The longest Day

Joshua 10:12-13 “Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel,  and he said in the sight of Israel,   Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon;  and thou,  moon,  in the valley of Avalon.

                               The sun stood still,  and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.    Is not this written in the book of Jasher?   So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven,  and hasten not to go down about a whole day.”

A little background is necessary:  

Israel was in the five year process of fighting the different sections of Canaan,  to inherit the land God had given them.

Five kings got together to come against Gibeon,  which Israel had made a league with.   Gibeon was a great city, and the men were mighty. (Joshua 10:2)

So these kings thought if they all came together to destroy Gibeon,  then the Israelites would be no match for them all.

But in this process,  they did not take into account,  Israel’s God.

Israel had made a league with Gibeon,  and God honored the league. 

(Actually, it was wrong to make this league.   Joshua and the rulers of the tribes “looked” to what the Gibeonites wanted them to see, when they lied to Joshua;  instead of asking counsel of God. Joshua 9:9-11, 14-15)

But their mistake did not annul the league.   And God said they had to honor it.

The Gibeonites had been made servants of God’s house,  and they believed in the Lord God of Israel.

So when Gibeon was attacked,  word was sent to Joshua and the Israelites, to come and help.

Joshua 10:6 “And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp of Gilgal,  saying,   Slack not thy hand from thy servants;  come up to us quickly,  and save us,  and help us for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

When they got the word,  Joshua and his army took a forced march of 20 some miles at night, to get there;  so they could fight five kings and their large armies!  (Whew!)

Thankfully they heard from God about the march and battle.

Joshua 10:8-9 “And the Lord said unto Joshua,   Fear them not:  for I have delivered them into thy hand;  there shall not a man of them stand before thee. 

                            Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly,  and went up from Gilgal all night.”

Now I want to add a word of our Great Shepherd here:

John 10:4 “And when He putteth forth His own sheep,  He goeth before them,  and the sheep follow Him:  for they know His voice.”

He goes before….   

God has a plan and a way;  even when we fail.   He is ever ready to lead us into the right way.

Joshua 10:10-11 “And the Lord discomforted them before Israel,  and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon,  and chased them along the way…

                               And it came to pass,  as they fled before Israel,  and were in the going down to Beth-horon,  that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died:  there were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with a sword.”

The Lord “discomforted”them.  If you look at other scriptures that this word is in, for battle,  it means:  the Lord sent thunder and lightening,  scaring the horses.   And then,  He sent hailstones!  (These, God had reserved for the day of battle. Job 38:22-23)

God had said, “Fear not,…I have delivered them into your hands”.   But the day was waning.   It would soon be sunset.

So Joshua asked for help.   He would need more time,  so he asked for it.  

He did it publicly,  in front of his men, to encourage them in their faith.   God was with them, now.  He did not guide from a distance;  but was in charge in the battle, now.

Joshua 10:12-14 “Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel,  and he said in the sight of Israel,   Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, moon,  in the valley of Ajalon.

                                And the sun stood still,  and the moon stayed,  until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies….So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven,  and hastened not to go down about a whole day.

                                And there was no day like that before it or after it,  that the Lord harkened to the voice of a man:  for the Lord fought for Israel.”

                     

The sun stayed up for an extra day,  so that the enemy could not escape.  It was to stand still over Gibeon,  where they were fighting.    

(Some believe that God’s might was shown so strongly here, because these city-kings were sun worshippers.)

God was showing them that He was greater than the sun above them.  That the sun was at His command.  And could do nothing but what He said.

The battle continued the extra day.   “For the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.”

The territory they took in this battle was about a 30 mile radius!   More than they had taken so far.    “For the Lord fought for Israel”

We often fail.  Can God get “good” from our failures?   

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,  to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

But it is for God’s good,  God’s glory.

But we can learn the lesson our failure teaches us;  to go on to trust and rely on God alone.

Notice that in this battle:  Israel fought,  but God really won the victory.  The “discomfort” of the thunder and lightening.   The hailstones.  And the sun standing still.

God did it,  and He did it for “failures”. 

(I very much dislike this word.   I hear it applied to people too many times.   In the truest sense:  we are all “failures”.   We are all sinners:  saved sinners or lost sinners.  Thank God for our Savior,  Jesus Christ,   Who loves us,  and enables us sinners,  to know what we should do,    and empowers us to do His Will.)

The longest day, was a day of power.   God’s power to guide, and deliver those who trust in Him.

The Holy Spirit’s Work

John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter,  that He may abide with you forever;”

When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes within our spirits to live there.   He is the Paraclete;  which means, “to come under, to support”.   He is our Comforter.

He places us in the family of God. 

Galatians 4:5-7 “To redeem them that were under the law,  that we might receive the adoptions of sons.

                               And because ye are sons,  God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts,  crying,  Abba,  Father.

                               Wherefore thou art no more servants,  but a son;  and if a son,  then an heir of God through Christ.”

This He does, by giving us faith: the substance of things things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Plainly, by faith, the Holy Spirit makes God real to us, in our everyday life.

Ephesians 1:13, 17  “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth,  the gospel of your salvation: in whom also,  after that ye have believed,  you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

                                    that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,  the Father of glory,  may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:”

                                     He is in our spirits, and turns the light on within us, so we can see the truth, and do it.

John 15:26 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father,  even the Spirit of truth,  which proceedeth from the Father,  He shall testify of Me.”

1 Peter 1:22 “Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren,  see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”

He speaks to us through the Word of God, and by working in us the knowledge of God’s Will for us. 

John 14:26 “But the Comforter,  which is the Holy Ghost,  whom the Father will send in My name,  He shall teach you all things,  and bring all things to your remembrance,  whatsoever I have said unto you.”

He empowers us,  sanctifying us to God.

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;”

2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you,  brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

 He gives us the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith,

                                  Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.”

And as we yield to the Holy Spirit within,  He works through us.   (People will see a change;  not in word only,  but in our manner of life.)

Romans 8:13-14 “For if ye live after the flesh,  ye shall die:  but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body,  ye shall live.

                               For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,  they are the sons of God.”

1 Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only,  but also in power,  and in the Holy Ghost,  and in much assurance;  as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sakes.”

When we sin,  the Holy Spirit stays after us,  showing it to us again and again.

If we grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30),   He does not leave us, though He may withdraw the comforting feeling of His Presence;  till we have sought forgiveness and cleansing. 

1 John 1:7,9 “But if we walk in the light,  as He is in the light,  we have fellowship one with another,  and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

                       If we confess our sins,  He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,  and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

                         He teaches us to rejoice and give thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 “In everything give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  

                                             Quench not the Spirit.”  (Don’t put out the fire of God burning within you by the Holy Spirit)

He teaches us how to pray.

Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought;  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered.”

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

As the Holy Spirit is in us,  we have fellowship with other believers.  The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, and we are to love one another, as He loves us.

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

1 John 2:10 “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.”

And we can be filled with the Holy Spirit, having the power of His influence within us (as as a man is under the influence of wine).

Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine,  wherein is excess;  but be filled with the Spirit;”

(We are filled by the Holy Spirit, to the degree we are empty of self-seeking.   Galatians 5:25-26.    Matthew 16:24-25)

The Holy Spirit was given us, that we will never be alone:    Not spiritual orphans.    

He comes to us,  to hold us up, giving us joy and peace;   and He supports us in God’s Will, giving us the faith to overcome.

Our Place in the World

Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.   For there is no power but of God:  the powers that be  are ordained of God.”

This was written in a day when Rome and the Caesar’s ruled.  Their reign was often terrible.  The soldiers could be cruel, or kind.  Their judges could imprison or set free, at a word.

Yet,  as Christians,  we are to respect authorities, because of their office.  And be subject to them. (God always has His due order.  Think of the chaos without the police, fire department, and government.)

1 Timothy 2:1-4 “I exhort therefore,  that, first of all,  supplications, prayers,  intercession, and giving of thanks,  be made for all men;  

                             For kings,  and for all that are in authority,  that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. 

                             For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;                                who will have all men to be saved,  and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

This is the secret for a quiet life:   Prayer for all.    

We should pray for our family, our city, the church on the earth,  for our nation, and it’s leaders.

It is not because we believe, necessarily, in what they do;  but rather it is what the Lord wants.

And when we pray,  God hears.

Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,  as the rivers of water:  He turneth it whithersoever He will.”

The Lord can turn the heart of any ruler, politician, judge, etc. as He turns the rivers in there course;  to do what ever He wants. 

(There are times He allows rulers to go on in there wicked way;  simply to increase their punishment,  or to make the deliverance of His people from their hand even more amazing!)

Our place in the world is to be lights for Jesus Christ.   

To shine God’s life in us.

To do this we are to pray for those we know,  who are Christians;  and those who have not yet come to Christ Jesus.

To seek the good of our family, neighbors, and city by prayer. 

And to pray for our country.  That revival might come to our churches, schools, institutions that are suppose to do good;  and to all.

To seek the good of all, in prayer;  is a down payment on a peaceful life.

The longest Day

Joshua 10:12-13 “Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel,  and he said in the sight of Israel,   Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon;  and thou,  moon,  in the valley of Avalon.

                               The sun stood still,  and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.    Is not this written in the book of Jasher?   So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven,  and hasten not to go down about a whole day.”

A little background is necessary:  

Israel was in the five year process of fighting the different sections of Canaan,  to inherit the land God had given them.

Five kings got together to come against Gibeon,  which Israel had made a league with.   Gibeon was a great city, and the men were mighty. (Joshua 10:2)

So these kings thought if they all came together to destroy Gibeon,  then the Israelites would be no match for them all.

But in this process,  they did not take into account,  Israel’s God.

Israel had made a league with Gibeon,  and God honored the league. 

(Actually, it was wrong to make this league.   Joshua and the rulers of the tribes “looked” to what the Gibeonites wanted them to see, when they lied to Joshua;  instead of asking counsel of God. Joshua 9:9-11, 14-15)

But their mistake did not annul the league.   And God said they had to honor it.

The Gibeonites had been made servants of God’s house,  and they believed in the Lord God of Israel.

So when Gibeon was attacked,  word was sent to Joshua and the Israelites, to come and help.

Joshua 10:6 “And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp of Gilgal,  saying,   Slack not thy hand from thy servants;  come up to us quickly,  and save us,  and help us for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

When they got the word,  Joshua and his army took a forced march of 20 some miles at night, to get there;  so they could fight five kings and their large armies!  (Whew!)

Thankfully they heard from God about the march and battle.

Joshua 10:8-9 “And the Lord said unto Joshua,   Fear them not:  for I have delivered them into thy hand;  there shall not a man of them stand before thee. 

                            Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly,  and went up from Gilgal all night.”

Now I want to add a word of our Great Shepherd here:

John 10:4 “And when He putteth forth His own sheep,  He goeth before them,  and the sheep follow Him:  for they know His voice.”

He goes before….   

God has a plan and a way;  even when we fail.   He is ever ready to lead us into the right way.

Joshua 10:10-11 “And the Lord discomforted them before Israel,  and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon,  and chased them along the way…

                               And it came to pass,  as they fled before Israel,  and were in the going down to Beth-horon,  that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died:  there were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with a sword.”

The Lord “discomforted”them.  If you look at other scriptures that this word is in, for battle,  it means:  the Lord sent thunder and lightening,  scaring the horses.   And then,  He sent hailstones!  (These, God had reserved for the day of battle. Job 38:22-23)

God had said, “Fear not,…I have delivered them into your hands”.   But the day was waning.   It would soon be sunset.

So Joshua asked for help.   He would need more time,  so he asked for it.  

He did it publicly,  in front of his men, to encourage them in their faith.   God was with them, now.  He did not guide from a distance;  but was in charge in the battle, now.

Joshua 10:12-14 “Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel,  and he said in the sight of Israel,   Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, moon,  in the valley of Ajalon.

                                And the sun stood still,  and the moon stayed,  until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies….So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven,  and hastened not to go down about a whole day.

                                And there was no day like that before it or after it,  that the Lord harkened to the voice of a man:  for the Lord fought for Israel.”

                     

The sun stayed up for an extra day,  so that the enemy could not escape.  It was to stand still over Gibeon,  where they were fighting.    

(Some believe that God’s might was shown so strongly here, because these city-kings were sun worshippers.)

God was showing them that He was greater than the sun above them.  That the sun was at His command.  And could do nothing but what He said.

The battle continued the extra day.   “For the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.”

The territory they took in this battle was about a 30 mile radius!   More than they had taken so far.    “For the Lord fought for Israel”

We often fail.  Can God get “good” from our failures?   

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,  to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

But it is for God’s good,  God’s glory.

But we can learn the lesson our failure teaches us;  to go on to trust and rely on God alone.

Notice that in this battle:  Israel fought,  but God really won the victory.  The “discomfort” of the thunder and lightening.   The hailstones.  And the sun standing still.

God did it,  and He did it for “failures”. 

(I very much dislike this word.   I hear it applied to people too many times.   In the truest sense:  we are all “failures”.   We are all sinners:  saved sinners or lost sinners.  Thank God for our Savior,  Jesus Christ,   Who loves us,  and enables us sinners,  to know what we should do,    and empowers us to do His Will.)

The longest day, was a day of power.   God’s power to guide, and deliver those who trust in Him.

The longest Day

Joshua 10:12-13 “Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel,  and he said in the sight of Israel,   Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon;  and thou,  moon,  in the valley of Avalon.

                               The sun stood still,  and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.    Is not this written in the book of Jasher?   So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven,  and hasten not to go down about a whole day.”

A little background is necessary:  

Israel was in the five year process of fighting the different sections of Canaan,  to inherit the land God had given them.

Five kings got together to come against Gibeon,  which Israel had made a league with.   Gibeon was a great city, and the men were mighty. (Joshua 10:2)

So these kings thought if they all came together to destroy Gibeon,  then the Israelites would be no match for them all.

But in this process,  they did not take into account,  Israel’s God.

Israel had made a league with Gibeon,  and God honored the league. 

(Actually, it was wrong to make this league.   Joshua and the rulers of the tribes “looked” to what the Gibeonites wanted them to see, when the Gibeonites lied to Joshua;  instead of asking counsel of God. Joshua 9:9-11, 14-15)

But their mistake did not annul the league.   And God said they had to honor it.

The Gibeonites had been made servants of God’s house,  and they believed in the Lord God of Israel.

So when Gibeon was attacked,  word was sent to Joshua and the Israelites, to come and help.

Joshua 10:6 “And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp of Gilgal,  saying,   Slack not thy hand from thy servants;  come up to us quickly,  and save us,  and help us for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

When they got the word,  Joshua and his army took a forced march of 20 some miles at night, to get there;  so they could fight five kings and their large armies!  (Whew!)

Thankfully they heard from God about the march and battle.

Joshua 10:8-9 “And the Lord said unto Joshua,   Fear them not:  for I have delivered them into thy hand;  there shall not a man of them stand before thee. 

                            Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly,  and went up from Gilgal all night.”

Now I want to add a word of our Great Shepherd here:

John 10:4 “And when He putteth forth His own sheep,  He goeth before them,  and the sheep follow Him:  for they know His voice.”

He goes before….   

God has a plan and a way;  even when we fail.   He is ever ready to lead us into the right way.

Joshua 10:10-11 “And the Lord discomforted them before Israel,  and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon,  and chased them along the way…

                               And it came to pass,  as they fled before Israel,  and were in the going down to Beth-horon,  that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died:  there were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with a sword.”

The Lord “discomforted”them.  If you look at other scriptures that this word is in, for battle,  it means:  the Lord sent thunder and lightening,  scaring the horses.   And then,  He sent hailstones!  (These, God had reserved for the day of battle. Job 38:22-23)

God had said, “Fear not,…I have delivered them into your hands”.   But the day was waning.   It would soon be sunset.

So Joshua asked for help.   He would need more time,  so he asked for it.  

He did it publicly,  in front of his men, to encourage them in their faith.   God was with them, now.  He did not guide from a distance;  but was in charge in the battle, now.

Joshua 10:12-14 “Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel,  and he said in the sight of Israel,   Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, moon,  in the valley of Ajalon.

                                And the sun stood still,  and the moon stayed,  until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies….So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven,  and hastened not to go down about a whole day.

                                And there was no day like that before it or after it,  that the Lord harkened to the voice of a man:  for the Lord fought for Israel.”

                     

The sun stayed up for an extra day,  so that the enemy could not escape.  It was to stand still over Gibeon,  where they were fighting.    

(Some believe that God’s might was shown so strongly here, because these city-kings were sun worshippers.)

God was showing them that He was greater than the sun above them.  That the sun was at His command.  And could do nothing but what He said.

The battle continued the extra day.   “For the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.”

The territory they took in this battle was about a 30 mile radius!   More than they had taken so far.    “For the Lord fought for Israel”

We often fail.  Can God get “good” from our failures?   

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,  to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

But it is for God’s good,  God’s glory.

But we can learn the lesson our failure teaches us;  to go on to trust and rely on God alone, for our good.

Notice that in this battle:  Israel fought,  but God really won the victory.  The “discomfort” of the thunder and lightening.   The hailstones.  And the sun standing still.

God did it,  and He did it for “failures”. 

(I very much dislike this word.   I hear it applied to people too many times.   In the truest sense:  we are all “failures”.   We are all sinners:  saved sinners or lost sinners.  Thank God for our Savior,  Jesus Christ,   Who loves us,  and enables us sinners,  to know what we should do,    and empowers us to do His Will.)

The longest day, was a day of power.   God’s power to guide, and deliver those who trust in Him.

Our Place in the World

Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.   For there is no power but of God:  the powers that be  are ordained of God.”

This was written in a day when Rome and the Caesar’s ruled.  Their reign was often terrible.  The soldiers could be cruel, or kind.  Their judges could imprison or set free, at a word.

Yet,  as Christians,  we are to respect authorities, because of their office.  And be subject to them. (God always has His due order.  Think of the chaos without the police, fire department, and government.)

1 Timothy 2:1-4 “I exhort therefore,  that, first of all,  supplications, prayers,  intercession, and giving of thanks,  be made for all men;  

                             For kings,  and for all that are in authority,  that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. 

                             For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;                                who will have all men to be saved,  and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

This is the secret for a quiet life:   Prayer for all.    

We should pray for our family, our city, the church on the earth,  for our nation, and it’s leaders.

It is not because we believe, necessarily, in what they do;  but rather it is what the Lord wants.   (And we should always pray that God will direct their actions)

And when we pray,  God hears.

Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,  as the rivers of water:  He turneth it whithersoever He will.”

The Lord can turn the heart of any ruler, politician, judge, etc. as He turns the rivers in there course;  to do what ever He wants. 

(There are times He allows rulers to go on in there wicked way;  simply to increase their punishment,  or to make the deliverance of His people from their hand even more amazing!)

Our place in the world is to be lights for Jesus Christ.   

To shine God’s life in us.

To do this we are to pray for those we know,  who are Christians;  and those who have not yet come to Christ Jesus.

To seek the good of our family, neighbors, and city by prayer. 

And to pray for our country.  That revival might come to our churches, schools, institutions that are suppose to do good;  and to all.

To seek the good of all, in prayer;  is a down payment on a peaceful life.

Paul’s Practical Preaching

Paul had begun this last bit of Romans,  not with more doctrine, but with the practical.   How we are to live in the world, as Christians;  belonging to Christ.

In Romans 12:1-2. He shows that presenting your bodies to God, and refusing to be conformed to the world, will strengthen you to find and do the will of God in your life.

Romans 12:3 “For I say,  through the grace given unto me,  to every man that is among you,  not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;  but to think soberly,  according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

Paul was saying that God has given every man,  by His Holy Spirit, faith and grace.   They are gifts;  so we should not be proud that we know something,  but instead,  we should use that measure of faith to:

Romans 12:6-18:  “…according to the grace that is given…” we are to do the work God has given us to do.  

Let love be true, and not phony;  turn away from evil,  love the good.

Be kind to one another,  preferring the fellowship of believers.

Working hard to do your job, because in it, you serve the Lord.

Yield to the joy of the Spirit, and be steadfast in the trials of the day.

Pray always. (An attitude of prayer is what is meant:  being ready to interrupt what you are doi

See to the needs of others as you are told.

Bless those who seek your hurt.   Do not seek revenge.

Be honest.   And try and live at peace with all men.

And how can we do these things? They seem(at least to my temperament) impossible.     We must go back to:

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,  that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,  wholly, acceptable unto God,  which is your reasonable service.

                            And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,  that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,  and perfect will of God.”

You see, it all starts with giving ourselves to God.   It says “bodies”, here;  to illustrate how we need to yield to the Holy Spirit within.

Our hands need to be His;  not doing things which they should not.

Our feet need to be His;  not going places we should stay out of.

Our mouths need to be His;  not saying unkind things or lying.

We could go on,  but you get the reason Paul said this.   We need to give ourselves,  inside and out,  to God.

But thankfully when we do:  we are “transformed” (changed) in motive, and power to do His will.

(That motive is “good”, because my motives are often selfish)

(That power is “acceptable, and perfect”,  because I have none)

But He does.   And He wants us to get “our measure” of all we need,  to live the life He has for us.   A life of goodness and power.  

Will we present our bodies to Him?

His Pleasure

Revelation 4:10 “The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne,  and worship Him that liveth forever and ever,  and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,”

The glory of having a crown in that day,  will be able to cast it at the feet of Jesus.

He deserves all the honor:  for He created us,  saved us,  sustained us, and brought us to the place of all joy;  heaven and His Presence forever.

This crown is truly our own;  we have “earned” it as a reward for our devotion to the Lord Jesus.   We could walk around heaven with it on, if we wanted to.

[There are three crowns spoken of in scripture:  the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) to them that love His appearing;   the crown of life (James 1:12) to them that love Him;  and the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4) by feeding the flock of God, by being examples to the flock.]

But the real glory of having a crown;  is to cast it down at His feet.  

(I had a dream once.  That I had died,  and went to heaven.   I was in, what could be called a waiting room, for my turn to go in and stand before the Lord Jesus.  

At first I was overjoyed just to be there.  After all my failures,  I was glad I had made it.

But then,  I thought,  what do I have to give to Him,  Who gave so much for me?

And I felt a consuming sadness that I was empty-handed.        Nothing to give Jesus:  it was a terrible feeling.

When I woke up,  I could still feel it.)

He has shown me this verse, I read it everyday:

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.”

He created all things: By His Almighty Power He made something out of nothing.

And for Thy pleasure they are , and were created.  “Pleasure” here means determination.

If, indeed, we exist for His Pleasure/Determination,  what is His Pleasure where we are concerned?

It is to be reconciled to Him in all things. 

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 “To wit,  that God was in Christ,  reconciling the world unto Himself,  not imputing their trespasses unto them,  and have committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

                                         Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,  as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ’s stead,  be ye reconciled to God.”

This is to put first things first.   And it is in today’s situation that this must be done.  We can not wait for “better” opportunities,  or a “more convenient season”.

“Lord, I am here now, by Your pleasure;   In this set of circumstances.      May I adjust to them,  seek Your will in them,  and see Your will brought to pass in me, by them.”

I had a friend who worked with a person who was over her.   That person “disliked” her.   And my friend did not really like this person either.   

The work almost became intolerable.

But praying about it (she gave a testimony in church about this),  my friend knew that she was working with this person for a reason.

“It is your attitude.”  The Lord told her plainly.  “And when it changes,  then I will make the circumstances change.”

This person was really bossy to everyone;  almost nasty.  

But praying for help, my friend worked at letting this person deal with people their way.  

And when my friend’s attitude changed,  she saw this person in a new light:  God’s light.     And came to respect the person.

We are created for a purpose.   Saved for a purpose.   Guided into that purpose,  which is His Pleasure/Determination.

Will we be reconciled to Him, and our purpose?

An Offering of a Willing Heart.  

Exodus 35:4-5 “And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying,  This is the thing that the Lord commanded, saying,  

                            Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord:  whosoever is of a willing heart,  let him bring it,  an offering of the Lord;  gold, and silver, and brass,”

The Tabernacle of the Lord was to be made.  The very intricate pieces were to be done by those selected by God, and given the ability. (Exodus 35:30-35)

But before they could do the work,  materials had to be gathered.   And God did not require any to give;  but it was to be an offering of a “willing heart”.

Exodus 35:21-22 “And they came,  everyone whose heart stirred him up,  and everyone whom his spirit made willing,  and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the Tabernacle of the congregation,  and for all His service, and for the holy garments.

                                And they came,  both men and women,  as many as were willing-hearted,  and brought bracelets, and earring, and rings, and tablets,  all jewels of gold:  and every man that offered,  offered an earring of gold unto the Lord.”

                               

Exodus 35:29 “The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord,  every man and woman,  whose heart made them willing to bring for all the manner of work,  which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.”

This was wonderful.   But the example I want to speak about is:

Exodus 38:8   “And he made the laver of brass,  and the foot of it of brass,  of the looking glasses of the women assembling,  which assembled at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation.”

These woman had given before:  bracelets, and earrings, gold and silver.   Yet they continued coming to the  door of the Tabernacle to see what else was needed.

Back in those days,  looking glasses (mirrors) were not made of glass, but of brass.   Highly polished brass.   It was an art to make them and they were very valuable.

(Actually it was flattering to the faces,  for it gave them a shine, and did not show up every flaw.  

In 1 Corinthians 13:12,  it says,  “For now we see through a glass (looking glass) darkly,  but then face to face:  for I know in part;  but then shall I know even as also I am known.”   

The apostle is saying,  “Now you see yourself a little better than you are.  You are not seeing clearly.   You are also not seeing clearly the love God has for you,  as you.   But then, when you put away “childish things”,  you will see yourself clearer,  and God’s Amazing love for you,  as you;  a lot clearer, too.)

These women had gotten these looking glasses from the Egyptians [who were scrupulous about their looks],  and had them stored in their treasures.   

To be able to pull them out after journeying through the desert, and brush the sand out of your hair.  To see how your face looks after a few years:  this would have been a real treasure!

But, they saw the need for brass for the laver.  (the large basin with feet, which was filled with water.  It was outside the Holy Place, in the court.

This is what the priests washed at after working at the altar with the sacrifices.  They were to wash before going into the Holy Place,  and eating the bread, or lighting the Lamp,  or offering incense to God.

For the sacrifice spoke of God’s sacrifice to save us in Jesus Christ;  and the Holy Place speaks of fellowship with Jesus:  having His light,  feeding on Him as our Bread of Life, and praying [the incense going up to God].   

So the priests had to wash before going in.)

These women saw the need, and brought something very personal, and very valuable to them.  Their brazen looking glasses.   Of all their treasures,  these would have been something they would want to hold on to.

They came willingly and gave something which would have made them feel beautiful.   So it was a matter of the heart, choosing God’s work, over their vanity.  Not such an easy choice at times.

Yet it was an offering of a willing heart from all of them;  and God gave witness of their offering in His Word, as a testimony to their love.

The Lord has books of all the deeds down through the centuries,  of those that do something willingly, out of love to Him.  

(Malachi 3:16 “Then 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.”)

Is our service to the Lord, of a willing heart?

The Water of Life 

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

Whosoever will:

Drink deep of this life giving flow!   That it might be in you, rivers of Living Water.

Have you ever noticed the force of flowing water?   It follows the path of least resistance.   It flows over fields, or roads.  It comes up to dams and stops;  unless the force of that flow is strong enough.

Water in scripture always speaks of the life giving influence of the Word of God, applied to my circumstances, by the Holy Spirit.

John 7:37-39 “In the last day,  that great day of the feast,  Jesus stood and cried,  saying,   If any man thirst,  let him come unto Me,  and drink.

                          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 that believe on Him shall receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;  because Jesus was not yet glorified.)

This feast was the Feast of the Tabernacles.   It was a feast of remembrance.  All the males of Israel were to come to Jerusalem for it,  so there would have been a large crowd gathered. 

The priests in the Temple, were to go out in procession to the wells outside the city,  and fill their vessels (jars), and bring them up the hill to the Temple.

They were singing as they went:  Isaiah 12.

Isaiah 12:2-3, 6 “Behold,  God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song;  He also is become my salvation.

                              Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the well of salvation.

                               Cry out and shout,  thou inhabitant of Zion:  for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.”

Then they would come into the court, right before the steps going up to the Altar where they sacrificed,  and they would pour out this water,  singing this.

This they would do for six days.   The seventh day,  the great day of the feast,  they would gather in the court;  and stand there:  no water.  

They would again sing this song:  and wait in silence for a set time.

At that moment,  these verses tell what Jesus did before all these people gathered.  He moved out of the crowd, and onto the steps leading up to the Altar,  and…

“…Jesus stood and cried,  If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.”

He had offered Himself as the Bread of Life before,  and been rejected because they did not understand that “eating” this bread, was believing in Him as the Son of God.

And now Jesus offers Himself as the the Way for life giving water.

“He that believeth on Me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

He was speaking here, of the Holy Spirit which would be given to all who would receive His Words and believe in Him as Lord and Savior. 

He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, because He knew they would reject Him,  and He would be crucified, and raised the third day.

He was saying,   “I am offering you a way to have life;  through believing in Me,  the Holy Spirit will be given you.   When He comes to you,  it will be as refreshing, and forceful as a river of living water!”

Of course, they did crucify Him,  and He arose the third day;  going up to heaven and sending the Holy Spirit to us to comfort us.   

The Holy Spirit uses the Word, and becomes a force within us to help us, guide us, correct us,  and encourage us.   How much we need Him.

But are we “drinking” deeply of this life-giving flow?  Or have we blocked the flow in our lives somehow?

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

You see it says,  “To drink,…you must come.”

Come, as Jesus said, standing on the step.  Come to Him,  and receive.   Stop blocking it,  by unbelief,  or fear,  or grief,  or even just hesitation.   Yield to the Holy Spirit.

Just Come,  hear His Word,  and Drink the Water of Life,  freely.