Category: Blog

Psalm 55:

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

² Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

³ Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

⁴ My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

⁶ And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

⁷ Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

⁸ I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

⁹ Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

¹⁰ Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

¹¹ Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

¹² For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

¹³ But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

¹⁴ We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

¹⁵ Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

¹⁶ As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

¹⁷ Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

¹⁸ He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

¹⁹ God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

²⁰ He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

²¹ The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

²² Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

²³ But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

After the faith of this young shepherd boy had allowed him to save the nation from Goliath and his army; King Saul had taken David into the royal family.  But when the popularity of David spread among the people, King Saul’s jealousy set him on the mission to destroy David and David had to run for his life.   God had already appointed David to become King following Saul; however, David did not take that as a sign to run ahead of God.  David was confused, hurting emotionally, sorrowful, and filled with fear.  We see that in his words "My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest."  David knew that his hope, his peace and the only answer would come from God.  He would stand firm on the promises God had already made toward him.  He did not know how God would accomplish it when everything seemed so impossible.  So, he did the only thing that he knew to do—pray.  "As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

He knew to pray and to wait upon God’s answer and in God’s time.  Just as the prophet Isaiah reminds us: 40:

^"30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

As we look around us, we see evil, sorrow, financial destruction, illness, pain, things that cause us to run in fear; yet, on this truth we can stand firm:  God is still on His Throne and He has a plan of good for all those who have an intimate relationship with Him.  Even when we cannot see that plan nor understand how, even when it appears that all hope is gone; we can trust in the covenant promises of God whose omniscient omnipotence knows how to work all things together for our good to all who love Him and have accepted the gift of salvation purchased by Jesus Christ.  He is there to Steady your Heart in the midst of whatever you are facing today. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmaBhMOXXHg

Deuteronomy 4: ²⁵ When thou shalt beget children, and children’s children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the Lord thy God, to provoke him to anger:

²⁶ I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land where unto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. ²⁷ And the Lord shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you.

²⁸ And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

²⁹ But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

³⁰ When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

³¹ (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Moses was speaking to the Israelite nation as they were preparing to cross over Jordan into their promised land.  An entire generation had died in the wilderness because of their rebellion, murmuring, and idolatrous  worship.  He wanted to remind them of the danger that lay before them whenever their covetous hearts begin to search for and hold too tightly to other treasures chasing after idols of any kind.  The same is true for us.  But you may say, oh then I am safe because I have no idols of which I worship.  Or do you?  Anything that is placed as more important than your relationship with God is an idol in your heart.  For some it is their work, others entertainment, others TV, others it may be money or possessions.  We desire and seek after many things in hopes that it will fill our hearts with joy or contentment; yet, we find ourselves desolate in some foreign land surrounded by many who have no desire to follow after Christ.  We begin to listen to their advice as we begin to look lightly upon sin.  After all, we live in a new society; fornication or adultery are not so bad if I do it because of love.  So what if I cheat just a little on my taxes, the government is corrupt in their use of the money anyway?  It doesn’t matter if I waste time at work; after all they don’t pay me enough to work diligently?  He hurt me, so why shouldn’t I be able to retaliate?  It isn’t really gossip because I only am telling you so that you can pray for her.  So on goes the lies whispering into our minds and we follow with each step drawing us farther from the voice of God–our only source of True Joy, True Hope, and True Righteousness. But there is Good News—

Deuteronomy 4: ²⁹ But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

³⁰ When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

³¹ (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

His covenant promises to His Children will always stand firm.  If you find yourself in a desert somewhere or within a foreign land of your heart; seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Return to the God you love and find His Mercy.  If you have never known Him?  Then I urge you to seek Him and you will find Him–the only one who can provide rest and comfort for your soul.  If you do know Him, never forget all that He has done for you in the past.   Write it on your heart lest you forget.  Then teach your children and your grandchildren.  Your most important act of love for your children is to point them to Christ.  If you spend a lifetime teaching them how to live on this earth and never point them to Christ who not only is their only source of Joy on this Earth; but their only hope of eternity:  what a tragedy that would be. 

Deuteronomy 4: ⁹ Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcPzkNGp_oo

Romans 8:¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

I accepted Christ as my Savior at the young age of 5.  I don’t remember much about being 5; yet, that moment I remember.  Cannot tell you how it was that a 5 year old understood that she was a sinner and in need of a Savior; but, I remember the essence and where I was standing–in a corner of our kitchen facing the light switch.  Mom or Dad never used time out as a punishment so I am certain they had not put me there.  I remember the radio playing Dr. Dehaan’s message and I remember feeling a heavy weight with the sense of my own inability to ever be good enough to have a relationship with this Glorious Savior and I wanted Him in my life to fill my heart.  Since I cannot tell you anything else about being 5 without relying on Mom’s memory to say what happened; yet, she did not remember any details about my moment of accepting Christ.  She only remembers that I had told her and she doubted that it was even possible at the age of 5. So, even that has been God’s gift of Grace to place that assurance in my heart.  Through many trials, many temptations, and many failures; that truth has always remained and has been my greatest source of hope.  I am a child of God; though, there may be many failures or times in my life that I have failed to bring honor to His name; yet, He has never left me there and with great patience, has taught me, guided me, sifted out the chaff one by one as He continues to perform the work of transforming me into the beautiful bride without blemish.  I am being transformed into the image of Christ one glory at a time.  Glory by glory–this is the work of the Holy Spirit through me.  My part?  Keep my eyes on Jesus whom I love and adore as the greatest treasure of my life. 2 Corinthians 3: "¹⁷ Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

¹⁸ But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." For that reason, I study His word, His love letters to me so that I might know more of who He is and never forget all the wondrous covenant promises to me.  Now, my question to you is; do you remember a moment when you asked Christ into your heart, is there an overwhelming essence of His Spirit with you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0NwaJ54atw

Romans 10:⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

So simple; yet, break it down just a little.  So many confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord; yet, do they truly in their heart believe? Do they realize that He is their greatest treasure?  When they see the cross, do they know the agony that the Creator of the Universe endured for them?  We see the acts of terrorists and bombers as evil; but do we see that the greatest evil ever perpetrated was nailing perfect righteousness to a cross.  He bore the full wrath that Justice demanded against my sin; though, He knew no sin.  He took my shame upon Himself in my place.  We look too lightly upon this and say thank you with a gesture as though it should have been so.  It must have been easy for God to give His life this way; after all, He was God.  But what you must remember, it was harder than even for you or I.  He was fully God and fully Man, so His human body was subject to pain, temptations, and suffering just as you or I.  I am certain that it was much harder to endure; because you or I when suffering have no choice–He, on the other hand, could call forth a legion of angels at any moment to say done–finished, I quit.  So what held Him to that cross?  He knew that the only way that I could ever experience the Joy and Love that He wanted to share with me would demand He finish the work He came to do.  He must bare the penalty for my sin, or I could never have a relationship with Him and my life would be left without any hope of True Joy–as can only be found in Him.  He loved me that much.  He was thrust into Hell–separation from the Father (soul) and Holy Spirit.  He then rose from the grave, conquering death’s curse.  He stands with open arms to all who would believe in their heart.  Do you really believe?  If so, then follow Him. 

Hebrews 12: 12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Remember this, there is no pain too great to endure for the salvation of one soul.  An entire lifetime is nothing compared to eternity.  So whatever afflictions may be mine here on this earth, I must throw aside the feelings of self pity and deny that whispering voice searching for immediate gratification and look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of my faith.  He endured more than I could ever be asked to endure focused always on the future Joy that He could share with me.  Shouldn’t I do the same?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv3E7DhitRU

Philippians 2: ¹² Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

¹³ For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

¹⁵ That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

¹⁶ Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Paul wrote to the church of Philippe from a jail cell.  He so wanted to teach the church that Christian living is the out-pouring of the life that they have in Christ.  Christ had purchased their salvation and now through the power of the Holy Spirit within each believer they are to demonstrate to the world that which they have in Christ Jesus.  They are to live in a manner that the light of Christ might shine forth into a dark world, shining with hope which glorifies God.  He says they are to "work out their salvation with fear and trembling."  In this He is referring to their outward actions being a demonstration of the salvation that is within them.  When he says to do so with fear and trembling, he is talking about the fear that every believer should have in failing to represent Christ in all that they do.  We should fear  listening to the lies of sin which draw us away from Christ being our greatest treasure and leading us into doing or saying that which would cause a unsaved world to say, "Why should I follow Christ, those Christians are worse than I am in their murmuring and fighting and lifestyle?"  If I see Christ as my greatest treasure, then I will study His word that I might say as David, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." If I keep my eyes focused on Christ, then I will desire to shine forth His love, His joy and His glory to those whom I meet in this world.  My greatest trembling with sorrow is when my actions may have disgraced the name of Christ.  As I stand and proclaim His name to the world, then my actions need to also proclaim His name.  My greatest fear is that I might by my deeds or my words bring shame or dishonor to the name of my Beloved.  My greatest desire is that my life will reflect the grace and mercy He has shown toward me and give me the power to have joy in the midst of trials, tribulations, and even when I must stare my own failures in the face.  I long to seek and savor Christ with all of my heart and soul that I might grow in His Grace and the knowledge of Christ Jesus.  In that Grace which grows through faith in Him, I gain the power over sin—one step at a time, one temptation at a time as I ask for grace each moment of the day.  Paul knew this and wanted to teach these young believers of all that He had learned.  Christ in me, the hope of Glory.  Christ had said,

Matthew 5: ¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V0rgrt1nTM