Pillars of Smoke 

Song of Solomon 3:6 “Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke,  perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?” 

Here, the believers back is turned to the world….coming out of the wilderness.

It is “cometh”…..a determined choice…..Leaving all of the wandering around in the wilderness of this world….behind.

But how is the believer traveling?

Like pillars of smoke.

Smoke is such weak stuff…a puff of air moves it here and there.

But here it is seen as a pillar….steady and strong.

This is a picture of the Holy Spirit filling us (who are weak in ourselves) which makes us strong in the Lord.

If there is smoke….then there is, or has been,   fire….that is what makes the smoke.

In this pillar of smoke we see,….

…..all that speaks of “self”,  “the old man”, or “the flesh” is being burnt up by our self-denial….

…..and then God is empowering us by His Holy Spirit to do.  

We are filled with the Spirit of God, to the degree we are emptied of self.  

(The Holy Spirit is often pictured as “fire”….which purifies, and cleanses.

1 Thessalonians 5:19  “Quench not the Spirit” or don’t put out the fire.)

Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ:  nevertheless I live;  yet not I, but Christ liveth in me and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,  Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

Joel 2:29-30 “And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit.  

            And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth,  blood, and fire,  and pillars of smoke.”

When God poured out His Spirit on the church on the day of Pentecost,……He opened a way for us…..who are so weak in ourselves….to be “strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).

 This “strengthened with might” is of course to have Christ’s life and character flowing through me….into the circumstances I am in,  now….everyday.

            

The truest expression of His Will and influence is, of course, in me.

There His Will will be done most perfectly…..then as we do His Will the Holy Spirit’s influence is felt through us…..

….not that we make others do His Will,  but because we are yielded to the Holy Spirit, and His power is flowing through us….we are strong as pillars of smoke.

The greatest duty in our lives today, as Christians,  is to stand true to Jesus Christ….and we will never be able to stand….until we take our place in subjection to His Kingdom come.

Song of Solomon 3:6 “Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke,  perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,  with all powders of the merchant?”

Myrrh speaks of death….we are to die to self, by denying ourselves in every area of our lives (Matthew 16:24)…..and follow the leading of the Lord, by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:11-13 “Likewise reckon also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,  but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

               Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,  that ye should obey it in the lust thereof.

                Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:  but yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead,  and your members as instruments unto righteousness unto God.”

(What is our self life?    Self-righteousness, self-pity, self-glory, etc. all are centered around us….our thoughts….our feelings….our hurts….our plans, etc.    

What about God’s thoughts,….God’s plans,…..God’s Will?

We are often unaware of the narrowness of self….till God shows us…and calls us to enter into the fullness of His life….and it is so full.   

He can see beyond today….this pain,  this heart-break,  this success, even….and bring us into what He has planned for us……with Him in it all.

To be filled with the Holy Spirit…He needs a vessel prepared for His filling….

We need to be emptied of the fullness of ourselves.

The Holy Spirit helps us here….we are to yield to Him.)

As Myrrh speaks of death…..it must be, for we must “die” to our self-life…..but God never leaves us there….

So Frankincense speaks of the Lord in His risen and triumphant life….the life He has for us….a life of victory….in Him,  by His Holy Spirit. 

And surely we can not have all Christ has for us (Ephesians 1:3)…. without the enlargement by His Spirit.

(When I say enlargement by His Spirit….think of how ‘small’ our lives are…

….they include ourselves, our family, our “world” of ideas and attitudes.

Yes, the internet has increased our viewpoint……but it has not enlarged our hearts and minds to see the reality in our world……only God, by the Holy Spirit, can give this enlargement of being.

And even more….we are to be enlarged in our attitude toward our circumstances…

….we are to look at them the way God sees them…..pretty hard, considering the narrow span of my experiences.

But God sees everything…..and everyone.   He is never fooled by outward things….and as we yield to Him….He shows us the grand view of things….the way He sees.

Remember, He wants us to be pillars of smoke….strong in Him….coming out of the wilderness of this world…..into more and more intimate fellowship with Him….in our circumstances.)

Our lives are to…..increase in the knowledge of Christ,  increase in goodness (Ephesians 4:32),  increase in the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23),  increase in usefulness to God (2 Peter 1:5-8)…..we are to continue to grow in His grace as long as we are here.

Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,  that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Jude 20-21 “But ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith,  praying in the Holy Spirit.

               Keep yourselves in the love of God,  looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

And all powders of the Merchant….Christ is this Merchant….Who sells without price….

…who does that?   

Only Christ,  Who paid all the price that we might come….

….and eat at His table….and drink the “water of life freely.”  (Revelation 22:17)

Isaiah 55:1-2 “Ho, everyone that thirsteth,  come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money;  come ye,  buy, and eat;  yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

                Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread?  And your labor for that which satisfieth not?   Hearken diligently unto Me,  and eat that which is good,  and let your soul delight itself in fatness (in fullness of Spirit).”

Are we coming out of our wilderness of this world?

Are we denying ourself,  so that we might be filled with the Holy Spirit?

His promise is that He will make us Pillars of Smoke by His Spirit…..are we yielding?

God always has a Witness to Himself….He always has a Remnant. 

I have always been amazed at God’s Witness.

Even in the worst of times,  He has had a sanctified witness to Himself….in the places and circumstances where they would be heard,…… if any have ears to hear,…and believe.

Samaria, the capitol of Israel,  is being besieged by the king of Syria….and because no one could come in or out….there was famine:

2 Kings 6:25 “And there was a great famine in Samaria; and, behold, they besieged it,  until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver,….”

It had gotten so bad, they were eating the dead,….boiling the flesh off,  rather than starve.

The situation was hopeless….as far as sight was concerned. 

But, as usual, they had forgotten God….

….but not Elisha, the prophet….for he was in the city, too.   

He was gathered with the (spiritual) elders of the city….waiting upon the Lord.

(This is an amazing thing….the Lord putting Elisha in the very same circumstances…..for God could have sent him away from this place,  but God had him there….gathering the spiritual of the city, to pray with him.)

Now the king, becoming angry….sent a messenger to kill Elisha….and the king followed behind….wanting to see it.

The king could have gone to Elisha, before this…..and asked him to ask God to do something….

….but instead,  the king blamed Elisha….because he did not do “something” without him having to come to him and ask.

(Are we this way with God,  not willing to seek Him and His Will for us?  

Going through things we do not need to, because we refuse to humble ourselves?)

The king did not want to humble himself and ask….therefore Elisha waited….

(This is a sad commentary on authorities which will not seek God….

….the people suffer, while they refuse to humble themselves at God’s correction)

But now the wait was over….the king’s foot is at the door where Elisha is…..

….he is finally in the right place, even though it is for the murder of the very man he needs,….. to speak to God for the city.

But  before he can carry out his will….God speaks through Elisha.

It shames the king….but it is the saving of the city.

2 Kings 7:1 “Then Elisha said,  Hear ye the word of the Lord;  Thus saith the Lord,  To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.”

And it happens…..just as Elisha says….

(It is an interesting story….

That very night,  four lepers who are outside the city….go out to the Syrian camp….”if they die by famine, or by Syrian…what is the difference”.

But they find that the Syrians have fled,….having heard noises which they thought were an army coming against them.

They were so terrified by the noice….which God has done….that they left all their food, clothes, and loot!   

The lepers tell the watchman,  who tells the king,  who sends to see if it is true….

…..and what God has said through Elisha,  comes to pass)

2 Kings 7:16 “And the people went out and spoiled the tents of the Syrians,  so a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord.”

How easy it is for God to work,…..when we seek His Will!

Many years later:

When Nebuchadnezzar had come to Jerusalem and carried away captives….the best of the young men….educated, and well spoken…

….Daniel was one of these….he was called to make this Gentile king aware of God…and His claims on all people…even monarchs.

Daniel was in the palace of Babylon.

Still,  there were many left in Judah.

        Jeremiah was one of these….called to make God’s people, aware of God’s claims.

If they would submit….God would keep them in the land.

But if they refused…and sought out others to deliver…..then some would surely be destroyed…and the rest, carried away captive.

Jeremiah was in Jerusalem.

        And then, when Nebuchadnezzar came the second time and took the carpenters, and workman away….Ezekiel was among them….called to make God’s captive people aware of God’s claims…even in Babylon.

Ezekiel was in the work camps of Babylon.

God’s Witness was a complete one….so was the revelation to these men of the sin of Israel….

Jeremiah 2:11, 13 “Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods?   But My people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

         For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

After so many times of deliverance,  so many times of power,  so many times of God manifesting His Presence…..yet they “have forsaken Me”.

Again and again, these three,….in different places,  under different circumstances….stood with God…and declared His Will.

Some believed….some refused.  But they were faithful….in their place….to the people they were called to.

God always has a remnant of believers…..always has a witness…..because our God is Able.

When Christ came to earth….it was not to the Sanhedrin that the angels came….but to Shepherds,….who having heard….went to see…

….and having seen Jesus….

….went away rejoicing and “made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child” (Luke 2:17).

God always has His remnant…..

and today……that could be me….it could be you.

Are we ready to speak His word faithfully….in the place we are called….to the people we are called to?

To Know the Love of Jesus 

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

I have often wondered how we , as Christians, who say we know Jesus loves us;  can be so indifferent to His love, and to the fellowship of believers.

I have come to the conclusion that it is not “knowing” His love in our minds;  but it is receiving it in our lives, that is the problem.  Because to truly receive His love, we need to receive Him….and to love Him in return.

(Most of us like the idea of love,  who would not?   But to receive Jesus’s love truly,  is to receive Him into our lives.

There used to be a illustration of a husband and wife, just married, and the wife says to her husband:  “OK, dear,  I will see you Wednesday night and Sunday.  Bye for now.”     

So is our relationship with Christ Jesus,  if it is not everyday.)

And what hinders us from opening our lives and receiving His personal love to us?

You know how a child has a fit about something, and is corrected. 

Then the parent tries to gently explain why they were scolded; the child wiggles and turns away, not wanting to receive the parent just then.

The child rejecting the love shown them, to “hurt” them as they were seemingly hurt.

We are the same, as children of our Heavenly Father.

We wiggle, and turn away from the very love we want, because we did not get what we wanted;…..or because we did not want to be “wrong”.

To kiss someone on the mouth is a most intimate form of affection.   You can only kiss one person at a time, this way.  

This is the affection that the believer has, who is longing to receive a closer relationship with Christ Jesus.   

They want more of Him.   They want Him for themselves.  They want to “kiss”. and “to be kissed”,  by no other,  but Him.

This sort of love has gone beyond, “I know I am saved, and that is enough.”

It is:   “I know I am saved, and I want what the Lord has next for me:….I want to know Him as much as I can;…..to come as close to Him as is possible,  here on earth.”

As Jesus said about Mary, who sat at His feet, wanting to catch every word He said:  

“But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part,  which shall not be taken away from her.”(Luke 10:42)

This is to know Him, as He truly is…..for to know Him a little in this way,……is to want to know Him more.

This is personality to personality.

This kiss is not the kiss of repentance on the feet of Jesus, though lovely to the Lord:

Luke 7:38 “And stood at His feet behind Him weeping,  and began to wash His feet with tears,  and did wipe them with the hairs of her head,  and kissed His feet,  and anointed them with the ointment.”

Or,

This is not the kiss of the Father for the Prodigal; though the beginning of a renewed life:

Luke 15:20 “And he arose and came unto his father,  but when he was yet a great way off,  his father saw him,  and had compassion,  and ran and fell on his neck,  and kissed him.”

Or,

This is not the kiss of the traitor Judas, which was only a sign for betrayal:

Mark 14:44-45 “And he that betrayed Him had given them a token,  saying,  Whomsoever I will kiss,  the same is He;  take Him,  and lead Him away safely.

                             And as soon as he was come,  he goeth straightway to Him, and saith,  Master, Master, and kissed Him.”

But this is the kiss of a heart that wants to show Jesus all her love,……and also, to receive all His love to her.

Again, the kisses of the mouth are intimate,….one to one.

A relationship like that keeps growing, from here to heaven.

Are there hinderances to remove?  Or obstacles to overcome?

Of course,……but continuing to grow in fellowship,…..we  continue to receive the power and personal authority of His Name, and move into a more intimate fellowship with Him, as King, Who orders all things for His own.

Song of Solomon 1:3-4 “Because of the savor of Thy good ointments Thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love Thee.

                                           Draw me,  we will run after Thee:  the King hath brought me into His chambers:  we will be glad and rejoice in Thee,  we will remember Thy love more than wine:  the upright love Thee.”

Continuing to receive His love in this more personal relationship,  there is joy, and rejoicing.

We begin to understand what His Name signifies for me.   (His name given in any circumstance, shows what He will be there,….for us.)

It is our recognition of His loveliness,…..both in person and His name;…..but it is “the King”….our King, who brings us into joy and rejoicing.

For, in this fellowship, we come to honor the Lord, not just as our Savior, and our Friend,  but as our King.   Praise God that He is for us!

Do we want this?

Satisfaction 

Jeremiah 2:13 “For My people have committed two evils;  they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters,  and hewed them out cisterns,  broken cisterns,  that can hold no water.”

Nothing nor anyone,  but God,  can satisfy His people.  

We have a spirit within each man.   It is part of our first creation….and it is the reservoir for the knowledge and light of God.

For the lost,  their spirit is lifeless….it has an impress of the light

    (Like the impressions of a chair on a rug, which has set there for a while….yet now is gone.   The indent is there….but the reality is not.

      

John 1:9 “That was the true Light,  which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

    God has set eternity in their hearts,….they know that there is more than this life,  yet often will not come to the Light of God John 3:17-21)

For the Christian, the Holy Spirit indwells our spirit,  making them the “candle of the Lord”….the place of the outflowing of grace and mercy into our lives.

2 Timothy 1:13-14 “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

       That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”

The Holy Ghost is the means for liveliness and peace.

       We are to “hold fast”…..we are to “keep” what the Holy Spirit has given us,  and shown us to be His Word and Will.

       But this is a joyous thing….it like hugging God, to hold on to HIs Word in our lives…and the effect it has,  is growing satisfaction.

If we let them “slide through our fingers”,  so to speak….we are the losers. 

Jeremiah 2:11 “Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet not gods?  But My people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.”

      

“Changed” here,  means to barter away….to dispose of.     Israel was bartering away their glory…..being a nation under God….ruled by Him…

…to follow idols, of gold and wood…..

…for they thought that these idols would “profit” them…..because they would be like the other nations…they would “fit in”….and have respect from them.

                  But there was no profit.

The church also has been negligent in this respect…..

       We have looked for “profit” in the world…..when the only real measure of abundance…is in following Christ. (John 10:10)

2 Corinthians 6:14,16 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?

         And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?  For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

We are to walk with God….and not walk after the world.

Paul had started this chapter in Corinthians,   with a picture of a victorious life, even in trials and persecutions.

        (One which was so different than “going along” with the world.)

      “In much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in mobs, in labors,….watching and fasting,…

…whether honored or dishonored,    whether slandered or sought out;    spoken of as deceivers, but not…

…always sorrowing over the lost, yet rejoicing in Christ….as poor, yet showing the true riches of Christ…

….keeping my eye only on Christ,  with the knowledge He gives by the Holy Spirit in love…speaking the word of God in the power of God, with HIs armor around us…

Giving no offense….but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God….

….as having nothing,    sharing everything….yet in Christ we possess all we need.”

Paul’s life was one of trials and troubles…..yet grace abounded to him.   He lived day by day in the light and grace of God.

       And he exhorted the church to have the true satisfaction of life…..Christ Jesus the Lord….with an amazing promise:

2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

        And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

First, “come out”…..which suggests that the entanglement has already been thought of.

Second,  “be separate”….which means that our attitudes, as well as our actions are to be as unto the Lord….and not unto men.

Third,  “touch not the unclean thing”…..this is leprosy.   

(It is not as the Pharisees, which would consider the shadow of a gentile crossing them as unclean.)

        But leprosy in the Bible always was a type of sin….eating and destroying us.    In other words….do not even touch sin….think of it as leprosy….and stay as far away from it  as possible.

“And I will receive you”…the Greek “receive” is only used here….and means a special blessing.

“And I will be a Father unto you”….For a Father takes responsibility for their children, and leads and guides them into good.

“And ye shall be My sons and daughters”   There are only two places that speak of God having “sons and daughters”.   Here, and…

….Isaiah 43:6-7 “I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south,  Keep not back:  bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

        Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him;  yea, I have made him.”

“Saith the Lord Almighty.”   Almighty means all-ruling, sovereign.    And the Lord promises to rule within us….guiding and protecting…

……but also to overrule for us…in circumstances and with enemies.

This is an amazing promise….to all who will come out from the world and begin to find their satisfaction in Christ.

      

          

David’s Choice,  and Ours 

David had been king of Israel for years.  He had fought the Lord’s battles to gain all the land that God had given Israel, which had not been theirs before.

He had brought the capital to Jerusalem.  He had victories on every side.

But, as with every believer, there are temptations.  And one of these was a whisper of our adversary, Satan.

1 Chronicles 21:1-2 “And Satan stood up against Israel,  and provoked David to number Israel.

                                   And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people,  Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan;  and bring the number of them to me,  that I may know it.”

[The children of Israel had been numbered in the wilderness (Numbers 1:2-3,18-19),  after the Tabernacle had been set up, so that they could each be in their place according to their tribes, around the Tabernacle.

And for each to give an offering for the service of the Tabernacle,  according to their tribes.  (Numbers 7:1-2)]

But that was the last time God had said, that all Israel was to be numbered.  

But now David wants to number them.  The record shows that this suggestion was not his idea.

But he did yield to it,  and commanded that Israel be numbered.

1 Chronicles 21:7 “And God was displeased with this thing,  therefore He smote Israel.”

Now, we will pause here and ask:  why did God let Satan tempt David and fall into this sin?

Wasn’t he the man after God’s own heart? (Acts 13:22).   

He was,  but every man is tempted, when he is “drawn away” from God’s will,  by something he wants.  

James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted,  when he is drawn away of his own lust,  and enticed.

                            Then when lust hath conceived,  it bringeth forth sin;  and sin, when it is finished,  bringeth forth death.”

Certainly David did not want to sin?  

No,  but he did want to see how great he had made his country.    A little pride,  yielded great trouble.

1 Chronicles 21:8 “And David said unto God,  I have sinned greatly,  because I have done this thing:  but now,  I beseech thee,  do away the iniquity of Thy servant,  for I have done very foolishly.”

One thing you could count on with David:  once he knew God was displeased,  he did something about it.

So God gives David a choice:

1 Chronicles 21:9-10, 12 “And the Lord spake unto Gad,  David’s seer, saying, 

Go and tell David,  saying,  Thus saith the Lord,   I offer thee three things:  choose the one of them,  that I may do it unto thee.

                                          Either three years famine,   or three months to be destroyed before thy foes,  while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee;    or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel.      Now therefore advice thyself what word that I shall bring again to Him that sent me.”

God was giving this choice to David to test him.  What did he really think of his God?  Or His Will?

He might think like this:

Three years of famine were harsh,  but they might get by.  Only the weakest would die.

Three months of fighting, where the enemies win. Perhaps he would think,  “I could always take back those lands; and it is only three months.”

Or three days of pestilence—illness, where God indiscriminately kills strong, and weak, old and young, according to His will.

Which would David choose?   

1 Chronicles 21:13 “And David said unto Gad,  I am in a great strait:  let me fall now into the hand of the Lord;  for very great are His mercies:  but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

David chose God’s hands.   God’s ways.   God’s mercy.

To “let me now fall now into the hand of the Lord”.

The pestilence began,  and many (70,000) died.  And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it;  but the mercy of the Lord, stopped the angel, giving David time to seek the Lord:

1 Chronicles 21:17 “And David said unto God,  Is it not that I commanded the people to be numbered?  Even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed;  but as for these sheep,  what have they done?  Let thine hand, I pray Thee,  O Lord my God,  be on me,  and on my father’s house;  but not on Thy people,  that they should be plagued.”

David took full responsibility for the sin.  He did not try and point to another,  but confessed fully, and asked that the plague stop for Israel.  

And he got an answer right away.

1 Chronicles 21:18. “Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David,  that David should go up,  and set an altar unto the Lord  in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.  

(This is where the angel with the sword drawn had been told to stop on his way to Jerusalem.)

                                  

1 Chronicles 21:22-23 “Then David said unto Ornan,  Grant me the place of this threshingfloor,  that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord:  thou shalt grant it to me for the full price:  that the plague may be stayed from the people.

                                     And Ornan said unto David,   Take it to thee,  and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes:  lo,  I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings,  and the threshingfloor instruments for wood,  and the wheat for the meat offering;   I give it all.”

A generous offer,  but…again David’s choice to honor the Lord:

1 Chronicles 21:24  “And king David said to Ornan,   Nay,  but I will verily buy it for the full price:  for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord,  nor offer burnt offerings without cost.”

                     

David would not give another man’s livelihood,  but would only give what was his, by “the full price”.  It was David’s responsibility,  and he would not skimp or bargain.  

(A burnt offering was a sacrifice of love.  David would not offer it, without paying full price for it.)

Six hundred shekels of gold was the price,  so he gave it.  He also built the altar from the lumber of the place, and sacrificed the oxen himself.

1 Chronicles 21:26-27 “And David built there an altar unto the Lord,  and offering burnt offerings and peace offerings,  and called upon the Lord;  and He answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offerings.

                                       And the Lord commanded the angel;  and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.”

David had sinned.   But he came in full confession and asked for mercy.

David’s choice was God:  His way.  For he knew God to be merciful,  and He was.

What is our choice, when it comes to God’s will and way?  Do we try and bargain a better “price” when it comes to our responsibilities?

Or do we chose God,  believing that even in corrections, He will deal with us in mercy?

Let us…

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.”

“Let us”…there are many in Hebrews….for the writer is including himself in these exhortations.   “Let us” shows the heart of the writer….for though he is writing them….he is with them in heart and will…..”Come on, let us, keep after the Lord our Shepherd….and turn away from all that would hinder this.”

The writer had just spoken concerning unbelief…

Hebrews 4:1 “Let us therefore fear,  lest,  a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it”

       (And we should fear not only for ourselves, but for others….who seem to come short of it.)

Unbelief will keep us from every blessing God has for us.   

      Every promise in the Word, and every promise given to us personally is nothing until entered into by faith….

….first, we should have the hope of these things, by the assurance of the Holy Spirit.

       (You may be called to an altar,  or receive a promise in the Bible in answer to prayer…..but then you need to know the confident assurance that God will do it….in your spirit, by the Holy Spirit.)

Then,

Hebrews 4:2-3, 9 “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them;  but the word preached did not profit them,  not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

        For we, which have believed do enter into rest, as He has said…..

        There remained therefore a rest for the people of God.”

        Without the element of faith, there is nothing….for faith makes them real….

….first within….

….then by obedience,  in our lives…..we have these promises.

(I’m going to take us on a journey….the Israelites were “preached” to by Moses, often.

…..but also in the Red Sea crossing!    That should have shouted at them what a wonderful God they had….that would deliver them in such a way.

       The tree sweetening the waters should have “preached” that no matter the outward circumstances….God will provide.

       And so the preaching continued….with manna,  with water from a Rock, with Sinai,  with the Ark and Tabernacle.    If they had “heard” the preaching of these….and learned to deny themselves in these smaller lessons….trusting God…

….then,   When they were presented with the land of their promise….

….they would have denied their lives,  rather than deny their God.

        Their “rest” would have been in God…..till He had given them their “rest” in Canaan.

                    It is the same with us…..our “rest” is the promise He gives us now.   How do we enter into that rest?    Have faith in God….for this…..and He will lead us into future “rest”…..till our lives are full of faith in God.)

Therefore, the writer, ends this with:

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

What is mercy?   It is God’s kindness to sinners.  

        Spiritual mercy are those kindnesses which come to us as HIs born again ones.      Forgiveness,     that gentle nudging of our spirits when we are going the wrong way,     help to pray aright….a lifting of our hearts when sad,  a touch of peace when weary.   How many mercies we receive.

What is grace?  It is the unmerited favor of power….this is power to believe and do.

  This sounds great!  But what is “in time of need”?

Every time we hesitate to believe.   Every time we want to “see” instead of walk by faith.  Every time we want to complain about the lessons along the way….

…”let us” come boldly to the throne of grace to get mercy…and grace to help us.

It is to the throne of grace we come…..God’s Throne made a throne of grace by Jesus.

Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then we have a great High Priest,  that is past into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

        For we have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.

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

He knows our infirmities and has therefore a throne of grace where we may obtain mercy….and find grace.

        He understands what we are and how we are,….having made full provision for us….

        So come boldly to His throne to receive what you need.

Repentance 

2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation  not to be repented of:  but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

Repentance is a wonderful gift from the Holy Spirit to us.   He takes our feet from the miry clay…..from drowning in our own choices……and He sets our feet on the Rock that can not move.

He convicts us of sin (which is a great mercy, otherwise we would continue in it to our hurt)….

….and by that conviction,  He works the desire within us,  to leave our sin.

Repentance is a turning from our sin….we bring it out into the light before God, and confess it…..then will to turn from it,  and the habit of doing it…

….turning instead,  to God.

(To turn from the sin,  and the turning to God,…is once for all…..

….but the battle with the Adversary, often includes the day by day refusing to yield to the temptation….and getting the grace and help from the Holy Spirit at that time….

…..till the victory is complete…for God never leaves us in sin….but His deliverance is powerful and complete.)

True repentance is sorrow over the sin……

….not sorrow for ourselves…..or for the consequences of our sin.

True repentance leads us out of sin,  and into a new life of victory.

But there is the sorrow of this world….

…..a sadness for our “mistakes”.

Seeing them as “wrongs”,  “faults”,……which really blames our parents,  our circumstances,  and God….for making us what we are.   

We are here, in this mess, because of them.

And there is another sorrow of this world…..a sorrow for what might happen because of our sin….

….this is not repentance….but self-pity.

These are “sorrows of this world, which worketh death”….for they do not lead to Christ….but to despair or resentment.

Let us again state:  Repentance is a choice gift from the Holy Spirit.

It is a gift….it can be received and the fruit of that,   is salvation in Christ.

Or it can be rejected, and the fruit of that,  is self-importance….my opinion of myself or what I want,  is more important than the truth of God in my life.

An example……Simon the sorcerer:

When persecution started against the believers in Jerusalem,….many left the city,…..and went other places, preaching the gospel.

This was the beginning of…”to all the world”.

Acts 8:5-6, 12 “Then Phillip went down to the city of Samaria,  and preached Christ unto them.

        And the people of one accord gave heed unto those things which Phillip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

        But when they believed Phillip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God,  and the name of Jesus Christ,  they were baptized,  both men and women.”

But….

Acts 8:9, 10 “But there was a certain man,  called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery,  and bewitched the people of Samaria,  giving out that himself was some great one:

         And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.”

Simon was the big man of the city.   He had influence, and by that influence….he had power.  

The people there had thought that he had God’s power….but when the true power of God came, along with the preaching of Christ….

….then his power was shown for what it was….and many believed in the truth, and on Christ Jesus.

You might think that here was going to be the battle…

…but the battle was not outwardly….but inwardly…..in Simon.

Acts 8:13 “Then Simon himself believed also:  and when he was baptized, he continued with Phillip, and wondered,  beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”

This sounds wonderful….and it appeared that Simon was a true believer….but was he a believer in Christ….or in the miracles?

….For you can not  reach out to Christ….

….without leaving your world behind…

…that is repentance.

When we say we believe in the Lord Jesus as our Lord, and Savior……then, soon, something will come up to show that….to evidence our faith (Hebrews 11:1)

And we will choose:

Christ and His Way…..or self, (self-glory,  self-esteem,  self-pity,….but self, in some form).

The Apostles, Peter and John,  came down to Samaria,  hearing the good news that they had received Christ.

They prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit,….for it had not come upon them yet.

And when Simon saw that…

Acts 8:18-19 “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given,  he offered them money,

          Saying,  Give me also this power,  that on whomsoever I lay my hands,  he may receive the Holy Ghost.”

Now I would like to give Simon the benefit of the doubt…..

But this was exceedingly wicked…..

…….you can not purchase God, the Holy Spirit.

You can not put Him in your pocket and draw Him out….when you want to….like a servant to you…..no!  

Simon only wanted to “use” the Holy Spirit, to make  himself look powerful again!

Peter, looking at Simon….got right to the heart of his problem:  his heart had never been given to Christ….just to the power he had seen….

…secretly wanting it…..so he could be that important man in the city again.

Acts 8:20-21 “…..Thy money perish with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchase with money.

         Thou hast neither part or lot in this matter:  for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.”

Nothing Simon had seen….the joy of people converted,  the healing of the sick, the giving of the Holy Spirit….

….had drawn him away from lust of power….for himself over others….to make him the center of their lives.

What could be done?

Simon had never repented of his true life and lust….

….so Peter tells him to do so…there was hope,  if he wanted it.

Acts 8:22-23. “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness,  and pray God that perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

         For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness (a hardness of heart) and in the bond of iniquity (the lust of sin).”

Here is real mercy…..for to repent, is to clear away the old…..by confession to God……so that when we reach out to the new…..our hands are empty.

Acts 8:24 “Then answered Simon and said,    Pray ye to the Lord for me,  that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.”

I want to tell you how sad this makes me…..

…Instead of being joyful that there was still the opportunity for repentance….

….Simon merely asks Peter to pray for him.

Not for the repentance….but that he would not suffer “these things”…..

….Oh,  how much we lose when we do not repent.

Again,  repentance is a choice gift from God to us…..by it, He takes our feet from the miry clay….from drowning in our own choices……and leads them to the Rock of Jesus Christ.

Are we receiving the Lord’s gift of repentance?   

The Godly sorrow for a time,  reaps eternal rewards, if we will have it.

         

Right place, God’s Will, our Surrender 

Esther 5:1 “Now it came to pass on the third day,  that Esther put on her royal apparel,  and stood in the inner court of the kings house,…”

Obedience to a command from God, we often think, will turn out well….

Yet here, Esther, a Jewish woman, made queen in Persia, stands in a place of complete surrender….not to the command of God,….but to the Will of God.

You may say that there is no difference….but the Will of God transcends “good”, and “bad”.

It is what God intends done,  how He intends done, and for the Purpose which pleases Him.   

(As believers, we obey His commands,…..or not;  but we “fit into” His Will by surrender to Him….whatever happens.)

(Someone has written that God and  prayer,  is never mentioned in this book…and it is true.   These people, when they had the chance to return to Israel, and build lives in the land God gave them, refused….for they now had lives in Persia.

But equally true, is that wherever His people are….He has His eye on them.  

He does not forget them, but brings His Will to pass,….even through them; and for them…..though it is not in the same personal way He does for those who gather close to Him.)

Background:

Persia had conquered Babylon and had given invitation “to all of a willing heart to return to Israel and build a house for God”, to do so.

They had, and God had helped them….though they had many enemies.

Yet, now, things are going to take a dramatic turn.    Back in Persia…..

Two things happen:   The king, Ahasuerus, wants a new queen….and a Jewish woman,  Esther is picked as one of the choices.

And Haman, an Agagite (a descendent from a people who, since Israel came out of Egypt, have sought to destroy them….down through the generations Exodus 17:16)……this man comes to power,  in the king’s court.

This is a battle brewing which is amazing to read…..for behind the scenes is God working His Will….even in the things which seem to work for His people’s hurt.

Esther is the niece of Mordecai.  And when Esther is taken to court,  Mordecai tells Esther not to lie about her heritage, but only to keep quiet about it.

Esther 2:17 “And the king loved Esther above all the women,  and she obtained grace and favor in his sight…..so that he set the royal crown upon her head,  and made her queen…”

And when she is chosen as queen, Mordecai warns her again, to hold her peace….at that time there was no danger….but soon enough, there will be.

He will be at the gate, sitting each day, if she needs to send a message to him.

(During this time, Mordecai has a chance to do the king some kindness:  he overhears two men servants plotting the kings death…and he sends word to Esther.  She tells the kings servants in Mordecai’s name, and they stop the assassination plot….and the deed is written in the Chronicles of the king.   Esther 2:21-23) 

Esther 3:1-2 “After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman….the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

                  And all the kings servants, that were with him in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman:…”

Here comes the trouble.   Haman is promoted above everyone else!   Exactly the kind of power this evil person would want.  Real influence with the king, and in court….people bowing….this is the life.

But a man who sits at the gate…..and yes, this is Mordecai….does not bow to him.

Esther 3:2,5-6 “….but Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

                    And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not,  nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

                    And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone;  for they had showed him the people of Mordecai:  wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus,  even the people of Mordecai.”

What should Haman care?

But it infuriates him…..so much so, that he finds out that Mordecai is an Israelite….and he begins a plan….to destroy him and all his people—everywhere in the kingdom.

(As I said….the Agagite of the Amalekites,  were sworn enemies of Israel…and he is taking vengeance,  not just on Mordecai but on every last Israelite he can.)

Now, let me ask you….was it God’s Will that Mordecai not bow?   Or just an occasion to the Adversary, the devil, to stir up trouble?

(True conviction is of the Holy Spirit…and if followed, will lead to more knowledge of God’s Will for ourselves…..but it must needs be followed through, no matter what it costs you.

Mordecai had the conviction for himself that he could not bow to an enemy of his people, so….he did not bow.   But it could bring terrible trouble not just for him, but for his people.)

Haman now had to persuade the king to make a decree for all the Jews to be slain.

(It is interesting to note, that the decrees of the Medes and Persians were unbreakable…”altereth not” (Daniel 6:8)….but we will see how God changes what man decrees,…..and does all His Will.)

Haman goes to the king with a lie…”there is a people…their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them (put up with them)”.   So Haman offers money to the king to pay for the cost of destroying them.    The king believes Haman, and so the plan is made.

Then, Haman casts lots for the day of his vengeance…..

Esther 3:7 “In the first month,….they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day,  and from month to month, to the twelfth month….”

…and when he does, he places his plans unwittingly under the Will of God….for the lot—like dice thrown in chance—is ruled by God. (Proverbs 16:33)

The slaughter was to be in the last month of the year, a whole year away. 

It was then proclaimed through the nations under Persia….and when the Israelites heard it, they wept, and lay in sackcloth and ashes.

What could be done?

But God is not upset…His plan is already in motion, although unseen.

Mordecai did not know what to do….but he showed the decree to Esther, and asked her to talk to the king.        She was saddened, but she did not know what to do either.   

Even she could not go into the king, unless she be called…..and she hadn’t for thirty days.

And if she did without being called she could be killed…..unless he would hold out his scepter to her.

Mordecai realizes this is why she was there….and even though she was afraid, he was faithful, and told her the truth (“speaking the truth in love” Ephesians 4:15):

Esther 4:13–14 “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther,   Think not with thyself that thou shall escape in the king’s house,  more than all the Jews.

                    For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time,  then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place;  but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed:   

And who knowest wither thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Now was the time, to stand up and be shown as an Israelite…no matter what the outcome for her or her people.    Her duty was shown to her….now it was up to her.

(This is a word in due season… Proverbs 15:23.   How many times, we too need a word given us, to remind us of Jesus’ Way for us)

Plainly, after hiding in the palace for some time, Esther did not want to show the king her people.   If she was out of favor, she could do no good…for them or herself.

But Mordecai’s words brought her to see the situation clearly…..and her duty.

Mordecai believed that Israel would survive….somehow.   He might die, and she might die….but deliverance would come;…..but he thought maybe Esther was “come into this position,….to do this very thing.”

Esther 4:15-16 “Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,   

                  Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me,  and neither eat nor drink three days,  night or day:  I also and my maidens will fast likewise: and so I will go into the king,  which is not according to the law:  and if I perish,  I perish.”

This was not said in despair or passion,  but in holy resolve to do her duty….no matter what happened to her.

And so she did her duty….she came into the court…..and was accepted by the king.

Esther 5:2 “And it was so,  when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court,  that she obtained favor in his sight:  and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand.  So Esther drew near,  and touched the top of the scepter.”

The king asks her,  What is thy request? 

Esther does not charge right into the matter,  but….knowing the king,….she invites him and Haman to a banquet for the next two days, where she promised to tell the king what is on her mind….

They come to the first,  and Haman is proud as a peacock in his privileged position;……bragging to all his family and friends.

In between the two days,  the king can not sleep…..(and here is the amazing part):

The king hears in the Chronicles which are read to him,….(to help put him to sleep)…..about Mordecai’s saving him from assignation.     

But what had been done for him, as a reward?    Nothing…..so…

The next morning,   Haman,  so full of pride,   comes into the king….wanting to talk of killing Mordecai, that very day….no waiting for the rest of the Israelites….he wanted his blood now.

But, he gets a surprise…the king wanted to honor Mordecai for saving him!

Esther 6:6, 10 “So Haman came in.  And the king said unto him,  What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor?      

Now Haman thought in his heart,   To whom would the king delight to do honor  more than to myself?

                   Then the king said to Haman,  Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse,  as thou hast said,  and do even so to Mordecai the Jew,….”

The very person Haman wanted dead,  he had to help honor……this was not what he had planned….but God has more surprises for him.

In the second banquet,  Esther tells the king of Haman’s plot to destroy her people….he listens to her, and ends in destroying Haman.

The enemy is destroyed,  but what about the unchangable decree against the Israelites?

How will God take care of that?

Well, the king promotes Mordecai….telling him that the decree can not be altered…..

….but, he can do what he can…..

And God made a way:  they made a second decree….so that the Israelites could destroy all those that would come against them…..signed by the king….backed up by the king.

and that sent fear into their enemies,….and stopped the massacre of the Israelites!   

Against all odds….God saw to His people.     

And the principle is the same for us.  

How many times things seem impossible and against us, and Him….but He is working His Will….perhaps puffing up those proud rebels….just enough to destroy themselves.

Perhaps putting us in a place of duty, to do His Will,……speaking His Word faithfully.

Psalm 94:21-23 “They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous,  and condemn the innocent blood.

                  But the Lord is my defense;  and My God is the Rock of my refuge.

                  And He shall bring upon them their own iniquity,  and shall cut them off in their own wickedness;  yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.”

God still sees to us….His Will is still being done.  

Let us surrender to our part in it.

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?  Is it continuing….or have you stalled in your growth in grace?

The Fountain of Life 

Psalms 36:9 “For with Thee is the fountain of life.  In Thy light shall we see light.”

Have you drunk from the fountain of life?

If you have, then that living force ought to be within you a river of living water, springing up within you…giving grace and peace.

John 7:38-39 “He that believeth on Me,  as the scripture hath said,  out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

                           (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they which believe on Him should receive:…”

And when you get water flowing, what does it do?   

It keeps flowing, following a path of least resistance.

It will flow downhill and if it meets a rock in it’s path?   It just flows around it.

This is the way of Living water.

But what if there is a dam of some sort?

Then it builds up behind it, until it flows over it!

Living water can not be stagnant.  It will find a way over, under, or around….and sometimes through any obstacle it meets with.

But you say,  “I have drunk of this Living water,  but it seems to be flowing more slowly than before….I fear it will stop altogether.

I am not sure what has hindered my spiritual life:  my prayers seem harder, the joy I felt is gone, and my peace is shaken.  I do not know what is wrong.”

If this is your experience:  consider when you drank of this Living water last.

We usually find what we lost,  where we lost it.   

So with relationships….when was the last time you had fellowship with the Lord?

Are you neglecting His Word?

Ephesians 5:25-27 “….as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;

                               That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,  that He might present it to Himself a glorious church,  not having spot,  or wrinkle,  or any such thing;  but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

What hinders the Holy Spirit within you?  

Have you been satisfied with something other than the Lord’s guidance?

Jeremiah 2:13 “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns,  broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”

Do you seem further away from Him?

Has your assurance and confidence in the Lord wavered?

Hebrews 10:22-23 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

                            Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;  (for He is faithful that promised;)”

Have we been true to the Lord Jesus, or has doubt come in?

Unbelief slows the progress of this Living water, by demanding that God “prove” Himself to us.

Hebrews 3:19 “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

Matthew 13:54-58 “And when He was come unto his own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?  Is not this the carpenter’s son?…

                            And they were offended in Him…..

                           And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

[If you read it, they acknowledge all His mighty works, but because of who He was to them:  “the carpenter’s son”;  they refused to open their hearts to faith,  and see Who He really was…..and missed the blessing He wanted them to have.]

I have asked all these questions, because sometimes it takes a question to jog our affection and thoughts toward the right direction. (How many times the Lord has spoken through devotions or a message to me this way!)

If we are missing the blessing of the “water” of the Holy Spirit, then we must seek His light to see where we stopped receiving it.  

Where we quenched the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19) 

Perhaps where we stopped giving thanks. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Let us look at the second part of the beginning verse:

“In Thy light shall we see light.”

As we come to the light of Christ through His Word, and let Him show us where we have erred or turned aside;  then we have light in ourselves.

Ephesians 5:13-14 “But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light:  for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

                                Wherefore he saith,  Awaketh thou that sleepest,  and arise from the dead,  and Christ shall give thee light.”

John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them,  saying,  I am the light of the world:  he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness,  but shall have the light of light of life.”

Go to the Light of the Lord, and let that light shine within you.   You want the Lord’s Will,  and He will show it to you…..for you.

John 3:21 “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light,  that his deeds may be made manifest,  that they are wrought in God.”

One of the last call’s in the Bible, is to all who will:

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say,  Come.   And let him that heareth say,  Come.   And let him that is athirst come.   And whosoever will,  let him take the water of life freely.”

For with the Lord is the fountain of life, springing up into eternal life…that condition of life, now and for eternity…in you.

And in the Lord’s Light…we will “see”,  discern the Lord’s Will, and get the power from the Holy Spirit to do it.

(I have spoken a lot about “light” lately…..because there is so much darkness around us…..reaching out to draw us in by our emotions and in our thoughts.

       Once we let it in,  it effects our light…….it dims.   

Let us hold on to Jesus…..He will give a blessing of life and light….as we open up our lives to Him, again.

       No doors shut….but a life open to and receptive to Him.)