing is to make it a daily habit.
Meditation: This is not just about reading the Bible, but thinking deeply about what we read.
It’s about pondering the meaning of the words, asking God for understanding, and letting the Word of God sink deep into our hearts.
It’s about letting the Word of God shape our thoughts and our actions.
Application: James 1:22 warns us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Studying Scripture is not just about gaining knowledge. It’s about transforming our lives.
We need to apply what we learn from the Bible to our daily lives.
We need to live out the truths we learn from God’s Word.
Memorization: Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Memorizing Scripture helps us all to recall God’s promises in times of need, resist temptation, and share the Gospel with others.
Conclusion
As we wrap up today, let’s remember the power of God’s promises, the danger of lies, and the importance of immersing ourselves in Scripture.
Let’s make it our daily habit to study God’s Word, to meditate on it, and to let it transform us from the inside out.
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ….
Psalm 8
God’s Glory, Human Dignity
For the choir director: on the Gittith. A psalm of David.
1 Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth! You have covered the heavens with your majesty.[a] 2 From the mouths of infants and nursing babies, you have established a stronghold[b] on account of your adversaries in order to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 4 what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man[c] that you look after him? 5 You made him little less than God[d][e] and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: 7 all the sheep and oxen, as well as the animals in the wild, 8 the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea that pass through the currents of the seas.
9 Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth!
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.
19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [a]fared sumptuously every day.
20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with [b]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
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 scene is a familiar one.
The mansion with the ornate ironwork front gate.
Marble steps and carved mahogany doors.
Overlooking a well cared for street.
A wealthy street marred only be the presence of a filthy beggar, sprawled beside the entrance to this palatial mansion.
A beggar who hardly moves, except when the garbage is put out, because that’s dinner time.
Inside the gate is the perfume of flowering plants, augmented by the essential oils the rich man used, quarantining him from the reality of the outside world.
Outside the gate is the smell of the street.
The unbearable stench of human waste and rotting flesh.
But the story isn’t so much about externals, as it is about people and their response to God’s word.
Two Actors
There are 2 actors in the story, as well as 5 brothers who take a subsidiary role.
The Rich Man
The first actor is a rich man.
In fact that’s the sum total of all we’re told about him.
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.”
In fact if you think about it that’s not a very impressive obituary, is it?
You’d hope at the end of your life that people will be able to say more about you than that you were rich.
Even if your riches were achieved by your own efforts and not those of your family or people who worked for you, you’d still hope that there was more to say than just that.
Yet that’s all we’re told.
This man’s whole life is summed up in a sense by his riches.
Perhaps that’s how he saw it himself.
He wouldn’t be the first person to assess his life’s achievements by his bank balance, or by the power he’s able to wield, or by the fine food and clothing he affords himself.
Yet as we’ll see, such things are passing and in the long run don’t amount to anything.
The Poor Man
In stark contrast to the rich man is a man who lives in abject poverty.
He’s sprawled at the rich man’s gate, starving, longing to eat even the scraps that are left over after the rich man has finished feasting.
His skin is covered with sores, no doubt caused by malnutrition.
And the implication is that he’s starving because of the rich man’s neglect.
No doubt the rich man holds his handkerchief to his nose and looks the other way whenever he passes, trying his best to ignore this man.
Forget the call of God’s word to care for the poor.
Let someone else worry about that.
It isn’t my concern.
Who knows how he got himself in this state anyway.
In any case he got himself into it, he can get himself out of it.
And so the rich man ignores the beggar, while, we’re told even the dogs care for him to the extent of licking his sores clean.
Now we miss some of the impact of this throw away statement, because we live in a different culture as far as dogs are concerned.
We think about a dog and our thoughts are warm and rosy.
We think of that cute pet who greets us at the door when we get home.
Who plays chase with a tennis ball or a stick.
Who’s the faithful companion, who never disagrees with us when we complain to him.
But in Jesus’ day, dogs were despised animals, outsiders, curs, confined to wandering the streets.
Yet even these despised animals showed care to this poor beggar.
One Name – Lazarus
But the most striking thing about this man isn’t his poverty, or his sores.
It’s the fact that Jesus names him.
In fact this is the only occasion on which Jesus gives a name to a character in one of his parables.
Now that isn’t because this is based on a real story as some have wondered.
Rather it’s to show that there’s more to this man than his total poverty.
You see a name is important because it indicates a relationship. You only need a name if you’re known to someone. A name distinguishes you as an individual.
Now that doesn’t mean that the rich man didn’t have a name.
But as far as this story is concerned, he might as well not have.
On the other hand the poor man’s name is significant because of its meaning.
His name in fact tells us who he was known by.
’Lazarus’, in Hebrew, would be Eleazar.
And that means ’He whom God helps’.
Jesus gives him this name to indicate that Lazarus is one who waits on God to help him. He does not blame God for his situation. He does not plot revenge.
He simply waits for the vindication of the Lord.
He knows that as bad as his plight might be in this world, there is a life to come that will make this life fade into insignificance.
Here then is a story of contrasts.
Two men who are totally unequal.
One with incredible wealth, yet without identity.
The other poor beyond bearing, yet known personally to God.
2 types of inequality in fact.
Material and spiritual. Jesus wants us to consider which is the more important.
“What does it profit them if they gain the whole world,” Jesus said in Luke 9, “but lose or forfeit themselves?” (Luke 9:25 NRSV)
Two destinies
But not only do these 2 men lead different lives.
They also have 2 very different destinies.
First the poor man dies.
We’re not given any details of a funeral.
We’re probably expected to understand that such a man wouldn’t have been given a funeral.
At best he would have been carried away to a suitable place and his body burnt.
But that’s in fact irrelevant anyway, because we’re told the angels come and carry him to Abraham’s side.
Now, we mustn’t get carried away by the details here.
We have to remember that we’re reading a parable, and a parable is a device that teaches spiritual truths by allegorical means.
So the descriptions Jesus gives for the mode of transport or the details of heaven and hell aren’t meant to be taken literally.
They’re there purely to teach us spiritual truth.
The picture of Lazarus being carried by the angels to Abraham, is perhaps meant to remind us of Elijah, or even Enoch, who weren’t buried but were simply taken to be with God at the end of their lives.
And he’s taken as a sign that God is with him.
By contrast the rich man dies and is buried.
He has the full funeral.
No doubt someone reads an eloquent eulogy about his success in life, about the way God had obviously blessed him.
Yet the reality is far from anything that those mourning his death might imagine.
We find him in Hades, being tormented.
The nature of this torment isn’t commented on, though thirst and heat are implied by his request of Abraham. But again, the detail isn’t important.
What matters here is threefold:
1 Heaven and hell are real, whatever the reality of such states might be. Here’s what we glean from the parable.
Hell and heaven have the following contrast
Isolation or welcome
An awareness of what has been lost or gained
Utter separation from God or intimate companionship with God and his people.
In fact the rich man’s final state simply reflects his life on earth.
It’s simply a continuation of his separation from God.
The only difference is that on earth he was able to hide from himself his true condition.
The comfort and luxury in which he lived shielded him from his true spiritual condition. I guess the other difference is that while he was on earth he was still able to decide for himself exactly how to live. Now his ability to choose is gone.
2 Our personalities survive death in a conscious state.
The nature of heaven and hell could be characterized as God sustaining us in one of 2 states.
Either a state of bliss, in company with all who are believers, as represented by Abraham, or a state of total isolated anguish, represented by this lonely man separated from God by an uncross able chasm.
3 The 2 destinies indicate a great reversal of fortune.
Now again, we need to be careful how we read this story.
It would be easy to argue that this is just a story of how God evens things up in the end. How the rich in this world will suffer in the next and vice versa as though there were some global clearing house of life debts.
Some have used this sort of idea in fact to try to appease those who suffer from injustice in this world by promising the next world will reverse our fortunes: the poor will get revenge and the rich their comeuppance.
But that isn’t the point of this parable.
God isn’t a Galactic Robin Hood, robbing from the rich to give to the poor.
Rather God judges us on how we’ve responded to his word.
That’s the whole point of Abraham’s response in v29. ’They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’
You see the rich man has no excuse.
The Old Testament is chock full of warnings and instructions about looking after the poor.
God has been described as the God of the Poor, because of the emphasis he places on justice for the downtrodden, on stopping oppression and tyranny and the misuse of power by the rich.
In fact Jesus has just finished teaching about the use of wealth in the preceding passage,
There in v9 he says: “And I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.”
This is what the rich man has failed to do.
He’s ignored the poor at his gate rather than using his wealth to make friends for eternity.
He may even have seen the poor man as a provision of God to show just how much God has blessed him.
The Key – God’s Word
The key to the parable comes in v29.
The rich man begs that Lazarus might be sent back to warn his 5 brothers of what awaits them that side of the grave.
But Abraham says,
“No, they have all the warning they need.”
God’s word has been given so we’ll know what the Lord requires of us.
What does Micah 6:8 say?
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 NRSV)
The failure of the rich man was a failure to hear God’s word.
It was a failure to let God’s word be the arbiter of his actions.
The way we respond to God’s word seals our destiny.
Will we believe the gospel it presents or go on our way pretending all is well?
Will we take its teaching and apply it to our life?
Every time we open God’s Word, whether it’s here on a Sunday or during the week in the privacy of our quiet time, we open our lives to God’s appraisal.
Someone has said that every time we open God’s Word we stand before the gates of heaven and hell.
That’s how serious a matter it is to read God’s Word.
God’s Word is a word that calls for change, for repentance, for reformation.
God isn’t going to send us a Ghost of Christmas to Come like Scrooge saw.
He’s already given us his Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, as a mirror to reflect the way we’re living, the way we’re shaping up or not.
And Jesus is also saying, if you won’t take that Word seriously, you won’t take anything seriously, even someone returning from the dead.
This is a parable, you see, that’s addressed not to the unbeliever.
If that were the case it would be a terrible thing, a message of despair rather than warning.
Rather it’s addressed to believers.
In the first instance of course it was addressed to the Pharisees, but equally it’s addressed to us, who claim to believe in the Word of God.
It’s meant as a warning to make sure that our lives measure up to God’s Word.
The way we act towards others in need matches the way God feels about them.
That we don’t let the busy-ness or the success of our lives hide the reality of the world we live in or the truth about our own spiritual life.
Now let me repeat, we have to be careful how we read this parable.
It’s all too easy to read a parable like this and feel despairing because we don’t measure up.
But that would be to go too far.
You see, the revelation of God has gone beyond Moses and the Prophets.
We now know more about how to please God than was revealed in the Old Testament alone.
Not that care of the needy is any less important to God, but he’s shown us through Jesus Christ how we can truly please him in the first instance.
Listen to what Jesus says in John 6: “They said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)
The primary response asked of us by God is that we believe in Jesus Christ.
That is that we believe that he is indeed the Son of God.
That he came in humility to bring us to God.
The failure of the rich man was that he failed to hear the Word of God.
Our failure or success will depend on the same thing: do we hear the Word of God, not just as it relates to riches and poverty, but as it relates to Jesus Christ and his place in our lives.
Of course a right use of our wealth should flow naturally from our faith in Jesus Christ but that’s secondary.
There’s both a warning and a promise in this strange tale of two men.
There’s the warning that to ignore God and those that God cares about in this life will have eternal consequences for us in the next.
But there’s also the promise that those who know and are known by God, who look to him for help, will enjoy his presence in eternity.
Why?
Because Jesus himself came as a Lazarus, as one who had nothing to rely on but the help that God gave him.
Because Jesus hung on a cross to take away the suffering that humanity deserves, to open the gateway to heaven for all who will turn to him for help.
Because he who was rich, for our sake became poor, so that by his poverty we might become rich.
Because Jesus now waits for us at the right hand of the Father.
And on the day of our own death will take us to sit with him and Abraham, and all who call on God as Father.
How can you know the assurance of that promise?
Not as some might think by making sure that we’ve cared for the poor.
That’s not actually the point of this parable.
Rather by first believing and then obeying the word of God.
By believing in Jesus as God’s instrument of salvation.
And as you believe, seeing how God gives his Spirit to live within you to enable you to care for the poor.
“It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Like the prophets who brought God’s Word to the people, Jesus had sympathy for the poor, rebuked rich people who were selfish, did nothing for the poor.
In Jesus’ parable, Lazarus who died was carried by angels to Abraham’s side in heaven, and the rich man was summarily sent to hell, where he was in torment.
The rich man had lived for his own pleasure and had ignored the message of Moses and the Prophets.
Lazarus had had no comfort in life, but in death he received the blessings of life with God in heaven.
This parable was a comfort to many slaves in the American South in the 1800s.
One of their spiritual songs speaks of God as the “Rock of my soul” in “the bosom of Abraham”— an expression referring to “Abraham’s side.”
Where could those slaves find justice when their children were ripped from their arms and sold down the river, when the earthly powers-that-be were stacked against them?
Isaiah 58:7-12 The Message
6-9 “This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’
A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places
9-12 “If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people’s sins, If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.
But the Lord saw their plight.
And he will bring eternal judgment to the oppressor.
And bring eternal justice to the oppressed.
In Jesus’ parable, the rich man’s sin was not that he was rich; it was that he refused to care for a person in need.
His stony heart ignored the call to share food with the hungry and to provide shelter and clothing for people in need (Isaiah 58:7-12).
In conclusion, Luke 16:25-26 holds a deep and profound meaning that encompasses themes of justice, mercy, and the consequences of our actions.
The context of this verse within the teachings of Jesus further emphasizes its importance in guiding our lives.
The symbolism present in the reversal of fortunes between the rich man and Lazarus is a powerful reminder of the importance of living a compassionate and righteous life.
Those verses challenges us to prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth and to show kindness and generosity to those in need.
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Praying ….
Psalm 140
Prayer for Rescue
For the choir director. A psalm of David.
1 Rescue me, Lord, from evil men. Keep me safe from violent men 2 who plan evil in their hearts. They stir up wars all day long. 3 They make their tongues as sharp as a snake’s bite; viper’s venom is under their lips. Selah
4 Protect me, Lord, from the power of the wicked. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to make me stumble.[a] 5 The proud hide a trap with ropes for me; they spread a net along the path and set snares for me. Selah
6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.” Listen, Lord, to my cry for help. 7 Lord, my Lord, my strong Savior, you shield my head on the day of battle. 8 Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let them achieve their goals. Otherwise, they will become proud. Selah
9 When those who surround me rise up,[b] may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them. 10 Let hot coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into the abyss, never again to rise. 11 Do not let a slanderer stay in the land. Let evil relentlessly[c] hunt down a violent man.
12 I[d] know that the Lord upholds the just cause of the poor, justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous will praise your name; the upright will live in your presence.
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.
7 [a]Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples, [b]Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 8 [c]Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name; Bring an [d]offering and come into His courtyards. 9 Worship the Lord in [e]holy attire; Tremble before Him, all the earth.
Word of God for th Childrn 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.
1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
2. Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea. Cherubim and seraphim, falling down before thee, Who was and is and evermore shall be.
3. Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide thee, Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity. Author: Reginald Heber (1826)
The saints in the Bible knew of God’s holiness and adored Him.
When God passed by Moses in the cleft of the rock, Moses tasted the holiness of God.
When Elijah called down fire from heaven on the false prophets of Baal, the people saw the holiness of God.
When Ananias and Saphira were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit, the church knew the holiness of God.
But other than a relatively few cautionary tales, the New Covenant people were somehow able to partake in the holiness of God without being consumed by it.
I don’t know that we will ever really “comprehend” the full holiness of God.
And that’s too bad.
We throw that term around a lot—holiness—and we have a sense that his holiness is not to be trifled with, but I don’t think we know how to wrap our finite minds around the concept.
We know God as a loving Father—guiding, providing, and protecting.
That one is easier to absorb, at least in theory.
We know God as revealed through his Son, Jesus—compassionate, servant-hearted, gentle, and caring.
We know God through the infilling of the Holy Spirit—empowering, energizing, and enabling us to do his bidding.
But the holiness of God—do we really know him that way?
Exodus 33:19-22 New American Standard Bible
19 And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion to whom I will show compassion.” 20 He further said, “You cannot see My face, for mankind shall not see Me and live!” 21 Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place [a]by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.
We cannot behold the holiness of God for ourselves and still stay alive.
When God’s back passed by Moses in the cleft of the rock, Moses beheld the holiness of God.
Before the weary embarrassed unsuccessful Priests of Baal, Elijah called down fire from heaven on the false prophets, the people saw the holiness of God.
But other than a relatively few cautionary tales, the New Covenant people were somehow able to partake in the holiness of God without being consumed by it.
What is the purpose of Psalm 19:7:8?
Psalm 19:7–8explains how different portions of Scripture shape us inwardly and outwardly.
God’s law (Torah) is perfect (Ps. 19:7), blameless, like a prize-winning animal. It is exactly the right thing, for any given moment just when we need answers.
What does Psalm 96:8 mean for us?
Bring to God what is due to him; or, render such an acknowledgment as he deserves and claims.
Fully acknowledge him as God, and acknowledge him to be such a God as he is.
Let the honor due to God as such be given him; and let the honor due to him, for the character which he actually has, be wholly ascribed to him.
What is the meaning of Psalm 96:7-9?
Psalm 96:7-9invites all humankind to “ascribe” strength and glory to the Lord and to offer in his courts worship that is appropriate for the sovereign God.
What does Psalm 96 verse 9 mean for us?
The psalmist calls on all people—of the entire world—to give proper worship to God.
Because of His divine nature, the miracles He has done, the Lord deserves to be praised.
Psalm 96:7-9 …
bring an offering and come into his courts.
Worship unto the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Three times in a row God directly challenges us to “ascribe,” or give, unto the Lord exactly what is due His name.
Other so-called “gods” are owed nothing, are as nothing to be given anything.
Those who humbly enter His courtyards to worship the Lord should mightily celebrate His holiness, power, and judgment.
I wish that for you—and for me, too—that we could partake in God’s holiness without being consumed by it.
In conclusion, as I meditated upon this psalm I am challenged by the notion my worship of God ought to correspond to the greatness and worthiness of God.
That’s why after saying “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name” (v.8a), the psalmist follows up by calling worshipers to respond in a manner appropriate to his particular covenant (v.8b).
But as my worship fails to execute this thesis, this psalm provides a remedy: dwell long upon the greatness of God and His saving works; and let that be the primary motivation for worship due God.
In summation,our worship is based on great thoughts of God; and great thoughts of God fuel the worship of God.
I am not sure how we can come into that kind of experience—and perhaps I do not really know what I am asking for—but there is something deep within my spirit crying out to know more and more of God in the beauty of his holiness.
May God grant us a deeper, richer transformational revelation of His Divine holiness so we can authentically worship him in the splendor of his holiness.
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …
100 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with jubilation; Come before Him with rejoicing. 3 Know that the Lord [b]Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and [c]not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with [d]thanksgiving, And His courtyards with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting And His faithfulness is to all generations.
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). 