Habakkuk

Habakkuk 2:20 “But the Lord is in HIs Holy Temple:  let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

Here is the proper attitude toward God…..to take our place before Him…in silence.   For there is no boasting,  or excuse,   or complaint that we can give God (Ro. 3:19),…

….we are but HIs creatures….at HIs disposal (Mat. 20:15)….at HIs pleasure (determination,  Revelation 4:11)

There are many awe inspiring verses where we see that Majesty and Glory of God,  but 

Habakkuk….from the first to the last….is in awe of God’s Holiness.

Habakkuk 1:12-13 “Art Thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One?….Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil,  and canst not look on iniquity:…”

God has shown Habakkuk that He will bring the Babylonians against Judah….even thought they are far more wicked than Judah.

But he questions….

….How can God,  Who is so Holy,   let them that deal treacherously and do wickedly….against those that are more righteous than they?   Will He let them get by with it?

And many today are asking the same thing.

Habakkuk 2:1 “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.”

I love this…”when I am reproved.”…..

…..look at the submissive attitude of Habakkuk.   

          His spirit is roused against the wickedness of both his people and the cruelty of the Babylonians, God will bring against them for their sin.   

He knows that because of this,  he probably is not seeing things as God sees them….so he waits to hear from the Lord….to be reproved and set right with His Way.

          How great a person,   who submits to God….in all circumstances,  for the ultimate enlightening and blessing of God’s people.

In the general,  Habakkuk is prophesying concerning the Babylonians coming against Jerusalem….spoken of in the first chapter.   They are described as “terrible and dreadful…more fierce than evening wolves…”

          This was a judgment because of Judah’s sin for idol worship….for violence and injustice…

…..and Judah and Jerusalem would reap,  violence and injustice!

         (Most say that Habakkuk, himself was taken captive, though it is not mentioned.    And I think that this is interesting in itself.   God has His eye upon us,  when others do not.   And He apportions our work,  our influence,  and our message…to His place, time, and people.    And though that changes….yet He remains constant….in faithfulness to us.)

But Habakkuk also sees that though God is using the Babyonlians to reprove and chasten HIs people….(and it is for their good,  as some will repent…Hallelujah for every soul saved and brought back to God!)

….still…..those Babylonians will be corrected….and judged for their terrible treatment of the Israelites.

Habakkuk 2:2 “And the Lord answered me,  and said,   Write the vision  and make it plain upon tables,  that he may run that readeth it.”

Write,  make it plain….that those that read it….may run.   That they may run to tell others of God’s Ways…..of correction and the good news of deliverance.

                  God then goes on to show that Babylon will be defeated in three ways:  

First,  pride will puff them up…so that their fall will be greater.

Second, an insatiable desire for “more, more”.   

 And third, false safety and drunkenness….and they will be overthrown.

                 All this happened.    

And as Habakkuk hears from the Lord….his overwhelming sense of God’s Holiness….of His faithful Might….of His Purpose for His Own….brings from Habakkuk a cry:

               Habakkuk 2:20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple:  let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

What a God we have!    He not only sees all,   but He has planned and purposed all. 

              He will reprove and correct….but He will see us through,  as we repent.

Habakkuk then prays….and praises the Lord.     (It is interesting to note that the word “prayer” here,  means…”to apply to a judge for a favorable decision”.)

I believe that Habakkuk starts to pray….then bursts into a song….a song of praise for God HImself,  Who is Amazing in holiness, might, and light…

              There are three stanzas….each stopped by a “Selah”, which means “stop, and consider”

The first (verse 2-3),  Habakkuk confesses he was afraid when God had told him of what was coming…and he asks that God would:   “revive Thy Work”…  (what work?)

               The work that God did at Sinai when He made Israel a nation which was to be ruled by God.     Selah.

In the second (verses 3-9),  Habakkuk was fully singing,….about God’s glory.    He pictures God’s glory seen by all in the heavens and the earth.  

              He is seen as standing and walking….light shining everywhere He went…both in judgment and in blessing.   He is seen as dividing mountains and hills and nations….and then riding forth in deliverance to the tribes of Israel….”according to the oaths…even Thy Word.”

             For God has acted according to His Word, for HIs glory.  Selah.

In the third (verses 9-13), Habakkuk’s voice raises in a song of the many deliverances which were given Israel by God…and raises to a full pitch for he sees that…”God went forth…with Thine anointed”.

            Habakkuk sees that God has willed a deliverance for Israel…..all for the glory of “Thine anointed”,  or Jesus Christ,  Who went forward to save….and will save.  Selah.

Then Habakkuk returns to his prayer….for himself, and the believing remnant in Judah, in awe… before the revelation of God, in holiness.

           “Thou didst” (verses 14-15)  Habakkuk terms the judgment against Judah as already done.   For God’s Word is true….and he was bathed in emotion, trembled (verse 16a)….his lips quiver, trying to keep back sobbing….he was weakened in his core….he felt he could not stand any longer…he was almost overcome in emotions.

Then:  …”and I trembled in myself…that I might rest in the day of trouble.”

 This trembled is to be afraid,  to be in awe. 

           The only way we can truly be at rest in the day of trouble is to know the “fear of the Lord”  to be in awe of Him.

           An old preacher once said….”If we truly fear the Lord,  the fear of man may surprise and attack us…but it will not overcome us.”

And then Habakkuk lifts up his head….to the Lord….and sings with a submission and whole-hearted laying of himself and all that he had to God.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Although the fig tree shall not blossom,  neither shall fruit be in the vines;  the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat;  the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  

           Yet  I will rejoice in the Lord,  I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

(A long time ago, I mentioned that I was considering these verses.  And my husband said something I found odd at the time,  but I have seen the wisdom in it since.    He said,  “I do not think it is good, when people read these verses….for these verses show a maturity of subjection that many do not have.     These verses sound wonderful….and they are….but to have the experience of such submission,  is hard.”

            I have since found this to be true.    When all things seem to be taken away….all plans, health, and maybe even life….when you are alone, and distressed, with no helpers but the Lord…when you see nothing but bleakness,  or fear….then…

…if you can quote these verses in truth….then you have a real beginning of the submission that is spoken of here.)

Here is the submission….and yet even as Habakkuk sings it….his eyes see the Lord God as the power to do this….and so must we:

Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.   To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”

Let us pray and sing to the Lord our God….Who is Holy,  Glorious,  and through Jesus Christ, our Salvation.

The Promise of the valley of dry bones

Ezekiel has been recommissioned to preach to Israel (he had been told to be quiet, because of their unbelief,  till someone from the destroyed city of Jerusalem came…and confirmed what the Lord had told them through Ezekiel)

          But now he was preaching again….even though they thought their future was over.   They were not only captives….but now there was nothing to look to:  no Jerusalem,  no Temple,  no sacrifices….they were without hope…truly desolate.

But Ezekiel preached repentance to the captives….return to God and He will:

            Ezekiel 36:27-28 “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.

           And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your father’s; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God.”

The Lord gives Ezekiel this promise to the captives in Babylon…

….yet…

Ezekiel 36:37 “Thus saith the Lord God;  I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel,  to do it for them;  I will increase them with men like a flock.”

But,  truly unbelief is strong (haven’t we found this for ourselves, too?)!

So God takes Ezekiel (I believe, in a vision) out to a valley….full of bones….dry bones, very dry. (Ezekiel 37:1-2)    This is how Israel is to themselves,…and to the world…dead and dry.

And the Lord asks Ezekiel…..”Can these bones live?”  (Ezekiel 37:3)

              Faith is always tried.   Naturally these bones were far past living….but faith looks to the Lord,  and His Will….for nothing is impossible to HIm,  if He will it.

             And Ezekiel answered according to faith….”O Lord God,  thou knowest.”   

Ezekiel knew God had a plan and a purpose….but exactly what He would do,  Ezekiel left in the hands of God.

So the Lord said….”Prophesy to these bones”.   (Ezekiel 37:4-6)

             That is exactly what Ezekiel had been doing….prophesying to the dead bones of the captives of Israel….telling them what was on the Lord’s mind.

When Ezekiel prophesied….what the Lord had told him to say,  began to happen…..

….bit by bit. (Ezekiel 37:7-8)

              First bones came together….then sinews,  and then flesh came upon them, and skin covered them.

             It was not….zap!….all was done.    No,  it was bit by bit as Ezekiel prophesied to them.

Yet they lay there in the valley,  still.

These people in captivity  (the bones covered in flesh)….may get a form of their former religion….but without the Spirit of God truly awakening them to their life in God,  they lay in the dust of the world,  still.

Then…(and I find this amazing!)…Ezekiel is to speak….not to them anymore,  but to the wind….calling “the wind”, and “O breath” (the Holy Spirit,  Psalm 104:29-30).    

Three times God had told them that He would scatter them in the winds (Ezekiel 5:10, 12:14, 17:21)….and now from the four corners of the earth….as though the wind which scattered them, would blow again….and He would gather them)

Ezekiel did….and these bones, covered, yet with no life…..suddenly live, and stand upon their feet,  an army.

            (Notice the honor the Lord gives to HIs Word…spoken by His servants!    Isaiah 55:11  “…It shall not return unto Me void, but shall accomplish that which I please…”)

Here was Ezekiel’s message, now  to the hopeless and depressed captives:

             Ezekiel 37:12-14 “…Thus saith the Lord God:  Behold,  O My people,  I will open your graves, and cause you to come up…and bring you into the land of Israel.

             And ye shall know that I am the Lord….

             And shall put My Spirit in you, and ye shall live,….and then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.”

Here was a call to repentance from sin,  and sorrow in unbelief….to seek the promise that the Lord has given in believing obedience….

…that they may know that the Lord has spoken it….and has done it….by a renewal within them…and then in the land,  again.

And now, for us:

Ezekiel 36:37 “Thus saith the Lord God;  I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them….”

God said this through Ezekiel to Israel….but could He say this to us, as well?

              Are there promises we have from the Lord we have not yet even sought for?   

Are there things in the covenant of grace we have not obtained by HIs Spirit?      

Have we prayed for them….called upon HIm for them….or are we following a certain form of our religion, yet we are not standing on our feet as His soldiers?

If there are….let us begin to ask, and seek,  and knock that the promise we have been given,  may be fulfilled by HIs Spirit, in us and through us.

The eye of the needle

Mark 10: 23-25 “And Jesus looked round about,  and saith unto His disciples,   How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

                      And the disciples were astonished at His words.   But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them,   Children,  how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

                     It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,  than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

(We know the story….a rich young ruler came to Jesus,  seeking eternal life.   Jesus pointed him back to the scriptures….the side of the commandments which deal with other people.  

          The young man said he had observed them all.    

          And Jesus, quite pointedly says,  “One thing you lack:  sell whatsoever you have and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven:  and come,  take up the cross, and follow Me.”

As we know,  this was not what this man wanted to hear….and he went away,…sad….but he left Jesus….”for he had great possessions.”

          Jesus uses the word “treasure” here,  for He had plainly taught before:   “For where your treasure is,  there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)….and this is a lesson in itself.   

          Where is our “treasure”?  In the “riches” of this world?  Or the Spiritual riches Christ gives us?)

Then, when this rich young ruler turns from HIm,  to go back to his life of prosperity…..Jesus turns His eyes from him….and looks around on the men and women who did follow HIm….

….and said,…

“How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”   

This was quite a statement.   

                   Prosperity was promised those in the Old Testament that were obedient to God and His commandments.    But it was prosperity of spirit toward God and toward their brothers and sisters of Israel.   They were commanded to take care of their poor relatives who came to them for help.

Jesus disciples were astonished….very surprised at this statement.

So Jesus speaks very gently….(And I love this)…”Children,…”

                This speaks of sons and daughters….valuable to Him.     

There is this rich young ruler which came running to Jesus for eternal life…..but turns and goes away.

               And there is these men and women who kept following HIm,  wanting to understand everything He says….

….Jesus turns to them and calls them….Valuable sons and daughters!     And explains what He meant.

               “How hard it is for them that trust in riches….to leave them and trust in Christ.    For that is what it takes,   to enter into the kingdom of God….trust in Me, the Messiah,  the Savior.”

Then He says this verse.     (I think this is a great way to explain how those who have “great possessions”  need to enter into the door of the kingdom of God.)

Mark 10:25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

The eye of the needle was a very small door beside the large gates of Jerusalem.   These gates were closed at sunset and locked till the next morning.    But the small door next to it was closed and guarded by a soldier.    It could be opened at any time.

                When a caravan of laden camels came, past the time to enter into the gates….they would have to camp outside the gates….with no protection….

….or they would have to bring each camel and take off their merchandise from it, and squeeze the camel through.     (Let me tell you,   those leggy camels with the long neck and large body had to get down on their knees and wiggle through.)

                Sometimes they might get stubborn,  and stop right in the middle of the door.    But with much pulling and pushing from the merchants….it would get through,   to safety inside the walls of the city.

(Once,  many years ago,  we had to take an inventory before the Lord of all our “possessions” in the world.      Now, not many were rich,  or affluent….so we thought surely it would not take long.    

               But then the Lord showed us (me, at least) my opinion of myself….not that I had many abilities….but what I had, I felt pride it!    He showed me how I hung onto many things I thought were “good” in myself….

…and frankly, I was amazed!    I did not know I felt that way about so many things in my life.   The revelation sent me praying harder to the Lord to help me “take off” all that I was laden with,  and was holding on to!)

And as with many of the lessons Jesus taught HIs disciples….for they were again very surprised at this illustration….

….Jesus then points them to the One Who works within them (and us)….and Who will supply what we need, as we obey:

Mark 10:27 “And Jesus looking upon them (those who had continued with HIm) saith,   With men it is impossible,  but not with God:   for with God all things are possible.”

How we need to turn our eyes away from ourselves….and toward God,  who called us! 

For with God all things are possible!

Thy Mercy, O Lord 

Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:  thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever:  forsake not the works of thine own hands.”

His mercy is a wonderful character of God.  

Mercy is the kindness of God to those who are sinners.

God shows mercy for mankind in general,  which includes:   light, heat, rain/water, food. The external mercies for life.

Matthew 5:45 “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:  for He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good,  and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

But to His beloved Church,……His mercies are internal, and eternal,  as well.  

He brings them closer by His love and Care, by the mercy He gives.  This mercy includes their Salvation:  

Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done,  but according to his mercy He saved us,  by the washing of regeneration,  and renewing of the Holy Ghost”

(The first time “merciful” is used is with Lot, [Genesis 19:16] who was saved from the destruction with the rest of the wicked in Sodom and Gomorrah.  “The Lord being merciful unto him”.) 

The mercy of God lifts up the trembling sinner, so they can see God,  in the face of Jesus Christ.

And brings comfort and knowledge of the character of God,   to those  who are following after…….seeking a closer relationship to God.

James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,  then peaceable,  gentle,  and easy to be entreated,  full of mercy and good fruits,  without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

God’s mercy completes (perfects) the work He has started within us;…….He will not desert us, because we fail Him;……..rather, in mercy,  He sanctifies us……and preserves us by His Word, that we may be kept in the love of God.

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.”

God’s grace holds us up,……in power.

God’s mercy puts His arm around us in love,…..and keeps us close to Him and His life for us.

We, who are called to follow Christ Jesus, are called to show mercy to others,……..because God has shown it to us:

Remember Jesus telling of the Good Samaritan?  

Jesus was using this illustration to a lawyer who asked how he could have Eternal Life.  (Luke 10:25). 

He did this to “tempt Him”.

(Now,  lawyers were those who were to know the scriptures, and interpret what they meant to the everyday life.)

When Jesus asked him,…….”What is written in the law?”   

(This was often the way Jesus dealt with those that should have known God’s Word…..to take them back to what it really says.)

Quite confident in his answer;  the lawyer said,   “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”

(Perhaps if he had left the last part out,…….he could have walked away in pride,……..but putting that last part in there, about his neighbor,……made him responsible in a way that had to be shown outwardly.     

In other words,  did this lawyer really believe the scriptures…..was this the way to eternal life?   Then he should love God and treat his neighbor as he treated himself.)

And Jesus made this clear to him when He said,  “….this do, and thou shalt live.”

Automatically the lawyer tried to defend himself against what Jesus had just told him.

“So who is my neighbor?”

Jesus then tells of the Good Samaritan.  

We know the story:   The Samaritan was the only one, among three,  who had stopped in a place where robbers were,…….to help a robbed and wounded man.

He also paid with his own money to keep him in the inn, and for care for him.

So,  Jesus asks this lawyer:    Which one was the neighbor to the man that fell among thieves?  

In other words,  ” Which man acted in God’s Way?”

Luke 10:37 “And he said,  He that showed mercy on him.   Then said Jesus,  Go, and do thou likewise.”

The scriptures never say whether this lawyer got the message Jesus preached to him…..but we should.    We should be merciful,  for God is merciful to us.

And what a great and wonderful characteristic of God it is!

This is mercy:  The kindness of God to us, who are sinners.

And this kindness,  we should show to others,……as He did to us.

Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:   Thy mercy,  O Lord,  endureth forever:  forsake not the works of Thine own hands.”

The Lord will complete my education in His school of life, 

and bring me to have His likeness, by His mercy;  

for His mercy endures, and lasts through my whole life experiences, and forever;

for He will never forsake His work in me.

Would you be a Follower of Jesus?

Matthew 16:24. “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.”

This is for born again ones,  for they have received the Holy Spirit, and His grace.

If any man will come after Me.   What does it mean to come after Jesus?

First,  it means that you get up from where you are in your life and leave it.   To come after means leaving;   But not in the physical sense.

It is  a “leaving” of the past attitudes,  past sins,  and past pursuits to come after Him.

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

Second, it means you follow Christ, by being obedient to His commands on your life.

John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him,  If a man love me,  he will keep my words:  and my Father will love him,  and we will come unto him,  and make our abode with him.”

Third,  it means to suffer for, and because of Christ.  Every follower of Christ will, sooner or later, come to the place where they must choose the world or Christ, and if you choose Christ;  the world will make you “suffer” in some respect.

Fourth, it means to stand with those for whom Christ died:  other Christians.

John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,  if ye have love one to another.”

Matthew 16:24 “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.”

You deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Him.  You need to “bear” your cross, to the place in your experience that you no longer resist His will in anything.

Your cross is anything God has required, which cuts across your will.  There you need to say “no” to your will;  and do God’s Will for your life.  This is to bear your cross.  

This is a very personal thing, between you and your Lord;  for He says,  “if any man will”.    It is not any Church, any group, any family, even;  but any man.

The personal aspect is important.  The necessity of it dates back to our beginnings:

We were not consulted in our creation:  Where we were born,  in what family,  or when we were born, and the person we were born as.

We just were,…..and that was that.

As Christians, we are to come to the place in our experience that we don’t just acknowledge God’s Creative Right,  but we submit to it.

We will be the creature before the Creator.

Letting His choice for us,  be our best.

For some of us, we must acknowledge, we have been having a fit with God about ourselves, in some realm, since we knew God.

Maybe it was our family:  Why put me with these people?

Maybe it was our abilities:  Couldn’t you at least make me great  in something?

Maybe it was our looks:  My nose is too big;  my eyes not blue enough;  You could have made me prettier than “them”.

Whatever it is;  we are not satisfied with our circumstances,  or (often) ourselves.

So, here is a good place to follow Jesus:

Matthew 11:25-26 “At that time Jesus answered and said,  I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,  and hast revealed them unto babes.

             Even so,  Father,  for so it seemed good in thy sight.”

Jesus came to do the Father’s Will, and never tried to do otherwise;  even to His shame and death.

Jesus said He came to give life, and to give it more abundantly.   (John 10:10)

If you are a Christian, He offers this abundant life within the  life He gave you in your beginning;……and in what He gives you now as His servant.

In this abundant life there is joy of spirit,  peace of heart,  courage in peril, love of others, and a personal relationship with the One Who loved and saved you.                         (More personal than any other relationship you will ever have:  for He knows everything about you,…..and loves you.)

Would you be a follower of Jesus?

Then come after Him, by denying yourself, picking up your cross and following Jesus into your abundant life.    

Not without troubles,……but always with His presence and power by the Holy Spirit to help.

Believe 

God has always wanted His people to believe Him…..but the stress of believe is in the New Testament….we are to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

       

(In the Old Testament, all together, there are 45 times….believe, believed, believeth are said.    

       In the New Testament believe is said 121 times; believed 92 times, believeth 41 times, believing 8 times, believest 8 times, and believers 2 times.)

John 11:26 “And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?”

To believe is to put the whole weight of our existence upon.   Most illustrate it as a chair….to sit down and put your feet up, so that your whole weight is on it.

I have always like this definition…..the term weight is so right…..for our life is made up of all sorts of weight.

        We are made of a spirit….which when we are lost is dark…..and that is great weight.

        We are made of a soul which is our personality, which is usually clothed in many layers of “fashion….of the world’s fashion”.   What weight is there!

        And our body….the weight of which is so worried about these days!

When we believe on Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior,  we need to put all our weight upon Him.

      We believe He will save and keep us….spiritually, personally, and physically.

To believe is not a mental exercise….

       I have reasons, so I believe.

No,  to believe is to see Christ Jesus….whether He is placed before you by the Bible,…or by witness;….

….we ‘see’ Him.

      He is the Son of God, Who died for our sins…and was raised the third day, that we might have newness of life, in Him.

       Our hearts are then drawn to Him by the Father (John 6:65)….and we believe….resting on Him….for ourselves.

John 6:40 “And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Once we are born again….we are to continue to believe Him (put the weight of our existence upon Him)….for He alone can give us the life we should have.

       If we are to preach….He must not only be the message, put the power.

If we are to teach….He must be the lesson, and the give the understanding of it.

       If we are to witness….we must show Him.

If we are to take care of our household,  He must strengthen and guide us….hold our hands as we speak to our children….and let them go into adulthood.

       (It matters not the job….My husband used to work on a boat, [much later he was called to preach]….and the Lord told him, there……”for ye serve the Lord Christ” Colossians 3:23-24.     

On the boat, he was serving Christ, as well as anywhere else.)

Our believing, has a direct impact on the results of what we ask:

Matthew 8:13 “And Jesus said unto the centurion,  Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.   And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Mark 9:24 “Jesus said unto him,  If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

One was spoken to a Roman centurion…..

…one to His disciples,….

…..and one to a Israelite father, distraught over seemingly everyone’s inability to help his son, including himself

    (The father said, “I believe, help mine unbelief”.   And there is a place for this prayer:  when we are in distress and at the end of ourselves.)

The answer is the same. 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ….for the request given….

….for we place our weight….ourselves…..on Christ Jesus…in this.

Believe Me, Jesus said, all through HIs ministry….for I am come “to save those which are lost.” (Matthew 18:11)

The last time He spoke to the multitudes of Israel, He spoke again of the one requirement for light and life:

John 12:36-37 “While ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.  These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide Himself from them.

      But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him:”

What of us?   We have seen many things He has done.   Are we believing on Him?

The last time He spoke to the chief rulers and Pharisees before His arrest,  He spoke of believing on Him, and His Father God:

John 12: 42-46 “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him;  but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

       For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

       Jesus cried and said,  He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me.

       And he that seeth Me  seeth Him that sent me.

       I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.”

And in His discourse going to Gethsemane,  He spoke of believing to His own disciples….

….believing is putting our whole weight upon.   They were soon going to be tested in ways they had not even considered.

    They all said they would stand with Him….even in death (Mark 14:31)….but it is hard to know what is in our hearts in the hour of temptation….

….that is why “believe” is so important.    

(When we believe,  we place ourselves on Christ, the Rock.   We often shake and tremble on the Rock,  but He is stable, solid, faithful….and will recover us, strengthen us, and restore us.)

John 14:1, 10-12 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.”

        Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?  The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.

       Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake.

       Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works that these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.”

After this, He spoke of abiding in His love…..and of the Holy Spirit…..but He did not speak of believing.

Now they just had to do it.

Were there failures?  Yes,  but they believed….and went on to abide in His love, receive the Holy Spirit in power, and show Christ Jesus to a lost world.

Where is our belief taking us?   Let us follow Christ’s Word, and believe Him…

….and go on in His love, by the Holy Spirit,…and show forth our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

       

Meekness and Trust in the Lord go hand in hand

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure:  He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.”

A person with God can be a majority of One.   We can make a difference in the lives of others:

Jude 22-23 “And of some have compassion,  making a difference:

                  And others save with fear,  pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

God does it all,  but He never works with His own,   against their will.   

                 He does indeed work to make them willing….for it is the cooperation and yielding of our hearts and lives….in trust, fellowship and love,  which please Him.

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

Psalm 25:9 “The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His Way.”

Moses is said to have been “very meek”….and this is the first time this word is used in scripture.

              Numbers 12:1-3 “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses….

              And they said,  Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses?  Hath He not spoken also by us?   And the Lord heard it.

              (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”

        It is said here to point out the difference between Moses….and the attitude of pride,  and  self-seeking after their own honor… in Aaron and Miriam

I want to mention here,  that meekness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit worked in us for our help in our work and life:

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

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

And it is exemplified in Jesus Christ when He called all that were heavy-laden:

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

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

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

Our lives are full of unpredictable circumstances….people betray us,  friends desert us,  we have loss…and gain.   We have trials and blessings.   We have afflictions and the strength of the Arm of the Lord.

How much we need Trust in the Lord….and meekness to keep us steady.

Meekness is humbleness, mildness or unselfishness. 

     This must be taught us by the Holy Spirit,….

….for naturally we all place ourselves…or our “something” (family, house, job, friends)….first.

We are unteachable, as long as we allow “self” to rule.    The moment we humble ourselves under God,  that moment we become teachable….and pliable in HIs hands.

Isaiah prophesied that the Lord’s ministry was to the meek:

        Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek;  He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”

Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people:  He will beautify the meek with salvation.”

Meekness is that grace in us which disciplines us to make us humble (not self-assertive)…. and mild (those that quiet their souls before the Lord….in any and all situations)

        Ephesians 4:1-3 “I…beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

        With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

        Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

We come to see, that if there is anything good in us….then it is by God’s grace that it is there.

        When we have a meek spirit,  we have great enjoyment of the beauty of the Lord’s creation around us….. and of the good things of our lives in our church, home, job, etc…and give the Lord all the glory for them.

        But we are also content in HIs corrections…..for we are, by the Holy Spirit, delivered from  a proud or greedy attitude.     And  we come to see the love of God to us,…if not in everything we go through…at least in the fact of HIs being with us in it.

Contentment is spiritual enjoyment of  what God gives….of our place in HIs body,….blessing Him for all He is to me.

               Psalm 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth;  and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

               For this peace within,   is a benefit of meekness.

But it also is a grace we need when we deal with others:

              Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,  ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;  considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

(My Grandmother used to say….”When you point your finger at someone else….there are several pointing back at you!”    

            We are to deal with others….with meekness or humility….knowing that if we have not sinned it is all due to the grace of God….and helping them  to find that grace that they need.)

And one more verse to encourage us to Trust the Lord and learn the grace of  meekness (for He will see to us in His due time)

James 3:13 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?     Let him shew out of a good conversation (character, behavior)  his works with meekness of wisdom.”

Knowledge in the scriptures, usually speaks of learning by experience.   A wise person will learn from all the experiences we have in our life with God:

                      First to look to the Lord in everything…

Then to trust Him, in “thick and thin”….in prosperity and in want. (both spiritual and physical)

                      And when we truly trust Him,  we show by our attitude…

….that we do not trust ourselves….nor rely on our own learned ability….but meekly leave everything in HIs Hands.

Keep thy heart

Proverbs 4:1, 23 “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

                     Keep thy heart with all diligence;  for out of it are the issues of life.”

“The issues of life”.  The real issues.   These are the important things we need to attend to.   

                    How we, as Christian parents,  want to teach our children the importance of knowing and serving Jesus Christ!

                    How can they deal with the world and the people in it,  if they first do not understand that  God’s plan from the beginning of time….included them.

God saw them in eternity past….and so loved them,  that He planned a salvation for them.

2 Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling,  not according to our works, but according to HIs own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

The writer of the Proverbs,  Solomon,  with all his faults….and there was plenty….still sought to show to his son the importance of “the fear (awe, reverence) of the Lord” [Proverbs 1:7]….for it leads to knowledge and wisdom.

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

                   This was in fact the instruction David gave Solomon…

1 Chronicles 28:9 “And thou, Solomon my son,…

…. know thou the God of thy father…

…and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind:…

… for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts:…  

…if thou seek Him He will be found of thee;  but if thou forsake Him,  He will cast thee off for ever.”

It is interesting to note the diligence and devotion Solomon had while seeing to the task David and the Lord gave him…..building the Temple.   It took twenty years of labor…and it was a beautiful building!   [2 Chronicles 8:1]

                But then…as it often happens,  when he lost his main goal….he wandered into “folly”…

Ecclesiastes 1:16-17 “I communed with mine own heart, saying,  Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem:  yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

               And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly:  I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.”

                        Notice it is when he “communed with mine own heart”!   [And we know that the heart is deceitful above all things! Jeremiah 17:9]

                        He did not seek direction from God for the issues of his life….now, that the Temple was built.

                       But began a series of “experiments”….which lead him away from God…..although at the end,  the conclusion of the matter was….exactly what his father, David had told him first….”Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” [Ecc. 12:13]

I believe Solomon repented from his folly (Psalm 89:31-52)….although not with the language of David’s penitential psalms…..still,….I believe he looked toward the promise to David of the coming Messiah and Savior….and desired Him….

….though his sin of intermarriages had caused, and would cause great damage in his life, and in the life of his son, and nation.

                        Perhaps, that is why he took so much diligence in writing to his son in Proverbs.   Though he wrote many books….this is the one placed in the Bible….and it is to his son about the fear [awe, and reverence] of the Lord.

                       [Also, if you read the last chapter, it speaks specifically about the right sort of woman his son should look to marry.    Not just for alliances, as Solomon had done….but for the honor of God.]

We, too, must consider the “issues” of our lives.    Have we been busy about the Purpose for which we were created?   

Have we seen to our hearts, so that God is searching them [Jeremiah 17:10]….and directing them?

Philippians 2:5, 12  “Let this mind be in you,  which was also in Christ Jesus:” 

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

                  Simply, let us will to think like the Lord thinks about things,  people, and places.

Let His light shine….into our hearts…and show us the Truth….

…..and then,  let HIs light shine onto our Purpose….for now.

Ephesians 1:17-18 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,  the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:

                 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;  that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of HIs inheritance in the saints,”

[Let me say right here….that we have more light,  more wisdom,   more riches,  more of an inheritance….in Christ Jesus…

…than Solomon on his throne,  ever did!       

                It is sorrowfully true that I….and maybe you, too….have not availed ourselves of these blessings,  as we ought.      But down through the centuries,   down through my years…and I am old….God has been rich, bountiful,  and gracious….to my soul.

               Have you taken hold of HIs blessings for you?       Spiritual blessings which keep us from the “folly and madness”  of the world,  or even ending up like Solomon.

              We are “kept by the power of God through faith…” 1 Peter 1:5]

And how does He practically do this?   That we may know…

Ephesians 1:19-22 “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe,  according to the working of His mighty power,”

              [And if Paul had stopped here…that would be a great promise…but he doesn’t…for the power to have,  and do, and live….is the power:]

              “Which He wrought in Christ,  when He raised Him from the dead, ad set Him at HIs own right hand in the heavenly places,

               Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,…

               And hath put all things under His feet,….”

This power is at our disposal….to work in us [Hallelujah!]….and through us to the sphere of our influence.

Philippians 2:15-16  “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,     among whom ye shine as lights in the world:

               Holding forth the Word of life;….”

But it begins with….”Keep thy heart with all diligence”….and the only way we do that is to give it to the Lord….completely.     

And I might add,  to keep giving it to Him.     He works within,  as we will with Him.

Agreeing with God

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

Now we know that the Lord desires fellowship with us.   

       [ He requires obedience…for only rebels insist on “their own way” (Isa. 53:6)….and that is what He came to save us from….our sin, and our way.]

But He desires fellowship with us.   [ Remember fellowship is partnership, social participation.]

“The lack of desire, is the ill of all ills;

    Many thousands through it, the dark pathway have trod;

The Balsome, the wine, of predestinate wills;

    Is a jubilant pining and longing for God.

God loves to be longed for;   He loves  to be sought;

    For He sought us Himself with such longing and love;

He died for desire of us, marvelous thought;

    And He longs for us now, to be like HIm above.”

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

          [ In the historic setting….Amos was prophesying to Israel, the ten tribes which had left the worship of the Lord,  for two golden calves.    

         Now God is calling them to return to a walk with HIm.   To “agree” with HIm about their condition,  and repent….to remember how He brought them from Egypt and into the land. (Amos 3:1-2)  To understand, that as their God,  whether they acknowledge HIm or not,….He will deal with them after His mercy….or after His judgment.]

To “be agreed” is to “fix upon” a certain thing….to meet or be summoned together….to be engaged, as in marriage.

As to the church,  or us as individuals….God calls us to walk together with Him….all through our lives….

…and that requires agreement.    Actually, many agreements…

……as we come up against things which hinder our growth in grace….for though we may submit at some altar…the agreements are done in our everyday life.

        We agree that we will be the creature before the Creator….submitting to circumstances,  and learning our total dependence on HIm.

        We agree that we will follow Him….as disciple to Lord, learning and keep learning from Him…in His Word and HIs Spirit.

        We agree that He will rule as King of my heart, will, life…for we agree to become a loyal citizens of heaven,  even as we walk here on earth.

        We agree that we will become HIs witnesses, with our lives and words….to all He directs us to.

        We agree to….take the Lord’s hand and walk on in all the places and situations of our life.

                  (and remember we are to be fixed upon, meeting together, to be engaged as to our husband,….and the Greek adds one other thing:  to be harmonious!  I love this!  

All the voices in our head and heart and life…are to be brought into harmony with Christ!)

      (I remember many times when our children were young….and they would not like the circumstances:  either they had been corrected,  or the place that we were going was “bad” [like to the doctor’s],  or they were tired, and wanted to sleep….

…then they would not take my hand and walk with me.   They would keep back of me,  still coming,  but not in agreement.   Or they would refuse my hand even though they walked beside me.    

     We are not to be children,  but to grow up into Him….and agree with Him.   Take a firm hold on Him….and learn to be happy…in HIm.)

Submission is our life….our walk.   We grow in grace as we learn to yield….as we learn to be content in all the things of our life.   

         (Contentment is the ease of mind and heart concerning the situations and circumstances and people and even of ourselves….because we believe and trust the Lord.)

Listen to Paul,  and learn how he “agreed” with Christ:

         2 Timothy 1:11-12 “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

         For the which cause I also suffer these things:…

….nevertheless I am not ashamed:…

….. for I know Whom I have believed,  and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

Have we been persuaded of Christ….that He is trustworthy of all of our days and nights?   Have we come to agree with Him?   And keep agreeing?

He is indeed our Lord and God….and Worthy.   Let us learn to Walk….step by step in agreement with our Beloved….trusting HIm.

Are we ready to get honest with the Lord? 

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,  saith the Lord:  though your sins be as scarlet,  they shall be as white as snow;   though they be red like crimson,  they shall be as wool.”

Sins as scarlet?  They shall be white as snow.

Are they red as crimson?  They shall be as wool.

How?   Where?   When?

When?  “Come now”…..today is always the day to seek the Lord….about anything.

Where?  Before the Lord…..not running away from His presence….but come before Him.

How?    Let us……reason together….this is not one-sided,  but the Lord and us……

….we give Him our reasons for thinking this way….and He will speak, and give us the reason for His Will.

The Example:  

A godly man,….Asaph was a appointed a singer in the Temple….he loved the Lord, and his job of teaching others the songs of praise….

…yet he told of a temptation….which nearly wreaked his spiritual life….

Psalm 73:2-3 “But as for me,  my feet were almost gone;  my steps had well-nigh slipped.

          For I was envious of the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

Here he testifies of his spiritual battle over God allowing wicked men to not only be prosperous…..but to seemingly go on,  without restraint.

Asaph had looked out on the world, and judged according to it’s judgement…for to be wealthy in the world, gives you standing,  gives you success, gives you influence….which they often abused…(although they are often, not happy within, yet they appear to be so)….

….and Asaph?   What do the poor, or afflicted righteous have?   

When we start doubting God’s righteousness,  then our steps begin to waver.

When our eyes gaze too long at the world’s view of things….our understanding becomes confused…..our affections become disoriented…..

…..we do not want to be wicked…..but….

(You will notice….my steps were “almost gone”….how gracious God is….to hold us….He will allow trials, for they strengthen our faith….

……but temptations are another matter….they come from our lusts, or desires within (James 1:12-14)…

…and we must cooperate with the Lord to defeat them…to put them to death….

….it is how quickly we do that….that tells of the victory….and Asaph came close to a terrible fall.)

     

Here is what Asaph sees when he looks upon the prosperous wicked…

…and he is, becoming weak in faith, because of this…

Psalm 73:4-5, 11-12 “For there are no bands in their death.  But their strength is firm.

              They are not in trouble as other men,  neither are they plagued like other men.

               And they say,  How doth God know?  And is there knowledge in the Most High?

               Behold,  these are the ungodly,  which prosper in the world,  they increase in riches.”

They sin, yet their conscience does not bother them….perhaps covering them with small acts of religion….they act like,  if there is a God….He does not see or care….

They become hardened….untouched by the spiritual truths they often hear.

(But God does see…..and He often lets them alone…for they are to have horrors hereafter…so he lets them have the trinkets here.)

But Asaph is troubled….here is a stumbling block for his faith….he sees these men….and their sin….yet nothing seems to happen to them.

He saw their present, and forgot their eternity…..saw their outward show, and not their foolishness….yet.

He cries within himself:

Psalm 73:13-14 “Verily (Truly) I have cleansed my heart in vain,  and washed my hands in innocency.

                For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.”

Asaph is a godly man….for he sees he is a sinner….and it troubles him.

In reverence,…he seeks forgiveness and cleansing from them….daily.

Why does this not happen to the wicked?

It seems as if things are turned upside down.  

He wants to speak of his thoughts to someone….but is afraid of giving someone else his doubts…

…..so he bridles his tongue (he is a wise man James 3:2)…

….and he goes in to speak to God…finally.

Psalm 73:17-18 “Until I went into the sanctuary of God;  then understood I their end.

                 Surely Thou didst set them in slippery places:  Thou castedst them down into destruction.”

As men refuse the gospel message,  their hearts and minds become more and more blind….their conscience seared.

God may indeed let them rise high….so their fall is more evident.

God may let them have all they can here….because eternity awaits….and the “blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 12-13) will be their end.

When God holds judgement….He gives time….time to repent….

But when God comes forth in justice and judgement….the pride and wealth of this earth will vanish…and then the soul….and what it did about God’s claims will only remain.

As soon as he sees this….Asaph is restored in faith….God judges righteously…in HIs time.

Psalm 73:21-23 “Thus my heart was grieved,  and I was pricked in my reins.

So foolish was I,  and ignorant:  I was as a beast before Thee.

              Nevertheless I am continually with Thee:  Thou hast holden me by my right hand.”

Asaph realizes his folly….he had acted foolishly….

(a fool is one who does not consider that God sees, rules, and overrules in the everyday affairs of men.

As a poet once said,  “A fool is he who through this life, pursues a cloud he can not own….and leaves a wealth of things undone, his tomb a finally stepping stone.)

….Asaph had acted like he did not know God at all…..his mind had started to be embittered….

But….once he sees….he repents….and praises.

He realizes that God has kept him from falling completely……

“My flesh and my heart faileth:  but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” (Verse 26)

….”my portion for ever.”   

We need not envy the prosperous wicked….or the worldling.

For God is my portion for ever.

How much are we seeking our True Portion?….which abides from now and forever.

Are we ready to get honest with God?

It is as we come before Him, and “reason with Him”….that we are truly cleansed from the envy of the wicked….and value our portion in God, as we should.