Forgive me, O Lord, and Restore a Right Spirit within Me.

In Psalm 51, David pours out his heart to God for forgiveness.

He had sinned terribly, by adultery; and then, the fixed murder of the woman’s husband.

Worse, he had refused to seek forgiveness for it, trying to hide it; until God sent someone to show him that God knew, and was very displeased.

Sin is rebellion against God. It is seeking my will over His Will; seeking to have me as ruler of my life, even in just this one thing.

This is what happened to David. It started innocently enough. He had been home from the war with the Ammonites. And he wanted to stay home; to have a little more rest and relaxation than God wanted. It was the time for kings to go out to war, and he should have been at the head of his army.

2 Samuel 11:1 “And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.”

But instead, he stayed in Jerusalem, and “took time off”. He was sleeping all day, and got up; and went on top of the roof of his house, when he saw Bathsheba.

If he had been at the battle, all the other things would not have happened.

He first lusted after a little more rest. (Was his army “resting”? Did he think because he was king, he could skip his duty?)

Then he lusted after a woman. And when lust was conceived: sin.

Instead of setting it right, he continued in it for months; for Bathsheba told him she was “with child”.

Then, came the choice of a lifetime. David comes up with the plan to dupe her husband into thinking the child was his.

This did not work, so he plans it, that the husband would be killed by the enemy.

2 Samuel 11:15 “And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.”

David, even now was not repentant.

You wonder how a man so close to God, could be so overcome with sin! But, the truth is, we underestimate the power sin has on our life. It’s power grows as we refuse to deal with it. Had David stopped, and sought forgiveness after the first sin with Bathsheba; God’s power would have easily overcome the power of the lust; and saved him from continuing on to deceit, and murder. (2 Samuel 12:9)

He went on, till God had to send someone to him. First the rebuke, then the chastening.

David was forgiven; but suffered by illness, and rebellion in his children because of his sin. He was not paying for his sins; but reaping what he had sown.

Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Though David sinned terribly, yet he repented greatly. True repentance comes, as we come to God, without merit of any kind from ourselves, to get an answer from God, Himself. Not to just be satisfied with the seeking of forgiveness; but the word of forgiveness from God, personally,…..and the cleansing of the heart and conscience.

Psalm 51:1-2 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”

David calls upon God for mercy. Mercy presupposes sin. And David had sinned. And he knew it. He had known within his heart for months, and he had known it by the word of the Lord through His servant. The rebuke brought about the right results. He sought for spiritual mercy.

It is the benevolence and kindness of God to a sinner, who seeks forgiveness, and salvation from their sins.

In God’s mercy, was his only hope, and so David’s faith reached out to that character of God, and cries for God’s mercy. It is only in God himself that the wiping away of sin could be found. (For the promise of the coming Messiah, who would bring victory over sin, and sin’s consequences, was known. And all who trusted in God, looked forward to Him.)

David could do nothing. There was no sacrifice for the sin he had committed, “else he would give it”

Psalm 51:16 “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offerings.”

The mercy he asks of God was “according to his loving kindness”; according to the character of God.

He did not know whether God would hear his cry; for David had turned a deaf ear to God.

He wasn’t asking because he had earned it, even with the repentance.

He was asking God to do according as His character was.

And David spoke plainly concerning his sin.

“Blot out my transgressions”, or “revoltings”. These acts he had committed were not “slips”, or just defective obedience. No, they were acts of rebellion against God.

David had revolted against God’s rule in his life, and wanted to do his own will.

His actions were great perversity; the twisting of God’s grace into sin.

God had given David the kingdom, and great help in all that he had done; and with God looking on, David had misused the grace, and despised His goodness.

What would God do with him?

He wanted forgiveness; he would not be able to come before God without it; but he wanted complete removal of all this defilement within.

To be throughly washed from his the mass of his filthiness, and iniquity!

Here is a way we can all test ourselves and “our repentance”.

Are we content if we just ask for forgiveness, and not to seek cleansing?

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

It is forgiveness and cleansing.

God had sent a man to rebuke him. This was a great grace, not to let him continue in his rebellion.

God had made David willing to confess, so he asks God to finish the work of grace within him. To forgive and cleanse him.

Psalm 51:9-10 “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

God’s “hiding” His face from our sins, is putting them away. (Psalm 103:12)

So David prays for a new life.

“Create in me a clean heart” cries out for a new heart within him. David realizes that he will revolt again, if God does not give him clean affections. And God needs to create them within him.

Give me a submissive heart, and make me steadfast to You.

Psalm 51:11-12 “Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and up hold me with thy free spirit.”

Do not leave me to my own way.

Do not throw me away; or take away Your Holy Spirit from me.

David had know the joy of God in His life, and he prayed that it would be restored.

And that he would be kept (“lead me not into temptation, and deliver me from evil”, as the Lord Jesus taught us to pray. Matthew 6:13) from falling into evil again.

To be free from sin is true freedom indeed.

Sin is the worst bondage.

Though some call it “freedom”; it enslaves, by a constant growing desire for “more, more, more”.

With each step forward, the slave is “unknowingly” sinking. As quicksand does not suck the victim in immediately, but slowly brings him down, till the mire covers his head in death; so sin does the same.

Only God can free us from sin.

First, He brings us to repentance: a “repentance not to be repented of”.

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

Do we want to be free from our sin, or just the consequences of it?

Second, He leads us to Christ.

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:”

Third, He leads us in the desire for true liberty of Spirit, which is the freeing us of the power of sin over us.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

David’s faith in God, led him to cry to God, for this forgiveness and cleansing.

The desire to be able to worship, and come near God again.

Is this what we want, as well?

Christ’s Sacrifice is able to cleanse us from all sin.

Will we seek it from Him?

The Name of the Lord

Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

We tried to think of all the names of God, the other night; and there are just too many….

Jesus, Jehovah, Christ, Adoni, Almighty , Shield, Banner, the God of all grace, the God of peace, the Branch, the Rock, my Shepherd, Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord will provide), the Lord of Hosts, the Way, the Light, the Truth, Counselor, Mediator, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, etc.

But the Name of God, given in scripture at a particular time, or for a particular situation…….is a promise, of what He will do in this situation.

Jehovah means the Eternal, Ever existing, Becoming One….the Eternal God becomes our need.

(In the Old Testament:

Jehovah is linked to many adjectives: Jehovah-Nissi (the Lord our banner), Jehovah-Rapha (the Lord that heals), Jehovah-Shammah (the Lord is there), etc.

And in the New Testament:

Jesus Christ says: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, I am the Light of the world, I am the bread of life, I am the door, I am the good Shepherd, etc.

Jehovah is Christ.)

An example of God, sharing His Name…..and Abraham running into it for safety:

Genesis 15:1 “After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy Shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”

This was said to Abram (Abraham) after a great battle with four kings, to rescue Lot, his nephew. (Genesis 14:9-15)

Lot had been taken captive from Sodom, when four powerful kings attacked a confederacy of kings, which included Sodom’s king.

The confederacy which included Sodom’s king, was beaten back,….the city had been sacked,…..and Lot had been taken.

When news came to Abraham, he gathered three hundred and eighteen of his trained men,……and went after them.

Abraham’s troop came upon them at night, where he divided his men into two groups….each coming on the opposite side.

They rescued Lot and the other captives, and the goods stolen….quite a large amount of it, and brought them back to a valley outside of Sodom.

There the king of Sodom went out to meet them, and told Abraham to take the goods (gold, silver, etc); and he, the king of Sodom, would take the people back.

But Abraham spoke out boldly here:

Genesis 14:22-24 “And Abram said unto the king of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand unto the Lord, the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.”

“I will not take a thread or even a shoelace from you. The young men that went with me….they may take a portion….I will not speak for them; but as for me, I have sworn to the Lord, my God….the Most High God, that I will not take anything from you.”

The king of Sodom was a powerful man in those parts…..but God was Abraham’s portion…..His Word was Abraham’s guide.

Psalm 16:5 “The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot.”

Then….”after these things”:

God speaks to Abraham, telling him of a new way in which he could think about His Might, for himself….

God said, “I am thy Shield”

Abraham might be concerned about reprisals from the kings he had fought….but God would shield him.

(fourteen times the name Shield is used in Psalms)

Psalm 3:3 “But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”

Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusteth in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.”

God said, “I am thy exceeding great reward”

Abraham did not need gold or silver from the wicked king of Sodom….for God was His portion.

Paul writes about the riches of God for us:

Romans 11:33 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements, and His Ways past finding out!

Ephesians 1:7 “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, and forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,”

Ephesians 3:8 “Unto me whom am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”

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 all we need, and He promises to be what we need:

Proverbs 18:10 “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

His Name not only protects….but lifts us up from the situation we are in, by faith,…..to see, what He sees…..He is a “strong tower”…..for His name show us what He is to us.

And the best thing we can do is….run into Him….and be safe.

Reality, is it for you? (9page)

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.”

This is a real invitation to us from the Almighty God. “Come boldly”: to obtain, or get for us, mercy and grace to help in this time of need. Whatever that need is.

Christianity is an ideology (a body of ideas reflecting the social needs and goals of a group or people).

To a great many people, it is nothing more than that, for they have never been Born Again. It takes the element of faith in Christ Jesus our Lord to make these things of the Bible, real to us.

If it is only an ideology, then we are left up to our own means and power to bring His Will to pass in our lives. That is impossible.

Only by God’s enabling, can we do His Will.

God’s plan for us is the fullness of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit of power.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

This is how we have the fullness of the Holy Spirit. And His kingdom must first be set up in our personal heart.

If we are citizens of His Kingdom, God is honored and obeyed by us. And that can only be done as we voluntarily submit to His Rule over us, in His personal direction for our lives.

Jesus said, “ If ye love Me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

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.”

Every promise in the Word, and every promise given to you personally is there: ready for you to enter into it by faith. (The Holy Spirit gives you hope: or the confident assurance that God will do what He says. We feel it! Hallelujah!)

There can never be true faith without obedience.

Faith takes us by the hand and guides us to do what we believe.

God may have given you this promise, and this…and this, but until you have these promises in your experience, they are only promises.

True and Sure; but like money in a bank, sometimes, not used.

The writer says “fear” coming short of the promises God gives us.

Fear means to be alarmed! To wake up to what you have in God’s Word, and reach out for it.

In praying, “Thy Kingdom come.”

(And notice it is a complete sentence, all by itself. It is not a part of God’s Will………It is God’s Will: that His Kingdom should come to each and every child of His, and that by it, they will enjoy communion and fellowship as they come into all that God has for them.)

We are to pray for His Kingdom to come within us, and submit to Him. We are praying for the Power and blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the Word; when we hear it, read it, and on the preaching of it.

We are praying that we may understand and know His Will; and willingly do His Will. (Philippians 2:13)

We are praying that the Word of God will be spread abroad by believing ministers, and that their lives will show forth God’s praise. (Matthew 5:16)

We are praying that His Kingdom which has come within us, may go on and influence those around us. That we might be a sanctifying influence to those we come into contact with.

This is the furthering of Christ’s Kingdom here. It always begins with us: getting by faith what God has for us, and sharing Christ and His Word to others.

For this we should come boldly to the throne of grace, God’s Throne, and get mercy (that help to sinners in need) and grace (the power that we need) for this time, and the next time, and the next time….onward.

The Family Prayer to our Father, God

Matthew 6:9 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.”

Here Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray. Showing them God, in a most tender aspect: Our Father.

Since He is God, He is Almighty. We do not come to One who can do nothing; but One who will see His Will done.

Since He is our Father, He looks on us in Christ, and He is concerned for our well-being more than we are.

We are to come as sons and daughters to God, our Father; for Christ Jesus has given all the born again ones, a place in the family of God. We are joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), and have received the Spirit of Adoption. (Romans 8:15-16)

As God is our Father, there is that special love relationship.

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

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

Keep yourselves in the love of God, in other words:

Walk in the sunshine of His love.

When we pray “Our Father which art in heaven”, we know that the Great God is ready to give us an audience.

This raises our eyes to see Him above, and it raises our hearts from earth to heaven’s court.

We come before Him with our requests in full assurance that He will hear. That we can pour out our hearts before Him.

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

It is to a Divine Person we come.

One who has our best interests at heart.

And He, through Christ Jesus, has invited us to come, and come boldly, to His throne.

Boldly means that without fear we come close to God.

When we pray “Our Father which art in heaven”; we realize how elevated, and blessed we are, by His grace, given us. How much we have, because of Christ Jesus, our Savior.

We also see that we are a member of a family. Fellow Christians are our Brothers and Sister in Christ. For it is to “Our Father” we pray, and we are told we should love them, and pray for them.

He is in heaven, directing all things on earth. Nothing takes Him by surprise, and He has an answer for every situation.

Psalm 115:3, 16 “But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.

The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lords: but the earth hath He given to the children of men.”

And we should pray for the glory of God’s Name. “Hallowed be Thy Name.”

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

The glory of God is the ultimate end of everything.

Psalm 115:1 “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.”

We are to seek the glory of God in every prayer and act. His Holiness is a beauty which makes the glory of the sun and stars, pale in comparison.

Imagine a world full of His Holiness (as it will be one day): full of compassion, and goodness. Full of joy and peace.

Sin has brought all the evils, sickness, and death with it.

But God’s Holiness has redeemed us from sin by His sending His son to die for our sins, and taking all the penalty of them from us.

Colossians 1:12-14 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

How easy it should be for us, as His beloved children, to pray and seek the glory of His Name, here on earth and in our lives. “Let Thy Name be magnified.”

Obadiah. (This is not the prophet of the same name)

1 Kings 18:3 “And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly:”

I want to speak a little about the fear of the Lord….

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding,”

This fear is reverence…you are awed by the Lord, for you see Him as High and lifted up….and you see your place before Him.

(Isaiah 6:1-7, Luke 5:4-10. These are great verses. For both Isaiah the prophet and Peter the apostle, recognize God’s greatness and power, and righty, put themselves in their place before Him.)

How great it is to have everything in the right perspective….God’s perspective.

This fear shows us our sinfulness…..but then God meets that sinfulness, by pardon, and a call to follow Him.

Obadiah feared the Lord…greatly. He knew He was the only and true God. He was not a idol worshipper, though most of Israel was at this time.

He was a servant for king Ahab, and in a position of authority….so he must have done his job for the king, and his household, well….

…..but he believed and trusted in the Lord.

1 Kings 18:3-4 “….(Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly:

For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

This took great courage….but the fear of the Lord gives wisdom and understanding, and so Obadiah knew what to do.

For he wanted to save some of God’s worshippers from Jezebel’s, killing them.

(Jezebel was Ahab’s heathen queen. When she came to power, she killed and intimidated most of the servants of the Lord, and introduced Baal (an idol) worship.)

But Obadiah hid one hundred of them; fifty in a cave…..and fed them, bread and water….and this for three years.

Now Ahab goes out with Obadiah to see if they might get some grass, to feed the animals, that they would not lose the animals of war.

How wicked a king, which does not see to the needs of his people, first!

But on his way, Obadiah sees Elijah…..the man who told king Ahab that there would be no dew or rain till he said.

(Elijah had prayed, claiming the promise of Moses….that if God would withhold the rain,…..the people might remember God’s Word,…..and the chastening by famine, might bring His people back to Him. Deuteronomy 11:16-17)

And for three years and six months…. (James 5:17-18. Elijah had prayed for six months, then was sent to notify Ahab of God’s Word)….God had not given rain….everything was in famine…and dieing; yet Israel had not turned back to God.

But Elijah came, and said that he would see Ahab. Now Ahab had tried to find Elijah for three years, to kill him…..but now, God had said the trial was over….He would send rain.

God always brings us through “measured” trials.

He knows how much to demand….and when to lift up. One is to awaken to His claims….the other is to bring them to look up, to see Him again.

So Elijah comes, and Obadiah sees him. Elijah tells him to go get Ahab and bring him.

But Obadiah was frightened…..this was not the fear of the Lord, but fear of Ahab. What if God’s Spirit would catch away Elijah….and Ahab would be furious…..then he would surely die,….and he had those godly people to see to…..

But…

Instead of remaining in fear to the world, Obadiah told Elijah his fear,…….and Elijah, respecting this servant of God,….

1 Kings 18:15 “And Elijah said, As the Lord of Hosts liveth, before Whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him today.”

In the Lord’s name, Elijah assures this man…..you are safe.

1 Kings 18:16 “So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him:…..”

Obadiah feared the Lord greatly….he served even the wicked Ahab, faithfully….and faithfully kept alive one hundred of God’s prophets.

This took courage,….but even for a faithful servant, the fear of the world can come into our thoughts….and if not stopped: into our hearts.

But Obadiah did not let it go further than his thoughts….and sought an answer from God’s servant, Elijah…and obeyed, when he got it.

We, too, need to fear the Lord….get wisdom for our walk, and understanding of His Way. In times of blessing in the Church, and in times of declension…..we need to fear the Lord, and do good to those that belong to Him.

And when the fear of the world comes in….we need to address ourselves to God and get His answer.

Obadiah is not mentioned again. There are only thirteen verses that speak of him….yet, God noticed his godly fear, and put it in His Book.

As Christians, our names are written in the Book of Life…..but there is a “book of remembrance”, which is before Him….for those that fear the Lord.

Malachi 3:16 “And they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His Name.”

God sees our faithfulness, our diligence, and every word and thought that reaches out to Him.

There is fear of the world,….which will terrify and halt our progress.

And there is the fear of the Lord,….which brings wisdom to our situation, understanding to our minds and hearts, and courage to our lives.

If Any Man Will

Matthew 16:24-25 “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”

This always rest with our will.

(Our will is the “putting into action” of our personality. Our minds…give reason. Our hearts…give emotion. But our wills….act on what has been presented.)

If any man will? Let him deny himself. That is the key ingredient—self-denial.

If we deny ourself and take up our cross….and keep after this until we reach the place we no longer resist the Lord’s Will in anything.

(This is not instant obedience, but it is final obedience….we have determined to do God’s Will.)

Then we have acquired the power of choice.

We are now crucified, and we can begin the process of….real living.

(Before,…….we would will with God,…..but there was always something pulling us in the opposite direction……for the power of sin, and it’s influence was still there, fighting for control.

Paul speaks of this in Romans 7. But we can come to the experience that we are not resisting His Will—we may not like it…..we may be afraid….but we will do it. That is settled.)

To lose your life in yourself….is to go on and deny your self-life. This is not the will, willing….but….Whose life am I going to manifest.

When we lose our self-life, we deny ourself in our thoughts and emotions.

The reason I do this….must give way to…..”it is what He wants done.”

This is my way to deal with this…must give way to: Lord, how would you have me to deal with this.

It is to lose all those things we have formed around us to keep our true self hidden.

There are some, who when embarrassed or uncomfortable….they begin to tell a joke, or a story…..get everyone looking somewhere else, but at the real them.

There are some, who have hidden their emotions so long….they do not know how to really express themselves….but by pretense. It is easier to “hide-out”.

(I knew a woman who told me that for years, after she had become a Christian….and had decided to do whatever God said; had made a place to retreat to, in her mind, when certain things came up.

When confronted with certain people, certain things to do….she would “shut down”, withdrawing into self.

Her smile still stayed on her face….but the light went out in her eyes. She would do whatever was required….but it was mere form. Her heart was not in it.

She “hid out” till that was over with….then she would “reappear”.

When she heard my message on “losing your self-life”…..a battle began.

Would she give up to Christ, and stop retreating into the narrowness of self……or continue to hide from the Lord and Savior, which loved her and gave Himself for her?

It was a battle….one which raged for a long time….but finally victory was given; and she came out to Christ…..opening up her inner life to Him.)

A word about the narrowness of self……we are in the way, when something we do not want to face is presented…..what do we do?

We can deny ourselves and yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading…… or we can narrow the way, in our minds or hearts, and refuse to deal with this.

These bring in roots of bitterness…..which grow harder and harder to deal with…..soon the Lord’s Way, has become our way….maybe religious,….but joyless.

But when we have determined to do God’s Will, then we begin to be free from all the restraints of self….to come out to Christ, in truth…..and let Him give us His life.

Peace for fear, joy instead of selfishness…..to free us from habits….and become who He purposed us to become.

He never changes our true personality…..but frees it, to come into fellowship and friendship with Him.

Then you will begin to live….”the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God.”

And faith always places Christ straight before us, to keep our eyes on Him.

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.”

Think of it…..to live by faith….the faith of the Son of God flowing through us,…leading us on with Him.

We are given faith when we are born again….and it shows us God, so that we know He is there with us.

Then faith delivers us from making bad decisions, and says….Keep looking to Christ.

Faith leads us on till, we live everyday…..yet not I, but Christ lives in me.

Jesus Christ said, “If any man will come after Me”……..that is the Way we must go….to follow after Him,….and let Him lead us out of self, and into true life….the life of faith.

The Joy of the Lord.

Nehemiah 8:10 “And he said unto them, Go thy way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

In other words, as they experienced this joy, and yielded to this joy; they would be strengthened in His Might.

This is to “be strong in the Lord and the power of His Might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

The need was great for Israel. They were back in the land, after the captivity.

But enemies had, and would keep trying to destroy their unity, and commitment to God’s Worship.

Here, when this verse is given,…..they had just had a service where the Law and books of Prophesy were read, and interpreted to the people.

They were excited to learn, but also saddened by the memory of their sin, which had sent them out of the land; and of the trouble they were having now, since they came back.

There is a time to repent;…..

and a time to rejoice in the goodness of God……

Now was their time to rejoice in the goodness of God.

We are called, as Christians, to have Christ’s Kingdom come with in our hearts and lives, now.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

The inward Kingdom of God is set up in the hearts, of all who repent and believe the Gospel.

And that Kingdom is none other than:

Romans14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Now joy is a choice instrument, that God uses in a believing soul.

Joy and Peace are the true criteria to judge ourselves, spiritually.

When we are right with God, we have peace with God, and ourselves.

Joy follows.

Joy is particularly designed by God to be a balance against the sufferings; inward and out; of our walk of faith.

It is meant to lift up the hands which hang down, and confirm the feeble knees (Hebrews 12:12).

There is a strengthening power in the joy of the Lord.

Therefore, whatever dampens our joy in the Lord, hinders our holiness…..

(The Devil would “throw water” on our joy, so that he would spoil our enjoyment of the things God gives…and if he could,….the use of them too.)

…..when we get discouraged, or depressed,……we begin to let down our shield of faith.

The firey darts of the devil get through, when the shield is down. We are wounded.

When we get like that, we need to be exhorted to do, as Israel was told:

Nehemiah 8:10 “And he said unto them, Go thy way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Joy and Happiness are not the same.

Each springs from a totally different source.

Happiness comes from the situations around me. It is measured by what is happening to me. It is bound up in either the behavior of other people, to me; or the circumstances which I am in.

Joy comes directly from the Spirit of the Living God.

This joy springs from the Presence of God in my life.

It is not dependent on people, places, or the situations in which I find myself; but rather from the Presence of God with me,…..in any circumstances.

(And don’t we find it so, that knowing that the Lord is with us, is a great blessing…always.)

Joy is one of the attributes of God that He shares with us. Joy runs like a river of goodwill, through His make-up. And He wants to share that with us.

He is the God of all Joy.

He is alive. He is here. That joy was the overflowing of power in the early Church.

And that can be the experience of all who truly allow God’s peace to rule in your hearts. When it does, joy follows.

Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

We have a purpose……and deep delight in the Lord. These are the characteristics of such a person.

There is direction in our duties, no matter how ordinary.

There is purpose in every area of our lives; for we are in harmony with the Holy Spirit within,…….and that lifts me from the confusion and trouble of this world,…….to rest in the arms of the Lord.

This is to know the joy of the Lord,….and it becomes a force in my life, to dispel darkness and despair; to energize my life in my walk with God.

The joy of the Lord is our strength.

We need it, and He has it for us.

The Strait Gate and the Narrow Way

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

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

Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

“Strait” here means “narrow, with obstacles standing close about”.

“Narrow” is a thin path.

Is Jesus trying to discourage people?

No, He is just telling the truth….for all of us have “turned everyone to his own way”.

Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Now we must turn from that way, and seek to enter into His Way, which is Life.

Isn’t He the door….by Him, if we enter in, we will be saved?

Yes! Absolutely! But getting to the door, or the “gate” as it is referenced here, is often the problem…..for we try and bring all that we are, with us.

This is not our possessions….but our old life, old habits, old way of doing things, our old way of seeing things.

Luke 18:25 “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

I use this verse….for it exemplifies the setting of everything aside to “enter in”.

In the old walled cities of Israel…..there were gates….wide and broad; which the caravans of camels and carts came in and out all day. There were guards, it is true….but they seldom restricted the merchandise from coming in and out.

But at night, when robbers and enemies were about….the gate was shut; and any caravan,….having missed the time…..would be stuck outside,….a easy prey for these bandits. For the guards would not come out to fight for them.

If this happened, the only other recourse, was to empty every animal, and squeeze them through a door, which was set beside the gate for travelers at night. One guard could easily hold the door if bandits or an enemy tried to come in.

This door was called the needle’s eye. For no animal could come through it, carry all they had.

(I know some people say that the Lord Jesus was telling a ridiculous joke….that He meant it for the impossible. For He goes on to say….”The things that are impossible with men are possible with God.” And it could be true….for Jesus was illustrating the impossibility of those that hold on to things, to be saved.)

So let us see, what we hold on to:

Our opinions,…..formed when we were under the influence of the world.

We often continue to see things the same way….and God wants us to see through His eyes…

Mark 6:34 “And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things.”

Mark 3:5 “And when He had looked round about on them in anger(on those who did not want Him to heal on the Sabbath)….being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts…”

We often hold on to alliances,….people we had the same interests with before,….but now?….which will we choose?

2 Corinthians 6:17-18”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 will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

We often hold on to habits…whether games, T.V., or being fans of a particular thing……

Habits of speech, or a certain way we do things….all of these are formed when we were not born again….

And I must stress…….we should be willing to lay it aside.

Not that the Lord always asks us to…..but anything that will “weigh us down”, or burden our following Him…..you have to be willing to take off. (Hebrews 12:1)

Matthew 10:37-38 “He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.”

How much do you want Him in your life? And how much of your life is yours…..and how much is His?

These are the things He was addressing in the broad way and the strait gate….our willingness to give Him all.

Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways.”

Not that He gains by us….He is self-existent, eternal, Almighty. But that the more we love Him, the more free we become from sin, self, and the world.

The more our heart grows with love for Him, the more it expands in light, peace, and joy.

It is for our benefit He asks us, as He asked Peter by Galilee….”Lovest thou Me more than these?”

It was not just his fellow fishermen, the Lord was asking about……but fishing, the sea, the old life…..”Do you love Me, Peter, more than all of them?”

Twice in the Psalms, David says, “my heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” (Psalm 57:7, Psalm 108:1). Both times he is speaking of God’s mercy to him.

The “fixed” in these Psalms is “prepared”. David had prepared his heart to receive mercy from God….and had run straight to His God, trusting Him, to receive it.

Psalm 57:1 “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpassed.”

Let me ask….are we preparing our hearts to hear Him,….to follow Him,….to love Him?

Let us Pass over to the Other Side.

Mark 4: 35 “And the same day, when the even was come, He said unto them, Let us pass over to the other side.”

The Lord Jesus had just been teaching by the sea side. He had been preaching all day, and so at eventide, He spoke to his disciples that it was time to move on.

Mark 4:36 “And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships.”

Now Jesus had said “Let us pass over to the other side”,…..and there was not a fisherman there, that did not think they could do that,….with no problem.

They were experienced fishermen, what could happen?

So they began. Other boats followed along, as well.

But suddenly a storm arose, which they had not foreseen.

Mark 4:37 “And there was a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.”

This was some sudden storm! The boat was filling up, from the wind whipping up the waves! This was not the usual lake travel; not for fishermen or others.

May I ask each of us, have we not been in this situation?

Quite certain that we could do something the Lord Jesus had given us to do?

(After all, we have been saved, and know quite a bit about the Lord; and about His work for us)

But then, some sudden “storm” of words, resentment, or shaming comes up from others, and we are suddenly at a loss as how to deal with it.

Worse, it seems as if we are “sinking”, and the Lord does not seem to be helping.

And may I also ask, haven’t we felt as if the Lord should come to our rescue, immediately?

I know I have; and have felt the fear, and (yes, shamefully) the resentment toward the Lord, that He did not help me, as I thought He should.

But, as the Lord reminded me: “Didn’t I think I could handle this myself?”

You should have seen me trying to excuse myself!

“Oh no, Lord, I never think I can do something without You.” (But, of course, I had)

Soon, I confessed, instead of excusing myself. I set it right with Him first.

Then I asked Him to show me when I was going to do the same thing: Whenever I began to think I knew what I was doing!

We need guidance, His word to us;

and His Presence with us whenever we do anything for Him.

And we need faith, to see it through, no matter what comes up.

Mark 4:38-40 “And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awoke Him, and say unto Him, Master carest thou not that we perish?

And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”

Faith sees God; and that puts everything else in it’s proper place, under Him.

Now, Jesus had said, “Let us pass over to the other side”; not go out into the sea and drown.

They should have trusted His Word, and by faith, claimed it when they were in the storm.

But as the wind and waves grew greater, their fear grew as well. His Words became just words; which they aren’t.

Guidance we need. (They had that)

His Presence we need; always. (They had that)

What then did they lack?

First, a knowledge of their own inability to see what might come up against them.

As fishermen they would have known the night sky: whether there was a storm coming. So the one that came, surprised them.

Second, they lacked a firm faith in the Word of Christ to them.

Their faith should have steadied them; then they would have been able to trust. (Hold on to what Jesus has said.)

They would have been able to say to the wind and waves: that Jesus had given them His Word, and that He was with them….

And passed over to the other side.

Not without a struggle, this is true; but faith acted on, empowers and enables to see the duty done.

Let us have faith in Christ Jesus our Lord, and trust His Word, and Presence with us.

Every storm has a lesson, let us look to Him, and learn from Him.

2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

And Yet There is Room

Luke 14:22 “And the servant said, Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ, when He was here on earth, was zealous in His Work,…..so that all that would,…..would hear the invitation to the Kingdom.

He traveled all over Judea, even ministering to the Samaritans and a Phonecian woman…..delivering from disease and oppression.

The main theme of the messages: The kingdom of heaven is at hand….in the presence of the King, Jesus Christ. “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy ladened” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

He healed many: the blind, saw….the lepers, cleansed….the lame, walked….and the wandering multitude were fed.

They heard again and again His Word…they praised Him for His Works…..they followed Him for what He would give….and sought Him out, for miracles.

The years He went to the feast of Passover:

The first …He drove out the buyer and sellers from the temple. (John 2:13-16). “And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise.”

This was a command from the King….one they refused, for two years later:

The last Passover, He drove out the buyers and sellers, again. (Matthew 21:12-13) “And He said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

Having refused His authority and blessing…….this time He quotes the scripture they said they believed….to honor His Father.

Everywhere He went……and when He sent His disciples out, the message was the same: the Kingdom of God is at hand……the people were going to have to make a decision about the King.

Luke 10:1-2, 9 “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.

Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.

And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The Kingdom of God is nigh unto you.”

(During the three years of ministry, Jesus gave two parables of a great supper….one in the personal sense in Luke 14, and the other before multitudes in the temple, a few days before they took Him in Matthew 22.)

Jesus was often invited to homes….several of them, Pharisee’s homes:

In Luke, someone had said, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

Which prompted Jesus to tell the parable of “a certain man” who made a great supper. The man invited many, but when it was time to come, they all made an excuse to refuse this man’s supper.

(How many times do we feel we will do anything for God,….but when it comes time to do…..do we do?)

Jesus tells that this “certain man”, after His invitation was rejected, said….”Forget these who gave an excuse…….go out and get all those who are poor, and lame, and blind”. (This certainly describes each of us without Jesus)

And yet the servant came back and said….

Luke 14:22-23 “And the servant said, Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled.”

“Compel” here means to make them come in. Now this is what the Holy Spirit will do in the individual,…..as we, the servants….go out and give out the gospel.

(Yes, I was one of those “compelled” by the Holy Spirit. In my younger days, I was not going in His Way….as a matter of fact I had made a decision to leave the church and “do my own thing”. But, Hallelujah, God had other plans. And He would not let me go, and be lost!)

And now, Jesus has given us the charge to:

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.”

As Christ’s followers we are to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him, personally. Growing in grace from here, to heaven.

As His disciples, we are to share our knowledge of our King, inviting all who will to enter into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.