Effie Darlene Barba

In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  This week we study the book of Proverbs.  This book is among the books of the Bible referred to as wisdom books.  It is not law, prophecy, nor history.  Along with Job, Ecclesiastes, and Psalms, it holds a special study discipline known as wisdom literature.  Therefore, we must approach its study with that distinction in mind.  Yet, the book of Proverbs is very practical to our daily routines of life.  Its theme is about choosing wisdom over foolishness. Broken into tiny nuggets of knowledge, it exhorts us to live a life of morality and justice.  It is a guide of how-to live-in relationship to God, to others, and within our own being.   If we have any hope to absolutely know joy in this life, we are encouraged to do so by choosing wisdom from God.  

All too often, Proverbs is quoted in a manner that we should try harder, do better, and thereby gain the rewards noted.  However, the book of proverbs is not based on the law.  Nor is it the guide to reaching God’s favor by works.  An in-depth study of Proverbs would lead us to recognize that we again, of our own volition would fail to meet up to any of the practical standards laid out for us.  Most of the Proverbs deal with making wise choices, obeying our parents, guarding our tongues, and working hard (Do not be lazy).   In fact, last Sunday I listened to an audio version of Proverbs as I cleaned my room.  It was not long before I realized that I had heard, “do not be lazy” repeatedly throughout.  In fact, out of 31 chapters the reference to lazy in the NLT is 20 times.

Choosing Wisdom

So, what is the importance of studying the book of Proverbs.  It is like a roadmap to help us discover the right choices that honor God.  After all, Jesus is the perfect son spoken of.  He holds all the treasures of both wisdom and knowledge.  As we learn of wisdom, we learn of Him. Is that not fully reason enough to desire to study this book? Just to know Him more!

A Guide to Study

The Book of Proverbs is broken down differently than any other book.  It begins with a basic instruction guide as to why it is important and what we are to glean from studying it.

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

² To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of understanding,
³ To receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice, and integrity;
⁴ To give prudence to the naive,
To the youth knowledge and discretion,
⁵ A wise person will hear and increase in learning,
And a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
⁶ To understand a proverb and a saying,
The words of the wise and their riddles.

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

So, the purpose of the book of proverbs is to truly know wisdom. And this is more than a head knowledge of wisdom. We are to internalize the instructions of God’s blueprint for life, providing us discernment in every detail and choice of our life.  It provides us instruction on how to behave wisely, demonstrating righteousness, justice, and integrity with all that we do.  Prudence means good judgement, astute common sense.  Therefore, the proverbs within this book are to teach even the naïve how to make good, right choices.  But above all else, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge while fools despise wisdom and instruction.” 

It proceeds on through Chapter 9 with this detailed layout as to all the reasons why it would be prudent to study this while still a youth.  Thereby laying out a solid foundation from which one can further make choices in life.  Also, these are excellent for us to use as parents and grandparents.

Secondary Guide to Choosing Wisdom from God

After the first 9 chapters in which Solomon keeps addressing, my son.  The next group of Proverbs is addressed to everyone regardless of age or status.  Proverbs 10:1-22:16 are from Solomon and 22:17-24:34 are chosen from various wise men and recorded by Solomon.  Then 25:1-29:27 is a collection that Hezekiah made of Solomon’s proverbs.  We are told in I Kings 4:32 that Solomon “spoke 3000 proverbs and his songs were 1005.  Of these we are only given a few comparatively.  In fact, we only have two of his songs recorded in Psalm 72 and 127.  However, what we do know with certainty is that all scripture is inspired by God and preserved for His set purpose of bringing forth the glorious truth of Jesus Christ and God’s plan of salvation. 

That indeed is the purpose of the book of Proverbs as well.  It is not, as often used, a book to give praise to the self-righteous, promising a prosperity gospel to all who pull themselves up and live what they believe to be a righteous life.  It is rather a guide to show us the way we should respond and live; but, knowing we cannot do it without the perfect son who did live the perfect righteous life for us.  The one who died in our place.  Never forget this truth as you study the book of Proverbs.

Choosing wisdom to the Glory of God in Jesus Christ

The word of God is to equip us, not to promise us some pie in the sky fantasy of everything perfect while in this broken world.  As Paul wrote to Timothy,

¹⁰ Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! ¹² Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

¹⁴ You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3 (NASB)

The basic principles of justice, righteousness, and walking with God laid out in Proverbs are what we are to aspire to.  To be like Jesus in all that we do.  So, yes, the basics are right; but, we can only accomplish these by His mercy and grace.  All that being said, we must aspire to these with His power to help us.

What are the main themes addressed?

1.  Relationship with God
2. Trusting God
3. Humility before Him
4. Reverence to God—a proper based fear or desire to please
5. Righteousness
6. Obedience
7. Blessings
8. Sin
9. When facing death
10. Facing Test
11. Rewards
12.  Relationship to Self
13. Character
14. Wisdom
15. Foolishness
16. Speech—control the tongue (only honor God)
17. Self-Control
18. Kindness
19. Money matters
20. Pride
21. Anger
22. Laziness
23.  Relationship to others
24.  Love
25. Friends
26. Enemies
27. Truthfulness
28. DO NOT GOSSIP, DO NOT LIE
29. Relationship as a father
30. Being a mother
31. As Children
32. Education of children
33. Disciplining of children

When Choosing Wisdom not Folly

One of the greatest themes in the book of Proverbs is choosing wisdom and not folly.  But if we are honest, who are those who are foolish?  Is it not you and I.   Look at this:

There are six things that the Lord hates,
Seven that are an abomination to Him:
¹⁷ Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
¹⁹ A false witness who declares lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.  Proverbs 6

Have you ever told a lie or beamed with self-pride?  Did you ever stop to plot a means to pay back someone you thought had hurt you?  Ever run to evil or falsely whisper about someone else?  Or did you ever spread strife among supposed friends?  Yes, even the old testament book of Proverbs points us to Jesus Christ, the perfect righteousness of God who covers us with His righteousness.

 ²¹ But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.  Romans 3: (NASB).

So, how can we absolutely know joy by choosing wisdom from God?

We study His word, writing it in our hearts.  I suggest you add one Proverb daily to your Bible study.  That act will help you to grasp these tidbits of God’s righteousness to guide you in each choice you make. 

Thank God for His mercy and grace which He so richly poured out on you.

Never forget, in Him you are a new creation, created for good works. 

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love ⁵ He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved.

⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight ⁹ He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, ¹⁰ regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.

¹¹ In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, ¹² to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

¹³ In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, ¹⁴ who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

¹⁵ For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe.

These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might ²⁰ which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²² And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previously

How To Really Trust God While Mountains Quake in A Broken World

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed from Goodsalt

Earthquakes, famines, floods, pandemics, confusion, fallaciousness (the quality of being false), anger, riots, wars, and rumors of war surround us. The earth tremors under the weight of sin, hurling toward destruction and one final day of judgement.  How do we trust God while mountains quake in a broken world and it appears the battles for righteousness are being lost?  It feels at times that evil is winning.  And yet, throughout history, we see a God who fulfills every covenant promise.  Even when at moments it would seem all hope was lost, God marched forward through history to bring forth His Glory and His redemptive plan.  This despite of rebellious sinful humanity chasing after self-righteousness. 

God chose flawed, weak men and women who at times chose sin.  Yet, He saw their heart.  A heart moldable, pliable and He opened their eyes to see His glory.  They could do no less than fall in love with Him, once they recognized their utter unworthiness and His magnificent Glory.  King Solomon was a perfect example. From the days of Moses, God lived among His people in a tent referred to as a Tabernacle.  David longed for God to have a beautiful Temple in which to dwell.  God promised King David that his son would be chosen to build the temple.  David gathered the finest materials to be ready.  King Solomon meticulously had the temple built. Finally, the temple was completed exactly as promised by God.  The Ark of the Covenant was placed in the inner sanctuary. 

I Kings 8 (NASB)

⁶ Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim. ⁷ For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim made a covering over the ark …¹⁰ And it happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord, ¹¹ so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the Glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

How to Trust God In a Broken World While Mountains Quake

King Solomon bowed down in prayer to God.

First, he acknowledged God’s faithfulness

“Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping the covenant and showing faithfulness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart, ²⁴ You who have kept with Your servant, my father David, that which You promised him; You have spoken with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day.  I Kings 8: 23 (NASB)

Second, he recognized the chasm that lay between an Almighty God and humankind. 

²⁷ “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?  Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! ²⁸ Nevertheless, turn Your attention to the prayer of Your servant and to his plea, Lord, my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your servant prays before You today, ²⁹ so that Your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, toward the place of which You have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ to listen to the prayer which Your servant will pray toward this place. I Kings 8

Third, he asked that God remain merciful whenever His people would come to the temple in true repentance.  He listed famine, plague, drought, and defeat as coming from sin.  Then, He pleaded for the foreigners who would come to worship God.  He 4 times states,

“Then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and Your people: indeed, teach them the good way in which they are to walk” I Kings 8: 36.

Undone

Solomon had been King of these people and he was wise enough to recognize their sinfulness as his own.  There was no way, he or they could stand faultless before a righteous, holy God.  Much like Isaiah when he first glimpsed at God’s Glory, King Solomon could have said. 

“Woe is me, for I am undone!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King,
The Lord of hosts.”  Isaiah 6:4-6 (NKJV)

And so, he prayed trusting God in a Broken World.

“When they sin against You (for there is no person who does not sin) and You are angry with them and turn them over to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to the land of the enemy, distant or near; ⁴⁷ if they take it to heart in the land where they have been taken captive, and repent and implore Your favor in the land of those who have taken them captive, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong, we have acted wickedly’; ⁴⁸ if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive, and pray to You toward their land which You have given to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and the house which I have built for Your name.

⁴⁹ then hear their prayer and their pleading in heaven, Your dwelling place, and maintain their cause, ⁵⁰ and forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all their wrongdoings which they have committed against You, and make them objects of compassion before those who have taken them captive, so that they will have compassion on them ⁵¹ (for they are Your people and Your inheritance which You have brought out of Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace), ⁵² so that Your eyes may be open to the pleading of Your servant and to the pleading of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You.  I Kings 8 (NASB)

The Mountains Quake in A Broken World

At Mount Sinai, the mountain quaked with fire, lightening, and thunder with God’s Glory.  After the first encounter with God where He gave them the 10 commandments, they pleaded that Moses go up and bring them back the messages after that.  They magnitude of God’s Glory and Righteousness was more than they could feel. 

The earth quaked and the sun went dark, as Jesus died on the cross bearing the full weight of God’s wrath for sin. 

This creation will one day be shaken for one final time as we are told throughout scripture.

The earth is broken apart,
The earth is split through,
The earth is shaken violently.
²⁰ The earth trembles like a heavy drinker
And sways like a hut,
For its wrongdoing is heavy upon it,
And it will fall, never to rise again.
²¹ So it will happen on that day,
That the Lord will punish the rebellious angels of heaven on high,
And the kings of the earth on earth.
²² They will be gathered together
Like prisoners in the dungeon,
And will be confined in prison;
And after many days they will be punished.
²³ Then the moon will be ashamed and the sun be put to shame,
For the Lord of armies will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
And His glory will be before His elders. 

Isaiah 24:19-23 (NASB)

God Will Make The Mountains Quake with His Justice

My Spirit remains in your midst; do not fear!’ ⁶ For this is what the Lord of armies says: ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. ⁷ I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord of armies. I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. ²² And I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots and their riders, and the horses and their riders will go down, everyone by the sword of another.’ ²³ ‘On that day,’ declares the Lord of armies, Haggai 1 (NASB)

²⁵ See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, ²⁶ whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” ²⁷ Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire. H

Hebrews 12 (nkjv)

But Our Hope Is in the Unshakable Kingdom

Even though we walk through tremorous times, socially, politically, socially, economically, emotionally, and spiritually—we have no fear because we hold fast to an unshakeable kingdom of righteousness that will last forever.  He has never failed to complete any of His promises.  And even though this world will be shaken and incinerated one day, we who know Jesus have no fear. 

¹¹ And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

¹⁵ But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

¹⁶ “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” ¹⁷ then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” ¹⁸ Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

¹⁹ Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10 (NKJV)

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previously

How Does Suffering and Obedience Which Glorify God Really Lead to Joy?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed from Goodsalt

Suffering! Not what we want to hear.  Nor is it what we want to teach about.  Yet, Jesus Himself spoke often of our being called out to a life of separation, loneliness, and suffering.  He calls us to obedience and suffering, while at the same time promising us peace, joy, hope, and life eternal.  So, how does suffering and obedience glorify God and really lead to joy?  Although this seems counterintuitive, it is true.  Even when we do not fully comprehend this principle, we see it played out throughout scripture and even daily within our own lives. If only we have ears to hear and eyes to see the miracles all around us that bring Glory to His Name and fill our weary hearts with joy.

How many stories do I hear at work each week.  This week, one patient had recently, unexpectedly faced sudden critical medical events placing him on the edge of death in ICU.  A physician told him it was a miracle he was still alive.  Yet, he told me “All that happened was God giving me a chance to tell everyone I met of the goodness and the faithfulness of God. It was an opportunity to Glorify God.”

Another patient relayed this story. As he was preparing for complex heart surgery, He felt anxious. He was worrying for his wife and family. What if he were to die.  As he prayed alone in that hospital room, a white dove flew down. It lit upon his windowsill and walked back and forth very calmly for 15 minutes.  He had the video to show me.  Suffering often comes as an opportunity to Glorify God.  Amid the suffering, miraculously, joy fills our heart.  Our hope is not in this world but in the one to come.

Glorify God in Suffering

David’s greatest display of strength, honor, and obedience did Glorify God in the midst of his greatest suffering.  And yet, later his disobedience led to a sadness and sorrow unparalleled to anything he had suffered before.  Although in the darkest hours of trials when obedient, running for his life—he had joy in the Lord.  How amazing is that? His sadness only came from the consequences of his disobedience instead. Therefore, let us look at the psalms he wrote describing these emotions.  Then let us contrast and compare that to the beginning of Solomon’s reign.  Furthermore, let us see how all this points us to Jesus Christ.  In all this help us to Glory God in all that we do. Oh that we might see His hand of grace even in our suffering. 

Psalm 62 (NASB)

My soul waits in silence for God alone;
From Him comes my salvation.
² He alone is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I will not be greatly shaken.

³ How long will you attack a man,
That you may murder him, all of you,
Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
⁴ They have planned only to thrust him down from his high position;
They delight in falsehood;
They bless with their mouth,
But inwardly they curse. Selah

⁵ My soul, wait in silence for God alone,
For my hope is from Him.
⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
My refuge; I will not be shaken.
⁷ My salvation and my glory rest on God;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
⁸ Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your hearts before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

⁹ People of low standing are only breath, and people of rank are a lie;
In the balances they go up.
Together they are lighter than breath.
¹⁰ Do not trust in oppression,
And do not vainly rely on robbery;
If wealth increases, do not set your heart on it.

¹¹ God has spoken once;
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God;
¹² And faithfulness is Yours, Lord,
For You reward a person according to his work.

A Portrait of Christ in Sorrow to Glorify God

As David ran for his life from Saul, he wrote songs of praise that were the portrait of Christ.  He did not fully know this, or did he,  in a sense.  Out of his suffering David wrote songs to Glorify God that foretold of the Messiah who would come and pay the price for all our sins through His own suffering.  No suffering we endure will ever compare to His for He bore all the wrath of God which we justly deserve in addition to all that He suffered at the hands of the ones He came to save. 

I will bless the Lord who has advised me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
⁸ I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
¹⁰ For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
¹¹ You will make known to me the way of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16 (NASB).

Jesus, the True King Will Come To Reign—Glorify God on High

The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
² The Lord will stretch out Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,
“Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
³ Your people will volunteer freely on the day of Your power;
In holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn,
Your youth are to You as the dew.

⁴ The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
⁵ The Lord is at Your right hand;
He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.
⁶ He will judge among the nations, Psalm 110

Then out of anguish David wrote:

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Psalm 22:1

These are the very words that Christ cried out from the cross when God the Father and the Holy Spirit turned their backs, leaving Jesus for the only time in all of eternity to feel the awful separation from them.  After all, that is the cost of our sin, separation from our only true source of joy, our creator.
He commended His spirit into the hands of His Father, dying the death that I deserved.  An agony greater than we could ever imagine.  Yet, He did this for you and for me.  What suffering then is too great for us to bear for the good of the kingdom or for He who died for me?

⁷ All who see me deride me;
They sneer, they shake their heads, saying,
⁸ “Turn him over to the Lord; let Him save him;
Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.” Psalm 22 (NASB)

Do these not reflect the very words thrown against Jesus by the crowds? How little did the crowd realize that is precisely what would occur as God would raise Jesus from the dead.  They believed that it had to be right then or of no meaning.  Only the centurion who saw all the events realized Jesus was who He claimed to be.

“Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, certainly this was a righteous man. Luke 23:47 (KJV)

Further Depiction of the Cross to Come

all my bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It is melted within me.
¹⁵ My strength is dried up like a piece of pottery,
And my tongue clings to my jaws;
And You lay me in the dust of death.
¹⁶ For dogs have surrounded me;
A band of evildoers has encompassed me;
They pierced my hands and my feet.
¹⁷ I can count all my bones.
They look, they stare at me;
¹⁸ They divide my garments among them,
And they cast lots for my clothing.  Psalm 22 (NASB)

In the agonizing cries of David here, he describes tortures that do occur on the cross.  However, the cross was not yet a means of torture or execution.  Still, David is inspired to write these while describing his suffering as though he felt some of what Jesus would feel one day.  Foretelling the events so vividly, despite himself never experiencing exactly that.  His hands had not been literally pierced, nor his bones pulled out of joint.  Still, this is the marvel of how God shows Himself repeatedly throughout scripture, pointing us to Jesus Christ our Savior.  

So, What About Disobedience? How Can We Glorify God after we fail?

For David we know that his sadness did not come during the years of his greatest trials.  Rather, they came as consequence to his own disobedience to God’s command.  Yes, he was forgiven by God when he pleaded for forgiveness with a broken and contrite heart.  His salvation was secure as God had promised.  It is God who by grace holds steadfast to His promises in spite of us at times. Yet, He must condemn sin and disobedience even in His chosen.  My greatest sorrows come when I watch the consequences of my own sins play out their course in life.  So, it was for David. 

As we looked at before, there are Gods unwavering promises and then there are the conditional promises.  So, now as we turn to Solomon in our studies, let us see how this plays out as well.

God’s Unconditional Promises Concerning Solomon

¹² “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³ He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ¹⁴ I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. ¹⁵ But My mercy shall not depart from him,  2 Samuel 7: (KJV)

Then God chose Solomon to be King.  Shortly after, God, in a dream, asked Solomon what he would ask of Him.  Solomon asked for wisdom to judge the people justly.  Then God granted this and more unconditionally as a covenant promise. 

God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, ¹² behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. ¹³ And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.  I Kings 3 (NASB)

Then came the conditional promise from God to Solomon.

¹⁴ So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthenyour days.”  I Kings 3 (NASB)

As we study Solomon in the coming days, consider this.  Solomon only lived to 59 or 60 years of age before he died. 

What does all this mean for us?

Even in the midst of life’s suffering, our joy is founded in Jesus.  This is particularly true if our suffering is a direct result of our following Him.  We most glorify God when we most rejoice in who He is whether amid a barrage of trials and suffering or in a bright and glorious moment of grace.  If our trial is a result of disobedience, He is faithful and just in forgiving us as we confess our sin to Him.  Therefore, if you cannot find that abiding steadfast joy to undergird you; then, ask Him to show you why.   He will.  So, what are we to do?

He has told you, mortal one, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God? 

But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
⁸ Do not rejoice over me, enemy of mine.
Though I fall I will rise;
Though I live in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.

⁹ I will endure the rage of the Lord
Because I have sinned against Him,
Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me.
He will bring me out to the light,
And I will look at His righteousness! Micah 6:8, 7:7-9

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previously

Transforming life with 14 Powerful Psalms of Praise, Promise, Provision, Plus More

The book of Psalms are songs.  Our hearts and minds grasp the sounds of songs, helping us to express our deepest emotions and to memorialize our experiences.  How much easier it is to remember the words to a song?  They spring back into our minds from seemingly nowhere reminding us of our own feelings of joy, sorrow, pain, loneliness, triumph, and despair.  Within the book of Psalms, we find Powerful Psalms of Praise, promise, provision, protection, preparation, petition, and penitence. But why should we study these?  Are they not the same prayers we need!

        Jerry Falwell in his book “Building Dynamic Faith” wrote “the more you know and obey the Word of God, the more faith you will develop” [1]  He believed the key to dynamic, unwavering faith was in bible study and prayer.  He felt strongly that one should read the Bible through every year, but also to “Read five psalms every day to know God intimately and read one chapter in the Proverbs every day to gain wisdom”[2]  Then he would read Old Testament scripture in the morning and New Testament at night.  This plus devoted time to prayer both morning and night were key to his faith walk with God.  No matter how busy he got. 

Note that meant every month, he read the entire book of Psalms in order to know God more intimately.  Should knowing God more intimately not be our goal as well?  So, let us look more closely at some powerful Psalms to help us express our praise, petition and penitence while learning more of God’s provision, promises, and protection all preparing you to live a dynamic faith transforming life for you and all surrounding you.  

POWER PSALMS OF PRAISE

Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
You who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
² From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have established strength
Because of Your enemies,
To do away with the enemy and the revengeful.³ When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have set in place;
⁴ What is man that You think of him,
And a son of man that You are concerned about him?
⁵ Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
⁶ You have him rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put everything under his feet,
⁷ All sheep and oxen,
And also the animals of the field,
⁸ The birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.⁹ Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth! 

Psalm 8 (NASB)

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
² Serve the Lord with jubilation;
Come before Him with rejoicing.
³ Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.⁴ Enter His gates with 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.

Psalm 100 (NASB)

POWERFUL PSALMS OF PETITION

How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
² How long am I to feel anxious in my soul,
With grief in my heart all the day?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?³ Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
⁴ And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

⁵ But I have trusted in Your faithfulness;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
⁶ I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has looked after me.

Psalm 13 (NASB)

When you feel He doesn’t hear you, He hears, He remembers His promises and He sees you right there.   He never forsakes you.  Amid the sorrow He sees your pain; yet He knows what will bring you the greatest joy in Him.  So, He waits as He did when He watched His Son pay the price for you on Calvary’s tree.  That is why David could say, “I will sing to the Lord, because He has looked after me.” 

God, hurry to save me;
Lord, hurry to help me!
² May those who seek my life
Be put to shame and humiliated;
May those who delight in my harm
Be turned back and dishonored.
³ May those who say, “Aha, aha!” be turned back
Because of their shame.

⁴ May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And may those who love Your salvation say continually,
“May God be exalted!”
⁵ But I am afflicted and needy;
Hurry to me, God!
You are my help and my savior;
Lord, do not delay. 

Psalm 70 (NASB)

POWERFUL PSALMS OF PENITENCE

Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my guilt
And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my wrongdoings,
And my sin is constantly before me.
4 Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge. 

Psalm 51 (NASB)

Penitence for self and nation

 Out of the depths I have cried to You, Lord.
² Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the sound of my pleadings.
³ If You, Lord, were to keep account of guilty deeds,
Lord, who could stand?
⁴ But there is forgiveness with You,
So that You may be revered.

⁵ I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
And I wait for His word.
⁶ My soul waits in hope for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Yes, more than the watchmen for the morning.
⁷ Israel, wait for the Lord;
For with the Lord there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
⁸ And He will redeem Israel
From all his guilty deeds. 

Psalm 130 (NASB)

PSALMS OF PROVISION

The Lord is my shepherd,
I will not be in need.
² He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For the sake of His name.⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
⁶ Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life,
And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23 (NASB)

4 I sought the Lord and He answered me,
And rescued me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This wretched man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9 Fear the Lord, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no lack of anything.
10 The young lions do without and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me

Psalm 34 (NASB)

Powerful PSALMS OF PROMISES

Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,
And on His Law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Psalm 1 (NASB)

 Do not get upset because of evildoers,
Do not be envious of wrongdoers.
2 For they will wither quickly like the grass,
And decay like the green plants.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
Live in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
6 He will bring out your righteousness as the light,
And your judgment as the noonday. 

Psalm 37

Two Powerful Psalms of Protection

One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
³ For it is He who rescues you from the net of the trapper
And from the deadly plague.
⁴ He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may take refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and wall.

⁵ You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
⁶ Of the plague that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that devastates at noon.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
⁸ You will only look on with your eyes
And see the retaliation against the wicked.
⁹ For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
The Most High, your dwelling place.
¹⁰ No evil will happen to you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.

¹¹ For He will give His angels orders concerning you,
To protect you in all your ways.
¹² On their hands they will lift you up,
So that you do not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will walk upon the lion and cobra,
You will trample the young lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he has loved Me, I will save him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
¹⁵ He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
¹⁶ I will satisfy him with a long life,
And show him My salvation.” 

Psalm 91

¹² The wicked plots against the righteous,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
¹³ The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming.
¹⁴ The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow
To take down the afflicted and the needy,
To kill off those who are upright in conduct.
¹⁵ Their sword will enter their own heart,
And their bows will be broken.

Psalm 37 (NASB)

Powerful Psalms of Preparation

When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
22 Then I was stupid and ignorant;
I was like an animal before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24 You will guide me with Your plan,
And afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom do I have in heaven but You?
And with You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
28 But as for me, the nearness of God is good for me;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
So that I may tell of all Your works. 

Psalm 73 (NASB)

Make me know Your ways, Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
⁵ Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day. 

Psalm 25 (NASB)

Concluding Thoughts

And so, the Psalms are source of hope, strength, and joy amid all the trials of this life.  Let us learn to turn to them, everyday of our lives.  Remembering verses to help us face each day.  Thereby, transforming our life and the lives of those surrounding us. 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previously

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

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[1] Falwell, Jerry; Building Dynamic Faith:2005, Thomas Nelson; Nashville,TN, pg 54

[2] Ibid, page 55

As we close out the study of 2 Samuel and enter the study of I Kings, King David is dying.  He speaks some final words of wisdom to his son, Solomon whom God has chosen to follow him.  There is a sadness of tone, as we remember the turmoil brought about during the last years of his reign. Turmoil and conflict, consequences and reminders of David’s own frailties and failures.  Yet in it all God proved faithful to His promises.  Around us and throughout history there have been the rise and fall of Kings and Kingdoms.  We watch an unending tempest within our own country with the conflicts of our leaders.  Presidents come and presidents go leaving indelible marks in our society.  Yet, amid the tempest of earthly kingdoms, our steadfast rock is Jesus.  God remains faithful to His promises. 

There are throughout scripture both conditional promises from God and unconditional promises.  We see this clearly displayed in the life of David. 

Unconditional Promise

Even before David’s sin with Bathsheba, God presented this unconditional promise to David.

¹² When your days are finished and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from you, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³ He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ¹⁴ I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and with strokes of sons of mankind, ¹⁵ but My favor shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from you. ¹⁶ Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’  2 Samuel 7: (NASB)

This promise remains unchanged by David’s sin.  God will accomplish all that He has planned and promised because of His Grace.  What changed because of sin?  Joy and peace were replaced with turmoil and sadness. David watched the conflicts among his children, the suffering of the people and must of remembered how his own failures injured those around him. 

Despite that God did not fail to keep His promise.  Through the line of David came Jesus our steadfast rock.  God was faithful throughout history.  His unconditional promise to the world and to David was true. 

Our Steadfast Rock is Jesus

Alistair Begg in his sermon on 2 Kings wrote:

Well, what the Bible is making clear is this: that God has pledged himself to fulfill his covenant promises, in spite of the individual disobedience of any particular king. In spite of. At the same time, on the pathway of those individual kings, there will be for them no enjoyment of God’s covenant blessings when they are disobedient. When they’re disobedient. It’s not their obedience that establishes the covenant. [1]

And yet, there are those conditional promises.  If this, then that.  We see this in David’s speech to Solomon.

As David’s time to die drew near, he commanded his son Solomon, saying, ² “I am going the way of all the earth. So be strong, and prove yourself a man. ³ Do your duty to the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, ⁴ so that the Lord may fulfill His promise which He spoke regarding me, saying, ‘If your sons are careful about their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and all their soul, you shall not be deprived of a man to occupy the throne of Israel.’ I Kings 2 (NASB)

Is there a man on the throne of Israel today? NO.  This was a conditional promise.  If you do all that God has commanded, you and keep all his ordinances. 

Our Steadfast Rock is Jesus

The covenant promise of God from all of eternity… Actually, you know, way back in Genesis, what, 17, when the word of God comes to Abram, and he says, “You know, you’ve got a great future in front of you, and kings will come from you”—that’s Genesis 17. Here they come! First of all, Saul: gone. David: marginal. Solomon: on his way. God has pledged himself, so that when the King comes riding on a donkey, “gentle and lowly in heart,” all of these bits and pieces are seen to be fulfilled. But for the time being, we need to recognize that this is important. [2]

The King who would fulfill the covenant promise through the lineage of David, our steadfast rock is Jesus. 

So, what can we learn from this?

God is faithful.  He will keep His covenant promises.  If we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, everything is ours to hold.  But, even then, there are conditional promises.  Those have to do with our joy and peace.  Do you have joy and peace today?  What is standing in the way?

Psalm 1 (NASB) says:

Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
² But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,
And on His Law he meditates day and night.
³ He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Amid the Tempest of Kings and Kingdoms

David prayed for God to restore the “joy of His Salvation”.  It was the joy lost due to his disobedience.  His salvation held firm and God drew David back every time he fell.  The same was true of Solomon.  He wrote Ecclesiastes saying “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity and vexation of spirit” concluding that all that really matters is:

¹³ The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. ¹⁴ For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12 (NASB)

Some final verses to guide us—Our Steadfast Rock is Jesus

⁴ I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus…^{. 8} Hewill also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  I Corinthians 1 (NET)

I Thessalonians 5: (NASB)

²³ Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.

II Thessalonians 3 (NASB)

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;  Hebrews 10:23

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1 (KJV)

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. ¹¹ The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
¹² if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
¹³ if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.    2 Timothy 2

Words from Alistair Begg

I encourage you to follow the link and go to his site Truth for Life and listen to this sermon in its entirety as well as his many others. He says it much better than I can.

Church conferences abound on all kinds of subjects—you know, “How to develop your programs,” “How to engage in the culture,” all good stuff. Very few of them are actually convened on the subject of Jesus Christ, you know: “We’re going to have a conference on Jesus. And we’re going to have a conference on obedience.” No, no, we want to have a conference on programs, developing the personality of the leader, the political things, and so on. But didn’t we read this in 1 Samuel? Didn’t the word of God come, “To obey is better than sacrifice”?[24] Just straightforward: doing what God says.

And isn’t it quite amazing, and yet ought not to be particularly surprising, that when we read these records, when we meet these people—and Solomon, we’re about to see (well, we’re not, actually, but you can read on)—even the best of God’s servants only make it by grace? The best! They only make it by grace. How do you finish well? By grace. How do you keep going? By grace. “Oh, you mean you can just disobey, and he just does grace?” No, no, no. His grace causes our hearts to say, “I delight to do your will, O God.”

My obedience to my married vows didn’t create the covenant of marriage. But I can’t enjoy the covenant of marriage without obedience to my marriage vows. Your obedience did not bring you into a saving relationship with Jesus. That’s grace, start to finish. But our continuance is not outside the narrow path he calls us to walk.

You see, actually, David’s story is marginal. None of our ministries—none of our ministries—are very impressive this side of heaven. They’re not. They’re really not. Which is good, for two reasons. Because it deals, then—when we recognize it humbly—it deals both with our conceit, and it deals with our despair. When we realize that it is all on account of God’s amazing grace, then we’re not going to do the survey thing like David at the end of 2 Samuel so that we can go, “Wow, you see, the things… Ooh!” No. Because only God makes things grow.[25]

But at the same time, when you go home, and you sit in your room, and I sit in my room and say, “We’re not really making a dent in this place. We’re not really making much of an impact in the vastness of greater Cleveland. Oh, we have little groups, and we have different things.” And the Lord says, “Hey, it’s not about you and your groups. It’s about me and my glory. Go ahead and plant. Go ahead and water. Grace will make it grow.” When a church family gets that, it really changes everything. It really changes everything—gets rid of spiritual snobbery, gets rid of judgmentalism. Because everybody’s life is a mess. Some are just messier than others. But it’s all mess.

You say, “Well, that was very encouraging. Thank you.” No, I want it to be encouraging. I want to say to you… Because then where do you run? You run into the arms of God. You run into the arms of God.[3]

Alistair Begg

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[1] Alistair Begg, “Death of a King-Part 1” (sermon, September 11, 2022), https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/death-king-part-one/

[2] iBid

[3] listair Begg, “Death of a King-Part 1” (sermon, September 11, 2022) https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/death-king-part-one/

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previously

One Decision Changed Triumph to Tragedy Yet the Grace of God Won

How to Really Remain Faithful to God from Priests to Politicians

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

 “Copyright Truth For Life. Used with Permission. www.truthforlife.org.”

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