“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him…” (2 Chronicles 16:9, ESV)
Two things we know about Asa, King of Judah: One, he was “wholly true all his days.” Two, he did not fully trust the Lord. It is in one of his doubting moments that the Lord speaks to King Asa and reveals His heart and His ways to him. “My eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth to give strong support to those whose hearts are blameless toward Me." What do we learn about God in this passage? We learn that there is not one speck of dust or grain of sand on the earth that the Lord has not seen. His sight covers the whole earth. He knows all things; therefore, it is good to trust Him! Secondly, we learn that since He sees everything, we should trust His leadership. The Lord says Israel was not Judah’s enemy, like Asa thought. Judah’s enemy was Syria. And if Asa had trusted God, God would have destroyed his enemies. May your heart be blameless, and may you receive strong support from the God whose eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, looking for men who trust Him. Your faith makes all the difference. Trust Him today! God is looking for faithful people and people of faith.
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“… But the Lord is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.” (Joel 3:16, ESV)
The Prophet Joel refers to the Lord as our refuge and stronghold. The word refuge is different from a stronghold in that a refuge is something you run to to seek shelter from, whereas a stronghold is a fortified dwelling in which one lives. There are so many things in life that require us to take refuge. Most of these I refer to as 'surprise attacks’ that require the immediate grace of God. I seek refuge when being pursued by enemies. I seek refuge from the storms of life. I seek refuge from the careless words of others. Then, there are times when I need to dwell in the stronghold of the Lord. The stronghold is under the shadow of His wing (Psalm 91). The stronghold is the place where the enemy cannot get to you. It is secure. It is strong. It is unable to be overcome. That is my God, and your God! But as Joel prophesies these words, we cannot separate them with a clear distinction. In Joel’s eyes, the two are ‘both and.’ Do you need a refuge to run to? Look to God. Do you need a fortress to dwell in? Run to God. God has never worried about being overthrown. God has never worried about an unpaid bill. God has never been threatened by sickness. These are not part of His kingdom! Therefore, He is a refuge and a stronghold for His people. "For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you." (Philemon 7, ESV)
Authentic Christian relationships are so beautiful and so satisfying. It is amazing the joy and comfort received through them. Paul writes to Philemon, and one of the things he clearly states in his letter is the joy and comfort he receives through Philemon's love and the refreshing that he gives to all the saints. Have you ever paused long enough to reflect on how well others love the saints of God? Paul found great joy in his heart as he reflected on Philemon's love for the church. He was also comforted by Philemon's actions. The word 'comforted' comes from the Greek word paraklesis, which means to comfort or strengthen. I like to illustrate this word through the example of fastening a tender plant to a stake. The plant can now draw strength from the stake in times of adversity. Remember, Paul is saying this because he finds his heart merry and his life strengthened through the way that Philemon loves the saints and refreshes them just as Paul would. Don't be a consumer in the House of God. Be one who refreshes others, as Paul and Philemon did. You never know who is watching and being encouraged by your service. Most of all, you will never know how much you encourage your pastors and leaders through your service to others. "As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." (Psalm 16:3, ESV)
If there is one thing my soul finds rest in, it is in how God loves me! And in how God loves us! In Christ, we are set apart to God. Because we are set apart to God, we are considered by Him as holy. Therefore, we are called saints! What a title to possess! Not only are we called saints through the blood of Jesus Christ, but we are called the excellent ones! This rare word carries the connotation of being superior to something else and, therefore, majestic or excellent! God's people are saints—excellent ones! He takes great pleasure in ascribing these names to us. Let your heart be encouraged today that God takes delight in you. You bring Him pleasure by being one of His own! He takes delight in them because they are his. They are part of who He is! Make this confession now: "I am an excellent one in Christ Jesus! I am set apart to God through Him. God takes delight in me! Yes! He takes pleasure in me!” Many Christians never discover the revelation of how much God loves them. Though saved, their hearts feel barren. How miserable one's faith must be who does not realize the joy and delight that God takes in His children. My prayer for you is: May you always live with the knowledge of the Father's joy and delight in you! “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:23, ESV)
The definite plan of God! Wow, does that fill my heart with joy and love for my Savior! We don’t always think about God’s definite plan. The word definite means “clearly defined; explicitly precise. To be free of all ambiguity and uncertainty.” God had a plan for our redemption before He laid the foundation of the earth. It was clearly defined, explicitly precise, and free from all ambiguity and uncertainty! Hallelujah! Verse 24 says that God raised Jesus from the dead! That sure surprised everyone but God, even though that truth is found all through the Word of God. He destroyed the pangs of death. Death in this life is but birth pains to the second death (separation from God). Jesus destroyed the birth pains of death that he endured for everyone else who would believe in Him. Last and most incredibly awesome, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR DEATH TO HOLD HIM!!! Death will not hold anyone who trusts the Lord Jesus Christ! This definite plan of God was clearly defined and explicitly precise according to the foreknowledge of God. God devised the plan. Satan played his part, walking right into the plan. And we who believe walk right out of death according to the infinite wisdom of His definite plan! Hallelujah! To God be the glory forever and ever! “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” (Proverbs 6:6, ESV)
The amazing thing about wisdom is that so often it goes unnoticed. Have you ever realized that it seems always to be the fool who makes the news? The fool and his bad choices get the publicity. The fool and foolishness are most talked about. Hardly anyone considers the wise man and his right decisions. The wise man is rarely placed at the forefront of life, even though his ways are most productive. Solomon saw this. And he tells the lazy person, “Consider the ways of the ant.” Solomon points to the lazy person to look at the ant and notice her wisdom. Such a small creature in life yet so profoundly wise. She does not have a boss or commander telling her what to do. By nature, she is wise in putting up food during the productive summer months to have plenty on days of lack. Solomon places this little ant at the forefront of life. The ant is now talked about in the news. The ant and her wise decisions are being talked about even though she often goes unnoticed. If the lazy man would think about how wise the ant is, he might just learn something and change his ways. The word of God is filled with wisdom, like a field filled with treasure. It is looking for a wise person to come mine out its treasures. He who reads the word of God and applies it treasures wisdom. "My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching." (Proverbs 6:20, ESV)
The Word of God is alive! And Solomon says some beautiful things about it. Here is how Solomon describes the commands of God in the life of a man who receives them:"When you walk, they will lead you.” "When you lie down, they watch over you." "When you awake, they will talk to you." When you walk, they accompany you on your journey through life. Not only are they with you, but they will lead you down the right paths. When you lie down at the day's end, the commands will not sleep but watch over you. In other words, they protect you from dangers that fools often fall into. When you awake from a God night's rest, the commands are upon your thoughts and immediately begin talking with you. They are like a friend seeking a deeper relationship with you. The commands of God are His living words sent to accompany us through this life. They bring the right alignment with God. They bring security. They bring covenant blessings. They cause the righteous man to rise to a place of leadership, starting with himself and then with others. The commands of God are not given to hinder or deprive us. They are provided to strengthen and prosper us. They are to be a comfort to us and a source of success for us. The commands of God keep us from the destruction of fools. "And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" (Acts 26:28, ESV)
Paul, a prisoner in Caesarea, is given the golden opportunity to address King Agrippa and a host of other dignitaries and their spouses. One conversation, one chance that may never happen again, and Paul seizes the moment to have a conversation with the King about Christ. Too often, we hesitate. We feel sharing the gospel in a public setting such as a restaurant, airplane, or checkout line is awkward. We consider it unnatural, not very effective, and possibly offensive. We assume it is best left to those who are gifted evangelists. Not Paul. In his heart, burns a fire to advance the kingdom of God. Even when insulted, "Paul, you are out of your mind!" Paul turns the table: "King, do you believe the prophets? I know you do!" Paul, who is on trial before the king, puts the king on trial before Christ. Now the king must consider his eternal destiny. Paul had the spine to evangelize the king in front of all these dignitaries. Not only them but to everyone who was within distance of his voice. "I would that all of you be a Christian, just as I am, except, of course, for these chains." He only had one shot. And he took it. When I remain silent, I forget that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation! (Romans 1:16). May we remember this fact today and every day! "There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes." Proverbs 6:16
It is hard to think about God hating, but it is a powerful emotion when He does! The thing to note is that when God hates, it is linked to love. At the opposite end of His hatred is a love so deep that it is unfathomable. Proverbs 6:16 tells us that the Lord hates several things, the first of which is haughty eyes—eyes that see themselves above others. Let us let the Word speak for itself:
What He loves is the heart that boasts in the Lord. He loves the heart that gives Him credit for what he alone can do. He loves the heart that relies on His power and thrives on His compassion. He loves the heart that wants Him to receive all the glory in all things. He loves the one who wants the power of His Son to shine in our weakness! "He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance." (Acts 28:30–31, ESV)
The Apostle Paul was found doing at the end of his life what he started doing after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Immediately, he began preaching the Kingdom and teaching about the Lord Jesus. At the end of his life, he is still preaching the Kingdom and teaching about the Lord, Jesus Christ. May we be found doing the same! The whole Bible is God's story of the redemption of man. It is God's story of His restoration of His Kingdom on earth and the beauty of His Son's death, resurrection, and seating. We live because of our faith in that story! Paul was never able to escape that reality. He lived to see the Kingdom come and the will of God be done on earth as it is in heaven. Therefore, he was found continually proclaiming the Kingdom and speaking of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Oh, that God would light a fire in our hearts to see the Kingdom come with increasing measure and the fame of His Son to be bigger than anything we have ever dreamed! May we search the Word of God daily so that we might discover another aspect of His Kingdom to walk in and another revelation of His Son that we might revel in! |
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