Psalm 92:5,6 ~
" O LORD, how great are Thy works! and Thy thoughts are very deep.
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this."
I am realizing how important it is to pay attention to the way God does things. He does not change; He is the same from the beginning to the end. Yes, His mercies are renewed with the dawn of each day; much to our survival and benefit!
This Psalm speaks of those who do not know or pay attention as being brutish. The Hebrew interpretation of this word means to consume, to waste or burn, or to eat up. I have been guilty of this quite a few times in my life. The blessings of God to me are eaten up and consumed without my acknowledgement of where they came from. I must become much more sensitive to the works and ways of God. King David noticed, he paid attention to God's ways.
The verse also speaks of fools that do not recognize the works of God. This word means stupid silly people do not pay attention. Like the brutish, they consume and eat up what God gives and does, then they just wait for more and more. What a way to spend one's life; to be totally occupied with just eating up the works of the LORD, without acknowledging His ways; and then just waiting for more to consume!
Man is truly born in sin and selfishness! My prayer after examining these two verses is "LORD, make me sensitive to Thy works and Thy ways." God said that He would be found by those who search for Him with all of their heart. This absolutely excludes those who are brutish and foolish. There is no understanding of God in their actions or heart.
For example, this past week I did something I knew I should not have done. It was not gross sin but something not becoming of a Believer in Christ. Shortly thereafter, I lost the Presence that is with me most of the time. I knew that I grieved the LORD and He removed Himself for several days. I am not saying that I was lost for those days; I am saying that the close communion, the constant Presence that is available was distant and not so readily available. There was a sense in my spirit that I had done something that was not pleasing.
Although I repented with prayer, tears and crying, He stayed away for a season. For me, this is one of His ways. I must understand this and apply this fact the next time I feel a check in my spirit not to do something, ask for strength to resist the enemy, and battle through the circumstance. The season of feeling like I was "on my own" was brief. He was with me but we were not in close communion. I still praised Him in prayer and song, but I knew He was displeased. In His great, unmeasurable mercies He finally accepted my petitions, forgave, and returned in the measure of my repentance.
When we err, as we will, repent immediately. Do not get discouraged if He stays aloft for a season, a very short season, but it is very noticeable and very troublesome. Keep praying, praising and He will return in His fullness as only He can.
As the Psalmist says, " How great are Thy works (and His ways), Thy thoughts are very deep. " Do not be brutish and foolish concerning His works and His ways. Pay attention to what brings Him closer to our spirit and the things that cause a distance.
There is nothing more fearful and troublesome than for the Presence of God to be removed from one whose very life depends upon Him for their very survival; and we fall into that catagory. The battles will intensify as He prepares to return and set up His Kingdom. The enemy knows the time is short and he is pulling out all of the stops to try to make us fail and lose faith in our Saviour.
Do not lose heart! If we draw near to Him, He promised that He would draw near to us. Stay in His presence through song, prayer, repentance and praise.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
4000 Years Of Blessings
According to Rabbinic tradition, if I am not mistaken, it has been approximately 4000 years since our spiritual father Abraham was favored by God because of his unwavering faith. While reading from my father's old Bible last evening, a Dake's Bible/Concordance, there were 48 blessings God promised to Abraham and his seed forever.
I base my thoughts today on Galatians 3:29 which were written by a man who called himself a Pharisee of the Pharisee's; the Apostle Paul. He said, " And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
While reading over the list of promises and applying them to my life of 55 years, I am amazed at how they have come to fruition throughout my life. Each Believer can read down this list and apply the fulfilled promises to your life also.
Here are just a few:
* I will show you the land (Genesis 12:1)
I have seen the land. I went to Israel years ago and walked throughout the land from the border of Lebanon to Jerusalem and beyond. We each have seen the "land" wherever we may be. It is a land that had to be conquered with the help of the Almighty. Each of us have faced giants and enemies in our lives; the land has proven to be a fruitful land as we have each yielded and depended upon God to help us fight our battles. Some battles He has declared that the battle is His; He brought us through to victory.
* I will make of you a great nation (Genesis 12:2) - and in you all of the nations of the earth will be blessed (Genesis 12:3 - 22:18)
These promises apply to all who have given to missions either here or abroad. There are many nations that have been blessed through our support by hearing of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (and our God!)
* I will make you fruitful Genesis 17:20
How much more fruitful can we be than to exhibit grace, forgiveness, mercy, salvation and the other attributes of the Spirit of God that lives in us? This is not only fruit to those we meet on a daily basis; it is eternal fruit that we will see only when we get to Heaven. God keeps track; He has good record keepers!
* Your seed ( us ) will be victors over their enemies (Genesis 22:17)
We all know who our ultimate enemy is; we fight with his forces daily. What the enemy means for harm throughout these struggles work out the graces of God and strengthen our spiritual muscle which follow us into eternity. There will be no spiritual midgets in heaven. We have victory over lust, debt, anger, faithlessness, and other issues through the price that Christ paid for us on the cross. Our victories are through Him.
* I will bring your seed out of bondage (Genesis 15: 14-16)
The bondage of sin and shame, guilt and unbelief have been conquered through our salvation and faith in Christ Jesus. We have been set free through the blood of the Lamb!
* I AM your shield (Genesis 15:1 - I AM your great reward (Genesis 15:1)
He who watches over Israel (both physical and spiritual) never slumbers or sleeps! (Psalm 121)
* I will make your name great ( Genesis Genesis 12:2)
What could possibly be greater than being a child of the living God!
* He will punish our oppressor's (Genesis 15:14) - He will curse those who curse us (Genesis 12:3)
This is where the teachings of Christ are applied in our lives. His graces working out in our everyday life. Do we intercede for those who oppress us? Do we love and pray "Father forgive them" as Christ did? This is true maturity in Christ. A daily battle; one of our enemies to fight and gain the victory over as we live on this planet growing darker in sin. As the days progress to His glorious coming, this will be a daily battle. The victory only come as we stay in Him.
* I will not destroy Sodom if I find 50,40,30,20 or 10 righteous ( Genesis 18:26-32)
We will not know until the day of judgment just how many have come into the Kingdom of God as a result of our prayers and intercession. Abraham was a man of intercession and so are we when we lift up the lost and dying. We have boldness to enter into the throne of grace to lift up our friends, relatives, coworkers and neighbors. Our prayers carry great weight as we pray through Christ for the lost. The effectual fervent prayers of a righteous person carries much weight with God, just as Abraham did.
* I will bless your seed with great material substance (Genesis 15:14)
Compared with most of the world, Believers in our nation are truly blessed. What do we do with this blessing? This is where the test comes; do we give to the poor, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in jail. A jail can be an addiction, a broken home, a widow or child in distress. The nations are blessed by our giving of our blessings from God.
* I will make you exceedingly fruitful (Genesis 17:6 ) - I will be a God to you and your seed (Genesis 17:7) - I will multiply you exceedingly (Genesis 17:2 and Genesis 22:17)
Abraham's seed has truly been multiplied. God has been faithful to His promises for 4000 years. His fruitfulness has multiplied until the number has truly become as the stars of the heavens (Genesis 15:5 and Genesis 22:7) and the sand of the sea (Genesis 22:17)
God has truly made a covenant with each of us, Abraham's seed, for eternity! (Genesis 17:7)
We can truly cry ~
" Now unto the King eternal,
immortal, invisible,
the only wise God,
be honor and glory
forever and ever.
AMEN!
(I Timothy 1:17)
I base my thoughts today on Galatians 3:29 which were written by a man who called himself a Pharisee of the Pharisee's; the Apostle Paul. He said, " And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
While reading over the list of promises and applying them to my life of 55 years, I am amazed at how they have come to fruition throughout my life. Each Believer can read down this list and apply the fulfilled promises to your life also.
Here are just a few:
* I will show you the land (Genesis 12:1)
I have seen the land. I went to Israel years ago and walked throughout the land from the border of Lebanon to Jerusalem and beyond. We each have seen the "land" wherever we may be. It is a land that had to be conquered with the help of the Almighty. Each of us have faced giants and enemies in our lives; the land has proven to be a fruitful land as we have each yielded and depended upon God to help us fight our battles. Some battles He has declared that the battle is His; He brought us through to victory.
* I will make of you a great nation (Genesis 12:2) - and in you all of the nations of the earth will be blessed (Genesis 12:3 - 22:18)
These promises apply to all who have given to missions either here or abroad. There are many nations that have been blessed through our support by hearing of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (and our God!)
* I will make you fruitful Genesis 17:20
How much more fruitful can we be than to exhibit grace, forgiveness, mercy, salvation and the other attributes of the Spirit of God that lives in us? This is not only fruit to those we meet on a daily basis; it is eternal fruit that we will see only when we get to Heaven. God keeps track; He has good record keepers!
* Your seed ( us ) will be victors over their enemies (Genesis 22:17)
We all know who our ultimate enemy is; we fight with his forces daily. What the enemy means for harm throughout these struggles work out the graces of God and strengthen our spiritual muscle which follow us into eternity. There will be no spiritual midgets in heaven. We have victory over lust, debt, anger, faithlessness, and other issues through the price that Christ paid for us on the cross. Our victories are through Him.
* I will bring your seed out of bondage (Genesis 15: 14-16)
The bondage of sin and shame, guilt and unbelief have been conquered through our salvation and faith in Christ Jesus. We have been set free through the blood of the Lamb!
* I AM your shield (Genesis 15:1 - I AM your great reward (Genesis 15:1)
He who watches over Israel (both physical and spiritual) never slumbers or sleeps! (Psalm 121)
* I will make your name great ( Genesis Genesis 12:2)
What could possibly be greater than being a child of the living God!
* He will punish our oppressor's (Genesis 15:14) - He will curse those who curse us (Genesis 12:3)
This is where the teachings of Christ are applied in our lives. His graces working out in our everyday life. Do we intercede for those who oppress us? Do we love and pray "Father forgive them" as Christ did? This is true maturity in Christ. A daily battle; one of our enemies to fight and gain the victory over as we live on this planet growing darker in sin. As the days progress to His glorious coming, this will be a daily battle. The victory only come as we stay in Him.
* I will not destroy Sodom if I find 50,40,30,20 or 10 righteous ( Genesis 18:26-32)
We will not know until the day of judgment just how many have come into the Kingdom of God as a result of our prayers and intercession. Abraham was a man of intercession and so are we when we lift up the lost and dying. We have boldness to enter into the throne of grace to lift up our friends, relatives, coworkers and neighbors. Our prayers carry great weight as we pray through Christ for the lost. The effectual fervent prayers of a righteous person carries much weight with God, just as Abraham did.
* I will bless your seed with great material substance (Genesis 15:14)
Compared with most of the world, Believers in our nation are truly blessed. What do we do with this blessing? This is where the test comes; do we give to the poor, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in jail. A jail can be an addiction, a broken home, a widow or child in distress. The nations are blessed by our giving of our blessings from God.
* I will make you exceedingly fruitful (Genesis 17:6 ) - I will be a God to you and your seed (Genesis 17:7) - I will multiply you exceedingly (Genesis 17:2 and Genesis 22:17)
Abraham's seed has truly been multiplied. God has been faithful to His promises for 4000 years. His fruitfulness has multiplied until the number has truly become as the stars of the heavens (Genesis 15:5 and Genesis 22:7) and the sand of the sea (Genesis 22:17)
God has truly made a covenant with each of us, Abraham's seed, for eternity! (Genesis 17:7)
We can truly cry ~
" Now unto the King eternal,
immortal, invisible,
the only wise God,
be honor and glory
forever and ever.
AMEN!
(I Timothy 1:17)
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