Effie Darlene Barba

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.  How beautiful snow is when it freshly falls, glistening white with no discoloration.  We so love that verse when it comes to our own sin; but what about others?  Are we so quick to accept them in?  We tend to believe some people are too evil to ever be forgiven. However, in that case is it that we see to little the blackness in our own heart? Or we do not see the absolute righteousness of God, bringing us to our knees. As we come to look at this king of Judah, King Manasseh, a part of us bristles at the thought of his being saved in the end.  He truly is one absolutely Marvelous Example of God’s Mercy and Justice in Life.  We could easily compare his life to Paul the apostle who stood by and watched, perhaps even ordered, the stoning of Stephen. 

How could it be God would save such a man as Saul to be renamed Paul?  Ah but you see, we cannot see the heart of God.  Nor do we truly see the heart of others, as God sees them. And yet, let us consider.  Perhaps it is true that my own judgmental, prideful heart is even worse than Paul’s worse day.  Could it be that I am so quick to see the speck in my brother’s eye while never seeing the boulder in my own?  I daresay, too often it is precisely the case.

The more I learn of the Marvelous Example of God’s Glory, the more I recognize my own unworthiness before a Holy God. Yet, He saved me. Why would I not want that for another whose eyes had been blinded and now they see?

Marvelous Example:  From the depths of evil

  Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. ² He did evil in the sight of the Lord according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord dispossessed before the sons of Israel. ³ For he rebuilt the high places which his father Hezekiah had torn down; he also set up altars for the Baals and made Asherim, and he worshiped all the heavenly lights and served them.  2 Chronicles 33

He was a very spiritual man as some would say today, “I am spiritual”.  He worshipped astrology, the stars, the moon, and the sun. In addition he sought after many idols and the gods of the world. Perhaps searching for peace, but never finding.

⁴ He built altars in the house of the Lord of which the Lord had said, “My name shall be in Jerusalem forever.” ⁵ He built altars for all the heavenly lights in the two courtyards of the house of the Lord. ⁶ He also made his sons pass through the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom; and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery, and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him to anger. 2 Chronicles 33

Boldness of An Evil Heart

Furthermore, he was bold.  He even placed the idols inside the house of God.  Oh, wait, but don’t we do the same today?  Have I not at times in my life been guilty of the same? Placing other desires above God and never even considering what I was doing.

⁷ Then he put the carved image of the idol which he had made in the house of God, of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever; ⁸ and I will not remove the foot of Israel again from the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will take care to do everything that I have commanded them according to all the Law, the statutes, and the ordinances given through Moses.” ⁹ So Manasseh encouraged Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the sons of Israel. 2 Chronicles 33 NASB

The Darkest Recesses of Evil in Nation 2 Kings 21

¹⁰ Now the Lord spoke through His servants the prophets, saying, ¹¹ “Since Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations, having done more evil than all that the Amorites did who were before him, and has also misled Judah into sin with his idols, ¹² therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘Behold, I am bringing such a disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that whoever hears about it, both of his ears will ring.

¹³ I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab, and I will wipe Jerusalem clean just as one wipes a bowl, wiping it and turning it upside down. ¹⁴ And I will abandon the remnant of My inheritance and hand them over to their enemies, and they will become as plunder and spoils to all their enemies, ¹⁵ because they have done evil in My sight, and have been provoking Me to anger since the day their fathers came from Egypt, even to this day.’”

And King Manasseh

¹⁶ Furthermore, Manasseh shed very much innocent blood until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides his sin into which he misled Judah, in doing evil in the sight of the Lord.

Although, not recorded in the Bible, there are some historical books that suggest perhaps King Manasseh was responsible for Isaiah’s death.  There is one such recording that suggests Isaiah was placed in a sack inside a tree and sawed in half.  Hebrews 11 does refer to someone of faith being sawed in half.  Perhaps it was Isaiah.  But all combined, King Manasseh was of all men most evil until he humbly repented of his sins before God.

Marvelous Example of God’s Grace

⁰ So the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. ¹¹ Therefore the Lord brought the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria against them, and they captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze chains, and led him to Babylon. ¹² When he was in distress, he appeased the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. ¹³ When he prayed to Him, He was moved by him and heard his pleading, and brought him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord alone is God.  

And so King Manasseh joined the long list of sinners saved by grace alone.  Sinners just like me.  God reached down from His Throne to see me.  He sent His son to die to pay the price for my sin.  My heart so often filled with flickering embers of bitterness.  How quickly I jumped to anger and frustration last week over trivial things.  I say it is because I am overworked, overwhelmed, and stretched too far; but is it that?  Do I ever stop to remember that I am at times so critical of others?  Oh, “woe is me” must be my cry like that of Isaiah.

Isaiah 6: Marvelous Example of God’s Mercy and Justice

 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. ² Seraphim were standing above Him, each having six wings: with two each covered his face, and with two each covered his feet, and with two each flew. ³ And one called out to another and said,

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of armies.
The whole earth is full of His glory.”

⁴ And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. ⁵ Then I said,

“Woe to me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of armies.”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. ⁷ He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your guilt is taken away and atonement is made for your sin.”

Another Marvelous Example of God’s Grace and Justice—Jonah

Jonah thought the Ninevites were too evil to be saved.  Yet, God told Him, otherwise.  And through their salvation the destruction of Israel was delayed for a time.  Yet, the depth of evil in the heart of the Israelites were compounded by their pride and arrogance.  Believing God would always choose them as though it was because they were superior in their character.  Truth is:  Yes, He chose them.  But that was an act of grace alone.  Justice would burn up the lot of us all, were it not for grace.  Justice demands it; but Jesus paid the price.  Oh what Marvelous Example of Grace has been shown me, a sinner.

How quickly I must be reminded that my only hope is Jesus.  One day I will look like Him, but until that day I must bow before the cross daily.  I only display Him to the world when I come to the end of me so that His light might shine through an emptied vessel overflowing with His love, grace, and His righteousness.

So let us rejoice in Him, proclaiming His Magnificent Glory to a world in need of a Savior. Then let us sing praise to the Marvelous Example of His Grace whenever anyone comes to repent and accept Him as Lord and Savior.

WHEN I CAME TO THE END OF ME

So many times I strayed so far from you

And wondered what was I  to do

I tried so hard, my might, to do your will

I could not see I should stand still

What could I do? Bring You a gift?

The harder I try, the farther I drift

I reached that point, reality

I’d broke your heart, you still loved me

CHORUS: When I don’t have the strength

You make me strong

When my heart fills with tears

You are my song

You are the love,

My hope from above

My fountain of life

To overcome strife

When I don’t have a hope

At the end of life’s rope

And I can’t find my way

You save this lost stray

Oh, help me see the new me

Bought by your blood  my penalty

And through my life someone might see

A glimpse of you, your majesty

When I come to the end of me

Only there can I truly see

The depth of Your love for me

And all that you bought eternally

Effie Darlene Barba

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 Joyfully Trust God in a Crazy Upside-Down 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 AdobeStock

Hezekiah became King of Judah in a particularly tumultuous crazy upside-down world.  His father, King Ahaz, replaced true worship of God with idolatrous worship of many forms.  He made treaties with Assyria to pay monthly tributes for the protection of Judah, although so had the northern kingdoms of Israel in vain.  Meanwhile, Assyria rose up as the major power of the day with Babylon somewhat smoldering, desirous to flex its muscles in its desire to rise in power.  Assyria wanted to overtake Egypt, while Israel and Judah were directly in that pathway.  Meanwhile, even Israel rose up to battle against Judah.  So, we might ask, “how was it that King Hezekiah determined to follow God with all his heart?”   But he did, and this is a piece of his story. King Hezekiah determined to joyfully trust God in a crazy upside-down world.

It all began by making a covenant commitment to God within the first year of his reign as King in 715 BC.  For the first time in decades the Passover was restored and King Hezekiah invited all from every area to come to the Passover. 

2 Chronicles 29 (NASB

³ In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. ⁴ He brought in the priests and the Levites and gathered them into the public square on the east. ⁵ Then he said to them, “Listen to me, you Levites. Consecrate yourselves now, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry the uncleanness out of the holy place.

⁶ For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done evil in the sight of the Lord our God, and they have abandoned Him and turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the Lord, and have turned their backs. ⁷ They have also shut the doors of the porch and extinguished the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.

⁸ Therefore the wrath of the Lord was against Judah and Jerusalem, and He has made them an object of terror, of horror, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes. ⁹ For behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity because of this. ¹⁰ Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, so that His burning anger may turn away from us. ¹¹ My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and to be His ministers and burn incense.”

Joyfully Trust God and Keep His Commandments

King Hezekiah loved God, revered God and obeyed God.  God’s word tells us regarding King Hezekiah. 

He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; and after him there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who came before him. ⁶ For he clung to the Lord; he did not desist from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. ⁷ And the Lord was with him; wherever he went he was successful. And he revolted against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. ⁸ He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.  2Kings 18 (NASB)

Despite all that, not everything was smooth.  Indeed, King Hezekiah faced fear, illness, and temptation as any other man.  As we look at those, let us learn from this King how we should respond as well.

How to Joyfully Trust God when Fear Grips You

In all King Hezekiah did during his early reign, he demonstrated how to joyfully trust God.  He built an aqueduct through stone to provide water to Jerusalem even if surrounded by enemies.  This was quite a feat.  Additionally, he fortified the city walls and stored provisions.  With all of this, he also stopped paying tribute to Assyria. 

Samaria the capital of the Northern tribes of Israel fell to Assyria.  As was customary, the Assyrians scattered the people throughout.  This is a means of trying to destroy any sense of nationalism.  (Similar to today when the elites want to destroy any sense of national pride.  This is a tactic to gain emotional power over the people. Divide the people so that no one remembers who they are.)  Then Assyria began to take Judean cities as well.  Their plan was to overtake Jerusalem.  The initial response by King Hezekiah was one of fear.  Therein, King Hezekiah, made an error in judgment as he tried to fix the problem himself.

We Cannot Fix the Problem Alone

 ¹³ Now in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria marched against all the fortified cities of Judah and seized them. ¹⁴ Then Hezekiah king of Judah sent messengers to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong. Withdraw from me; whatever you impose on me I will endure.” So the king of Assyria imposed on Hezekiah king of Judah the payment of three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. ¹⁵ Hezekiah then gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasuries of the king’s house. ¹⁶ At that time Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and from the doorposts, which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and he gave it to the king of Assyria.  2 Kings 18: (NASB)

But of course, evil has no end to its appetite and will continue to devour more with each inch given it will try to take a mile more. 

Lesson in fear and how to joyfully trust God.

So, King Sennacherab of Assyria sent his men to surround Jerusalem to taunt King Hezekiah and all the people.

‘This is what the great king, the king of Assyria says: “What is this confidence that you ²have? ²⁰ You say—but they are only empty words—‘I have a plan and strength for the war.’ Now on whom have you relied, that you have revolted against me? ²¹ Now behold, you have relied on the support of this broken reed, on Egypt; on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. That is how Pharaoh king of Egypt is to all who rely on him.

²² However, if you say to me, ‘We have trusted in the Lord our God,’ is it not He whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has removed, and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, ‘You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem’? ²³ Now then, come make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to put riders on them! ²⁴ How then can you drive back even one official of the least of my master’s servants, and rely on Egypt for chariots and horsemen? ²⁵ Have I now come up without the Lord’s approval against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.” (2 Kings 18)

Note: How do evils words taunt?  You are weak.  You are foolish.  God is on my side.  God will not listen or hear your voice

So, King Hezekiah quickly saw his error and humbly bowed before God.

2 Kings 19:

Now when King Hezekiah heard the report, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and entered the house of the Lord. ² Then he sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the household, with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.

He prayed and he sought a prayer partner in Isaiah.

³ And they said to him, “This is what Hezekiah says: ‘This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and humiliation; for children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to deliver them. ⁴ Perhaps the Lord your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to taunt the living God, and will avenge the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that left.’”

God answers:

⁵ So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. ⁶ And Isaiah said to them, “This is what you shall say to your master: ‘The Lord says this: “Do not be fearful because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. ⁷ Behold, I am going to put a spirit in him so that he will hear news and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.”’”

The Enemy Pushes Even Harder

So the King of Assyria sends a note to King Hezekiah, mocking God and saying no one can save you.  Hezekiah then took the note.  Went into the house of God and laid the note before the Lord.  He took his case directly to God.

“Lord, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. ¹⁶ Incline Your ear, Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, Lord, and see; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to taunt the living God. ¹⁷ It is true, Lord; the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, ¹⁸ and have hurled their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but only the work of human hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. ¹⁹ But now, Lord our God, please, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God.”  2 Kings 19 (NASB)

Notice King Hezekiah did not pray for his own glory.  Instead, he prayed that God’s glory might be displayed among all the nations.  Why?  So they might all know God Alone is Lord God Almighty who rules over all of heaven and earth. 

And when he prayed this prayer,

it happened that night that the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when the rest got up early in the morning, behold, all of the 185,000 were dead. ³⁶ So Sennacherib the king of Assyria departed and returned home, and lived at Nineveh. ³⁷ Then it came about, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword; and they escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esarhaddon became king in his place. 2 Kings 19

One angel, 185,000 skilled soldiers, one night.  Think of what God’s host of angels can do.

Joyfully Trust God in a Crazy Upside-Down World

While all that was going on, somewhere in the middle of the chaos.  King Hezekiah fell ill.  In fact, so ill that Isaiah came with a word from the Lord. 

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Set your house in order, for you are going to die and not live.’” 2 Kings 20:1 NASB

Imagine this.  This is not the Doctor telling him he is going to die.  This is God.  And this is despite all he has done to restore the kingdom to God.  But, we are told in 2 Chronicles that God did this to test him. 

God left him alone only to test him, so that He might know everything that was in his heart.  2 Chronicles 32: 31 (NASB). 

Why would God allow trials in our life?

God is more concerned with transforming our heart than he is with everything always looking good on the outside.  So, the illness was a test.  But after King Hezekiah prayed, not only did God grant him 15 more years.  He also presented a sign in which the shadow of the sun went back 10 steps.  Well, the Babylonians noted this and came to check out this King of Judah.  After all they worshiped the god of the sun and wanted to see how this miracle happened.  But this miracle left King Hezekiah a little puffed up.  After all God did all this for him. He must be special in the eyes of God. He took his eyes off God and placed them on himself as well as the gift he was given by God.  Again a mistake. 

For that reason, he proudly boasted and showed the entourage from Babylon everything that he owned including the gold in the temple.  What he failed to do was introduce the Babylonian entourage to Yahweh or to ask Isaiah to join them.  How do I know it was an act of pride?  The Bible says so.

Be Quick to Repent

²⁴ In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill; and he prayed to the Lord, and the Lord spoke to him and gave him a sign. ²⁵ But Hezekiah did nothing in return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud; therefore, wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. ²⁶ However, Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come on them in the days of Hezekiah.  2 Chronicles 32 (NASB)

Yet, in all of this God remained faithful and true. Also, King Hezekiah sought after God. Is that not hope filled for you and for me? Though we may fail God at times, His arms are open wide when we humbly turn our eyes to Jesus and repent, truly repent.

And so it was, King Hezekiah is known for his ability to joyously trust God in the middle of a crazy upside-down world because he knew the secret of an intimate relationship with God through prayer, humility, and repentance.  Later the Babylonians would conquer Assyria and then Judah, but that would wait for many years and did not happen during King Hezekiah’s life. So, let us learn to seek God with all our hearts, to trust Him, and to humbly bow before Him in prayer. 

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 Absolutely the Truth and Power of the Word of God Changes You

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 AdobeStock

In a world overflowing with ideas, philosophies, and religions; where can we turn for truth?  We read books, listen to podcasts, play music, or have televisions playing to drown out the silence that surrounds us.  Yet, even with all that, we find restlessness a part of our being.  Yet, Psalm 19 and 119 tells us that nothing compares to the transforming power of the Word of God to bring peace, joy, and hope.  Why?  Because through reading His Word we come to know Him.  The more we know of God, the more we trust Him.  Afterall, as John told us.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. ⁵ And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.¹⁴ And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1 (NASB)

The Truth of the Word of God

In the beginning God spoke the world into being.  Before this God, the triune God of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Elohim) lived in perfect harmony, love, and joy.  Within creation, God placed all things that humanity might see the truth and the power of His word.

The heavens tell of the glory of God;
And their expanse declares the work of His hands.
² Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19 (NASB)

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  Romans 1 (NASB)

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 3:16 (NASB)

Power of the Word of God to Transform (Psalm 19:7-14 expounded)

The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;

Want to find strength?When your heart is downtrodden, study His law and His word.  As we know His law, we see deep within our own heart those things that separate us from feeling His presence.  As we continue to study, we know that He covered it all, what we could not, and cover us with His righteousness.  Then we are at peace with Him.

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Even the fool can know wisdom.  All we must do is read His word and ask Him for the wisdom to understand.

⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. 

Precepts are general rules of behavior and thought.  As we understand and follow these, the greater the joy we know.

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

His commandments and His spirit open our eyes to see truth amid the chaos

⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

Awe and reverence of God causes us to seek Him and to desire to please Him.  This guides our life.

The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. Psalm 19:10

He is the righteous judge and will make all things right.  His promise of this fills all of scripture.

¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much pure gold;
Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Oh, how we long for Him to come, for His judgement to place all things right within our own hearts and the world. Until then, we have His word to guide and comfort us.

¹¹ Moreover, Your servant is warned by them;
In keeping them there is great reward.

They are to guide me to the place of His great reward one day.  Also, they warn me along this path.  I need to know His word and hide it in my heart so that I might not sin against Him.  Then, peace will overwhelm me.  If I do sin though He will forgive me of those known and unknown sins, just as David prayed for. 

¹² Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
¹³ Also keep Your servant back from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be innocent,
And I will be blameless of great wrongdoing.
¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

The Power of the Word Revealed

Psalm 119 is an extended version of 19, giving even more insight.  I encourage you to read it as well.

I have included some excerpts on the last pages for you to ponder and make a part of your prayer

²⁵ My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
²⁶ I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
²⁷ Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
And I will meditate on Your wonders.
²⁸ My soul weeps because of grief;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
²⁹ Remove the false way from me,
And graciously grant me Your Law.
³⁰ I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your judgments before me.
³¹ I cling to Your testimonies;
Lord, do not put me to shame!
³² I shall run the way of Your commandments,
For You will enlarge my heart.

³³ Teach me, the way of Your statutes, Lord,
And I shall comply with it to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, so that I may comply with Your Law
And keep it with all my heart.
³⁵ Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
³⁶ Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to dishonest gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless,
And revive me in Your ways.
³⁸ Establish Your word to Your servant
As that which produces reverence for You.
³⁹ Take away my disgrace which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
⁴⁰ Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me through Your righteousness.

⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have sworn and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
¹⁰⁷ I am exceedingly afflicted;
Revive me, Lord, according to Your word.
¹⁰⁸ Be pleased to accept the voluntary offerings of my mouth, Lord,
And teach me Your judgments.
¹⁰⁹ My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your Law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have set a trap for me,
Yet I have not wandered from Your precepts.
¹¹¹ I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.

Psalm 119

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

God IS Almighty, Then Why Flip Flop from Joy to Despair?

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

We say that.  We want to hold fast to that and believe we can declare God’s joy to the world.  Yet, we go out into the world and how quickly our hearts turn from kindness to bitterness.  Someone cuts you off or speedily passes you despite the double yellow line, and anger boils up.  The phone rings another interruption while trying to finish work and annoyance floods your thoughts.  Joy flips into sorrow, laughter into tears.   I Know God is Almighty, then why does my heart flip flop from joy to despair?  What is missing?  Is it that truly deep within there is an area that doesn’t fully believe?  Dare we voice that thought out loud?

How often must I cry out like the father pleading for his son to be healed. He came to Jesus and said, “if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” But Jesus said to him, “If you can? All things are possible for the one who believes.” So the man cried out, “I DO BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF!”   How often when we come to God, we come with that thought, “if you can, will you please?”  Or perhaps, it is I do not feel my plea worthy of His attention?  Sometimes, I just look around and feel it is too late.  What good are my prayers if I cannot even fully control my own heart?  Yet, as we study the psalms and the prophets, we find we are in good company. 

King David—Psalms of Joy to Despair

Psalms 9 and 10, most scholars say are one psalm, yet begin so differently.

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
² I will rejoice and be jubilant in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

³ When my enemies turn back,
They stumble and perish before You.
⁴ For You have maintained my just cause;
You have sat on the throne judging righteously.
⁵ You have rebuked the nations, You have eliminated the wicked;
You have wiped out their name forever and ever.
⁶ The enemy has come to an end in everlasting ruins,
And You have uprooted the cities;
The very memory of them has perished.

⁷ But the Lord sits as King forever;
He has established His throne for judgment,
⁸ And He will judge the world in righteousness;
He will execute judgment for the peoples fairly.
⁹ The Lord will also be a stronghold for the oppressed,
A stronghold in times of trouble;
¹⁰ And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You. Psalm 9 (NASB)

Flip flop from Joy to Despair

If indeed these two psalms are actually one, look how quickly the tone changes.

Why do You stand far away, Lord?
Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?
² In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the needy;
Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

³ For the wicked boasts of his soul’s desire,
And the greedy person curses and shows disrespect to the Lord.
⁴ The wicked, in his haughtiness, does not seek Him.
There is no God in all his schemes.

⁵ His ways succeed at all times;
Yet Your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
As for all his enemies, he snorts at them.
⁶ He says to himself, “I will not be moved;
Throughout the generations I will not be in adversity.”
⁷ His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression;
Under his tongue is harm and injustice.
⁸ He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
He kills the innocent in the secret places;
His eyes surreptitiously watch for the unfortunate.
⁹ He lurks in secret like a lion in his lair;
He lurks to catch the needy;
He catches the needy when he pulls him into his net.
¹⁰ Then he crushes the needy one, who cowers;
And unfortunate people fall by his mighty power.
¹¹ He says to himself, “God has forgotten;
He has hidden His face; He will never see it.” Psalm 10: 1-11 (NASB)

Then he turns back again to boldly pray.

Arise, Lord; God, lift up Your hand….
¹⁵ Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer,
Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

The Lord is King forever and ever;
Nations have perished from His land.
¹⁷ Lord,  You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will strengthen their heart, You will make Your ear attentive
¹⁸ To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed,
So that mankind, which is of the earth, will no longer cause terror.  Psalm 10: 12,15-18 (NASB)

Psalm 42 and 43—Again, Joy to despair, then Joy

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and appear before God?
³ My tears have been my food day and night,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
⁴ I remember these things and pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go over with the multitude and walk them to the house of God,
With a voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude celebrating a festival.

I did rejoice, where are you now?

⁵ Why are you in despair, my soul?
And why are you restless within me?
Wait for God, for I will again praise Him
For the help of His presence, my God.
⁶ My soul is in despair within me;
Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan
And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

Remember, all that He has done!

⁷ Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls;
All Your breakers and Your waves have passed over me.
⁸ The Lord will send His goodness in the daytime;
And His song will be with me in the night,
A prayer to the God of my life.

Hold fast to the sounds of life, when your heart flips from joy to despair

⁹ I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
¹⁰ As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries taunt me,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
¹¹ Why are you in despair, my soul?
And why are you restless within me?
Wait for God, for I will again praise Him
For the help of His presence, my God.

Do not stop seeking Him through prayer and scripture.

³ Send out Your light and Your truth, they shall lead me;
They shall bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your dwelling places.
⁴ Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And I will praise You on the lyre, God, my God.

⁵ Why are you in despair, my soul?
And why are you restless within me?
Wait for God, for I will again praise Him
For the help of His presence, my God.  Psalm 43: 3-5 NASB

God Is Almighty, so why do I flip-flop from joy to despair?

Well, I am not done yet.  He continues to work in me transforming me every day.  As I get older and more fatigued, I feel at times, my progress transgresses backwards at times.  But this I know; He has promised to complete the work in me one day.  I do not know what I will be like, but I will look like Him.  That day, I will understand it all, as I lay down my sword at His feet and gaze up into His eyes with tears streaming down my face overwhelmed with joy. 

Until then, when my heart flip-flops from joy to despair let me read.

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.

And hear His voice say of me:

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

Oh Lord that I might love you more Lord each and every day.

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

Where Can One Find Refuge When Nations Rage Against Almighty God?

The Lord God Almighty Roars Are You Ready to Meet the Lord?

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 AdobeStock

---

[1] Rau, Hannah https://christianlife-waunakee.org/not-a-tame-lion/ accessed 7/1/2023

All around us and from every side, we watch as the nations rage against Almighty God.  They mount their armies to battle against the only one who can save them from their bondage to sin.  Yet, the battle rages on.  He with great and mighty patience waits.  His desire to await the appointed time when all who are His have been called safely into the fold.  And as they rage war against Him, they rage war against all who are His.  They rage against the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; but in doing so they rage against His bride, the church.  We sometimes fall into despair as it seems all is lost.  The battle is too hard, and we wish for a bigger army. 

There are moments we want to rage war using their evil tools against them.  But wait, God sees it all. God stands above it all and He laughs at their foolish plots against Him and His sheep. They appear like a rabid dog lurching forward only to find himself chained fast to an iron post. Each lunge casting them closer to their own death and destruction, while the cure is that thing they rage against.  And so the nations rage on, demanding their way and their will.

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
⁵ Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
⁶ “Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 2 (NKJV)

Jesus is the King set upon the holy hill of Zion.  His victory won through His death on the Cross.  Now He stands.  With one mighty breath He will disarm all the armies as the nations rage.

That Day, as The Nations Rage, Christ will Stand to Judge them All

“I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”

Psalm 2 (NKJV)

19 After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,“Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God, ² because His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great prostitute who was corrupting the earth with her sexual immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her.” ³ And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever.” ⁴ And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”…. For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.  Revelations 19 (NASB)

He comes to bring judgement on all those who rage on.

¹¹ And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. ¹² His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. ¹³ He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. ¹⁵ From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. ¹⁶ And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelations 19 (NASB). 

The Nations Rage Against the Truth, Playing the Harlot

Both Amos and Hosea presented the truth to the nation of Israel.  They warned of the coming judgement.  Amos was called a conspirator against he King.  Hosea was asked to plead with the people and told them of God’s great love for them, though they were a harlot in their behavior toward Him.  They raged against His love, seeking other lovers as I did. 

There was a time I believed if God really loved me He would grant me my own desire, someone who would love me just as I am, fully and completely.  Little did I realize in truth He did just that by not letting me find that person on earth, or when I had, they were gone.  It was one day after I realized that Pete loved me that way that he took his life, and I was all alone.  Finally, my heart’s desire became reality and then like a vapor it was gone.  Sorrow followed me until one day, I read this in Hosea.

Hosea 2 (NASB)

Therefore, behold, I will obstruct her way with thorns,
And I will build a stone wall against her so that she cannot find her paths.
⁷ And she will pursue her lovers, but she will not reach them;
And she will seek them, but will not find them….

¹⁴ “Therefore, behold, I am going to persuade her,
Bring her into the wilderness,
And speak kindly to her.
¹⁵ Then I will give her her vineyards from there,
And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope.
And she will respond there as in the days of her youth,…
¹⁶ And it will come about on that day,” declares the Lord,
“That you will call Me my husband….
¹⁹ I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice,
In favor and in compassion,
²⁰ And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness.
Then you will know the Lord. 

Only God knew what would draw me closest to Him.  He knew my heart better than I ever could.  Now I know He gave me both and He gave me His best. 

The Nations Rage Against God Then and Now

Perhaps there really is nothing new under the sun as Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes.  From the first day that Adam sinned until now, humanity tries to run from God or rage against Him.  After all, when God walked int the garden that day, Adam tried to hide from God.  As though he could.  Did he not realize the God who created it all was the only one who could save him from his sin; yet, he ran to hide.  Then he tried to accuse God for his own sin.  Sounds like all of us.  But what now?  How do we fight against the evil as the nations rage against God all around us?  Our only hope is to preach the word. 

Paul so beautifully outlined this sermon in the Book of Acts that tells the story of the nation of Israel.

“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: ¹⁷ The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it. ¹⁸ For a period of about forty years He put up with them in the wilderness. ¹⁹ When He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land as an inheritance—all of which took about 450 years. ²⁰ After these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. ²¹ Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. ²² After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ ²³ From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, ²⁴ after John had proclaimed, before His coming, a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ²⁵ And while John was completing his course, he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

²⁶ “Brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. ²⁷ For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the declarations of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. ²⁸ And though they found no grounds for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. ²⁹ When they had carried out everything that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised Him from the dead; ³¹ and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. ³² And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, ³³ that God has fulfilled this promise to those of us who are the descendants by raising Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son; today I have fathered You.’ ³⁴ As for the fact that He raised Him from the dead, never again to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and faithful mercies of David.’ ³⁵ Therefore, He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’ ³⁶ For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, and was buried among his fathers and underwent decay; ³⁷ but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. ³⁸ Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, ³⁹ and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.

Acts 13 (NASB)

So, when nations rage against God, where is our refuge?

There remained always God’s hope for the remnant even when the nations rage against God.  That was true to Israel, Judah, Babylon, Ninevah, the Persians, and all nations on earth.  If only mankind would lay down its sword and bow before the King upon the Hill.  Let us do just that.

Now then, you kings, use insight;
Let yourselves be instructed, you judges of the earth.
¹¹ Serve the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
¹² Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way,
For His wrath may be kindled quickly.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

Psalm 2

So how do we wage this battle? 

We tell people about the King.  Much like when C.S.Lewis described Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia. 

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…”Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

“But God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). He can’t be tamed or kept in a pocket. What we must trust in is His goodness. Elsewhere in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, when the children finally meet Aslan in person, Lewis says this: “People who have not been in Narnia sometimes think that a thing cannot be good and terrible at the same time.” But we know that God is both terrifying and good. He’s not a tame Lion. But He is good. The difficult thing about faith is having to trust that even though we can’t predict what He will do, and even though we may not understand or agree with it, He will always make the right choice—“The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!” (Psalm 92:15).”[1]

We find our refuge in Him.  He is all we need and our hope in this battle is to point others to Him.  If even one person lays down their sword and bows before His throne, we can rejoice that He has shared one tiny piece of Glory with us.  He does not need me to save a soul, oh but what a privilege if He chooses to use me or my story to bring someone to Him. 

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

The Lord God Almighty Roars Are You Ready to Meet the Lord?

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 AdobeStock

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[1] Rau, Hannah https://christianlife-waunakee.org/not-a-tame-lion/ accessed 7/1/2023