Month: February 2021

“…we went through fire and through water: but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” Psalms‬ ‭66:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬. In these verses the psalmist is describing some of the trials and afflictions that God has allowed to come their way. He is confessing that it has not been easy nor pleasant. But even in this, he knows by faith, what Paul would write later in Romans 8:28, that ‘God will work all things for good to those who love Him’. He knows that the trials are meant to purify and refine our lives, even as silver is refined in the furnace (vs 10). So when he talks about God bringing us to a ‘wealthy place’ he is describing the richness of a closer walk with God. This is not talking about material riches as so many fleshy minded people think in our day. Rather, this is describing the true spiritual riches of a redeemed soul that is able to walk close with God in personal relationship! So when we are in the trials of this life, let’s remember, that our Father in Heaven is refining our lives so we can experience more of those exceeding great riches in Jesus Christ. These are the riches that do not fade away.

“And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” Exodus‬ ‭17:11-12‬ ‭KJV. Moses holding up his hands is a symbol of fervent prayer and intercession to God. When we fervently cry out to God we can be sure that we will have victory over the enemy. But these words also remind us that ‬‬fervent prayer is not easy. Sometimes our minds and bodies get weary and our hands hang down. So we have the example here, that we need others in this battle with us. We need to lift up the weary hands that hang down! We need to come along side our Christian brothers and sisters and support one another in this mighty spiritual warfare. One of the main reasons the church and our nation is in this desperate spiritual condition is, that too many of God’s people have let their hands hang down in prayer. Too often we choose to take the easy way out and do something else instead of praying. We busy ourselves with many activities that mean almost nothing, because we do not back them up with real prayer. May God help us to hold up and hold on in prayer.

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” I Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬. As I look out on the beautiful, white snow covering that God has given us, I am reminded how God uses His love in us to cover the ugliness of human lives that are so stained by sin. But it is important to understand what these words are referring to. It is clear that our love will not cover our sins against God or others, for only the blood of Jesus can do that. But what this verse is referring to is that God’s divine love in us covers the sins others commit against us. It covers how their sins affect us. Love covers over their wrong spirits and attitudes. Love forgives the wrongs even as God forgives us. Love causes us to see them, not as the sinful people they are, but as needy souls more precious than all this world. Love chooses to see the best in people, rather than dwelling on their flaws. Love deals with others as God does with us, in kindness, gentleness and compassion. So it’s obvious that this kind of love must come to us from God Himself. Let us be the people Jesus called us to be, those who are ‘known by our love for one another’, above all things.

“And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.” Exodus‬ ‭18:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬. We all know how easy it is to murmur and complain about the troubles of this life. At times we become almost obsessed with the bad news of this world. And as we do, we tend to take on a very negative attitude. We become downcast, discouraged and lose our peace and joy. But let us follow the example of Moses’ father in law Jethro, who rejoiced for all the goodness which God had shown! The fact is, we can choose to focus on God’s goodness if we will. We can decide that we are going to think upon the good things as Paul describes in Phil. 4:8. And as we make a conscious effort do that, we will soon be rejoicing in our soul. We will have a joyful and encouraging spirit which will be a help to those around us. May God help us to be those people who choose to rejoice in God’s goodness.

“O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand…” Isaiah‬ ‭40:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬. In this day of almost all bad news, it it sometimes difficult to find someone with good tidings. But God’s people should be different than the gloomy attitude of this fallen world. We have the best news that anyone can ever hear! We can tell them of the Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who has come to take away the sins of the world! What a wonderful thing it is to be able to share the good news of Who our God is and what He’s done for us! And what a comfort it is, to know also, that He is coming again. We can spread the good news that He is coming again with strong hand to bring this world to a glorious conclusion! He is coming in power and glory. Let’s not be those who spread bad news. Instead, let us share the good tidings of Jesus Christ, our glorious Saviour, the One Who is the answer for every need we have.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation (pressure): but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John‬ ‭16:33‬. One of the things many believers are surprised to discover is, that true Christian life does not mean things becomes easy. In fact the more that we seek to follow Christ, the more we realize that we are going contrary to this world. It is much like a man in a river. As long as we are moving with the flow of the current, things seem pretty easy. But when we turn to go the opposite direction, we quickly discover that the pressure of the water is still trying to take us downstream. This sense of pressure is part of what the word ‘tribulation’ means in this verse. True repentance is not easy because it brings us into conflict with this fallen world and it’s sinful ways. But there is good news also! Because when we make that change there comes a new Power into our spirit. The old person we were was being swept along to destruction because we had no power to do otherwise. But now, having placed our faith in Jesus Christ, the power of His own life has come into our hearts and lives! This is what’s so important about Jesus’ final words in this verse. It’s not simply His testimony of what He did. Rather, it is the victory that also becomes possible to us now, because His overcoming life and power dwells in us!

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness…” ‭‭1 Thess. 3:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬. There are many people who believe holiness is simply adhering to a set of rules, or perhaps it is measuring up to a standard. But the Word of God makes it clear, that holiness is doing the right things for the right reasons. It is doing the right things because we love God and love others. We should understand that doing good things, even obeying the commands of God, if it is not done from a heart of love, then there is no virtue in it. So these verses remind us, this is where God begins in our hearts and lives. He puts His love in our hearts and then works to increase that love. Romans 5:5 tells us “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost”. God does these things for a purpose. It is so that we might be ‘established unblameable in holiness’. It is so that we might have that pure heart and life before Him that is being conformed to the image of His Son. Let us open our hearts more and more to His great love.

“Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth the people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation.” Exodus‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬. This was part of the song of Moses after Pharaoh’s army was destroyed in the Red Sea. But notice, while it was a song of victories won, it was also of victory that was yet to come. They were not yet in the Promised Land, but they were already praising God for what He had promised and was going to do! Today we are blessed to be able to look back and praise God for victories past. Like Israel then, we rejoice that He has redeemed us from the hand of the enemy. We thank God that even now He is guiding us each step of the way with His strong hand. But let us also, by faith, praise God for what He has promised and is going to do! One day this brief life will be over and we will enter into that ‘Holy Habitation’ that God has prepared for us. And what a day that will be! So let us praise Him now, because everything God has promised He is going to do.

“The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭KJV‬. This was Moses’ word to Israel when Pharaoh was coming after them with his armies. They were in fear and crying out to God for help, because they knew they had no power to withstand such an enemy. And we know the rest of the story! Thank God He defeated all the hosts of the enemy and brought a great victory for His people. But do we realize today, that the very same God is willing to fight our battles when we put them in His hands? And as we do that, we can hold onto our peace! So often, we lose our peace because we try to fight battles that we can never win. We allow ourselves to be drawn into conflicts that God never intended us to be in. But let us believe, that our merciful Father, does not want His children fighting carnal battles. He does not want us to lose the peace that He provides. So our main battle is to keep our faith and trust in God, and to remain humble enough to put the other battles in God’s hands. As we do that, His peace will fill our souls and we will hold onto our peace.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew‬ ‭11:28-29‬ KJV. Every human being needs and longs for rest for their soul. Life is miserable without this inward peace and rest. In this passage there are 3 things we are told to do in order to find rest for our souls. First we COME to Jesus. The first step of faith is to come humbly to Jesus in repentance believing He alone is able to save us. Then we TAKE His yoke. This is an act of consecration and submission where we knowingly choose to accept His will and way. This involves definite steps of personal obedience in doing what He tells us to do. Taking His yoke is a symbol of our willingness to be led and guided. It is a personal commitment to follow Him, as well as His ways and His teachings. Then we must continue to LEARN of Jesus. Of all the many things we need to learn, there is nothing so necessary as to learn about Who Jesus is, what He is like, what He did, what He said and what He offers to us. This learning is only possible through intimate personal relationship where we spend time daily with Him in His Word and prayer. And as we follow His call, He gives us His peace and we find rest for our souls.