Faith Living...

“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.—Habakkuk 2:4

Obviously, the “proud” here refers to the King of Babylon and the Chaldeans and the “just”to the believing remnant of Israel.  The former would die in their pride and the latter live...by their faith.  God differentiates between the wicked and the righteous. The wicked are puffed up trusting in themselves.  The righteous live by faith trusting God moment by moment.  The literal rendering in Habakkuk's context, is "By his faith the just shall live." It could also be paraphrased "the justified-by-faith-one shall live." Faith is not a one time act, but a way of life.  The true believer perseveres in faith as the pattern of his life. 

This “faith” living is hard for me.  I find myself going backwards daily...returning to worry and fear rather than trust and faith.  I keep at it though and my perseverance has blessed me in that I am beginning to feel a  sweet joyful peace and sense of relief as I cast the burdens that He has allowed in my life back on Him who promises to sustain me through them all.  I come to Him when I am laboring and heavy laden and He truly does give me rest.  He is a gentle Savior.  His yoke is easy and His burden light.  

God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.—1 Peter 5:5b-7

As we see at the end of Chapter 3 this kind “faith living” triumphs! Praying that we, like Habakkuk, can trust in God and go in His strength.  

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God* is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.—Habakkuk 3:17-19

Paul’s attitude in Philippians 4 also comes to mind:

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.—Philippians 4:4-8

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christfn who strengthens me.—Philippians 4:11-13

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.—Philippians 4:19-20

My God Knows Me....

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.—Nahum 1:7

As I read the Book of Nahum last night, my heart kept returning to this verse.  The LORD IS good...a stronghold in the day of trouble...and He KNOWS  those who trust in Him.  Verse 7 stands as an oasis of comfort and consolation not only for the people of Judah but for you and I as well.  It is a jewel hidden amidst the doom foretold against the Assyrians and stands in stark contrast to the rest of the book. 

I took this verse to heart last night by memorizing it.  It is a perfect “go to” verse when the world begins to tilt and spin.  We who love Him “see” His goodness.  We “see” as Ezra says the good and gracious hand of our God upon us.  The LORD Himself is our stronghold in the day of trouble and where we find our protection.  My God knows me.  He knows that I am His.  He knows the way I take.  He knows my heart and is intimately acquainted with all my ways.  He knows my frame...that I am weak.  He knows what I need.  He knows how to deliver me.   My God knows those who trust Him.  

for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.  (Psalms 1:6, ESV)

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, (John 10:14, ESV)

But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. (1 Corinthians 8:3, ESV)

For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.  (Psalms 100:5, ESV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah  (Psalms 46:1-3, ESV)

For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,  (Isaiah 25:4, ESV)

What Does the Lord Require?

"With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"  He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  (Micah 6:6-8, ESV)

Micah’s short and quick response here makes it obvious that they should have known the answer to this one.  So simple and even simpler now from the NT point of view because Jesus demonstrated it moment by moment.  Psalm 85 tells us that righteousness goes before Him and His footsteps are our pathway.  My Beloved wants me...He wants my heart.  He desires the pre-eminence in my life.  I can bring nothing to Him acceptable except  empty hands and a heart filled with love and gratitude for what He has done for me.  When my heart is committed my actions will follow.  

And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.  (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, (Deuteronomy 10:12, ESV)

And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40, ESV)

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.  (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

He is Worthy!!

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”—Revelation 4:9-11

Worthiness is ALL of Him!  The twenty four elders who represent all the redeemed of God, throw their victory crowns back at His feet because all their achievements point back to Him and are from Him.  Without Him we can do nothing.  I like the KJV of verse 11 best. It reads:

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

It reminds me that I was created by Him for His pleasure.  My life is not my own.  It belongs to Him who sits on the throne and lives forever and ever.  

Have Thine own way Lord

Have Thine own way

Thou art the potter I am the clay

Mold me and make me after Thy will

While I am waiting yielded and still

Have Thine own way Lord

Have Thine own way

Search me and try me Master today

Whiter than snow Lord wash me just now

As in Thy presence humbly I bow

Have Thine own way Lord

Have Thine own way

Hold over my being absolute sway

Filled with Thy spirit till all can see

Christ only always living in me

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Pollard Stebbins

Have Thine Own Way, Lord lyrics © Hope Publishing Company

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1, ESV)

For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.  The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.  (Psalms 33:9-11, ESV)

"Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. (Acts 14:15, ESV)

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, (Ephesians 1:11, ESV)

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"  (Revelation 5:11-12,  ESV)

To Him Who Overcomes...

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.—Revelation 3:21

Jesus’ humility to us, His creatures, is always astounding to me.  Jesus overcame the world and sat down with His Father on His throne, and He promises that we will do similarly!!  He gives this precious promise to all who hold fast to what they have and persevere...to all who overcome this world by faith.  As believers, we are already overcomers and conquerors through Him who loved us.  The end has already been written.  We WILL sit on His throne with Him and with Him rule and reign!  Revelation 2:26-28 tells us:

The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. 

The Morning Star (Jesus) has already dawned in our hearts (2 Peter 2:19) but someday we will have Him in all His fullness.  We will be clothed in white garments and our names will never be blotted out of the book of life. 

Believers will be pillars in the temple of God and enjoy an unshakable, eternal, secure place in His presence.  In that day, He will write on us His name.  According to John MacArthur, in Biblical times, one’s name spoke of his character. Writing His name on us then means imprinting  His character on us and identifying us as belonging to him.  ❤️❤️

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18, ESV)

Without Love, I Am Nothing...

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.—Amos 3:7

I read this in Amos this morning and as I read Revelation 2, it was clear that God still warns His people before judgment comes.  (Revelation 2:4-5)

1. “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2 "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (Revelation 2:1-5, ESV)

God warned the Church at Ephesus that if they did not repent and do the works they did at first, He would remove their lampstand.  To be a Christian is to first and foremost love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.  1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says this:

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Let all that you do be done with love.

Yes, we are to do all for which the Church at Ephesus was commended.  They watched.  They were brave and strong. Truly as the KJV says they, “quit like men.”  Their doctrine, their moral purity, their zeal for the truth and their disciplined service, were however, no substitute for the love of their Savior which they had abandoned.  As believers, love for God must define us and characterize all we do and say.  The Ephesians church was missing this key ingredient.  Love for Christ was no longer the motivating force behind their works.  They had become “clanging symbols” because without His love we are nothing and can do nothing good.  

If I feel myself going awry during the day, it is ALWAYS helpful for me to remember love. Love never fails because love is of God.  When we walk in love, we walk effectively not only temporally but also eternally.  I love thinking on that.  Loving others with God’s love has eternal consequences.   God’s  love reaches beyond this world and into eternity.  

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.—1 Corinthians 13:2

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,”“You shall not covet,”fn and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.—Romans 13:8-10

Who Will Give That there May Be Such a Heart In Them?

“Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.  Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him—Joel 1:12-14

These verses from Joel brought this verse from Deuteronomy 5 to mind:

Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever! --Deuteronomy 5:29

That is God's heart for us. He wants our hearts to be completely His.  When this is the case, He knows it will be well with us forever.  As a mom I can so understand those words.  I want it to be well with my children and my grand children forever. I want them to walk with their God in truth. I know that the best life they can live is one lived in the will of God.  One lived for Him. There is no better or safer place.  The language of the original is emphatic: "Mee yittain wehayah levavom zeh lahem", literally, "Who will give that there may be such a heart in them?"  They refuse to receive such a heart from me, who then can supply it?

No truer words were ever spoken. A changed heart is a miracle from God.  We must be willing to receive it.  Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem knowing the fate it would suffer a short 70 years after His crucifixion. He wanted to gather His children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but they were not willing!  I am so thankful that our God pursues us relentlessly.  He is not willing that any should perish but that all should have life in His name.  

No Greater Joy...

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.—3 John 1:4

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? (Luke 6:46, ESV). 

There is something that goes right to our heart and fills us with joy when someone treats our words with respect and obeys them from a pure heart of love.  Conversely, there is sadness when someone professes to care about our words, but walk in a way that belies them. According to John MacArthur, the word “my” is emphatic in the original.  The apostle’s heart had a deep affection for his spiritual children and delighted when they walked in truth....when their conduct was becoming of their position in Christ.  Those who walk in the truth...in belief...have integrity; there is no contrast between professing and living. When our own children display their love through their obedience to us and to the truth of God, our own hearts fill with joy. 

Ending with some exhortations from Paul’s epistles.  He expressed similar sentiments and desires for his spiritual children. 

14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.—1 Corinthians 4:14-16, ESV

11 For you know how, like a father with his children,

12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.—1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, ESV

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you-

7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.

8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,

10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?—1 Thessalonians 3:6-10, ESV

Loving Others in Truth...

To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:—2 John 1-2

And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.  This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.—2 John 5-6

There are so many ways that the world loves, but what does it mean to love in truth?  Loving in truth, as verse 5 tells us, is walking in accordance to the commandments of God.  Loving this way, then,has eternal effects because truth is eternal.  It abides in us and is with us forever.  God is love so when we love in truth, we love as He loves.  Romans 13 says it perfectly...

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,”“You shall not covet,”and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.—Romans 13:8-10

Loving someone in the truth of God is loving them unselfishly and seeking the best for them.  It is walking according to His commandments and being continually guided by His precepts. The best commentary on loving in truth is found in 1 Corinthians 13...I end with it. 

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails.—1 Corinthians 13:1-8b

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.—Col 3:16

Overcomers...

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5, ESV)

As I read these two verses this morning from 1 John 5,  I was reminded of the following verses from Romans 5 which speak of our faith as the conduit to the grace of God in which we stand.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.—Romans 5:1-2

By His grace through faith, I have been born again of God...born not for this world but for another.  I am now at peace with God and justified before Him, because God has imputed Christ’s righteousness to my account.  I am an overcomer!  I STAND...I ABIDE...I AM PERMANENTLY FIXED IN...His wonderful realm of grace.  It is in this place of His unmerited favor and forgiveness of sin that I live, move and have my being.   My peace and my access into this grace is purely and completely based on Christ’s finished work on the cross.  When I sin, this grace upon which I stand provides me with complete forgiveness, because Christ has paid my penalty in full.

My ultimate destiny is to share in the very glory of God. I rejoice in this hope because it is sure and certain, my Jesus secures it.  As believers our access to God and to our eternal home in heaven with Him is through our faith in Jesus Christ.  God gives us the victory over this world through our union with His Son. We are now children of God and He Who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. (Satan and all his allies).  According to John MacArthur, the word “overcomes” in the original language conveys the idea that the believer has continual victory over the world.  That is such good news.  We stand before God victorious in an atmosphere of grace....All because of what Christ has done.

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. (1 John 3:9, ESV)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, ESV)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:57-58, ESV)

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (Ephesians 6:16, ESV)

No One Has Seen God...

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12, ESV)

This verse is short, beautiful and so convicting.  I have read it often, but I have to admit I never really understood why the first part of verse 12 was even there.  Um...yes, no one has seen God at anytime, but what does that have to do with us loving one another.  Dawn broke!  EVERYTHING!  

Verse 7 tells us that love originated with God.  Verse 9 that this love was made manifest among us when God sent His only Son into the world that we might live through Him.  Reading Verse 12 again:

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12, ESV)

Verse 12a now makes perfect sense.  God is invisible...no one can see Him loving His people.  Jesus is no longer in the world to make His love manifest, but we, His people, are!  Love is the heart of Christian witness.  Jesus said that love is the main identifying mark of a Christian. (John 13:35)   God sending His son to die for us gave us the opportunity for salvation, but also the obligation to be imitators of Him and follow His pattern of loving others sacrificially.  As His people, we are to demonstrate His love to in our hearts and in our lives.  

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”—John 13:35

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.—2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Loving in Deed and in Truth...

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?  My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.—1 John 3:16-18

Paul said this in Philippians 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may REJOICE in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.  Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and REJOICE with you all.—Philippians 2:12-18 (emphasis mine)

Paul truly understood the love of God and loved others in deed and in truth.  He viewed his entire life as a drink offering, and here in Philippians 2 it was poured out on the sacrificial service of the Philippians.  An attitude of joy accompanies any genuine, sacrificial Christian service.  That became very evident to me as I read through the following verses connected with sacrificial service and the accompanying attitude of joy that followed.  It is important to note that this joy isn’t drummed up, it is produced by the Holy Spirit as a believer lays down his own will and pours out his life in service to God. 

always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,—Philippians 1:4

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.—Philippians 1:18

that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.—Philippians 1:26

Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.—2 Corinthians 7:4

 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,—Colossians 1:24

therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,—1 Thessalonians 3:7-9

Living as Christ desires us to live brings joy!  God has built blessings in to our sacrificial service in His name. This is helpful for me to understand and remember, because it encourages my faith in two ways.  It stirs me toward good works and assures my heart before Him as I walk in the rewards that accompany this service. Joy is one of these rewards.  His commandments are not burdensome.  Our obedience to them reflect our love toward God and brings blessing.  One of these blessings is joy.  

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.—Hebrews 12:2

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,—Hebrews 10:24

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13

Unto You I Lift My Eyes...

1 A Song of Ascents.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills--

From whence comes my help?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens.  Behold, as the eyes of a servant look to the hand of his master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so MY eyes look to the LORD MY God, until He has mercy on me.  Lift up your eyes, Isaiah says to God on high...He has created the stars and brings out their host by number.  He calls them all by name.   Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one is missing.  Jeremiah reminds us that truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills and from the multitude of mountains...our salvation is in the Lord our God.  God is my helper...I will not fear...God holds my right hand. He is my support.  He will answer me when I cry.  I will walk in the way safely, and my foot shall not stumble, for the LORD is my confidence. My God goes before me and He NEVER slumbers.  He stays awake to guide and guard my path.  He is close by...my shade at my right hand.  Like He was to Israel as they journeyed to the Promised Land, He is to me...a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. 

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.—Isaiah 49:10

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day; [Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.—Psalm 91:5-10

The last verse of this Psalm has always been a favorite of mine.  

The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Deuteronomy 28 says something similar.  

Blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou comest in, and blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou goest out.—Deuteronomy 28:6

So very thankful that He directs and guards my comings and my goings.  Lift up your eyes this morning to the God that is greater than whatever you are facing and greater than anything you can imagine.  See by faith the God who is above the sighs and above the skies, whose care for Your soul is from everlasting to everlasting. 

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,

Whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6 Who made heaven and earth,

The sea, and all that is in them;

Who keeps truth forever,

7 Who executes justice for the oppressed,

Who gives food to the hungry.

The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.

8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;

The LORD raises those who are bowed down;

The LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the strangers;

He relieves the fatherless and widow;

But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.

10 The LORD shall reign forever--

Your God, O Zion, to all generations.

Praise the LORD!—Psalm 146

Trusting in the Lord...

He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.—Proverbs 28:25

When my kids were little, I remember reading the following verse from the book of James. 

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?—James 4:1

I asked myself,  What causes me to be contentious, impatient or unkind?  The answer came very quickly...when I am not getting what I want....when I am not getting what I think I am owed.  

I can remember spending days after that in this verse and others that spoke to pride and humility.  As a young believer, I loved that God had placed built in rewards for the humble, and I was even thankful for the consequences that were pride’s result.  The battle of my will versus my God’s is always a struggle, but the more I surrender and trust God instead of struggling for myself, the more I see that I am made to prosper or made “fat” as the KJV says.  Struggling for “my”rights or “my” way ALWAYS brings discord, discontent and strife.  I dwell at ease when my heart commits its cause to my God.  So much effort and energy goes into fighting for my way...energy that could be expended in His Spirit for His cause.  God’s people do not have to worry about themselves.  They can focus on others because, as Spurgeon says,  God cares for their “estate.”  Beloved, the Lord brings us forward and the Lord holds us back. Let Him do His perfect work in your life and your heart.  Allow Him full sway.  Live in continual dependence upon your God and His grace.  Find your satisfaction in Him and dwell in ease and fullness of joy.  Now the just shall live by faith, and if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ❤️

Poured Out Love...

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us--that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.  This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.—1 John 1:1-5

As I read these words my eyes filled up with tears at the love John, through the inspiration of His Holy Spirit, poured out in this passage.  John was the disciple that Jesus loved and an eyewitness to the physical reality of His humanity and His earthly majesty.  Reading John’s word warms my heart and encourages my faith.  Jesus is not a “made up” person...He is an historical reality.  It is so obvious as I read these verses that John wanted them to produce salvation in his readers.  His words are poured out love pleading with us to hear the Spirit speaking to our hearts. 

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore [you] on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.—2 Corinthians 5:20 

Today is the day of salvation!  Gods does not want any of us, His beloved creatures, to perish but all to come to life in His name.  The God of the Universe wants me to be in fellowship with Him.  He wants ME to be one with Him, in whom there is no darkness at all, now and forever.  This is where our joy will be full both here on earth and in heaven. 

that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:21, ESV)

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:9-11, ESV)