PATIENCE

Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Isn’t it written in the Holy Book, in the stories of old? Let’s sit now. Let’s take the time to meditate and ponder on God’s ways as expounded in His acts of old. Let’s take notice and learn that He always comes through for His children. . . at the last minute. He does so on purpose because He wants us to learn patience. But oh, how we squirm while we wait on God; and worst of all, in our self-righteous lack of patience, we accuse Him of not caring about us because He seems not to answer our prayers.

In this generation, the name of the game is ‘speed’. The faster it goes, the faster we want it to go. Waiting is considered an infringement of our rights. We want to be ‘tended to’ right away. It is sad though when we are that way with God. This is the generation of instant gratification. This generation says, “I want to be happy, and I want to be happy now.” I want it, and I want it now.” “I want to know it, and I want to know it now.” But happiness only comes to us when we take the time to let ourselves be broken into appreciation of the real satisfaction of the heart. Gain only comes by allowing time for investments to grow into earnings. Knowledge only comes through having the patience to learn.

May we learn to have the faith of the importunate woman who, by her patient importunity, so annoyed the wicked judge that he rendered justice unto her (Luke18:1-7). May we learn to pray patiently, knowing that God knows what’s best for us. May we always remember that God’s delays are not denials.

Luke 18:1-7 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (2) Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: (3) And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. (4) And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; (5) Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. (6) And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. (7) And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

THE VICTORY’S ALREADY WON, PREPARE FOR THE PARTY.

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

In the conclusion of this psalm lies a resolution for a believer’s life.

A host of the wicked enemies may come upon us to eat up our flesh, yet we have the assurance of the protection of His pavilion. No matter what ‘life’ may throw at us; no matter what the enemy may use to intimidate us, always we must remember God’s modus operandi for His children, . . . in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. . . mine head (shall)be lifted up above mine enemies round about me. . . Psalms 27:5, 6. We have the assurance of the security promised in the secret place of His tabernacle, and there is no doubt that when the time of judgment arrives, our heads shall be lifted up above that of the enemies of God (Daniel 7:14,18).

Oh Lord, I want to thank you that you won the victory (1 John 3:8). I can now look at the future without fear, with the certainty that the battle will lead to victory and to the unconditional surrender of the enemy. It is not a question of if; only a question of when.

We must anticipate the victory, even plan for the party; make preparations towards it (Revelations 19:9), and thanks to our wonderful Lord, we have reservations for it. Let’s shout, sing and blow the *shofar, for His redeeming blood has won the victory for me and for humanity. There is no stopping us now. Every fall is a fall upward and every trial is an instruction to bring us closer to Him. May meditation on these thoughts strengthen our faith and courage--that the victory is already won.

I see a soldier. I see a soldier wounded, lying on the ground. Blood pours from his gashing wounds. He is in pain; he is in terrible suffering while his enemies stand by him sneering, about to give him their final blow. Suddenly, the Son of God appears from the sky,” Stand back, leave him!” He says, “My blood paid for his life, you have no right nor authority over him, he is Mine.” Oh, what a comfort; what a relief to know that the victory doesn’t depend upon us, but upon the Son of God crucified on Calvary.

* Shofar: a Jewish trumpet made out of ram’s horn

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

THE FOUNDATION OF TRUE FAITH

Psalms 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

What is it that gives courage to the laboring missionary? What is the element that gives the believer the substance to fight daily the good fight of faith? How do we explain Christians-- both the past and contemporary-- who, without hesitation put their lives on the line for the Lord and the Word of the Gospel? What is it that keeps people from spiritually ‘fainting’ or, giving up and cracking under insurmountable spiritual strain or pressure?

To find the answers to these questions, we need to turn our ears from carnal wisdom; we need to hear the Words of celestial truth. Faith, in its early stages, is like a love relationship. It is as easy to say, “I fell in love”, as to proclaim, “I believe”. Time and conflict though, have the nasty habit of testing both love relationships and faith. So, what makes the difference between a “fainting” love or a “fainting” faith? What quantifies the caliber of their foundation?

Here are some things to ponder. Is the proclaimed ‘love’, ‘belief’, or ‘faith’ emotion-based? Are they solely driven by human passion? Is the substance of their existence founded on physical gratification? Or is it a ‘love’, ‘belief’, and ‘faith’ that is true and alive of its own without having to lean on the shaky props of feelings and that stands tall without the stilts of personal gratification?

Faith and true relationships need to be built on the certainty of the foundation of the Word of God. We need to lead our life and service for the Lord according to His unfailing will. This is the secret of not ‘fainting”, when we “believe”, and ‘know’ that it is God’s will that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

KNOW NOTHING BUT HIM

Psalms 27:11-12 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. (12) Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

A good teacher friend of mine often challenges her students with the question, “Are you teachable?”

Each day, we need to ask ourselves that same question. Am I teachable? Is it easy for the LORD to lead and guide me? Am I a ‘problem student’ to Him? Would I love to have me as a student?

The problem that I think the LORD faces in teaching us is that He leads us in a “plain path”. Our flesh, our carnal mind, likes to pride itself in the complicated, the smart, the gaudy; but the path of the LORD is usually plain, simple, self-effacing; even humble by its low simplicity.

God’s greatest military heroes were asked to do some of the most ridiculous things, but when they obeyed, they won His battles. Who ever heard of winning a war when outnumbered one to a thousand, by breaking pots, hiding torches, and blowing trumpets and screaming your head off in the middle of the night? But that’s just what Gideon did (Judges 7:20). And who would have been crazy enough to obey God when He said that in order to conquer one of the most impregnable cities of their day, they should walk around it seven times with the Ark of the Covenant, and again, blow their trumpets and scream their heads off? And yet, that’ s just what Joshua did (Joshua 6:20).

The apostle Paul was one of the smartest men alive in the first century C.E. It would be easy to conclude that his success in winning the intellectual and wisdom hungry Greeks was the fruits of his personal intellectual prowess, but to make sure that God and God alone would get the glory, he determined to put his carnal wisdom aside in favor of projecting the simple power of the Holy Spirit. He said, For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified 1Corinthians 2:2.

So it is, that when we allow God to lead us in His “plain path”, He delivers us from our enemies, helps us win the victories, and the testimony of false witnesses cannot even touch our soul.

1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

THE ANCHOR, THE FOUNDATION, THE ROCK

Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

We live in a generation where many are ‘forsaken’ by their mother and/or father. People are forsaken because their conception was due to the heat of a thoughtless moment of passion; to a marriage built on the shaky foundation of human emotion; to a lack of commitment to make this marriage work. People are also forsaken due to attention to the cares of life, to parents who devote more time to their career or financial advancement than to their children. They are also forsaken due to sickness, death, accidents, religious bigotry and persecution.

It is a sad and lonely thing to grow up in the world with the knowledge that those who are called parents, those who are meant to be our trainers and mentors, do not have enough virtue to keep the roof of their family together. That they do not have enough roots in their own lives to keep the foundation of our life strong and sound. This fosters in our life a cynical negative precedent about love, sexual relationships, marriage, as well as a shaky sense of family. Where do we then turn to? Where do we find our security and emotional stability?

We can rest assured. The physical roots of our life may be as shaky as a reed in a stormy wind; the bedrock of our existence may be like the rolling sand of a desert storm; the foundation of our house may resemble mud washed away by a furious river; there is tree that hold its ground stronger than the mighty oak. There is rock surer than any bedrock on which you can build your house. When life offers no one on whom to rest our weary, discouraged and forsaken soul, we can come to Jesus, the sure Foundation (Luke 6:48), the infallible Anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:18-20), and find refuge from the beatings of the stormy weather. In Him we can find the place where our heart can rest at peace, anchored in the safe harbor of His love.

Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Hebrews 6:18-20 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: (19) Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; (20) Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

HIS MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING

Psalms 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

A child may disobey and be naughty at times. He may incur his parent’s displeasure, their anger, their wrath; he may even sometimes sadden them. Yet he knows that no matter what, his parents will continue to care for him, to shelter, dress, feed and love him. He knows that his parents will also eventually get over their anger and forgive him; that his place is forever secure in their hearts.

It is the same with the Lord even though we hurt Him so much through our disobediences and sins. We certainly also must make Him angry and sad through our selfishness, pride and lack of love for each other. Our sins must feel to Him as if we were to stir the nails in His hands and feet, or turn the spear in His side, carelessly creating more pain for Him. Yet no matter what, we have the assurance of His grace, that He doesn’t reward us according to our iniquity (Psalms 103:10), and that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22,23). We can call on Him to forgive us, He will answer us and not “put us away” in anger.

In our imperfect world, there are no perfect relationships. Natural affections between parents and children, husbands and wives are not always so ‘natural’ anymore, and it is all the more so the more we approach the time of the retuning of our Lord (2 Timothy 3:1-5). But God has ordained it to be so, so that our hearts would yearn for Him, from whom perfect love emanates.

So no matter what we have done. No matter what is the sin in our heart, we should never be afraid to turn around and ask for His mercy. We assuredly can call upon Him and plead. We can remind Him of His past help and of His promises, for His mercies are new every morning.

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

Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

A LESSON FROM THE GARDEN

Psalms 27:7-8 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. (8) When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

In the morning, flowers and plants open their hearts up towards the light and warmth of the sun. They know, in their natural way that their ‘prayers’ will be answered if, and only if they turn themselves to “seek the face” of the sun. Both their color and their scent are tuned to their need for sun and pollination.

Is our need, expressed by the ‘cry of our voice’ in sincere and honest prayer to God worth less than that of a mere flower, which withers at the end of every season? Is it worth less than that of the grass which fades away (Isaih 40:8)? And tell me now: how do we like for one to make a request to us while at the same time looking away at the ground, or at the people passing by, rather than at your face? Wouldn’t you feel that your friend only came to you because he needed something, but that he didn’t really appreciate the time spent in your presence and fellowship?

Let’s hear this lesson from the garden now. Let’s hear this lesson from the flowers of the fields, from the grass in the meadow. Let’s hear this lesson imbedded in the humanity that God has created as a great teacher of His principles.

In answer to the psalmist’s prayer, the Lord said, seek ye my face (ye=plural “you”. The Lord made a corporate request, David answered on personal level.) How many times do we pray to the Lord, looking ‘away’, for the answer? Or how many times do we pray to the Lord, like the Pharisees of old, looking ‘away’ in consciousness of the people around us (Matthew 6:5)? The Lord said, “Seek ye my face.”

Oh, that we would seek the face of God. Like Moses’, it would shine with the glory of His presence (Exodus 34:29); it would reflect a faith and a confidence more sure than the seeing of the eye, than the hearing of the ear (2 Peter 1:19). For how can we worry, how can we fret when we look at the Lord face to face in the secret temple of our heart?

The Lord’s basic answer to all of our prayers is: Seek ye My face.

Isaiah 55:1-3,6 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (2) Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. (3) Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

(6) Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

FIGHT HIS BATTLE HIS WAYS

Psalms 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

When Noah came out of the ark, he celebrated the victory that God saved him from the fate of an ungodly world by offering a sacrifice unto the Lord (Genesis 8:20). When Moses saw Pharaoh’s armies drown in the Red Sea where he had successfully led the children of Israel as on dry land, he celebrated victory by offering a song of praise unto the Lord (Exodus 15:1-21).

The soldier who fights in the Lord’s battles claims no glory of his own for the victory. The cause of the war is ordained by the Lord (1 Samuel15:2-3). Those fighting are carefully chosen at His command and discernment (Judges 7:5-6). The plan of attack is given by the Word of God (Joshua 6). The fighting is conducted according to His plan of attack. Therefore, the victorious outcome is obviously attributed to the Lord. There is no doubt about it in anyone’s mind. Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and many others fought the battle of the Lord in unconventional ways that looked like foolishness to the carnal mind of men, especially from a strategic point of view. Yet, they won; and in their own eyes, as well as in the eyes of the people, the only one who could get the glory, and praise for victory in this sort of battle, was God.

So let your battles be the Lord’s battle; battle for His righteous cause. Let’s take the time to pray and listen; to get our plans of attack from Him. Let’s listen and obey Him, and do whatever He says to do; fight the war according to His plans no matter what it is. And when all is done, most important of all, let’s praise Him for the victory.

If He purposed the cause; if He proposed the plans; fif He fought the battle and if He won the victory; who else should be praised?

Psalms 33:16-22 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. (17) An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. (18) Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; (19) To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (20) Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. (21) For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. (22) Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

THE HEART OF HIS PROTECTION

Psalms 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

The ungodly, the ‘worldling’, has to rely upon himself for his safety and protection. He lives by his own means. He establishes his own righteousness. He is his own kingdom, with its own god: himself. He therefore has to provide for his own security and protection; he has to use locks and security guards of all sorts. His house is so guarder that it becomes his own prison.

With the child of God, it is different. With one who delights to do God’s will and whose righteousness is in God’s Law (Psalms 40:8), with one whose perpetual desire is to live close to God, God, the great Commander in Chief of the host of heaven is his protection.

In old-times warfare, the royal pavilion was situated in the middle of the army’s camp. Day and night, guards rotated shifts to protect it; there was no safer place in the whole camp. In the case of Israel, priests also protected the tabernacle of the Lord with their own lives. They would die to keep the impure from entering the Holy of Holies, and some did lose their lives keeping the Ark from falling into the hands of foreign invaders.

More important than anything else, the highest protection we need is that of the salvation of our soul redeemed by the King himself. Once the King has purchased our soul, there is no way possible that the enemy can own it again. He guards it with His own life.

So when we long for peace from the constant warfare that seems to plague our soul. When we yearn for the safety from the unceasing onslaught of the enemy upon our spirit? Let us not emulate the ways of the ungodly who has to provide for his own safety. Let us remember that staying close to our Lord, our dwelling in His house, our reveling in His beauty (Psalms 27:4) is our never failing protection.

Linguistic note:
The word translated as ‘rock” in our English Bibles is not always the same word in the Hebrew text. In this text, the word “rock” is the Hebrew “tsur”. “Tsur” is the same word for rock used in the following verses: Exodus 17:6; 33:21; Deut 8:15; 32:4; 32:13, 15,18, 31,37; and many others referring Jesus and salvation.

THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

“I may be the king of a vast empire. I may own great treasures. My strength is so that all my enemies fear me. My place on earth is secure and comfortable. Yet, all these are as nothing to me; all these are as “husks” (Luke 15:16) to me.

Any day, Lord, any day I will give up the things that I treasure, the things that make me feel secure and comfortable if they meant to be away from Your presence and out of Your will. Above the wealth and riches that the world has to offer, I choose you. Above the comfort and securities of the flesh I choose you.

And I thank You that I do not have to go to Jerusalem, to Mt Gerizim (John 4:21), nor even to Rome; that I do not have to go anywhere to dwell in Your house and behold Your face. I thank you that you have set the foundations of your house in my heart; that the earnest of your beauty, you have imbedded within the confines of my spirit. Any time, any time I want, I can enter in your presence: I can see the Shekina glory, and behold your magnificence. And that Lord is worth more than all the gold and silver of the world. It is the pearl of great price.

Matthew 13:44-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (45) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: (46) Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

THE CONFIDENCE OF FAITH

Psalms 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

This statement follows the declaration in preceding verse. David had faith in his calling and unction. This faith created in him the assurance that no one could arise against him without incurring God’s wrath; that no one could really touch him without touching the apple of God’s eyes (Deuteronomy 32:10) In his trouble, David found took faith and courage in reviewing the history of the children of Israel, in knowing that no one ever touched them without receiving due retribution from God.

Would today the ungodly crowd attack the virtuous? Would the armies of the wicked strengthen themselves against God’s people? Does the sounds of approaching drums of war pound the horizon? Does fear settle at the thought of the coming days when wicked evil forces will seem to have won and conquered the world, even the godly?

This we should do. Look in the Holy Book and read the stories of old. See how God always protects His children. Reaffirm to our soul that the wicked always gets full retribution. When we have done these things, we should follow the advice given to us by Peter. Peter was a man who suffered much internal persecution battling his own doubts, fear and confusion, and in the end, he also suffered much external persecution, which ended in crucified upside down. He said, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” (2 Peter 1:10).

The man who has the assurance of the calling of God cannot fail. How can one with the confidence that he has been chosen and elected to sit with Christ at the right hand of the Father, fear the armies of the ungodly (John 14:3)?

Psalms 37:35-40 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. (36) Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. (37) Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. (38) But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. (39) But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. (40) And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

WELL DONE

Psalms 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

“Now I begin to be a disciple. I care for nothing of visible or invisible things so that I may but win Christ. Let fire and the cross, let the companies of wild beasts, let the breaking of bones and tearing of limbs, let the grinding of the whole body, and all the malice of the devil come upon me; be it so, only may I win Jesus.”
“I am the wheat of Christ: I am going to be ground with the teeth of wild beast that I may be found pure bread.” Ignatius; upon his martyrdom. About 110 A.D.

Many of us are aware that Christianity faces perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1) Even today, the flames of Christian persecutions remain unabated; it is estimated that there is more Christian persecution in the world today than there was during the Roman Empire.

The Bible also tells us of a time when the world will be led by a devil-man ruler who will put in place a global economic system that will disfavor all those who do not give him the loyalty that they should only reserve for God. Some look with fear at the time when God will judge the world for such a blasphemy; so much so that terms such “apocalypse; Armageddon” have become associated with horror and havoc.

But if we are one of God’s people, we should look upon this time with joyful anticipation. This will be the time when God’s people will be victorious and vindicated (Daniel 11:32); the final ecstatic climax of the victory of the Lord against the devil and his bands. Yes some of us will fall, but it will only be for a better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35). We may stumble and fall, but we shall rise up again, while the enemy stumbles to an eternal death.

So today, even today, when we feel our moral stands ridiculed by the mocking world; when we resist the temptation to compromise and be indifferent to the spiritual fight at hand. Today, when we struggle in our upward climb towards virtue and godliness; we know that it is not in vain. We know that in the end, we will be with those standing in front of our Lord and Savior receiving an eternal crown of glory, and hearing those precious words: “Well done,… enter thou into the joy of thy Lord (Matthew 25:21,23)”

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

GOD IS LIGHT

Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The apostle John said, For we know that God is light. (1 John 1:5). Light, like God, exists for every one of us; even for the ‘blind’ man. He knows that it is there; he feels its warmth; people tell him about the colors it creates. He may learn about it in books written in Braille; he may even become an expert in the matter of light, but to merely know about light doesn’t help him see his way, so he gropes in the dark in fear of falling. The Lord himself must be our Light so we can walk in surety, be enlightened from the darkness of sin, and not fall in the pits of the enemies.

The apostle John also said, light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:5) Let it not be so that when the Light shines upon our soul, we snuff it under a bushel of excuses. Let it not be so that when light exposes error in our heart, we crucify it with nails of self-justification. We surely can understand a child who is afraid of the dark, but the real tragedy of life, is when grown men are afraid of the Light!

Oh, God of light and wonders; enlighten my soul that it gropes no more in darkness. Help me not hang on to the oppressing darkness of doubt and fear, but help me bathe unafraid in the warm soothing light of your arms.

John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

HE COMES TO US

Psalms 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

All the religions in the world can be categorized in two slots. Those where we love God, seek Him by doing things to earn His acceptance; and those where God loves us, and he seeks us by doing things to bring us closer to Him. Really, this is the one main point of difference between the all the religions in the world.

Jesus knows our mortal frame and our sinful state. He is aware of the sins we know, as well as of the ones we don’t know. His love for us is not based in a reality ignoring infatuation; it is in a true knowledge of the death sentence passed to us due to our sin.

Let’s now take a look at the daily scene in a local tribunal. Here is this man in the defendant’s chair. He has the earmarks of streets life. He has stolen, murdered, raped, and worst, he is unrepentant. He looks, feels and acts like the lowest of the low. His soul is disgust; it resembles that of a beast. Through the media, he is already condemned in the low court of public opinions. The prosecutor has stacked up the accusations against him; for sure, not even the jury will show any compassion. He is condemned even before the trial begins.

Maybe we think, “This surely is not me”. Is it so according to God? In the divine mind is it really not us? In His eyes, aren’t we also the thief, the murderer, the rapist? The one whose sin will only be satisfied with the death sentence (Romans 6;23)?

But Jesus, our defense attorney, has faith in us. Maybe the world has lost faith in us. We may even have lost faith in ourselves; but Jesus has faith in us and seeks and redeems us. Somehow, He knows how to eventually reach down deep into our soul, and through His Holy Spirit, bring that conviction that provokes the repentance needed for true full regeneration. Not only that, but He has also paid the price of our iniquity with His own blood, to give the Law its due.

Isn’t it splendid that we have the Lord who can see through the sin that so “easily besets us” (Hebrews 12:1)? Who can see within us the deep yearning of our human soul for His Commandments? Isn’t it wonderful that even when we have stopped seeking, even when the fog of error has so enveloped us, that He still seeks for us at his own cost?

Matthew 18:10-14 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. (11) For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (12) How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? (13) And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. (14) Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Luke 15:1-10 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. (2) And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (3) And he spake this parable unto them, saying, (4) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (8) Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? (9) And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. (10) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

HE OWNS US

Psalms 119:175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

Why should we want God to let out souls live? Why should we expect salvation from Him? Why should He refresh our souls with the waters of life? for us in the end to just go our own way? Is it for us to ‘steal’ it from Him so we can pursue our own futile activities? Is it our ‘just desserts’ so we can squander it according to our own lusts?

No my friend;
The purpose of healing is to praise God
The purpose of living is to praise God
The purpose of winning is to praise God
The purpose of loving is to praise God

If the Almighty is to give me life, life is therefore not mine to decide what I will do with it. It belongs to the One who gave it to me, and it is to be used for His glory and His praise alone. To use it for any other purposes would be piracy.

Let therefore each word that I speak be a praise to God. Let each breath that I breathe tell of His gift of life. Let each step that I take be for His glory, and let each fight that I fight be for the glorification and edification of His kingdom. Let each victory that I win be through Him, by Him, and for Him. Let each emotion in my heart be led, and restrained by the desire of Him. Let each desire of my soul reflect His absolute will, and let each of the thoughts that fill my days and my nights be directed towards Him, my Lord and my King.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

THE EARNESTS OF THE WEDDING

Psalms 119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

As the knight on a quest, as the pilgrim on his way to a Holy place, the Saint of God, the true *“ecclesia” who has had a **“metanoia”, longs for the end of the journey.

Through the Holy Spirit, we today only have the earnest of what we will be (Ephesians 1:13-14); an insignificant foretaste compared to the glories that shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). But we want more. The heart of man will never be fully satisfied until he is totally reunited with his creator and his God.

* Ekklesia: Greek word used for: Church; the literal translation is: meaning: the called out ones.
**Metanoia: Greek word for: Repentance; the literal translation is: U-turn; revolution.

The written Law of God, His Words in the form of scripture, is the closest material thing we have of Him. They are like the letter from a distant lover. We put them under our pillow and at time when we feel lonely, or when we want to feel His presence we take them out. We bring them close to our bosom, we smell their scent, we know the text by heart but we read them over and over for they bring us closer to the one we love.

We are a bride which has been betrothed. In Jewish culture, a betrothal was so strong that to break it was similar to a divorce. We have been betrothed to a husband who gave us the earnest of His love and care until the day He comes to take us into His kingdom. On that day, the trumpet will sound, and the sign of our Beloved will appear in the sky (Matthew 24:29-31). As a mighty knight, He will come down from the heavens riding upon a white stallion. He will come and finally rapture His bride away from the dragon who would otherwise swallow her. We will then be taken to His kingdom, the Kingdom of our salvation, where He will wipe away our tears, where we will no more hunger nor thirst, and where neither the sun nor the moon will afflict us anymore (Revelations 14:14-16; 19:11-17; 7:17; 7:16;Psalms 121:6). Praise the Lord.

Ezekiel 16:8-14 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine. (9) Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. (10) I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. (11) I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. (12) And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. (13) Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom. (14) And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.