Sheep Know the Shepherds Voice - John 10-12

John 10:27-28 (ESV Strong's)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Sheep Know the Shepherds Voice

Perhaps, one of the greatest powers on the earth is the voice of a mother with their child.  For nine months the child has heard that voice.  Upon their birth they hear many voices, but, soon, one becomes the most powerful in their infant lives.  On a playground the mom can call out to the child and the child comes running.   That is the power of a parental call.  So, too, with Jesus in the lives of His sheep.  In the above text Jesus is telling His disciples that real disciples will know His voice.  He said is more clearly earlier in this chapter:

John 10:4-5 (ESV Strong's)

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

In the top verses Jesus tells us that we “know him” when we hear his voice.   They don’t recognize a “stranger’s voice.”   In this world, when the world shouts and cries out to us, we ought to fail to recognize that voice.  We ought to, rather, hear the voice of “our” Shepherd and follow that voice.   Why?  Because He lays down His life for us and gives us eternal life.  We will never perish and no one will pluck you out of His hand.  That is so reassuring.  No matter what anyone else does or no matter what we do, we are firmly in His hands. He is our Sheppherd and will not let anything happen to us that He does not think is good for us.   

Do You Put Your Trust In Your Government? Hosea 8-14

Hosea 13:10-11 (ESV Strong's)

Where now is your king, to save you in all your cities?

Where are all your rulers—

those of whom you said,

“Give me a king and princes”?

I gave you a king in my anger,

and I took him away in my wrath.

Is Your Trust In Your Government?

Israel, back in Samuel’s day, asked for a king.   To them a king would:

1.  Make them on the same level as other nations.

2.  Give them a leader they could follow to war.

3.  Help them set up a system, like the world, of structure and order of hierarchy. 

The problem with all those thoughts is that the request for a human government system was a rejection of God’s plan for a Theocracy.   That is God’s plan.  In the Old Testament the Theocracy was God as the King and Israel as the nation who served and honored the King (God).   In the New Testament we have Christ come to set up His Kingdom and the Believers are to be the servants of the King (Jesus).  God’s plan is a Theocracy.   A democratic society seems to be the will of the people.  Our country goes around the world hoping to set up a free society of democracy.   That all sounds wonderful.  The problem with a “people” run government is very flavorful for most people.   It certainly beats many, if not all, the other human designs of government (dictatorship, aristocracy, communism, colonialism, bureaucracy, etc.).  But, when the “people” rule and set up the rule, there is one element that is absolutely required for that form of government to work: Absolute Truth.   This is why, in our country, we “hear” the talk and importance of the “rule of law.”    The problem with “people” being self-governed is that when “people” make up their own “rules” they will eventually water down truth to fit their inward desires.   When we water down truth, there is not truth and their only remains social-relativism.   If one person believes one thing is this type of truth and another believes the same thing is another type of truth, we eventually have a government that will be destroyed by the same people who wish to govern it.   If God sets up a Theocracy than God establishes the “truth” that all people follow and “God’s truth” rules the day.  This is what happened with Israel.  They rejected God’s Theocracy government and, therefore, God gave them a king in his anger.  That lead the nation to further reject “God’s Truth” and now God (in the book of Hosea) was using a king of another nation (Assyria) to bring His wrath on His people who had rejected their king.  In our country we are in a similar place.  Although never set up as a Theocracy, our country was established on the rule of law.   Now almost everyone of the laws are falling into social relativism.  That means there is no truth.  When there is no truth we fall into anarchy.   This is what happens when man wants to self-govern; even calling it something pretty like “democracy.”   We can only have ANY TYPE of government if it is based upon God’s law and God’s truth.  If not, anyone can say what is true and what is not true.  That is simply not true.   Do we trust in a man-made government, or do we trust in God’s Theocratic Rule?  

Correct One - Change the Other - Proverbs 20-21

Proverbs 21:11

When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise;

But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

Proverbs is direct and clear about one thing:  Scoffers (scorners) are not corrected by truth.  They refuse to listen to it and are never stated in Proverbs to be able to change from their hard ways.   We are also warned to not try to change them.   We are even told that when we try to change we will get to ourselves shame.   So, we might think we don't do anything and we ignore them.   But, the above proverb says otherwise.   According to this proverb, when we correct a scoffer they will never be corrected, but the naive (the “simple”) one, who is standing nearby, will be corrected.   On the other hand the wise, when they are instructed, will receive the knowledge they get from the correction.   The greatest contrast between the scoffer and the wise man is their ability to be corrected.   The scoffing, scorning person, is one to be avoided and be warned against.   The scoffer will never be corrected.  But, the naive one can be corrected ... sometimes by seeing the stripes laid against the scoffer.  The "naive" one, or "simple" one in the book of Proverbs is an impressionable and redeemable person.  Their hearts have not become cold and hard.  Solomon lets us know that the Simple One turns into a Fool and the Fool, eventually into a Scorner.    We are to give truth to the Simply One and the Fool.  We are to punish the Scoffer with the hopes, that in God's grace, the Simple One will become wise.

“But You, O Lord ...” - Psalms 102-104

Psalms 102:12 (ESV Strong's)

But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;

you are remembered throughout all generations.

But You, O Lord ... 

Before we can understand the beauty and power of the above verse we have to have the context of who said it and what he said prior to it.   In the verses the proceed this line of praise, we have a person who is in great distress and depression, crying out to God.  Note what he writes prior to the above truth:

Psalms 102:3-11 (ESV Strong's)

For my days pass away like smoke,

and my bones burn like a furnace.

My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;

I forget to eat my bread.

Because of my loud groaning

my bones cling to my flesh.

I am like a desert owl of the wilderness,

like an owl of the waste places;

I lie awake;

I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.

All the day my enemies taunt me;

those who deride me use my name for a curse.

For I eat ashes like bread

and mingle tears with my drink,

because of your indignation and anger;

for you have taken me up and thrown me down.

My days are like an evening shadow;

I wither away like grass.

He is in a dark whole.  And, like Job of old, he needs to have his mind changed and to refocus his gaze.   That is what makes verse twelve so powerful.   Again, like Job, in the midst of his pain, suffering and dismay, he refocuses his mind on who God is rather than on what his circumstances are.  The “but you” phrase changes his focus from him to God.   That is the problem we all have in the midst of circumstances and trials and troubles:  We are focused on the circumstances, the trials and the the troubles.  When we change our focus and concentrate on the beauty, power, sovereignty and purpose of God, we can have the same change of mindset that the writer of this Psalms had.   Focusing on God in the midst of depression is a great first step into healing a mindset.   

God is Israel’s God, Forever! 1 Chronicles 15-19

1 Chronicles 17:22-27 (ESV Strong's)

And you made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God. And now, O Lord, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as you have spoken, and your name will be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel's God,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. And now, O Lord, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O Lord, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”

God is Israel’s God, Forever.

If there was ever a doubt as to the relationship between the nation of Israel and God, the above passage should put an explanation point to the topic!   Israel is God’s people and God is Israel’s God.  Paul talks about this continued relationship in Romans 11 and in Galatians.   There is no doubt that God has established a forever lasting covenant with His people.   You can try to replace Israel with the “church” but you will fail to see both the similarities and the distinction.   God is, right now, dealing with His Church, but He will return to finish His work with His people, Israel.  They non-believing world does not want to recognize this truth, but it still stands.  Just read the above passage one more time and capture God’s covenant with them.  This speaks to the character and power of God.  This speaks to what it means when He establishes a relationship with us, Gentiles, through Christ.   We have a relationship with Him, through Christ, that will NEVER end.  We can rejoice in that immutability of God.  

Complain and God May Give You Both What You Want and What You Deserve - Numbers 9-12

Numbers 11:31-35 (ESV Strong's)

Then a wind from the Lord sprang up, and it brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp, about a day's journey on this side and a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the ground. And the people rose all that day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail. Those who gathered least gathered ten homers. And they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague. Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving. From Kibroth-hattaavah the people journeyed to Hazeroth, and they remained at Hazeroth.

Complain and God May Give You What You Want ... And What You Deserve.

Even though the nation of Israel was free from the position of slaves in Egypt, they were still slaves to the life style they had.  They were still addicted to the old desires.  Despite God redeeming them from Egypt, they constantly wanted to go back there:

Numbers 11:4-6 (ESV Strong's)

Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”

Moses was frustrated with them.  God was frustrated with them.  But, God gave them the desires of their heart.  He sent quail for them to eat.   But, like every time we get the desire of our heart, it will turn around and hurt us.  God wants our desires to be with Him.  But, the nation of Israel proved you can take the people out of Egypt but you can just take Egypt out of the people.  This is what sin does to us.   We might be redeemed by God’s grace and have the penalty of sin removed, but we still desire the same old sin within our hearts.  God wants to cleanse that from us, but that is the battle we are all in.  We might be redeemed from the penalty of sin, but the power of sin is still fighting us, even though we are dead spiritually to it.   As we yield to Christ in faith we can see Him change our hearts and minds and our new desire to to “know Him and the power of His resurrection.”   If we don’t walk in faith with Him and allow His power to change our desires, we will be like the nation and ask for the “meat” of the past.   God just might give us what we want and allow that hunger to also give us what we deserve.  

Who We Serve - 1 Timothy 4-6

1 Timothy 6:13-16 (ESV Strong's)

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Who We Serve

We can serve a lot of Masters.   We can serve money.  But, that will be depleted at any moment.  We can serve man.  But they will be cruel and fickle.   We can serve possessions, but they disappear and wear out over time.  We can serve out bodies, but no matter what we do, they eventually wear down and fall apart.  We can serve many “things,” but nothing is like serving who Paul describes in the above passage.  Note what he says about God:

1.  God give life to all.  He gives life!!   Nothing we can serve on this earth can “give” life. It can extend life and it can enhance life, but only God can “give” life. 

2.  God is the KING!!   Pontius Pilate stated, in front of the Jews, by way of a question to Jesus, “Are you King of the Jews.”  Jesus stated, “You have rightly said.”    Jesus, God’s son, is not a political king; Jesus is the King of Kings!!

3.  God is Blessed!!  This is the Greek word, “makarios.”   When applied to God it means He is the perfection of contentment, happiness, flourishing.   The Beatitudes begin with “makarios.”   God is “makarios,” the epitome of blessedness for the believer.  

4.  God is the Sovereign!   God is in complete control of all things.  

5.  God is the Lord of Lords!!   He is the Master of the Universe.  He is a gracious Lord who gives grace and forgiveness.  

6.  God offers and has the power to give “immortality.”  Only God, through His Son, Jesus, can make our lives extend forever.   

7. God dwells in “unapproachable light.”  This speaks of God’s holiness.  He is light and in Him is no darkness.  

8. God is hidden. No man can see Him, if they don’t first see God in His Son, Jesus.  Jesus is God and God is Jesus.   We see God when we see Jesus.   

9.  God is to have honor!!  We are to honor God above all things. 

10.  God has eternal dominion!!!   God will forever reign.   God is eternal.   

This is why we serve God and not the things of this world.   

Tell the Word the Truth and They Will Hate You! - John 7-9

John 7:6-7 (ESV Strong's)

Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.

Tell the World the Truth and They Will Hate You

Jesus was being told He needed to reveal Himself to the crowds during the Passover Feast.   The disciples were begging Him to show the world He was the Messiah.   Jesus, on the other hand, knows that His time is not yet, as He knows He must die for them.   His statement, above, gives us insight into the dynamic of the day.  Jesus had repeatedly told the Pharisees and other religious leaders, as well as the crowds of people, the truth.  In this section (chapters seven and eight) He is even more blunt.  He tells the Pharisees that they are just like their father, the devil:

John 8:44 (ESV Strong's)

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

That is the blunt truth.   This is what Jesus is saying when, above, He says the world hates Him because He points out that they are evil.   The same is true of this world.  We will be liked by this world if we tell them lies.  We will be hated by this world if we tell them the truth.  That is the the truth.   Jesus’ very life made others feel uncomfortable because of His holiness.  But, it was His words of truth that caused them to hate Him.  The same is true for us today.  Christianity fits right into this world, today.  We are not offensive to the world, because we are like them and not different.  

Steal From God: He Takes It Back - Hosea 1-7

Hosea 2:8-9 (ESV Strong's)

And she did not know

that it was I who gave her

the grain, the wine, and the oil,

and who lavished on her silver and gold,

which they used for Baal.

Therefore I will take back

my grain in its time,

and my wine in its season,

and I will take away my wool and my flax,

which were to cover her nakedness.

Steal From God; He Takes It Back

The above passage is God’s condemnation of Israel through the prophet Hosea.   God had blessed them and, instead of honoring Him with that blessing, they used it “for Baal.”    God gives us blessings so that we can turn around and bless Him for them.  But, the nation of Israel did not do that.  They turned around and blessed a fake god they called “Baal.”    They would also use the gifts God gave them for their own pleasure:

Hosea 2:13 (ESV Strong's)

And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals

when she burned offerings to them

and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry,

and went after her lovers

and forgot me, declares the Lord.

We like to take what God gives us and treat ourselves to a “spa” day.  The nation of Israel “adorned herself” and then went whoring after other gods of pleasure.   That is not why God blesses us.   In the above passage God states He will come and take back those blessings.  This is what God did as Israel went into captivity.   God took them away and exposed the nakedness of their spiritual lives.   God blesses us so that we will bless Him with those blessings.   If we don’t - He will take it all away!

Strike a Scoffer - Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:25

Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd,

But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.

The problem with the naive is ... they are naive.   The naive (or, the innocent) tend to believe everything and nothing at the same time.   The don't believe anyone can be bad and therefore won't believe you when you tell them.  They believe almost everything they are told by others because they believe others would never lie.   So, we can see why it is so hard to correct them and train them.  Solomon tells us if we want to "correct" someone who is naive we don't actually try to correct them.   Instead, we correct those who are leading them astray.   The obvious result will be that the naive one will notice and take heed.  But, there is more here.   Yes, there is hope that the innocent will take notice and self-correct but another view of this truth is that once you "strike a scoffer" they will not able to influence the innocent.    In contrast we have those who are not innocent but rather "understanding", stated in the second line.  While the naive need an object lesson and their source of evil removed, the person who seeks wisdom and understanding via faith will gain knowledge by a simple reproof.   They don't need an object lesson but rather simple instruction.   You can tell a lot about a person by how they learn.  If they need others to be corrected to become wiser they may be naive.  If, on the other hand, they simply need some instruction, they may be a person of faith and understanding.

Make a Joyful Noise; But Why? Psalms 99-101

Psalms 100 (ESV Strong's)

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

Make a Joyful Noise; but Why? 

If you invited a plumber to your house, you would expect him/her to plumb!!   If you invited a painter to your house you would expect him/her to paint!!   If you invited a talker to your house you would expect him/her to to talk. Why?  Because they do what they are intended to do.   In the above Psalms we are told to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.”    That is how the song starts off.  But, it is not until the end that it tells us “why” we are to make a joyful name.   At the end of the song it states: “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”    When the plumber leaves and fixes the leak, we are so grateful (and poorer).  We sing the plumbers praise. When the painter leaves and coats the wall, we are so pleased.  We sing the painter’s praise.    When the talker leaves the house, we are so relieved ;-).   Not really!  We appreciated a friend coming to our home and encouraging us with their words.  We sing the praise of our friend.   When God enter’s our lives and shows us His steadfast love we sing His praise.   Why?  Because He loves unconditional and all the time.  We can praise God because He always does what He does right and true.  The plumber, painter and friend can mess up and often do.  But, God is always there and never fails.   We are commanded to rejoice in that truth. Not because we always see it, feel it, or experience it; but because we know it is true.  That is a command.  It is not an option or suggestion.  We are told to “make a joyful noise to the Lord!!”   

When God Calls, Answer!!! - 1 Chronicles 10-14

1 Chronicles 11:1-3 (ESV Strong's)

Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.

When God Calls, Answer!!

David was on the run for years from King Saul.  The people of Israel were complicit in Saul’s pursuit of David ... the majority of them.  Yet, in the past, they also shouted David’s praise:

1 Samuel 18:7 (ESV Strong's)

And the women sang to one another as they celebrated,

“Saul has struck down his thousands,

and David his ten thousands.”

So, although hunted like a dog, there was a compassion for David.   As a result of Saul’s death (chapter ten), the people needed a new king.  God had put into their hearts a restored and even new desire for David to be king.   God does that kind of stuff.  God opens doors that were once closed.   David knew that God had promised him the kingship.  On two occasions he had a chance to take the kingdom from Saul.  David refused and, by faith, waited until God’s timing was right.   That is the story in the above verses.   When we wait for God’s timeline to unfold, we can see glorious and marvelous things.  We can see them even in the hearts of those who once hated us, hunted us and hurt us.   God is the God of restoration.   David could have, as always, feared for his life.  But, instead he trusted in the power of God to change the hearts of men.   The past can really twist the minds of men.  But, God can still accomplish what He has for us and even untie all the knots in the mindset of mankind.  We are to but answer in faith.  David did not answer these people because he believed them (some of them would, in the future, turn on him again).   David responded to the faithfulness of God and trusted in God’s promises over and above man’s passion and fallacy.  

Bringing Gifts - Numbers 5-8

Numbers 7:1-5 (ESV Strong's)

On the day when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle and had anointed and consecrated it with all its furnishings and had anointed and consecrated the altar with all its utensils, the chiefs of Israel, heads of their fathers' houses, who were the chiefs of the tribes, who were over those who were listed, approached and brought their offerings before the Lord, six wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the chiefs, and for each one an ox. They brought them before the tabernacle. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.”

Bringing Gifts

We often only think of the burden on ourselves when we bring offerings to give to God.   We hold tightly to our money and give God a “tenth” and think that is a big deal.  But, in the above passage we see that when we bring a gift to God, He must receive it from us.    The phrase, “Then the Lord said to Moses ...,” is an important phrase.   God was and is active in our giving.   He is the receiver of our gifts.  He rejoices in them and wants us to rejoice in giving them.    He uses those gifts in the service of the Kingdom.  We need to be more like those who loaded up the carts and wagons.  God did not just take what was in the wagons, God took the entire wagon.   Imagine loading up your car with groceries and delivering them to to someone in your community.  When you tell them you brought them the provisions they rejoice that you brought them food and A CAR!    We don’t think this way.  But, God does.  He gave us the ability to buy the car.    When we realize all things belong to God, we have less of a possession on them ourselves.    We can rejoice in what God gave us so that we can rejoice in what we are giving back to God.  

ONE Mediator - 1 Timothy 1-3

1 Timothy 2:5-7 (ESV Strong's)

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

ONE Mediator

We live in a world where there are as many ideas on how to come to God as there are Starbucks on every corner.   Everyone seems to have a voice on who God is and how to approach Him.  Each branch of religious thought even calls God by a different name.   Paul, apparently, had the same challenges in his day.   However, Paul, in the above text, seems to be taking issue head on.   Paul states that there is only ONE mediator between God and man:  Jesus Christ.  AS believers we need to be careful to not get sucked into the mantra of the world that says, “All religious paths lead to the same place: God.”    Or, “All belief is just a path to the same mountain top.”   Nothing could be farther from the truth.   There is only ONE mediator between God and man and He is Christ.   This is who Paul was appointed to preach.  He was to teach Christ and no one and nothing else.   There are many philosophies and many versions of “truth” that attempt to capture us.   But, only Christ mediates between God and man.  Believers today are ridiculed for being so “closed” minded.  We are called “bigots” because we believe that Christ is the ONLY way to come to God.  But, that is the truth Paul taught, the truth we believe, and the truth we are to teach and proclaim.   

That You Might Believe - John 5-6

It is important that you understand John's theme for writing another Gospel. It states it in John 20:31 as follows: "But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." John's gospel was written so that you and I would believe the Jesus was God's son and that in that belief we would have life and not death. In this section of the book we see John's writing providing us with the very words and story we need to believe to have "life in HIs name." The Jewish leaders were not pleased with Jesus doing miracles and especially on the Sabbath. They were furious that He, through His words and actions, was making Himself "equal with God." That was the point!!! It is amazing how religious people can be the most dull when it comes to spiritual things. In these stories and teachings we see that truth demonstrated so much. The teaching of chapter six (eat my flesh - drink my blood) was so difficult that many "disciples" left Jesus at the lecture hall as a result. Peter, being Peter, is quick to add he "gets it." However, earlier in the passage they all sat around scratching their heads. Only God can reveal Biblical truth. Preachers, teachers and the like can make it as clear as day but only God can reveal the truth in it in a way that converts the soul and causes belief. Let's not think we are so "wise" that "we get it" and "others just don't." God reveals truth through writers like John, but it is the Spirit who makes us understand (6:63,34).

Greatly Loved - Daniel 7-12

Daniel 9:23 (ESV Strong's)

At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

Daniel 10:11 (ESV Strong's)

And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.

Daniel 10:19 (ESV Strong's)

And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

Greatly Loved

On three occasions, God sends the angel Gabriel to tell Daniel he is greatly loved.   In the midst of receiving revelation after revelation, vision upon vision, and mystery on top of mystery, Daniel receives even something greater than visions ... he is told he is greatly loved by the God of the universe.   When we read these last chapters of Daniel we see that after seeing the many visions God sent him, he was confused and dazed.  

Daniel 7:15 (ESV Strong's)

“As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me.

Daniel 7:28 (ESV Strong's)

“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”

Daniel received the “word of God” but it did not settle on him like we do in church.  He was fearful and trembling at what he heard from God.   But, God took the time to send him the message he needed to hear, “You are greatly loved.”   God sent all of the New Testament believer of this age, the same message, but in a most spectacular why:

Psalms 117:2 (ESV Strong's)

For great is his steadfast love toward us,

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord!

Romans 5:6 (ESV Strong's)

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

God loves us.  Unconditionally!!   We can rejoice in that He knows us and still loves us and proved it with the ultimate sacrifice.  

Let It Go!!! (Proverbs 17-18)

Proverbs 17:14

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,

So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

Let it go!! That might be the best phrase to teach us all.  "Just let it go!"   How many times would that advice help us in our navigation through life's challenges with others?   Water has a surprising amount of power as it seeps through cracks and craveous.  Just a small stream can eventual erode some of the strongest fortresses.   It strats small but as the water gains steam and momentum it ushers in certain destruction.    We can't stop it once it gets moving with power.   So, too, a litle stife.  Small in the beginning in mounts up with wings and carries away all those in its path.   We know it is coming.   But, rather than letting a little offense go we turn it into a giant path of destruction.   We make excuses and our feelings move us closer to the edge of outburst.   Biting out tongue, turning our eyes, or squelching our heart is simply something we have to do if we want to stop a quarrel before it has steam to hurt or damage relationships.   If you are wounded by the tongue of another, the look of someone or the words of a friend, let it go.   You will be safer for it.

However, just telling someone to “let it go” is not enough.   We have to also teach them “how” to “let it go.”  When Paul tells us to “put off” our former life (the life we had before we believe in Christ), he tells us “how” to “put off” (or, “let go”):

Ephesians 4:22-23 (ESV Strong's)

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

If we tell people to “let go” of something, then we should also help them “renew” their minds to new thinking patterns.   Paul says the same thing in Romans 12:1-2.   We are to “renew” our minds.   Creating new thoughts, based upon new truth, founded in Christ is the only way to “let it go.”    

Rational Belief Leads to Emotional Response - Psalm 96-98

Psalms 98:4 (ESV Strong's)

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Rational Belief Leads to Emotional Response

In the above verse we see the command to praise God.   We are commanded to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.”    Most people probably make a “joyful noise” when they feel like doing so.   We make joyful noises at birthday parties, at parties of celebration, at sporting events.   In this Psalm we see that this verse is a response those that come before it.  Note:

Psalms 98:2-4 (ESV Strong's)

The Lord has made known his salvation;

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

to the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

The reason for the “emotional” praise is because of “intellectual” belief.   God “made know his salvation” and that calls for intellectual and rational belief.   Some might say “belief” is not “rational” and only “emotional.”    But, it is “irrational” to not believe in God’s salvation.  God has made known that He will save us.    He has “revealed His righteousness.”   That calls for our emotional response in praise and appreciation.    It is irrational to know that God has saved us and not praise in joyful noise.   It might be a command to praise Him with a joyful noise, but it is also a natural response to an intellectual truth that God saves.   

God Takes Leadership Seriously - 1 Chronicles 6-10

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (ESV Strong's)

So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

God Takes Leadership Seriously

When we look at today’s leaders we often scoff and shake our heads.  Their character is wanting and their backbone frail.   There is little to inspire us or to encourage our follow-ship.    When can say with agreement with Francis Scheffer, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”   The same was true in Israel’s day.  This section of Chronicles is still listing out the “leaders” of the day and their service to God.  One such leader, most Bible readers are familiar with, is Saul.  Saul started out humble and insecure.   He ended us, with his son, slain in his pride.   Saul was given a great position of leadership.  God puts ALL leaders in their place.  No one has a leadership position then or now, who is not placed there by God.   

Psalms 75:7 (ESV Strong's)

but it is God who executes judgment,

putting down one and lifting up another.

Saul failed to carry out the charge he was given.  It was his spiritual bankruptcy that lead to his physical termination.  God is not hiding what the cause of Saul’s death was all about.   God plainly tells us that our lack of a healthy spiritual walk can and will end up in death.  That might sound frightful, but it is the truth.  Those placed in leadership have a judgment that only God can do.  We might elect others to office and place them in leadership, but it is God who holds man accountable for how he leads.  

God Owns Those He Redeem - Numbers 1-4

Numbers 3:39-43 (ESV Strong's)

All those listed among the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron listed at the commandment of the Lord, by clans, all the males from a month old and upward, were 22,000.

And the Lord said to Moses, “List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names. And you shall take the Levites for me—I am the Lord—instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel.” So Moses listed all the firstborn among the people of Israel, as the Lord commanded him. And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.

God Owns Us

In the above passage we see Moses taking a census of the first born of Israel and a census of the number of Levites.   There were 22,000 Levites at the time of the exodus from Egypt and there were 22,273 firstborn of the families of Israel.   The point of the census and to find out the difference was to make sure they cared for the disparity.  When God brought them out of the land of Egypt He redeemed them and purchased them.  He specifically purchased, through the redemption process, the first born of every family.   God states, in this section, that the first born of the families, of the flocks, of the pasture land, is His.   But, instead of taking the firstborn of every family to serve before Him, God substituted the entire tribe of Levi.   The Levites would replace the first born in regard to this service.   This is the reason for the numbering.    God found they were lacking 273 Levites to cover for the first born.  Later in this passage God instructs Moses to collect a tax for the remaining 273 that will be given to the Aaron, the leader of the Levites.   Here are the points for this story:

1. God owns us.  God created us, redeemed us and therefore has say over what we do.   Until we understand that we are slaves to Christ we can never, truly, be free.  

2. God is precise.   God does not fudge with numbers or His plan.  He is specifics in His dealings with mankind. 

3. God knows each and every person He redeems.  This counting was not because God needed to know.  The counting was so that Moses and the people of Israel would know.    God already knows each of us. 

4. God has a specific purpose for each of us to bring glory to Him via His plan.   We are all part of that plan.   

God owns us!!  We can rejoice in the fact that He has a plan and a purpose for all those He redeems.  

God Sanctifies Our Resolve for His Glory!! 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (ESV Strong's)

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God Sanctifies Our Resolve for His Glory!!!

We live in a world where even in the Christian church people want to take credit for their own growth and progress.   We like to brag about what we accomplish in all the realms of our lives.  In the above passage, Paul is telling the church at Thessolanica that he was praying that what they “resolve for good” and “every work of faith” would be done in “His power.”    This would result in “the name of our Lord Jesus” being “glorified in” them; “according to the grace of our God.”   So, the formula for sanctification is outlined in this passage:

(Pray x Resolve) + (Good work x God’s power and grace) = Glory to Christ.  

Our side of the equation is prayer and resolve.   The Greek word for “resolve” in this passage is: eudokia.   It is translated in other passages of the New Testament as “purpose” (Ephesians 1:5, 9).   We are to have an internal “purpose” to do “good.”  Since Paul told us in Romans that NO ONE does good, we have to believe this can only be as we submit to Christ and He replace our sin nature with His nature.  So, even on our side of the equation we see it is an initiated by an act of Christ. We pray that our resolve is used by God and He takes His power, via His grace and brings glory to Christ.   We can rest that the entire act is completed by our simply faith in God’s process.   

Christ Meets Needs ... But Which Ones? John 3-4

John 4:15 (ESV Strong's)

The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

Christ Meets Needs

I is not surprising what the woman at the well said to Jesus.  In the above verse we see the response of the Samaritan woman who meet Jesus at the well.   She would have to come to the well everyday to get water.   She was a “Samaritan” and therefore unliked and despised by the Jews.   So, the act of coming to the well was filled with contempt, bias, and bigotry, not to mention hard work.    Jesus is at the well when she shows up to get her water.  She is probably coming at a time that no one else would be there (perhaps the heat of the day).   Jesus asks for a drink and that floors her.  No self-respecting Jew would even talk to a Samaritan.   Most men would not talk to a woman in public like this.   We learn from the story that she was married five times.  So, her reputation was not that proud to begin with.  Everything about this story is shocking to the naked eye.    Yet, Jesus not only speaks to her, He offers her “living water.”   He describes this water in such a way that she believes by taking the water she will never have to come to the well agin and be embarrassed, laughed at, looked at, or ridiculed.   Who would not want that kind of water.    The Scripture does not give us tone of voice, but we might her excitement and eagerness in her voice when she says, “Sir, GIVE me this water!”   Christ, of course, is not offering her physical water.  He is talking about Himself.   He is saying that like water, the main sustainer of physical life, He is the main sustainer of spiritual life.  Jesus is talking meeting spiritual needs, she is ready to believe that He is talking physical needs.    Those who first come to Christ see Him first as meeting material and physical needs and wants.  Jesus certainly can do that.  He feed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, and then taught them spiritual truths.   Jesus heal the bodies of many and then gave them spiritual truth to heal their souls.    We ought not think it strange that we think Jesus will take care of the pain in our lives.  He has a track record of doing some of that.  But, He wants to heal our souls.  He wants to prepare us for HIS Kingdom and not the concerns of this kingdom.   Jesus does not always heal our circumstances but He always changes our spiritual condition.   When we come to Christ we are to come to Him for spiritual blessings.  That is the mistake early believers make.    They often want the outward physical to change without regard to the internal.  We have to come to Christ in faith that He will change the inside and restore us to a relationship with His Father.   Once we believe that, the outside with the world means far less and, eventually, not important at all.   

God is in Control of the Responses to Our Messages - Daniel 1-6

Daniel 5:29 (ESV Strong's)

Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

God is in Control of the Responses to Our Messages

Proceeding the above verse, Daniel was asked to interpret the writing of on the wall that appeared during a party Belshazzar gave for his friends.   The writing said:

Meme Meme Terkel Peres

Belshazzar was throwing a great party and, to impress his friends, he sent for the golden goblets that were taking by his father, Nebuchadnezzar, from the Temple in Jerusalem.   The way Daniel responds to seeing them being used for a “party” would lead us to believe these were “holy” items from the Temple.   Belshazzar asks Daniel to interpret the writing on the wall and Daniel does not hesitate.  The writing stated:

Meme Meme, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Basically, Daniel was sent by God to tell Belshazzar that he was about to die.   In fact, he does die that night (see verse 30).    Yet, despite the gravity of the message, Belshazzar promotes Daniel for delivering that bad news. Only God can solicit this response from such a message.   This is amazing.   When Jonah was sent to speak his message the Ninivites repented.  Only God could do that.  When Hosea preached no one responded.   Only God does that.   We are NOT responsible for the responses to our messages.  We are only response to honor God and deliver the message he wants us to deliver.   God takes care of the response.   

We can PLAN, but God is Fully In Charge - Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:1 (ESV Strong's)

The PLANS of the heart belong to man,

but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV Strong's)

Commit your work to the Lord,

and your PLANS will be established.

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV Strong's)

The heart of man PLANS his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:30 (ESV Strong's)

Whoever winks his eyes PLANS dishonest things;

he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

We can PLAN, but God is Fully In Charge

In the above proverbs there are three different Hebrew words for “plan.”  Although we translate them all the same, the difference in the Hebrew words is worth noting.  According to Vine, here is what we learn: 

16:1 - Hebrew “ma‘ărâḵ” - an arrangement, i.e. (figuratively) mental disposition: — preparation.

16:3 - Hebrew maḥăšâḇâ; a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice): — cunning (work), curious work, device(-sed), imagination, invented, means, purpose, thought.

16:9 & 16:30 - Hebrew - ḥâšaḇ; a primitive root; properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (gen.) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute: — (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think.

In our way of thinking it might look like this:

16:1 - it is speaking of the “beliefs” of our mindset

16:3 - it is speaking of the “plans” of our mindset - or produced by our mindset

16:9, 30 - it is speaking of the “logic” of our mindset

In each case, what we are taught is that God is perfecting still in control, no matter what we might produce in our minds.   We can, if we want, contrive and contour the path we are on, but God will still make sure we travel the way He wants, when He wants and the way He wants.   That is both assuring and frightful.   To those who do not want to recognize the sovereign power and privilege of God, it can, probably, insulting.   Never-the-less, it is God and He is in charge.   He is in control.  Some fight that truth.  They don’t like it.  As if they, in their own faults and struggles, can actually plot a better path.  But, to those who trust completing in God’s perfect plan and ultimate control it can be the very assurance they are desiring.