Effie Darlene Barba

        Some continue to press forward toward a global economy, global faith, and a one world order.  As I heard of so many meeting in Egypt this week for the COP27-UN climate conference, it became very clear that we are plunging rapidly into the end times.  Truth has been turned upside down.  Lies are overflowing.  There are “disinformation” police popping up everywhere.  It would seem the world has gone made.  So how do we who cling fast to Jesus Christ press on to the finish line with joy. 

        The COP27 meetings were Nov 6-18. At the same time there was gathering at the foot of Mount Sinai an interfaith group praying that God appear to provide a new 10 commandments of Climate Change.   This is what they wrote:

To support, challenge and inspire discussions during COP 27 at Sharm El Sheikh, interfaith climate events will take place in Sharm El Sheik, London, Jerusalem, and elsewhere that will be heart-stirring, transformative and a moment of inspiration for religious communities and for humanity.  Religious leaders will call for a reexamination of deep-seated attitudes and for identifying ways to transform these attitudes for the wellbeing of Earth, our common home.

Mount Sinai is a mountain whose memory and meaning loom large as a place of revelation in the collective consciousness of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and others. As an ancient sacred space, it was the site of prophetic experience, and receiving God’s message, for the prophets Moses and Elijah in all three Abrahamic traditions, and the prophet Muhammed in the Muslim tradition. COP 27 taking place in Sinai can remind humanity of our sacred responsibility to care for God’s creation.[1]

They came to celebrate Earth more highly than God.

Pope Francis sent his message as well

 delivered by Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Pope at the COP 27

““I wish to recall the COP27 summit on the climate taking place in Egypt. I hope that steps forward are taken with courage and determination, in the footsteps of the Paris Accords. This is a great start to a seven-year journey aimed at responding to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. I encourage this crucial mission for the future of humanity, so that it may foster in everyone a concrete commitment to care for Creation.”[2]

Additionally, Pope Francis did join with the Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayeb of al-Azhar to sign the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019.  Construction continues on the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi where there will stand a Jewish Synagogue, an Islamic Mosque, and a Church uniting on one land the three major religions as a symbol of uniting their messages into one united message of peace.  It was originally planned to open in 2022 but due to delays is planned to open in 2023. 

The battles and conflicts still intensify despite the best efforts of humanity trying to create peace.  Indeed, those who call the loudest for peace tend to be the least intolerant to anyone who does not bow to their “new world order” with total surrender of everything else.  This, in itself creates more chaos and confusion.

Amid the Chaos, God’s Words to Press On

If we look back to our lessons in Micah thus far, we certainly are aware we have a solace of hope shining amid the warnings of destruction.  Micah has clearly presented to Israel and Judah their guilt and the impending judgement.  Yet, for those who truly worship God as Lord, he pauses once more to present this ray of hope.  It was the ray of hope to press on to the finish line with joy.  Never forget.  Today is not the end of the story.  Only the beginning of a bigger story to come.

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And peoples shall flow to it.
² Many nations shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion the law shall go forth,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

One day, He will return to establish His Kingdom here on earth. A Kingdom of justice, righteousness, and peace. 

As we press on to that day, we know that then:

He shall judge between many peoples,
And rebuke strong nations afar off;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.

⁴ But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree,
And no one shall make them afraid;
For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
⁵ For all people walk each in the name of his god,
But we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
Forever and ever.  Micah 4

No more war.  For now, people seek after all manner of gods; but then we will walk in the name of the Lord our God.  What bliss there will be.

This is the same message God spoke through Isaiah

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it.
³ Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  Isaiah 2

We Press on Because We Know One Day

He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.  Isaiah 2

Keep Your Focus on Jesus the King of Kings

¹¹ Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He ^[e]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³ He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies in heaven, clothed in ^[f]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a ^[g]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS. 

Revelations 19

Micah and Isaiah both spoke of Jesus Healing All Our Sorrows

“In that day,” says the Lord,
“I will assemble the lame,
I will gather the outcast
And those whom I have afflicted;
⁷ I will make the lame a remnant,
And the outcast a strong nation;
So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion
From now on, even forever.
⁸ And you, O tower of the flock,
The stronghold of the daughter of Zion,
To you shall it come,
Even the former dominion shall come,
The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.”  Micah 4

And Isaiah wrote

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to ^[a]heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
² To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
³ To ^[b]console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61

What is Our Assurance, that we Might Press On

How do we know this is true and will happen?  Look at all the prophecies that have been fulfilled exactly as prophesied.  Jesus walked into Jerusalem to be crucified on the exact day prophesied by Daniel, though he did not fully understand all of what it meant. 

²⁴ “A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. ²⁵ Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.

²⁶ “After this period of sixty-two sets of seven,the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing  Daniel 9 (NLT)

We Press On—knowing this truth

He did rise again the 3^rd day to overcome sin.  He is our victory.  Daniel’s prophesy was directed to the Jewish nation as he continued to say. 

And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. ²⁷ And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”  Daniel 9 (ESV)

This referred to what happened first by Antiochus Epiphanes in 165 BC and later what happened in 70 AD.  Although both times however these were pictures of what is yet to come.  In 70 AD, there was again an abomination of desolation that occurred with roman idols being brought into the temple. Also, the temple was destroyed by the Roman armies.  No stone was left unturned.  Sacrifice ended unable to resume until a temple can be built with the Arc of the Covenant present.  Israel was scattered and only in 1948 became a nation again, preparing to the end. 

Furthermore, We Filled with Hope Press on Because

All is occurring as foretold. Antiochus the Greek and the Roman destruction of the temple were foreshadowing of the Antichrist to come.  That will begin the final week of prophecy for the Jewish nation outlined by Daniel to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.    One day the final 7 years will begin, after the rapture of the church. And it will be completed when Christ returns to set up His Kingdom on earth.  The Jewish nation at the center.   WE KNOW THIS, as so clearly outlined. Therefore, Do not lose focus.

EVERYTHING FORETOLD ABOUT JESUS in Intricate Detail

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel   Micah 5:2

And remember how perfect, he was born in the very manger where the sacrificial lambs were born.  Then He walked into Jerusalem to be the perfect sacrificial lamb on the exact day prophesied.  There are more than 500 prophesies fulfilled exactly as prophesied concerning Jesus.  Statistically impossible and way too many to be a coincidence.

And How to Press On in this present time

Jesus told us this would be tough times.  He did not promise us easy.  Nor did He exemplify easy.

³ As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” ⁴ And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. ⁵ For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

⁹ “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. ¹⁰ And then many will fall away^[a] and betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. ¹² And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:3-14

Who Endures?

All who know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. 

¹⁷ But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” ¹⁹ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

²² And have mercy on those who doubt; ²³ save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. ²⁴ Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, ²⁵ to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.  Jude 1 (ESV)

So, How Do We Press On

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. ⁴ You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. Hebrews 12

His promise to us?

John 16:33

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

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[1] https://interfaithsustain.com/returning-to-mt-sinai/, Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, accessed November 19, 2022

[2] https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-francis-cop27-laudato-si-action-platform-appeal.html  accessed 11/16/2022

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

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The Father’s Loving Plea on this Thanksgiving Day

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
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.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

This week seems like nearly every week anymore, moments of great faith and delight intermingled with dashed hopes, anxious moments of wondering what is next.  Yet, why?  I know God is in Control.  Because of that I know the final outcome.  Victory is ours in Jesus.  So, then why are there those moments of my wanting to know the play by play? How do we really stand faithful to God when evil surrounds us on every side?  We know that we are assured His promises are all amen and yes in Jesus.  There will be hard times, but He is our rock and our fortress.  Yet, each day there are new trials to overcome.  So, how can I really stand faithful to God in such trials?

There are the ever-increasing aches and pains throughout my body.  Nothing works as it did a year ago and time clicks by faster than ever.  Worse than that is the steady constant noise of evil surrounding me blaring from devices of many kinds and the steady increase of Godliness in our government, our media and at every turn.  Furthermore, there is the withdrawal of our churches from truth, seeking money, power, and numbers rather than truth or righteousness. 

As we study the scripture we know, we are not the first generation in this situation.  Many have come before us.  That is particularly true as we open once more the scriptures of yet another prophet to the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah- Micah.  Studying God’s word helps us to recognize what was written in Ecclesiastes 1:9.

⁹ That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun. 

Micah was One who Had to Really Stand Faithful to God

        Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Jonah.  He prophesied to both the Northern Kingdom and to Judah.  His writings divided into 3 major sections.  Chapters 1-2 outlined the message that judgment would come rightfully because the people had broken the covenant laid out in Deuteronomy 28-29 There was clearly outlined the blessings if they obeyed God’s commands and the curses if they did not.  As the younger generation prepared to enter the promised land, Moses was very specific in his instructions given from God.  Remember they knew what had happened to their parents who failed to follow God’s commands.  Furthermore, they had all the rich history of Genesis, being taught what it was to really stand faithful to God and the curses if not.  Now it would be up to them. 

        Furthermore, in Deuteronomy God through Moses instructed them that ever Sabbath day was to be dedicated to studying God’s word, teaching it the children, and worshipping God.  The priests were to study continuously.  Then on each 7^th year, the people were to be gathered together and the entire scripture was to be read to all.  It was the year they were to allow their land to rest while God provides. 

        God always places the greatest responsibility on those who are the leaders and those who are the priests (or preachers).  The people also are to blame if they follow the directions of the bad leaders and preachers, for each of us are accountable to God for ourselves. But, as to the leaders, Micah spoke directly to them in Micah 3:1-3. 

Micah 3 (NKJV) Evil Surrounds the Leadership

And I said:

“Hear now, O heads of Jacob,
And you rulers of the house of Israel:
Is it not for you to know justice?
² You who hate good and love evil;
Who strip the skin from My people,
And the flesh from their bones;
³ Who also eat the flesh of My people,
Flay their skin from them,
Break their bones,
And chop them in pieces
Like meat for the pot,
Like flesh in the caldron.”

⁴ Then they will cry to the Lord,
But He will not hear them;
He will even hide His face from them at that time,
Because they have been evil in their deeds.

Pretty harsh similes.  But is it not what leadership does when it strips humans of their dignity.  Stealing and robbing the morale of those who want to follow God—calling them names and pushing agendas into the media that surrounds our very being.  You cannot go anywhere or turn on a show without hearing God’s name being used in vain.  Splitting the family unit apart and saying parents have no rights to teach their children?  So, what are we to do to remain faithful?

What about the Priests or our preachers?

Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets
Who make my people stray;
Who chant “Peace”
While they chew with their teeth,
But who prepare war against him
Who puts nothing into their mouths:
⁶ “Therefore you shall have night without vision,
And you shall have darkness without divination;
The sun shall go down on the prophets,
And the day shall be dark for them.
⁷ So the seers shall be ashamed,
And the diviners abashed;
Indeed they shall all cover their lips;
For there is no answer from God.”

Remember what were the priests commanded to do to Stand faithful?

They were to read the law daily and teach it. It was absolutely imperative that every 7 years the priests were to gather all the people together and to read the complete law.  Essentially all would hear and beyond that they were to teach them regularly. 

⁹ So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. ¹⁰ And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, ¹¹ when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. ¹² Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, ¹³ and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.”  Deuteronomy 31:9-13 (NKJV

So, How Do We Stand Faithful?

Much like Micah, we must know the truth.  For us to do that we must study the word.  Micah had to know the law as we must also know.  Our only weapon is the Word of God, wielded with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord,
And of justice and might,
To declare to Jacob his transgression
And to Israel his sin.
⁹ Now hear this,
You heads of the house of Jacob
And rulers of the house of Israel,
Who abhor justice
And pervert all equity,
¹⁰ Who build up Zion with bloodshed
And Jerusalem with iniquity:
¹¹ Her heads judge for a bribe,
Her priests teach for pay,
And her prophets divine for money.
Yet they lean on the Lord, and say,
“Is not the Lord among us?
No harm can come upon us.”
¹² Therefore because of you
Zion shall be plowed like a field,
Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins,
And the mountain of the temple
Like the bare hills of the forest.

Secondly, to stand faithful when evil surrounds

We must remember the truth.  God is Sovereign.  All of this is merely bumps in the road to Glory with Him.  This life is brief compared to eternity.  That is what Micah reminds us of next week in Chapters 4-5.  That was the secret that kept Daniel faithful in a land where evil surrounds.  Keep our eyes focused on Him.

So How Are We to Stand Faithful to God

1.  Study the word every day.  That is your blueprint and it is your sword against the world. 
2.  Always remember God’s Promises are true
3.  Hold fast to Steadfast Joy—What do I mean?  Momentary joy is not what you need for it is based on a lie.  Steadfast joy is based on 3 major principals
4.  God IS Sovereign, Omnipotent, Perfect Righteousness, Justice, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  That is faith.  When you know this:  you do not run in fear or fall apart when things turn upside down.  Hebrews 11:6
5. Know Your purpose as outlined in the prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17.  The purpose for your existence is to be enveloped in God’s love (John 17:23), showered with His Joy (John 17:13), and that He might share His glory with you.  He does not need your or me to save another’s soul.  That He can do all by Himself and that is His greatest act of Glory.  Therefore, when He allows you or me to be a part of that act, He has shared His Glory with us. 
6. Know who you are.  Ephesians 1-3 clearly outlines that we are His Beloved, Redeemed, Chosen Child, Heir of the Kingdom, endowed with power from on High, sealed by the Holy Spirit eternally, Servant to Him by choice, Mighty Warrior, endowed with special gifts for the Kingdom.  With that resume, why do we ever feel down or depressed?  

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

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What is Faith and Why Does Faith Matter So Much to God?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
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.

Photo licensed from Goodsalt.com

        We talk so much about faith.  But do we even really understand what faith is.  And more importantly, why does faith matter so much to God?  ¹Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. .³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.  ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11 (NKJV).  But why does faith matter so much to God?

            Everything from creation through revelation depends on these two premises of faith.  God IS.  The Great I am, creator of heaven and earth, the very substance by which everything exists is Sovereign overall.  The Beginning and the END, the author, and the finisher of all things reigns supreme in perfect righteousness, perfect love, and perfect glory.  That is premise 1.  But for faith to exist, one must also believe that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Everything concerning faith hinges on these two premises. 

            Even if I believe that God IS, and do not believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, then faith fails me.  I must truly believe that He is doing all things for my good, or I will falter in my faith.  That is when I try to do faith my way, not His.  If I believe both premises, then I know whatever comes, He has a perfect plan that is Good, loving and that will bring me ever closer to Him.  It is that lack of true faith that led the Israelites always farther away from God and into their own destruction.

A Failure of Faith

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
And out of Egypt I called My son.
² As they called them,
So they went from them;
They sacrificed to the Baals,
And burned incense to carved images.

³ “I taught Ephraim to walk,
Taking them by their arms;
But they did not know that I healed them.
⁴ I drew them with ^[e]gentle cords,
With bands of love,
And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their ^[f]neck.
I stooped and fed them.  Hosea 11

The story repeats itself from the beginning of time throughout the ages.  God urges the people to remember Him and all of His goodness toward them.  He not only points back in time to His rescuing the people from Egypt. ,But He also points forward in time to when the Messiah would come.  So, often this is the case with scripture.  He foretells the future both near and far while recalling the past.  God does this so that we might know He IS Omnipotent (all knowing) and Sovereign.  Just as He fulfills every promise He has spoken in the past, He will faithfully fulfill every promise in the future.  Every promise is yes and amen in Him.

⁹ Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’ Isaiah 46:

A Slipping from Faith

The Nation of Israel, despite all God’s blessing failed in their faith. They failed to believe that His Prohibitions were for their good. Some remembered all He did, but felt that He would do it regardless of their own disobedience. Just like Cain, they wanted to practice religion their own way–not as Thus Saith The Lord.

⁵ “He shall not return to the land of Egypt;
But the Assyrian shall be his king,
Because they refused to repent.
⁶ And the sword shall slash in his cities,
Devour his districts,
And consume them,
Because of their own counsels.
⁷ My people are bent on backsliding from Me.
Though they call to the Most High,
None at all exalt Him.  Hosea 11

God has always been very clear in His message.  Trust me and know that I am Good, if not you will destroy your own happiness.  God speaks with commands and sometimes prohibitions, not to “destroy our joy”; but to give us true joy.    From the days of Adam and Eve, God gave them the choice to trust Him by faith when He said you do not want to eat from that tree—it will bring death and destruction.   He had said the same to the children of Israel, do not chase after idols—they will be your death and destruction.  But all too often, even we are guilty of wanting to worship God our way.  We do not demonstrate the faith of believing He really does know best and wants our best. 

They Failed to Believe

 When Ephraim spoke, trembling,
He exalted himself in Israel;
But when he offended through Baal worship, he died.
² Now they sin more and more,
And have made for themselves molded images,
Idols of their silver, according to their skill;
All of it is the work of craftsmen.
They say of them,
“Let ^[a]the men who sacrifice ^[b]kiss the calves!”
³ Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud
And like the early dew that passes away,
Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor
And like smoke from a chimney.

⁴ “Yet I am the Lord your God
Ever since the land of Egypt,
And you shall know no God but Me;
For there is no savior besides Me.  Hosea 13

God reminds them that He did not forsake them, they forsook Him.  Yet, His promises will not fail.  Perhaps for that generation it was too late, but He IS the Lord and one day He would bring His son to die on the cross for them.  Though only a remnant would survive, He would be faithful.  That has been true throughout all of history.  After all His story is that.  He IS and He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  Not that always gets it right, but that diligently seek Him, trusting Him regardless of what their sight might say.  This is a matter of the heart. 

Yet, one day by faith.

 O Israel, return to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
² Take words with you,
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
“Take away all iniquity;
Receive us graciously,
For we will offer the sacrifices^[a] of our lips.
³ Assyria shall not save us,
We will not ride on horses,
Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’
For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”  Hosea 14

There is nothing that my hands can do to save me.  The works of my hands are not my god and cannot save me.  Only He can as He promised through humbly, repentent faith in His Son for my salvation and to be my Lord of all.

⁴ “I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
⁵ I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall ^[b]grow like the lily,
And ^[c]lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
⁶ His branches shall ^[d]spread;
His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And his fragrance like Lebanon.
⁷ Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And ^[e]grow like a vine.
Their ^[f]scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.  Hosea 14

Then by faith they will trust Him and cast aside all idols One day

⁸ “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
I have heard and observed him.
I am like a green cypress tree;
Your fruit is found in Me.”

⁹ Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.   Hosea 14

Therefore, What is Faith and Why Does Faith Matter to God?

When ever we do not believe that God IS and that He Is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, then we wander so far from Him.  He knows that it is not a world view that can satisfy the desires of our heart.  Only an intimate close relationship with our creator can satisfy the thirst within us.  Only He can give us joy, hope and future overflowing.  All else brings us depression, sorrow, anxiety, and fear.  Humanity constantly searches for ways to reach eutopia without God.  But unfortunately, without God our hearts become egocentric—leading to isolation, pain, selfishness, depression and evil invades.  The most altruistic humanist at best finds themself lost in a sea of nothingness as noted in “Being and Nothingness” by Jean Paul-Sartre.  So, why does faith matter to God?  Because He loves us too much to not try to save us from our own destruction.  Still, He allows you and I the freedom to choose—an eternity with out Him or an eternity in Glory with Him. 

Without the freedom to choose, there is no love, faith, or committment. God in His Sovereignty and Wisdom knows this. Yet, I could not have come to Him without His callings. His Sovereignty reigns supreme, even if I do not fully comprehend how both are true. They are. So, what am I to do? Love Him with every ounce of my being, seeing Him as my greatest treasure. And to then knowing this tell everyone I know of His Magnificent Glorious Grace.

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.

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When the World Falls Apart  Remember Jeremiah’s Song of Hope in God

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
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.

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