Psalm 122:
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together.
4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the LORD.
5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
7 Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
Comment: As headlines cry, "Israel Under Attack!" - it's good to refresh our minds with God's perspective on current events. We may be caught unaware by news reports; but know that our God, who knows the end from the beginning, is never surprised by late breaking news headlines.
Bible prophecy will be fulfilled, God's promises concerning Jerusalem, both the judgments against her sinfulness and the overweening glory He intended for "her" from the beginning, will come to pass.
Jerusalem is a focal point in God's plan and purpose. He chose it. He calls it Zion. He also refers to it as the "city of David." It plays an integral part in His redemptive plan - toward Israel and toward all mankind. What's more, the earthly city is representative of the heavenly city, New Jerusalem. (See Revelation 21:1-3.)
Psalm 48:
1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness.
2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
...
8 As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
9 We have thought of Thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of Thy temple.
10 According to Thy Name, O God, so is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth: Thy right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Thy judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go around her: tell the towers thereof.
13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death.
For further study...
Isaiah 24:23; 62:1-4; 66:10-20; Jeremiah 3:17; Joel 2:32; 3:16-17; Zechariah 2:7-13; 8:20-22; 12:10.
Showing posts with label Word of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Word of God. Show all posts
Friday, July 11, 2014
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
The Duke of York...
The grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men;
He marched them up the hill,
Then marched them down again.
And when you're up, you're up,
And when you're down, you're down;
And when you're only half-way up,
You're neither up nor down!
Ah, yes, the old nursery rhyme is undergirded with truth and common sense. David mourned at the death of Abner, (Saul's chief of staff,) saying, "How are the mighty fallen..!" and, "Died Abner as a fool dieth." Abner knew the rules. He knew he needed to stay in the city of refuge to be protected from the vengeance of David's chief of staff, Joab. In battle, Abner had killed Joab's brother, Asahel, (not willingly, but slew him just the same,) and that Joab was bent on revenge. Yet, he thought perhaps he could make peace with Joab and stepped outside of the walls of protection. And yes - Joab did what he'd set out to do.
How often do we read in the headlines of heroes, politicians, and other public figures who fall from grace? Their failures seem so foolish. How could they not know? we wonder. Disappointed and even disillusioned, we lose faith in even the good they may have done in the past. The wages of their misconduct is much more than monetary. The loss of trust on any and every level is costly indeed.
So what is it the bewitches humans into thinking they are somehow exempt from personal accountability? What makes them think they can escape public scrutiny - that somehow, their sins and misdeeds can be hidden? In this media-hungry society, there is always someone out beating the bushes in a hunt for a momentary lapse, or, better yet, a glaring error/sin. These take joy in exposing "feet of clay."
Public and political figures are not the only ones in such straits. Christians are the target of these "watchers" as well. The strange conundrum in all this is that while on one hand, they expect the child of God to fail, they hope deep down that he or she won't. Their mind and heart searches for something real enough to make it possible to actually overcome sin, to have the strength to live above it!
So how can we avoid this trap?
First, we must realize that the power we need is not found in human will or bootstrap determination. This strength is not human - it can only come from God through the power of the indwelling Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8).Trying to accomplish a victorious life through the power of the flesh is like an amputee with no arms or legs trying to climb Mount Everest. Like the Duke of York, human effort is a treadmill - expending lots of energy but getting nowhere.
Second, the strength we need to live an overcoming life comes over time and with experience. One does not suddenly become strong enough to resist sin - it's a daily thing. Isaiah said, "Line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, there a little..." (Isaiah 28:10) Paul said, "I die daily." (I Corinthians 15:31)
Third, part of this "daily" thing is prayer and immersion in the Word of God. The more you know of His Word, the more you know of Him. If you want to avoid the traps of the enemy and the lure of the flesh, you need to know what pleases God and what He expects of you. His Word is key to this understanding. As you open your mind to His Word, and submit your heart in prayer, you'll find your strength is renewed day-by-day. Fasting fuels holy fire that purges us from fleshly lusts. (See I Timothy 6:11; II Timothy 2:15-22.) Although Paul was addressing young Timothy specifically - his admonition is vitally important to every gender and generation.
Psalm 119 is chock full of nuggets proclaiming the importance of knowing and embracing God's Word. In verse after verse, the Psalmist says to value God's Word, making it the foundation of our very lives. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word. With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments. Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." (Psalm 119:9-11)
History tells us the Duke of York marched his army up the hill and set himself to the battle. Hopelessly outnumbered, (40,000 to his 10,000,) he lost the battle, marching his much depleted forces back down the hill in defeat. His position, his power, his importance,even his wealth meant nothing after that day
For those who battle in a war against sin and the flesh, going it on your own,in your own strength is going to end up in defeat. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" is the only way to victory!
.
He had ten thousand men;
He marched them up the hill,
Then marched them down again.
And when you're up, you're up,
And when you're down, you're down;
And when you're only half-way up,
You're neither up nor down!
Ah, yes, the old nursery rhyme is undergirded with truth and common sense. David mourned at the death of Abner, (Saul's chief of staff,) saying, "How are the mighty fallen..!" and, "Died Abner as a fool dieth." Abner knew the rules. He knew he needed to stay in the city of refuge to be protected from the vengeance of David's chief of staff, Joab. In battle, Abner had killed Joab's brother, Asahel, (not willingly, but slew him just the same,) and that Joab was bent on revenge. Yet, he thought perhaps he could make peace with Joab and stepped outside of the walls of protection. And yes - Joab did what he'd set out to do.
How often do we read in the headlines of heroes, politicians, and other public figures who fall from grace? Their failures seem so foolish. How could they not know? we wonder. Disappointed and even disillusioned, we lose faith in even the good they may have done in the past. The wages of their misconduct is much more than monetary. The loss of trust on any and every level is costly indeed.
So what is it the bewitches humans into thinking they are somehow exempt from personal accountability? What makes them think they can escape public scrutiny - that somehow, their sins and misdeeds can be hidden? In this media-hungry society, there is always someone out beating the bushes in a hunt for a momentary lapse, or, better yet, a glaring error/sin. These take joy in exposing "feet of clay."
Public and political figures are not the only ones in such straits. Christians are the target of these "watchers" as well. The strange conundrum in all this is that while on one hand, they expect the child of God to fail, they hope deep down that he or she won't. Their mind and heart searches for something real enough to make it possible to actually overcome sin, to have the strength to live above it!
So how can we avoid this trap?
First, we must realize that the power we need is not found in human will or bootstrap determination. This strength is not human - it can only come from God through the power of the indwelling Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8).Trying to accomplish a victorious life through the power of the flesh is like an amputee with no arms or legs trying to climb Mount Everest. Like the Duke of York, human effort is a treadmill - expending lots of energy but getting nowhere.
Second, the strength we need to live an overcoming life comes over time and with experience. One does not suddenly become strong enough to resist sin - it's a daily thing. Isaiah said, "Line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, there a little..." (Isaiah 28:10) Paul said, "I die daily." (I Corinthians 15:31)
Third, part of this "daily" thing is prayer and immersion in the Word of God. The more you know of His Word, the more you know of Him. If you want to avoid the traps of the enemy and the lure of the flesh, you need to know what pleases God and what He expects of you. His Word is key to this understanding. As you open your mind to His Word, and submit your heart in prayer, you'll find your strength is renewed day-by-day. Fasting fuels holy fire that purges us from fleshly lusts. (See I Timothy 6:11; II Timothy 2:15-22.) Although Paul was addressing young Timothy specifically - his admonition is vitally important to every gender and generation.
Psalm 119 is chock full of nuggets proclaiming the importance of knowing and embracing God's Word. In verse after verse, the Psalmist says to value God's Word, making it the foundation of our very lives. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word. With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments. Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." (Psalm 119:9-11)
History tells us the Duke of York marched his army up the hill and set himself to the battle. Hopelessly outnumbered, (40,000 to his 10,000,) he lost the battle, marching his much depleted forces back down the hill in defeat. His position, his power, his importance,even his wealth meant nothing after that day
For those who battle in a war against sin and the flesh, going it on your own,in your own strength is going to end up in defeat. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" is the only way to victory!
.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Psalm 119 - Special Requests
Taken from Psalm119:25-40
Consider adopting these requests (as made by the Psalmist,) as your own. Meditate on them. Ponder them. Embrace them. You'll find that the more you absorb of the Word of God, the greater will be your peace, your understanding, and your ability to see life's events from His perspective.
"Thy Word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. ...Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." (Psalm 119:11, 18) "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
Verse 25 introduces the word, "quicken." We'll deal with that concept as we complete this thought.
Verse 26 - "Teach me Thy statutes." One must first learn what God's statutes are. This understanding is foundational (vital) to every study endeavor.
Verse 27 - "Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts." In order to follow God's commandments whole-heartedly, we must understand (know) "the way." Thomas' question was, "...How can we know the way?" Jesus' answer gave the key. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:4-6)
Verse 29 - "Remove from me the way of lying." Requesting the removal of something so foreign to a love of the truth as lies and deceit, is like an insurance policy. Not only do we need to know the truth, we also need to be able to discern and avoid the false; false ways, false teachings, false doctrine, false brethren, false thinking... and fables too!
Verse 33 - "Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy Statutes." We need to understand the way of the matter, God's mindset and thinking. His Word is careful to make it plain - both the what and the why.
Verse 34 - "Give me understanding." Understanding comes by illumination. The Holy Ghost is a teacher and the only way to truly understand the Word written by men who were inspired by the Holy Ghost, is to have that same Holy Ghost indwelling.
Verse 35 - "Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments." In another place, the Word says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD." When the Lord, (through His Word, His Spirit, and His
ministry,) directs our path; safety is assured, nourishment is continual, and living water completely satisfies.
Verse 36 - "Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies." Invite Him to lead you to the place where your desire and delight is found in the Lord and His provision. Our God keeps His Word! If He said it... He'll do it!
Verse 37 - "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity." Ask for spiritual blinders, specifically to things that turn you away from your Lord. The old song says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace."
Verse 38 - "Stablish Thy Word unto Thy servant." It's one thing to read, "Forever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in heaven." It's another thing when the Word proves itself to you, personally. When you've found the answer to your need in the pages of God's Word, applied it, and it worked out to your good, you gain immeasureable reassurance and the confidence to trust Him and His word again and again.
Verse 39 - "Turn away my reproach which I fear." Even with the help of the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the man of God, human nature is prone to weakness and failure/s. Hebrews 13:17 says when those who give account (your pastor/s and leaders,) have to do it with grief, that is "not profitable." The answer for the weakness of the flesh is keeping short accounts and repentance is key. For when we repent and confess our sins, He is faithful. He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness! That's how He turns away our reproach!
"Quicken me" occurs three times in these few verses. "Quicken me according to Thy Word," (v 25,) "Quicken Thou me in Thy way," (v 37,) and, "Quicken me in Thy Word." (v 40) Notice the nuances; according to Thy Word, in Thy way, and, in Thy Word. This "quickening" makes the Word alive in our hearts and lives. We then can be used to share the Word and bless the lives of those around us. The quickened Word becomes a "rhema word," which is a word sent forth to quicken.
Glossary:
According - v. in agreement, in harmony.
Precept - n. a command or directive given as a rule of action or conduct.
Quicken - v. to become alive, to receive life, to stimulate.
Reproach - v. 1.) to blame, censure, upbraid, 2.) to be a cause of blame or a discredit to.
Stablish - v. 1.) to found or build on a firm or stable basis, 2.) to show to be valid or true.
Statute - n. law; a permanent, established rule.
mjk - 3/2/2012
Consider adopting these requests (as made by the Psalmist,) as your own. Meditate on them. Ponder them. Embrace them. You'll find that the more you absorb of the Word of God, the greater will be your peace, your understanding, and your ability to see life's events from His perspective.
"Thy Word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. ...Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." (Psalm 119:11, 18) "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
Verse 25 introduces the word, "quicken." We'll deal with that concept as we complete this thought.
Verse 26 - "Teach me Thy statutes." One must first learn what God's statutes are. This understanding is foundational (vital) to every study endeavor.
Verse 27 - "Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts." In order to follow God's commandments whole-heartedly, we must understand (know) "the way." Thomas' question was, "...How can we know the way?" Jesus' answer gave the key. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:4-6)
Verse 29 - "Remove from me the way of lying." Requesting the removal of something so foreign to a love of the truth as lies and deceit, is like an insurance policy. Not only do we need to know the truth, we also need to be able to discern and avoid the false; false ways, false teachings, false doctrine, false brethren, false thinking... and fables too!
Verse 33 - "Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy Statutes." We need to understand the way of the matter, God's mindset and thinking. His Word is careful to make it plain - both the what and the why.
Verse 34 - "Give me understanding." Understanding comes by illumination. The Holy Ghost is a teacher and the only way to truly understand the Word written by men who were inspired by the Holy Ghost, is to have that same Holy Ghost indwelling.
Verse 35 - "Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments." In another place, the Word says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD." When the Lord, (through His Word, His Spirit, and His
ministry,) directs our path; safety is assured, nourishment is continual, and living water completely satisfies.
Verse 36 - "Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies." Invite Him to lead you to the place where your desire and delight is found in the Lord and His provision. Our God keeps His Word! If He said it... He'll do it!
Verse 37 - "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity." Ask for spiritual blinders, specifically to things that turn you away from your Lord. The old song says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace."
Verse 38 - "Stablish Thy Word unto Thy servant." It's one thing to read, "Forever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in heaven." It's another thing when the Word proves itself to you, personally. When you've found the answer to your need in the pages of God's Word, applied it, and it worked out to your good, you gain immeasureable reassurance and the confidence to trust Him and His word again and again.
Verse 39 - "Turn away my reproach which I fear." Even with the help of the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the man of God, human nature is prone to weakness and failure/s. Hebrews 13:17 says when those who give account (your pastor/s and leaders,) have to do it with grief, that is "not profitable." The answer for the weakness of the flesh is keeping short accounts and repentance is key. For when we repent and confess our sins, He is faithful. He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness! That's how He turns away our reproach!
"Quicken me" occurs three times in these few verses. "Quicken me according to Thy Word," (v 25,) "Quicken Thou me in Thy way," (v 37,) and, "Quicken me in Thy Word." (v 40) Notice the nuances; according to Thy Word, in Thy way, and, in Thy Word. This "quickening" makes the Word alive in our hearts and lives. We then can be used to share the Word and bless the lives of those around us. The quickened Word becomes a "rhema word," which is a word sent forth to quicken.
Glossary:
According - v. in agreement, in harmony.
Precept - n. a command or directive given as a rule of action or conduct.
Quicken - v. to become alive, to receive life, to stimulate.
Reproach - v. 1.) to blame, censure, upbraid, 2.) to be a cause of blame or a discredit to.
Stablish - v. 1.) to found or build on a firm or stable basis, 2.) to show to be valid or true.
Statute - n. law; a permanent, established rule.
mjk - 3/2/2012
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Searching the Scriptures...
Found this poem, enjoyed its meaning and want to pass it on...
Cling to the Bible, this jewel and treasure
brings life eternal and shows fallen man;
brings life eternal and shows fallen man;
Surely its value no mortal can measure;
Seek for its blessing, O soul, while you can.
(Author unknown)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
