Gate Beautiful...

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.—Acts 3:1-10

This lame man who sat daily at the Gate Beautiful to ask for alms was healed by God and entered through said same gate walking and leaping and praising God.  As I read this story, I pictured Gate Beautiful as the very gate of heaven and all who pass through...crippled, maimed, lame or deformed...would not just walk through the gate, but would go through healed and made strong through their faith in His name. The faith which comes through Him will give them this perfect soundness as they enter in to the Presence of their Redeemer.   With their hearts and their lips they will praise Him and their joy as they enter will be unspeakable and full of glory!  

For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”  Behold, our God will make all things new. 

Moment by Precious Moment...

Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go, number Israel and Judah." (2 Samuel 24:1, ESV)

This is second occurrence of divine discipline against Israel. The first was a three year famine recorded in Chapter 21.  2 Samuel 24 tells us that the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel and He incited David to go and number Israel and Judah.  Scripture does not specify their sin.  One commentator says that perhaps pride had caused David to increase the size of his army unnecessarily which would have placed heavy burdens of support on the people.  What is clear is that God was not happy with both David’s and Israel’s heart attitudes and brought judgment.  

After the census was completed and the numbers tallied, David was conscience stricken.  Verse 10 says:

And David's heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O LORD, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly."

That same day, the prophet Gad brought the word of the Lord to David.  God gave David three choices. Each was a form of punishment God had told the people they could expect if they disobeyed his laws (plague—Deuteronomy 28:20-22; famine—28:23, 24; war—28:25, 26). David wisely chooses to fall into the hands of God rather than the hands of man.  

And David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man."—2 Samuel 22:14

Praying that when I sin God would bring conviction and turn my heart towards home...towards Him. Psalm 103 comes to mind.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

9 He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities his children,

So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

Scripture tells us that seventy thousand men of the people died from the plague the Lord sent. One of the lessons the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic has really brought home for me is how very quickly our lives can change.  Truly we ARE moment by precious moment in the hands of our God...And that is such a good thing. 

Father, I am thankful for Your great mercy, Your long suffering and Your kindness. I am especially grateful that in a world that is constantly changing that, You, my God, do not. You are in sovereign control.  Nothing happens to me that does not pass through Your loving hands first.  During my 60 years on this planet earth, I have experienced sorrow, sickness and loss.  Things have grown old and decayed, relationships have changed and loved ones have gotten sick and died.  Through all of it, You, my gracious and righteous Lord have been in control.  I can depend on Your sovereignty.  My changing world is controlled by my unchanging God.  His love and His purpose for me never change.  Keep my focus here today, Father.  Allow this great truth to penetrate my heart.  Then, like the Psalmist, my soul can return to its rest...the Lord has and will deal bountifully with me.  For You are my God...my God forever and ever...You will be my guide, even to death.