It is Time for You to Act, O LORD…

 For since the beginning of the world

Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,

Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,

Who acts for the one who waits for Him.

5 You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness,

Who remembers You in Your ways.—Isaiah 64:4-5

I stopped here as I read this morning.  There are times of late that I would love the Lord to demonstrate His glory and His power as He did in the days of old.  In this I pray as David did in Psalm 119: 

It is time for You to act, O LORD,

For they have regarded Your law as void.—Psalm 119:26

Oh, that He would rend the heavens, make the mountains shake and the nations tremble at His Presence.  Oh that He would make the peoples of the earth see their sin and cry out to Him to be saved.  

Father…You are good and do good.  Truly, 

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man. The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."—1 Corinthians 2:9

Thank You that You are God and beside You there is no other. You act for those who wait for You. You meet those who rejoice and do righteousness…who remember You in all their ways.  You are our sun and our shield. You will give grace and glory. No good thing will You withhold from those who walk uprightly. 

19 Oh, how great is Your goodness,

Which You have laid up for those who fear You,

Which You have prepared for those who trust in You

In the presence of the sons of men!

20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence

From the plots of man;

You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion

From the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the LORD,

For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!

22 For I said in my haste,

"I am cut off from before Your eyes";

Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications

When I cried out to You.

23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!

For the LORD preserves the faithful,

And fully repays the proud person.

24 Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart,

All you who hope in the LORD.—Psalm 31:19-24

Proper Perspective…

Written by Bill…

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for YOU. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV).

Rejoice... pray... give thanks... always, ceaselessly, in everything.

What is the will of God for my life? Early in my Christian walk I wondered about that, and the question took many forms: does God want me to be a missionary, enter the ministry, move, get another job, make more money, make less money, have another child, and on and on?

Then a dear Christian friend, older in the Lord than I was, recited this verse aloud in a gathering my wife and I were part of, emphasizing the last word, YOU. It was as if a light went off in my head. I had my answer.

Not that the verse above was the entire answer, but it was a significant part, for sure. And what I first heard with great relief, was followed by quite a few serious questions.

Rejoice always? Rejoice when bad things happen? Rejoice when loss occurs? Rejoice when I am afraid, or in pain, or seriously ill? How was that even possible? 

Praise God for serious questions, because He has marvelous answers if we seek them in faith, with an open mind, a teachable spirit, and with our whole heart. What I learned over time is that joy or rejoicing is not the same as to be happy or glad. It's something much, much deeper, something not dependent on momentary circumstances, something founded on an overriding goodness that obliterates all the darkness and evil of this life. The exhortation to “rejoice always” is a synonym for “have joy IN THE LORD”, Who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”, Whose “promises are true”,  “Who has been given all authority and power”, “Who loves us with an everlasting love”, and Who “gave His life that we may live.”.

Because He is unchanging, and irrevocably FOR us, our temporal circumstances, no matter how horrendous, are “but a light affliction” that “cannot be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us.” So in that relationship with Him through faith, we can know joy... always; joy that is the tranquil sea upon which we float.

Then comes “pray without ceasing”. Even back then, I knew this could not mean bow my head and shut my eyes and pray verbally, never stopping. But what did it mean? I believe the answer is as marvelous as the one about joy. You see, because Jesus broke down the wall of separation between God and man by paying the price of our iniquity on the Cross, and TAKING away our sin, we now have bold, confident access to the very Throne of Heaven. We do not need ritual, sacrifice, ceremony, a priestly representative, or a Holy appointment. We can commune with the living Lord of the Universe as often as we desire, and Paul is encouraging us to desire that communion always. It is not just praying, it is living with an underlying attitude of prayer in everything we do, think and say. It is having the Lord always in our thoughts, living our lives with the awareness of His presence and care. It is walking with Him in the “cool of the evening”, when we “rise up and lay down”, when we “go in and come out.” 

Finally, His will for us includes  “in EVERYTHING gives thanks.” Really? I used to think that it meant I could remember to be thankful IN everything because I could be grateful that I knew the Lord Jesus, but I didn't have to be thankful FOR everything. Then I read Ephesians 5:20, which says exactly that: “FOR everything give thanks.” Bottom line, the will of God for me (and for you), is to be thankful both IN and FOR everything. Now, how is THAT possible?

Here's the thing: when we understand that “God works all things together for good to those who love Him, to those who are the called according to His purposes”, then we may rest assured that ALL things that happen in our lives our are under His providential control... and working toward our good and His glory.

We are being transformed daily into the image of His Son, so NOTHING that happens to us is meaningless, or without purpose. We are not at the whim of fate, or luck, or chance. We are His children whom He went to unimaginable lengths to adopt into His family. He loves us, and is preparing us for an eternity of life in His presence and among all the saints. So, in view of all these wonderful truths, what Paul writes above makes perfect sense. May His Spirit bring this to our mind's, especially in those times of trial and testing.

Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly…

 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.—Ephesians 5:18-21

The results of of being filled with the Spirit is found in verses 19-21 above. 

Many years ago John MacArthur’s words and illustrations on these verses helped me to see what walking in the Spirit looked like practically. There is never a moment when I am not grateful for his ministry of the word  The following insights are from his teachings. 

Now read Colossians 3:16 which is a direct parallel to this verse because you have the same response…

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Do you see the similarity?

You have exactly the same response to being filled with the spirit as you have to being dominated by the word.  To be filled with the spirit means to be dominated by the word.  The word is part of you.  The word of Christ in your heart and in your mind is the handle or the steering wheel by which the Holy Spirit turns your will.  When the word of God dwells richly in your heart it is the same as being controlled by the Spirit. 

Beloved… Fill yourself with the word of God...Let it dominate and control you...these are the guaranteed results.  You will teach, admonish, and sing as you go about your day.  When you are tried…the Spirit using the word of God will direct your path.   Give Christ, who is the Word of God, absolute pre-eminence in your life.   Doing this will not only bless you both temporally and eternally it will also bless your family and others around you.  Leave them this legacy…demonstrate this to them and they will have everything they need to get through this life…no matter what they face.

Father

May I live continually under the grace and influence of Your Spirit that dwells in me.  Help me to take my anxious and fearful thoughts captive and focus instead on those things that are above.  This is Your will for me. You have not given me a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  Your perfect love casts out my fear…For I have not received the spirit of bondage to fear, but I have received the Spirit of adoption by whom I cry out to You as a precious daughter, “Abba! Father!”  As a father pities His children, so You pity those who fear You.  You are mindful of our frame. You remember we are dust.  

May the abundance of my heart be Your word. May Your Spirit use it to direct my path and may I depend moment by moment on Your power to get me through this life. May I live in an ever conscious presence of my Jesus.  May his mind and His word so dominate me that the beautiful result will be as it says in verses 19-21.  

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

The Fast That I Choose…

 6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen:

To loose the bonds of wickedness,

To undo the heavy burdens,

To let the oppressed go free,

And that you break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;

When you see the naked, that you cover him,

And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning,

Your healing shall spring forth speedily,

And your righteousness shall go before you;

The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;

You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'

"If you take away the yoke from your midst,

The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

10 If you extend your soul to the hungry

And satisfy the afflicted soul,

Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,

And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you continually,

And satisfy your soul in drought,

And strengthen your bones;

You shall be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

12 Those from among you

Shall build the old waste places;

You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,

The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In—Isaiah 58:6-12

All my Bible readings this morning seemed to be driving home the same message, which the portion from Isaiah 58 above and Ephesians 5:1-2 below, encapsulated well. 

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Oh Father, May I be an imitator of Your Son, Jesus! For then:

your (my) light shall dawn in the darkness,

And your (my)darkness shall be as the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you (me)continually,

And satisfy your (my)soul in drought,

And strengthen your(my) bones;

You (I) shall be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.—Isaiah 58:10-11

Father…By Your Spirit, may Your light shine in my soul. May it light up the darkness of this world and be a repairer and a restorer.  Purify my heart!  Align my will with Yours. Make me as You were in this world. I want to be that spring whose waters do not fail. 

As I obey Your word sincerely from my heart, make me like that tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when drought comes, for its leaves remain green. It is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.  Make my love abound more and more…fill me with the fruits of righteousness that comes through Your Son, Jesus, to Your glory and Your praise. 

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3:18

With all that is within in me Father, may my heart desire to preach YOU and not myself to those around me…  

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.—2 Corinthians 4:6

On Crying Out to God…

 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”—John 4:13-14

These words of Jesus to the woman at the well bring me back to the moment of my own salvation. The moment it became completely evident to me that something inside of me had changed dramatically, and that I WAS NOT responsible for that change.  I had gone through many self-help books both from the library and bookstores.  I FINALLY cried out to God…to the fountain of living water…and bought a bible. I had tried reading the bible many times in my life.  The strangest thing for me was that I could read anything else and understand what I was reading...but I had never understood the Bible.  I always had to put it back on the shelf because it was like I was reading another language...there simply was no understanding. I did not have ears to hear.  (I figured it was the Bible’s fault, not mine . 😀). 

I remember coming home...sitting on the couch....opening the Bible up to Genesis 1 and before I reached Genesis Chapter 2 tears were streaming down my cheeks. The Spirit had spoken to my heart.  I understood!  Not just chapter 1 of Genesis but that He was my Rock in this world.  That this book I had in my hands was exactly what I needed.  It was black and white, it was definite and most importantly it had answers. Truth truly resided here in this book.  I knew at that moment that I could stand.  I knew that I had what I needed to raise my family..to make it through life in this world. My eyes were opened to the God who created the universe and who also cared for me. Circumstances would change, emotions would change, my life would change but He would not.  Jesus Christ the same today, yesterday and forever.  He would be my guide, my strong tower, my help, my strength and my hope.  I went from quicksand to the Rock. Psalm 40:1-3 speaks to me of what the my God did that day in my heart.

I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to  me And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock,  And established my steps.He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God;  Many will see it and fear; And will trust in the LORD.

It truly happened in the blink of an eye...and His word by His grace has never been far from my heart or my reach since.

Beloved…Jesus is the One for whom your empty heart longs.  Go to Him…today is the day of salvation. He longs to hear your cry and be gracious to you. In seeking anyone or anything else (whether you are saved or unsaved) you are in effect feeding on the wind and pursuing the east wind.  As it says in Jeremiah:

They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,

And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water. 

All of your labor is for your mouth, but your soul is still not satisfied. 

1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.

Hear, and your soul shall live;

6 Seek the LORD while He may be found,

Call upon Him while He is near. —Isaiah 55:1-3;6

But My Kindness Shall Not Depart From You….

 For the mountains shall depart

And the hills be removed,

But My kindness shall not depart from you,

Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”

Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.—Isaiah 54:10

But my kindness shall not depart from you.   Beloved…These are gloriously comforting words filled with His mercy, filled with His grace to help, and filled with His self-sacrificing love.  Our God condescends in His majesty to be kind to us. Our lives and our circumstances change daily, but God does not. His word stands forever, and His promises to us are sure. We who believe are His now and forever. Protected and covered.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,

And their righteousness is from Me,”

Says the LORD.—Isaiah 54:17

Not only will His kindness not depart from us, but Psalm 103 tells us that it is GREAT TOWARD US! 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him— Psalm 103:11

His lovingkindness…

His favor…

His goodness…

His faithfulness…

His steadfast love…

❤️❤️❤️

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

The LORD will give grace and glory;

No good thing will He withhold

From those who walk uprightly.

O LORD of hosts,

Blessed is the man who trusts in You!—Psalm 84:11-12

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD

Forever.—Psalm 23:6

In My Grief and Heartache…God

 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.—Psalm 112:4

He will not be afraid of evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.—Psalm 112:7

There IS much ongoing heartache and sorrow in my life that I am powerless to remedy.  The underlying song and background melody of my heart is joyful gratitude for all my God has done, but often my immediate presenting emotion is grief.

Yesterday was one of those days. My heart was overwhelmed by sorrow and I needed the comfort that only God can give. Psalm 112 brought it. 

4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

The Lord my God will light my lamp; He will enlighten my darkness. He will make even the night light about me. Psalm 112:4 reminded me to think on who my God is…on His character. He is gracious, and full of compassion. He is righteous.  Its words brought to mind this precious truth from Job and its corollary from 1 Peter. 

And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

The end my God intends for me is good…my Lord is very compassionate and merciful.  Tears came then and life became easier to bear because I knew my God was bearing it with me. I was not alone. God is my strong habitation to which I can continually resort.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His love never fails.  His mercy toward me is great, and I am always helped.  I can face my sorrow without fear. It will not overwhelm me.  My heart will safely trust Him. He will see me through.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.—Isaiah 43:1-2

17 Unless the LORD had been my help,

My soul would soon have settled in silence.

18 If I say, "My foot slips,"

Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.

19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me,

Your comforts delight my soul.—Psalm 94:17-19

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

Behold My Servant…

 4 "The Lord GOD has given Me

The tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak

A word in season to him who is weary.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear

To hear as the learned.

5 The Lord GOD has opened My ear;

And I was not rebellious,

Nor did I turn away.

6 I gave My back to those who struck Me,

And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;

I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

7 "For the Lord GOD will help Me;

Therefore I will not be disgraced;

Therefore I have set My face like a flint,

And I know that I will not be ashamed.

8 He is near who justifies Me;

Who will contend with Me?

Let us stand together.

Who is My adversary?

Let him come near Me.

9 Surely the Lord GOD will help Me;

Who is he who will condemn Me?

Indeed they will all grow old like a garment;

The moth will eat them up.—Isaiah 50:4-11

There are four Servant Songs ((cf. 42:1–9; 49:1–13; 50:4-11; 52:13–53:12) in the Book of Isaiah. All were written more than 700 years before the birth of Christ and each is undeniably prophetic.  This is the third and it is Messiah’s soliloquy about being made perfect through obedience.  

Whatever Jesus did or said here on earth, He did in obedience to the will of His Father in heaven...completely entrusting Himself into His Father's hands. It is important to note also that everything He did here on earth, He did as a Man.  Jesus walked in those works that His Father had prepared beforehand for Him as a human being empowered by the Spirit of God, never using His divine powers.   Beloved, all that Jesus said and did while He was here on earth, He did to show us the way.  It all can be applied to our own lives and walk with Him.  Look at what He tells us in these verses on how to go through the trials of life:

1. spend time with the Father.

2. encourage others in their weariness with the Word of God.

3. comfort them in their distress.

4. do not be rebellious..

5. receive with meekness the implanted word.

6. set your face like flint to endure knowing that your God WILL help.

7. rely upon your God...you will not be disgraced or ashamed.

Then He reminds us that our enemies will  grow old...the moths will eat them up.. He has gone before  and shown us the way.  JESUS LIVED OUT HIS OWN WORD...HE WAS THE WORD AND HIS WORD AND HIS DEED MATCHED...THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF TRUTH. AMAZING!

Sometimes in a trial we feel as if no one really understands our suffering.  There is ONE...and He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows the chastisement for our peace was upon Him. He endured all this for us...Hebrews 12:2 says it was for the joy that was set before Him...we are that joy...He is our joy, our strength and our salvation. He is our way, our truth, our life! Go to Him, trust in Him. Commit yourself to Him. He will not disappoint!

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.—John 6:38-40

For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."—John 12:49-50

Then I said, 'Behold, I have come—

In the volume of the book it is written of Me—

To do Your will, O God.'"—Hebrews 10:7

Father...May this mind...the mind of Christ be in me!  May I desire what You, my God, desires.  May I walk as my Jesus did. Set my face like flint, Father, and enable me to endure whatever You have prepared for me knowing that You will uphold me through it all. Help me by Your Spirit to remain submissive, like my Jesus, honoring You with my faith and my obedience.  May Your footsteps be my pathway.  

Holy and Awesome is His Name…

 9 He has sent redemption to His people;

He has commanded His covenant forever:

Holy and awesome is His name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.

His praise endures forever.—Psalm 111:9-10

Holy and awesome is His name!  He has sent redemption to His people.  He has commanded His covenant forever.  His works are done in truth and righteousness.  The man who fears God and walks in His commandments walks in wholeness or perfection.  Sin, on the other hand, corrupts and destroys.  It tears you down rather than building you up.  God is holy and that is His desire for us…that we be holy as He is holy.  Holiness leads to understanding and joy…. Sin to blindness and great sorrow both in this world and in the next.  

Oh, to be so in love with our God that we never want to do anything that would grieve Him.  Oh, love the Lord, you His saints!  This is where wisdom begins.  This will be the joy and stability of your heart. This is how we are conformed into His image and become more and more like He created us to be.  

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

For this is man's all.

14 For God will bring every work into judgment,

Including every secret thing,

Whether good or evil.—Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

…he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."—Revelation 22:11b

1 Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones,

Give unto the LORD glory and strength.

2 Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;

Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.—Psalm 29:1-2

23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!

For the LORD preserves the faithful,

And fully repays the proud person.

24 Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart,

All you who hope in the LORD.—Psalm 31:23-24