Bless the Lord, O my Soul

Psalm 103:1-2 “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:”

This is a psalm David wrote.

Some believe he wrote it when the Ark was moved successfully to Jerusalem. (after the sin of trying to move it on a cart. 2 Samuel 6:3, 6-10; 1 Chronicles 15:12-15,28)

This is a psalm expressing the goodness and mercy of God to sinners.

David calls upon himself, and the people to love and praise the Lord for all His benefits.

(Psalm 103:3-5). Praise the Lord…for…

His forgiveness…He forgives His people’s sins and iniquities.

His healing…both spiritual and physical.

His saving us from so many places of danger and destruction.

He shields (crowns) us with His loving-kindness, and treats us as His children….with tender mercies.

He has not only saved us, but given us contentment and joy.

He strengthens us by His grace.

(The eagle lives many years, and naturalists say….when they grow old, the eagle casts off her feathers [at molting time] and fresh ones come on,…..so that the eagle’ feathers are as young again)

Psalm 103:6 “The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.”

David praises the Lord for showing him his error, forgiving his sin…….and allowing him to finish bringing the Ark to the Tabernacle in Jerusalem, so that all may come and worship before God.

(Psalm 103:7-12)

As it was shown Moses at the giving of the Law, God is merciful and gracious.

(We do not think of grace being in the Old Testament….but it is always, “by grace are ye saved”…..there it looked forward to Christ, for those who believed God….now, we look back, and grace is given us by the Holy Spirit who abides with us, forever.

Grace is the unmerited favor of power….the power God gives us to look to Him, believe and be saved.)

God is slow to anger….praise the Lord for His longsuffering to us, wooing us to Himself, showing us our faults, and taking us by the hand when we are going astray, to guide us into the right way.

Though He signals His displeasure at our sins; He waits, giving us time to repent.

For He has not dealt with us according to our sins….for Christ took the penalty for them, which was against us.

(Where can you say the east ends and the west begins….for the east to us, is west to someone else.

As the line between them can not be found, so our sins can not be found for all who are in Christ Jesus.)

Psalm 103:13-14 “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.

For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.”

“Pitieth” means compassionate love. A father never pushes his children to go beyond their true capacity…..but encourages them, leading them into new things, with him at their side.

All the things which come to us, come through the Lord’s hands; He measures our trials, and joys that we might become grounded,…steady in our walk with Him.

Proverbs 30:8-9 “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

“Keep me, O Lord, from anything that will hinder my walk with You.”

Psalm 103:15, 17-18 “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto the children’s children;

To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.”

Our lives are short, in comparison to God’s mercy. He saw us in eternity past….made provision for us in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:9) that we might be with Him through eternity future.

He extended mercy when we were yet in our sins and rebellion against Him (Titus 3:4-5).

He saves us, and delivers us from our sins….washing us in His Word, and giving us His Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Psalm 103:19 “The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.”

How wonderful that He is ruler above all, unswayed by circumstances, or crisis.

We do not need to fear that we will be forgotten, or left to our own strength…..He invites to draw near His throne in prayer.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

(Psalm 103:20-22). Seven times in the whole psalm;……and four times in the last three verses, David calls upon all the created beings….angels, those ministering as His servants, and all His works….in all places, to bless the Lord.

“Bless” here means “kneel and praise”. God can bless us with great benefits….but we bless God when we truly worship Him.

Then he finishes, as he started:

Psalm 103:22 “….bless the Lord, O my soul.”

And shouldn’t we bless Him….kneel down and praise our God….for all His benefits to us?

The worst words anyone will ever hear: “Depart from Me”

Matthew 7:23 “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

This was in the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus started by preaching about those that would follow Him. (Matthew 5:3-16)

“Blessed” is the theme. But it is not to the strong and witty; but to the seekers after God.

The poor in spirit, the mourners and those that hunger and thirst after being right with God, that will be blessed.

Then He contrasted “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time”, with “But I say unto you”. (Matthew 5:21-22)

There is always a pull on us, to do what we have always done, especially if it has been a good thing.

But Jesus makes the contrast between traditions and His Word, very plain.

In this message He gave us the Family Prayer: Our Father which art in heaven”.

(Matthew 6:9-13)

Here He introduced us to the Father God. Before He had been the Mighty God, or the God of Sinai; but now we can know Him as Father—our Father.

And then He stressed that they should be more concerned with “laying up treasure in heaven…for where you treasure is, there will be your heart also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

He said, “Judge not”, and told us to check out our own faults, before pointing out other people’s faults.

(Matthew 7:1-5)

Jesus said that we should ask, seek, and knock for the things we have need of.

(Matthew 7:7-11)

Then He ends His message with:

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat:

Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

He goes on to expand the subject with examples: The fruit of anyone’s life is what you should look to;…..not what they say they believe, but how they live. For that is what they truly believe.

And at the last the example of the two houses. Both built to last; but the foundation of each was the only difference: one on the Rock, the other on sand. Both were put under the trials of every house: rain, wind, flood.

But one lasted, because it was founded on the Rock.

Jesus said that obedience to His Word is building on that Rock. And that is what those that follow Him, should do. Build on Him (His Word, His example, His love)

But in between these examples, He puts a warning.

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have we cast out devils? And in thy name did many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

It is not saying, “Lord, Lord” which proves that He is Lord of our life.

“It is doing the will of My Father”, that proves Jesus is Lord of our life.

John 5:23 “That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father, he that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him.”

Some use good works to cover their sin;…..but it remains, if it is not brought to the cleansing power of Jesus Christ and removed. For He is the only Savior.

But some will not come. They refuse to submit to Someone else.

They may do many “good works”, or “religious works”, but they do it for their own honor or gain. (And this is a matter of the heart.)

If they continue to refuse to come to His Son, Jesus Christ;

Then in the day of Judgement they will hear the most terrible words that will ever be spoken:

Matthew 7:23 “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

“Depart from Me.” Out of the Presence of God forever. No light, no joy, no peace, no safety, no love.

Only the terrible condemnation of loss, aloneness, and torment; because they have refused the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 8:20 “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”

But now, it is still:

“…….And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely…” (Revelation 22:17)

Jesus said, “….If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” (John 7:37)

“….I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“…I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.’” (John 14:6)

“…I am the good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:11, 28)

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Have we come to Christ Jesus the Lord?

Doves’ Eyes

Song of Solomon 4:1 “Behold, thou art fair, My love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks:..”

Matthew 6:22 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”

A dove can only see one thing at a time. They focus on just that.

(For this reason, the Holy Spirit is likened to a dove. [Matthew 3:16]. He has the perfection of Spiritual insight…and keeps the Lord Jesus ever in our view.)

To see as a dove according to the Lord, is to see reality….your spiritual life, in it’s relation to Christ.

Everything’s value, is set in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we grow in grace, we gain the maturity and the ability to know the things that the Holy Spirit is showing us, in the situations of life….our life.

He gives us understanding….light, and the ability to know what to do in each situation.

If you will read Ephesians, the Holy Spirit is the Person of the Trinity, given to us to lead us into the goodness and greatness of God’s power in our lives:

Ephesians 1:13-14 “In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.”

We are sealed as God’s children, by the Holy Spirit on God’s side; and given the beginning of all our possessions in Christ, through Him, on our side.

Ephesians 2:22 “In Whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.”

We are fitted into our place, for our work, in the Church, by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:16 “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;”

He is the One which shows Christ and all His glory to us.

He grounds us in Christ (Ephesians 3:17),

makes us to know the things which Christ has for us….His love, in all it’s aspects (Ephesians 3:18-19)….

and His power, as we yield to Him in our lives (Ephesians 3:20)…..According as we let that power work within us.

Then, the practical aspect of the Holy Spirit’s work in us is shown, as far as others are concerned:

Ephesians 4:3, 30-32 “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

And we are encouraged to yield to the Holy Spirit more and more,……and get perception and understanding of the will of the Lord, for your personal life.

Ephesians 5:17-21 “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

And of course, the Holy Spirit is found in our armor.

Ephesians 6:17-18 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereinto with perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

The Dove of God comes upon us when we are born again, and imparts to us His vision….a single vision of light, grace, power, and ability.

The vision of Christ…Who He is to us, and what He is doing for us.

The vision of the world around us in perception, and truth.

And He not only gives us vision, but His power, as we yield to Him….

As we deny our self-life (Matthew 16:24), we gain our Christ’s life (Matthew 16:25)….through Him.

John 13:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Your Knowledge of God

Job 42:5 “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee:”

Is your knowledge of God, by hearing about Him and His great works, only?

Or have you met Him in the circumstances of your daily life, and known His authority there?

Jonah met God in the belly of the great fish….(Jonah 2:1, 9)

Saul met the Lord on the road to Damascus….(Acts 9:3-6)

The Philippians Jailer met Him when he was about to commit suicide….(Acts 16:27-31)

Where, or under what circumstances you meet the Lord, is not important. What is important is,….that you do.

(Job is a book on several levels….God lets us see into His Universal Rule: for it is a book showing us how God rules and overrules for us.

In this book, God show us how our adversary, the devil, is always accusing us before God…..but God shows us how He deals with His whole universe….letting the devil hurt or harm only so far….in a measured way. Job 1:12, 2:6 After these two terrible trials…God allowed no more harm to come Job from the devil.

In this book, God shows us how He feels about obedient servants….and how He hedges us about…..often. (Job 1:8-10)

In this book, God shows us how He uses our trials to bring us to a more wonderful knowledge of Him,….and draws us to a closer walk with Him.)

I want to explain here, that Job was a righteous man. His attitude toward God was amazing (in my opinion)….at the loss of his wealth and children…

(there have been many times when things have gone wrong, that I wished my attitude was as his.)

Job 1:20-21 “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped.

And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

And at the loss of his health,….his attitude toward God did not waver:

Job 2:9-10 “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die.

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”

As I said, Job was a good and righteous man.

The trials of the devil were ended, but the trials from others were not:

After these terrible things happened, three “friends” came to comfort him, in his grief.

But instead of comfort, they came and told him….”something must be wrong with you, for God to have let these things come upon you”.

They said:

Job 4:7 “Remember, I pray thee, whoever perished, being innocent? Or where were the righteous cut off?”

They thought maybe his children had sinned, or he had:

Job 8:4, 6 “If thy children have sinned against Him, and He have cast them away for their transgression;

If thou wert pure and upright; surely now He would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.”

They were trying to help Job, or so they thought……. but he had not sinned, as they thought.

What they said was right, if Job had sinned or turned aside from following the Lord. But that was not what was happening here….

Job had walked quite a ways with God. Job had knowledge of God and believed and worshipped the Lord……that was true…..as far as it went…..

But God wanted Job to know more of Him, in a different way, then just a provider and caretaker.

(Every trial that comes to us, is to open our eyes to His provision for us. To bring us closer to God.

They are measured trials….some relatively easy….others extremely difficult…and others, impossible.

But they are all sent to bring us closer to God, that we might know Him in a new way, for our lives….what He will do for us, in the trial; and how He will bring us through it….for He will.)

Frankly, Job had stalled out. He was a good man, doing charitable works….happy in his experience with God….but he was not going further in the knowledge of God…he was just coasting along…..but he did not know it.

It wasn’t the trials which he passed through that showed Job how he was…..but his “friends”.

When his “friends” came,…then his reputation came to be on the line….and Job bristled under the charge that he had sinned.

Job felt his friends were treating him badly….they should have realized that God tries the faithful….and he wanted God to show that he was pure.

But was he?

Job 10:2-3, 7 “I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; show me wherefore Thou contendest with me.

Is it good unto Thee that Thou shouldest oppress, that Thou shouldest despise the work of Thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of Thine hand.”

Job knew that God was allowing this; but he began to be angry, when God was not defending him as he thought He should.

But wasn’t that part of the trial?

(I want to put in here, that we can not see all, of what God is doing…most times. We may see part….and for some, it is a great part, but not all.

We must trust that when we come through the trial we will be “as silver is tried” Psalm 66:10-12, and be “brought out into a wealthy [satisfying] place”)

Job continues,….only this time he begins to spout off about what he would say before God, Himself!

Job 23:3-6 “Oh that I knew where I might find Him! That I might come even to His seat!

I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.

Will He plead against me with His great power? No; but He would put strength in me.”

(How bold we get in defending ourselves!)

I must admit, Job’s friends were being harsh in their words….they would not hear what he was saying…..God does try the faith of the righteous to bring out more faith….

Actually, what they said was true…..if, Job had sinned, like they thought.

But their knowledge of God, did not cover a righteous man being tried, to bring him closer to God.

They thought that blessings, and only blessings were the way that you should know God.

(And how many of us think the same?)

If you were righteous…..God blessed you.

If you were wicked….God cursed you.

That was the extent of their experience, and knowledge of God.

But God was trying to teach them all, more of Him.

Job then proceeds to explain to them his righteousness……he had been righteous, in reverence to God,…..all his days.

And he begs God to show how he really is….

“Oh that One would hear me! Behold, my desire is that the Almighty would answer me,…” (Job 31:35)

Interesting request….for God does:

Job 38:1-2 “And the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Who is this that darkened counsel by words without knowledge?”

God answers Job from a whirlwind….Job had wanted God to do something mighty, and powerful, and He does….but not to the friends,….but to him.

The Lord then shows Job how little he knows of Him:

Job had spoken as though his righteousness had added something to God.

As though, Job’s knowledge of God and his obedience, had earned him God’s respect.

No, Job, it does not. God loves us, and the greatest thing He does for us….is bring us closer to Him, in experience….for that is true knowledge.

God speaks:

Job 40:2, 8 “Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Wilt thou also disannul my judgement? Wilt thou condemn Me, that thou mayest be righteous?”

“So you are going to walk right up to Me, Job and tell Me off because I am doing My Will, so you will be brought closer to Me?

Is that righteousness, Job?”

“You say you are righteous….declaring it to all…

If your righteousness is so great, Job,….

Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency;….look on everyone that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place… (verses 10, 12)

I have everything in control, Job….the wind, snow, elements….the animals; the largest to the smallest, I have given direction to….are you able to do this?”

Job, awed,…..and humbled,…answered, laying his hand upon his mouth, which is a sign of contrition where his words are concerned. (Job 40:4)

Then Job answered God,….rightly

Job 42:2-3, 5-6 “I know that Thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be witholden from Thee.

Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee:

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

You see, God is interested in us….and the trials which come to us are all under His hand.

Are we gaining knowledge of Him, everyday?

Or are we at a stand-still, rather proud of how far we have come?

Well, Job was….but he did not know it.

Until the Lord, through trials of loss, and through trials of friends made him speak all that was in his heart….

Then God showed him all that was in his heart, and he repented of his pride.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

The Lord also corrected his friends, and had Job pray for them. (Job 42:7-9)

Job 42:10, 12 “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning:…”

Blessed in scripture means twice happy.

God blessed Job,…..and if we could ask Job, I think he would have said that the greatest blessing, was his greater knowledge of the Most High.

What is your knowledge of God?

The Marriage Supper for the King’s Son

Matthew 22:2 “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son.”

This is one of the parables Jesus taught. The lesson to learn is that all that are invited to come, are going to be responsible for the invitation, and what they do with it.

Let us consider the parable:

Matthew 22:3-4 “And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Again, he sent forth other servants saying, Tell them which are bidden, behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.”

It was common in those days to send two invitations.

One, to notify the guests of the wedding day, and time.

The second, when things were ready, to collect the guests.

Now the Ministry of Jesus Christ was given twice.

One time to the Jewish Nation, which rejected Him.

The second, when the servants of Christ are sent to the individuals of the world with the Gospel.

All things are ready…….”Come”.

Now for the Nation of Israel:

Matthew 22:5-7 ” But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

And the remnant took his servant and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and sent forth his armies, and destroyed the murderers, and burned up their city.”

This happened in the destruction of Jerusalem, under Titus, when God punished those who rejected, and crucified His Son.

And now for the world’s hearing of this invitation:

Matthew 22:8-10 “Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.”

His servants would go into all the world, preaching and teaching the gospel.

Their commission was:

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Both good and bad people would hear and come to Christ….For God will have His Son to be honored.

The effectual call of the Holy Spirit, by means of the Gospel,

has gone throughout the world,…..and brings all who receive Him, to come to Christ, as Lord and Savior.

John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:”

Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

All those who come, are given the robe of Christ’s righteousness.

And for all the guests at the wedding feast, they would have been provided new garments, to change into, for such a grand occasion

Matthew 22:11-14. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Then said the king unto the servants, Bind him and hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This man didn’t have wedding garment on,…..which would have been provided to him,…..so he was asked, Why?

He should have. They were there, and given to all who were bidden and brought in.

So why didn’t he?

The only answer is, that he refused to put it on.

And by refusing the wedding garment, wasn’t he telling the king that he thought nothing of the invitation?

He had been brought in by the invitation, but did not want to submit to the King’s provision.

No one can come to the Wedding Supper of our Lord and Savior, if they are not clothed with His righteousness.

(Revelation 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.)

To “come” to God in your own works, or in your own goodness; is the greatest insult.

The call: “Come, for Christ has died and raised again to save us”, has sounded through the ages.

But you must receive Him,….or refuse Him.

For those who come to Christ, simply to get heaven, and not to be saved from their sin……..will find that the garment of self-preservation will not be recognized by God.

The garment of self-righteousness will not be recognized by God.

The garment of self-expression will not be recognized by God.

And the garment of self-will will not be recognized by God.

In His Son, God has provided all things that we might “sup with Him”.

What will we do with our invitation?

Afterward

Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Hebrews 12:17 “For we know how that afterward, when he (Esau) would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”

Twice in Hebrews 12, we have the word “afterward”.

Afterward, here, means simply that something happened before; God chastened; and something happened as a result of the chastening: or “afterward”.

You will notice for both cases, it is a matter of the will, willing one way or the other.

To explain:

We will begin with “them that are exercised thereby”.

Now, God does not chasten, if there is not been sin in our lives.

Something which needs to be set right before Him.

Otherwise we will experience spiritual weakness in our life,……..then spiritual atrophy sets in.

(in the next verses it describes the beginning of this: “Therefore lift the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet,….” Hebrews 12:12-13)

But with the chastening from God, comes the knowledge that He does it out of love.

(When God “rebukes” us, He does it with words….His Word, or through messages, devotions, testimonies from others.

But when God chastens, He allows things to happen to us, to awaken us to the fact that He is trying to speak to us….but we will not hear. Psalm 89:30-33)

Hebrews 12:6, 10 “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he recieveth.

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he (God) for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

Although this does not make the chastening pleasant; it does work within us a great and good knowledge of our God. He loves us so much that He interferes with things, to keep us in the right way.

His love gives us the desire to learn from it: to be exercised by the chastening, so that we will not have to go through it again and again.

Because He loves us, and He is doing this to help us grow in grace; we stir ourselves up to learn all we can in this chastening; to please Him.

By this, we gain fruit….the fruit of repentance, which is a cleansed conscience and renewed fellowship with God, and other Christians; And the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)….more peace, joy, love, etc.

This is the afterward of those who are exercised thereby.

Now for Esau:

Hebrews 12:16 “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.”

Esau and Jacob were twins. Esau, being older by a few minutes, was the inheritor of the birthright. This did not mean riches or cattle; but it meant the Spiritual blessings that God promised Abraham,…..a people separate to God, the land of Canaan, and mostly: The birthright meant that Christ, the Savior, would come from his line, in the future.

It was a blessing, only the one who wanted Spiritual ties with God, would want.

Jacob did. Esau did not.

Esau had been out hunting, and came by Jacob’s tent, without game. He was hungry, and saw Jacob (he was more of a farmer and cattleman) cooking something on the fire.

It was a pot of red beans, and Esau asked, that he be given some.

Jacob, always trying to figure out a way that he might inherit the blessing instead of Esau, told him; “Sure, but only if you sell me your birthright.”

Now any Spiritual person would have said, “No, I will wait, even though I feel faint, till I go to my tent.” (maybe on the other side of the camp)

But not Esau.

He was not Spiritual, but thought more of his belly, than the privilege of being the holder of the Promise of the Lord to come.

Genesis 25:32-34 “And Esau said, Behold I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do for me?

And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright to Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”

Now for the afterward for Esau:

It is time for their father, who was nearly blind, to bless the one who would inherit; so he calls Esau, who was firstborn, in, and told him to prepare a special feast for him, and he would bless him.

I will not go into all the details, but Jacob, afraid to trust God, dressed up as Esau.

He fooled his father and received the firstborn blessing.

Then Esau came in (afterward) and sought the blessing, but could not receive it.

He cried……then.

Genesis 27:34,38 “And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.

And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.”

Esau had not wept, and sought repentance for his foolish behavior when he was hungry and wanted Jacob’s food;….no.

He had not wept when he thought of the bargain he made with Jacob,…..for he thought he could still have everything, even though he despised it in his heart.

He would still be the elder.

He did not need to have a change of heart before God about anything.

After all, who knew, but Jacob?

You never hear of Esau building an altar or seeking God.

Even in the tears that flowed when he was denied the blessing, he did not cry to God;…..just to his father.

Afterward, when he was rejected by the God he rejected,…..he cried; but only for self-pity, not for despising the promises of God (the birthright).

Afterward,….will we receive God’s correction, and learn from it?

Or we will go on thinking we are alright, till…afterward, there is no more time to have what God wants for us.

God corrects us for our profit.

What is “profit” for us…..what is for now? Or what is for our spiritual life?

And we must always consider profit and loss; only Spiritually consider it.

Esau said, “What profit is this birthright of God’s promises?”

He did not care for a Christ to come….only his belly now.

And despised it. And lost it.

The one who is exercised (weighs profit and loss by God’s thoughts)……will gain more of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

God says, He chastens me for my profit, and although I do not feel like it, now; I can trust Him.

So I will pick up my hands and my feet……and take the next step with Him.

I know that “afterward”, I will feel differently about this correction.

“Afterward” I will rejoice, because God has seen me through it, and given me His promises of more life in Him.

Borrow Vessels, not a Few

Elisha was a prophet in Israel.

There were many who, though contrary to the “popular religion”, followed God.

They would gather together to hear Elisha, as he traveled the country.

He ministered to the people with the Word of God, and instruction.

Many followed the teachings of God, and they were called the “sons of the prophets”.

Some set themselves aside for ministering, and prayer.

Others had families, and lived for God in there jobs.

A widow of one of these men came to Elisha in dire straights. After her husband had died, things had gotten very tough financially, and they had come into debt.

2 Kings 4:1 “Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.”

This was very serious. Both sons being taken, must have meant a large debt.

But she came to Elisha;…..he would be able to pray for her, or tell her what she could do by the Word of the Lord.

2 Kings 4:2 “And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee?

Tell me, what hast thou in the house?

And she said, Thy handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil.”

At first, it is as if Elisha is not asking the woman at all….but rather praying for direction…”What shall I do for thee?”

Then, he asks her, according as the Holy Spirit showed him, “What do you have in the house?”

She had nothing to sell, nothing to trade. She only had a pot of oil.

How often we think we need something more, before we can serve God.

More knowledge, more courage, more understanding.

But really, we need to just use what we have: God’s grace which He has already given us.

When we do, then God will enable us,…..and He will supply more of what we need.

2 Kings 4:3-4 “Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

When thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee, and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.”

Here was the answer:

She would have to be obedient,……and God would supply her need.

She would have to borrow empty vessels; for the Lord was going to work a miracle for her.

But it was to be for her and her sons. No one else was to be present, or even see through the door.

Elisha was not present. He did not do this.

The Lord did this for her, and her sons;……..using empty vessels and their obedience.

Did God supply the need? Yes!

2 Kings 4:5-6 “So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel.

And he said unto her, there is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.”

Abundantly the need was met! All the vessels they had borrowed, were filled, till there was no more.

God would have us bring our “empty vessels” to Him to be filled with His Spirit, for our everyday needs.

Shutting the door, so we may be alone with God in prayer and devotions, is often the means He uses to supply our need for the day.

The oil of joy, and strength, and peace…..and increased faith is often given as we close the door on the world, and seek Him, only.

2 Kings 4:7 “Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.”

After the miracle, she did not get “swelled head” and say, I know what I will do.

No, she came and asked for guidance as what to do next.

Amazingly, the answer was an answer for the rest of her life.

God saw to the need, and more. He gave to her, so that she would be able to live beyond this debt.

That is what God always gives us: life. It is what He supplies, even if He is seeing to a specific need, for now.

Our life as His children, here and now; and every time we need it.

It does not say whether the oil came drop by drop, or poured out fast from the vessel she had.

Only that the oil came, the need was met. He supplied it for her and her son’s life.

Let us look to God to supply the need of our life, bringing our “empty vessels” for His Spirit to fill….that we may have His life for us,…..and live by His direction.

To be Drawn to Christ, Himself

Song of Solomon 1:2 “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth, for Thy love is better than wine.”

(Wine is given here, for all that inebriates….all that lifts us up. But the Lord’s intimate love to me, is better than all)

Here is the cry of a Christian knowing full well her lack of spirituality. She knows Jesus as Savior….and she obeys what she knows to be His Will….but…

…she wants closeness to the Lord……and no matter how many commitments she has made, or how many times she determines to “have more of God”,….

Still she is troubled by the feeling of dryness in her personal devotions and prayers…..where can she find Him? Do we have this desire?

(I want to say here, that the Word of God is full of the names of God. It is a very interesting study….the places where God gives a fuller revelation of His character and care….and to whom.

He wants each of us to come to know Him more and more….so each name of God, expresses a means by which we can know Him better.

He is the Word, He is the Way, He is the Shepherd, He is the Prophet, He is the Branch, He is the Son of Man, He is the King of Kings….etc.

There are so many more….each to give us a more complete understanding of His character, power, and care.)

She reads the promises of God….she wants them, and more……it has become a yearning of her whole soul after Christ, alone.

She speaks honestly about how she is….she knows she is not worthy to have fellowship with Him….but if He would tell her how….she would follow after.

Song of Solomon 1:7 “Tell me, O Thou Whom my soul loveth, where Thou feedest, where Thou makest Thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of Thy companions?”

So she starts praying; “How can I learn of You, Lord Jesus?

Where is that personal relationship, I hear about?

I am afraid to stay still and afraid to walk ahead…..yet here I am, please help me.”

Song of Solomon 1:8 “If thou know not, O thou fairest among women (what a name He calls the one who wants to get closer to Him!),

…go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the Shepherd’ tents.”

And He does speak. He gives a slight rebuke (those who will not be corrected will never be true followers, for corrections come to all of us….to love we must obey)

“Shouldn’t you know where to find me?……but since you don’t……the answer is….follow the flock and get to the Shepherd’s tent”

We should not neglect the gathering together with other Christians….but when it come to fellowship and that direct expression of His love for us, ourselves….then we must find it in submission to the Shepherd, Himself.

This is not submission to obey….but submission of person to Person…..character to His character….my love to His love.

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.”

Jehovah-Raah: the Lord my Shepherd

The word Shepherd here means to Tend, to Feed, to Rule, to Associate with.

It is a full and expressive word, which covers the actions of One Who has taken responsibility for me……wherever He leads, and whatever is ahead…

Have we bowed to His authority here?

Psalm 23: 2-6 (condensed) “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness…

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff…comfort me.

Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (here); and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

If you read this psalm, you will notice that all the praise goes to our Shepherd for His care, and protection.

But there is more….notice that it is “He” and “I”. This is not the church….but me….personally.

(Some say that this was written by David in his old age….after a lifetime following his Shepherd…through battles, corrections, and blessings.

As a young man tending his father’s sheep, he knew what being a shepherd meant……he had defended the flock against a lion and a bear…..even taking one lamb out of the mouth of one. 1 Samuel 17:34-36)

Isaiah 40:11 “He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

He carries us through many situations….in sickness, anxiety, and trouble, within and without.

He stops some situations from becoming worse…..He bears us up, by strength and wisdom, to go through others…..He makes us to feel His loving presence at times more strongly, to help us cope with circumstances.

I must explain here, that though He is the Good, the Great, and the Chief Shepherd….and He calls us….yet we must will to follow where He leads….

We choose where we are in His flock….following close to Him, or at a distance.

John 10:11, 14, 27 “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

I am the good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:”

The Good Shepherd knows His sheep, He calls them and they answer Him. He leads them, and they follow Him.

Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the Everlasting covenant,

Make you perfect in every good work to do His Will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

The Great Shepherd came to die for the sheep, that they might live. He covers us with the protection of His blood. Entering into an Everlasting covenant of peace with us.

1 Peter 5:4 “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

The Chief Shepherd watches from heaven for any slight done His sheep….and will come again to reward all who seek the good of the flock. (Acts 20:28-29, 32, John 13:35)

Jesus Christ is the Shepherd of the sheep. There is a fullness in this title of our Lord Jesus….are we His sheep? are we resting under His gaze, following in His paths, eating at His table?

Are we following close to Him,…….or getting distracted and lost in the world?

He will come to find us….(Frankly, I think, that we sometimes put these verses just for children….but if we are born again, we are His sheep….following Him…..or lost,….having wandered away)

Luke 15:4-5 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if He lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, till He find it?

And when He hath found it, He layeth it on His shoulders, rejoicing.”

But why should we be wandering? What has claimed our attention? What can’t we give up, or talk over with Him?

(Problems, grief, pain, hurt? Maybe we are not even aware of what has come between us….He will show it to you, if you come to Him)

1 Peter 2:25 “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

He alone is our Shepherd…remember it means:

to tend (to care and protect),

feed (meeting our necessities, spiritual and physical)

rule (to be our King),

associate with (He is personally there with us in all the things we go through).

Are we enjoying that relationship with Him?

If not, we can,…..for He says come to Him, as our Shepherd.

2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

Peter’s refusal, and quick acceptance.

It was the Passover time. Jesus had come into Jerusalem to celebrate with His disciples, and they were in the upper room.

Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him that night, and that He would be condemned and crucified. (Matthew 20:18-19)

That this night, everything would change.

Tonight Jesus would speak of many things to them, but before this; He washes their feet. (Yes, He even washed Judas feet. How this should have melted his heart, but it did not.)

John 13:4, 6 “He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself.

Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?”

It was Peter’s turn. Frankly, I think Peter should have known that if Jesus did something, it was for a good reason. But Peter was always quick to say or do something!

“Lord, dost thou wash my feet?”

Peter was right. Jesus was Lord. And He was Peter’s Lord.

Because of this, Peter thought it was not right for Jesus to stoop to such a humble position!

(How much He humbled Himself when He came to earth to save us!)

John 13:7 “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”

That should have settled it with Peter, but Peter thought he knew better!

(We are the same way, often. We think we know what God will do.)

John 13:8a “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.”….

Peter would in the next instance, change his mind, but Peter was looking at the moment, not at the lesson Jesus wanted to give.

Jesus wanted to show that they should take care of each other. He had even washed their feet: the job of a servant. If He would do that for them, they should humble themselves in service for each other.

John 13:8-9 “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.

Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”

Finally, Peter is listening. “…no part with” Jesus? No, no, that was not what Peter wanted.

If “a part with” Christ came with the cleansing, Peter wanted a full bath! He wanted all the fellowship with Christ he could have.

But a full bath was not necessary.

John 13:10. “Jesus saith unto him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.”

Jesus didn’t say, If I don’t wash you, you will have no part “in” Me.

But He said, you will have no part “with” me.

Jesus told Peter he was clean “every whit”, except for the cleansing of his feet.

“In Christ”, speaks of our being born again.

“With Christ”, speaks of our fellowship with Him.

Jesus wanted His disciples, especially Peter, to know that fellowship with Him is maintained by our letting Him cleanse our “feet”, or our walk. (That is why the feet were washed when coming into a house, because, having walked on the dirt roads, they would be dirty)

If we are to have fellowship with Christ, and the strength that comes from it, we must be cleansed, daily from our sins, and defilements.

And we are to help others to come to Christ for cleansing.

If we are born again, we do not need a full bath; but the cleansing of our daily walk.

So that we can walk with Him, and with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Soldiers of Christ Jesus

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.”

Paul, here, tells the Christians at Ephesus, that…. as they are seated in Christ Jesus in the heavenlies; able to receive all the spiritual blessings He has for them (Ephesians 1:3, 2:6)…yet,….they must now take a stand against the wiles of the devil.

Every servant of the Lord Jesus Christ is called to stand with Him….and if you stand with Him….you stand against the world-system, and sin.

And in order to do that, you must be empowered….for we are not a well: a reserve of water unto ourselves…..but a sponge in an ocean of power….soaking up constantly.

And that is what the original word means: “..in the power of His might.” To be constantly empowered.

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

This is one of the provisions from God, to us…..but we are responsible to put it on. It is said twice….a witness to us, of our responsibility, and privilege as His soldiers:

Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Notice it is “stand against the wiles of the devil” , And “withstand in the evil day”.

The wiles of the devil, or tricks or stratagems……we stand against them….they are the “fiery darts”. The devil is always making suggestions…reminding us of how we used to be….telling us not to believe God….this thing is not so “bad”….and so much more.

The evil day….we withstand it, in ourselves, and from others……we will not let the world’s way of seeing, affect us.

Worry, tension, fear,….anger, malice, revenge….spiteful words, gossip, slander….and so much more, can turn any day into the evil day….and we are to withstand it.

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand therefore,….”

I have preached before about the armor…..but the armor is not so many pieces that you wear….rather it is the truth of the experience, that each piece signifies….

A soldier puts on his armor before the battle….in preparation for it. And we are in a battle every day against the tricks of the devil.

Truth : the truth of our salvation…..knowing we are saved.

Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

…..and then knowing the truth of His love to us, personally. (1 John 4:16, 19)

Righteousness : we are clothed with the very righteousness of Christ. But if we want our heart and conscience to be cleansed and protected, we need to live righteously….no hidden sin….all confessed, up-to-date.

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Peace : the place of rest, being sure of our walk with Christ—garrisoned about with peace.

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

It is the hiding place for every Christian in the turmoil of battle…..learning how to depend upon the promises of God for inner peace….no matter what is going on around us, then we are sure-footed.

Faith : this is the practical use of the faith given you at new birth,……putting it to use, to overcome in the battles of life.

1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Faith always sees God in the situation….and places our confidence in Him. Faith is “moveable”, like a shield…….it covers our minds, our hearts, and our wills….it goes down and covers our walk, and work…..reminding us of God, not the circumstances.

Salvation : this is to think saved…..think that I belong to Christ, therefore, I am to act as His.

1 Peter 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind (gather your thoughts), be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

The Word of God : what a mighty weapon, if we use it. (Read it, and learn it). A growing knowledge of the scriptures, and how they apply to our life.

Accusations from the devil and the world, come…..and we should do as Jesus did, when He was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11),……we need to meet those accusations with the Word of God.

It is that Word that the Holy Spirit reminds us of, at the time……for then it is delivered with power. (We have so many promises in His Word, we need to know and use)

All-prayer : God answers prayer because we believe Him.

Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say unto you, whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

We should pray in Jesus Name (John 16:23-24)….asking His will done.

1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His Will, He heareth us.

And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”

To put on the whole armor of God, we need to get in our experience, the power that the Lord has made available for us in this battle…..whenever and wherever that is…..the power of His Might.

The power that is set forth in the experience that these pieces picture……and then we need to….”Stand therefore….”