“Bold with Strength in My Soul” (Ps 138)

“I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You. I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above Your name.  In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul” (vs1-3).

Praise the Lord for boldness and strength, as He has acted upon and been faithful to His word.  He’s put His word above His name, showing that His highest attribute is being faithful to what is written.  He brings to pass all that He has said, so that He is trustworthy beyond description.

God isn’t flaky, shady, or someone who talks and promises but can’t deliver. He saves sinners, He helps the broken hearted, and He receives all who call upon Him, doing us good.

His trustworthiness makes Him glorious, so we’ll praise Him in Christ, His way, by the blood, and we’ll worship Him above all else.  We are right to say, “God is great”, when He delivers us from sin.  

Secondly, the proud and the wicked do not have this relationship with the Savior (vs4-6). He says, “Though the Lord is high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar”. They are known, but they are not loved intimately with salvation.  Even children of God, loved as we ALWAYS are, are not near to God in experience and power, when we get lifted up.  But, the wicked who hate Christ, who don’t receive God’s word, and who refuse to bow to the blood of salvation, they are rejected. Their prayers are unheard by God like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14 who prayed “thus with himself”, “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”.  If you don’t come to God by Christ, waiting on Him to save you, then you won’t leave with His blessing. It is reserved for believers, for people who have nothing else, and who see Christ’s death and power as their all.  Without Christ, there is no hope for you, no God, and no way to get what you need.

Finally, we have boldness and assurance because of Who He is, and so we confidently expect help in the future, as we ask for help right now. He says, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.  The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands”.  It is NOT that we worry and fret, nor is it that we have a fleshly confidence that refuses to pray.   

Personally, I’ve begun a new sales job, and my first attempt was disastrous, reinforcing the truth that salvation and provision come from Him.  So, instead of quitting, I’ve taken to more prayer, “Lord, bless my labors, bless me in this job”, and I’m relying upon Him because I can’t succeed if He is against me.  Likewise, prayer shows that our faith is real, as we go to Him confidently for what we need, not saying, “I will worry and do it myself”, and not saying, “It’s in the bag, so prayer is unneeded”. This “I don’t need to pray because He’s promised it” mindset is disobedience and being wiser than God in your thinking.  He not only promises to care for us, but He commands us to work, laboring with our own hands.  Paul says, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thess 3:10). He not only promises to save His elect, but He commands all men everywhere to repent. The whole counsel of God is both confidence in the promises, and it is also prayer that God fulfills them.  It is never one or the other.

You shall be saved by grace, so know it, and ask Him for it.  Be confident and obedient, asking for what you need, knowing He’s chosen prayer to meet our needs by His own faithfulness to the word.  He wouldn’t teach us to pray, and then not use prayer, as if it isn’t needed. He will be faithful to His word, and only the wicked deny it, choosing to live some other way.

Satan Standing to Oppose Him (Zech 2:6-3:10)

Zech 3:1-2 says, “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.  And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

HOW WILL WE KNOW?  How will we know that God’s promises are ours?  We have been chastened, defeated by sin, and He comes promising us blessing, but how can we receive such goodness when we are sinners?

The victory is ours because God takes away our sins in Christ (vs1-5).  He says, “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.  Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will cloth you with rich robes”.  You look at yourself in vain, if you seek to find a reason IN YOURSELF for God to save you. The reason is His grace, His GIFT of eternal life, and it comes because of His Son Jesus Christ who took our sins upon Himself, paid them fully, and then He gives us holiness and righteousness as the result.

You won’t be saved because you’re innocent, but because guilt has been purged, away by the death of God’s own Son, and He is ENOUGH to put away sins, “for by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Heb 10:14)!  Don’t look inwardly at yourself.  Look to the Son of God, and you’ll see how you’ll conquer: He will give it to you by the blood that He shed, and He will be for you because Christ took your place and earned the blessings that you freely get.

Secondly, repentance and reconciliation go together (vs6-9).  He says, “Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, then you shall also judge My house, and likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk among these who stand here… for behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua: upon the stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day”. God doesn’t save us without changing us, without bringing us into new covenant obedience, whereby we serve the Son by faith and love.  We believe on Christ, and we do His will by grace, but it is done, “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:8-10).  He gives the conditions, so that we can judge our salvation by the truth. He tells us what we must do, so that we may look to Him to complete it.  This isn’t earning salvation; it is what salvation looks like.  We’re never saved to continue in sin.  If you want grace that makes you holy, then you may have it. If not, then God has no grace for you.

Finally, in the day of salvation, brotherly love and gospel preaching go forth, as we speak of Christ and love others for His name’s sake (vs10).  He says, “In that day, says the Lord of hosts, Everyone will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree”. We are changed into people who do others good, because we have beheld good in Jesus Christ. We bid sinners to Him, and we love the saints because we taste His love delivering us.  We have rest, so others are pointed to Christ to rest with us. We see glory in the Son, so we live that others enjoy Him also.  Grace makes us gracious, generous, giving people, and we GIVE so that others know God.

The motive of godliness is God’s command, and it is also the good that it produces  in ourselves and others. The four lepers who obtained mercy said, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us.  Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household” (2 Kings 7:9).  He uses us, so we delight to be used, and we give others the Christ that we’ve experienced, proclaiming the gospel that we see and believe. 

Yet, for this to happen, Christ must come to us freely and remove our sins, He must make us righteous, change us inwardly, and then the gospel fruit will be shown. What He always commanded, which is love for Christ and His glory, He produces by freely pardoning the sins that He’s made us hate, and by breaking the chains that have rightfully bound us – not by our strength, but all by grace, and therefore, to the glory of God.

Blessing Among United People (Ps 133)

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brethren to dwell together in unity!

 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore. (vs1-3)

Eternal life is the blessing that God gives His people, as we worship together in harmony and love.  He says, “for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore”.  He visits us Himself and rewards our labors, as we gather, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name”, He says, “I am there in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20).  He gives us experiences of assurance, peace, and unspeakable joy.  When people share Christ, they share the greatest and cleanest of all bonds.  Blessed be His name.  Let us live among His people zealously, knowing that good shall come.

Often, we look in the wrong place for peace, but God says that it is here, among His people.  Therefore, we honor His Son’s loving sacrifice by walking in forgiveness, encouragement, and good deeds.  He says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:9-10).  Tangible deeds of love to our needy brethren prove the sincerity of our love.  We help them to love God in thanksgiving, and this produces unspeakable peace in us by the Spirit (2 Cor 9:10-15).  He rewards the labor.

Don’t be a solo Christian, on your own, withdrawn, but be present and active.  Be involved.  Hear the gospel and serve.  Jesus said, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (John 13:17).”  Connect with people and give yourself, and you will receive.  Don’t be apart from the gathering of saints because God is here mightily to give what He won’t give any other way.  God’s people provide each other fellowship, encouragement, union of heart and purpose. We give tangible things of shelter and clothing. He says, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.  And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him” (1 John 3:18-21).    The church is God’s blessing place.  He also uses the online community, the brethren that you call or write, and the other believers that you give unto and receive from.  Brethren give us spiritual blessings and help us to praise God.

Fellowship is for everyone, and you need it!  Receive this blessing where God has determined to give. He says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity… for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore”.  He chose fellowship, and so we fellowship expecting Him to show us how blessed it is.  Jesus said, “If you know these things, blessed [happy] are you if you do them”.

“The Lord Will Again Comfort Zion” (Zech 1-2:5)

So they answered the Angel of the Lord, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.”

¹² Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?”

¹³ And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words.¹⁴ So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:

“I am zealous for Jerusalem
And for Zion with great zeal.
¹⁵ I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease;
For I was a little angry,
And they helped—but with evil intent.”

¹⁶ ‘Therefore thus says the Lord:

“I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy;
My house shall be built in it,” says the Lord of hosts,
“And a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.”’

¹⁷ “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:

“My cities shall again spread out through prosperity;
The Lord will again comfort Zion,
And will again choose Jerusalem.”’” (vs11-17)

Spiritually, we’ve been oppressed, and God’s used it to get our attention, but now, He’s ready to save (vs17). He says, “The Lord will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.”  He hasn’t forgotten His church, but He has humbled us by affliction, and now, He returns to comfort us and to prosper.  This God gives us repentance, so that He can bless us with His presence. He saves sinners because He loves us enough to humble us, so that He can lift us again.  He says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”, therefore, “humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:6-10).  This lifting up - this returning to us again - is the BRIGHTER hope of tomorrow for all who believe Christ and His promises.

We didn’t listen when He warned us, so we were chastened.  Like Israel, who for seventy years endured bondage under the enemies power, sin has mastered us more than we’d admit to each other.  We were down and bound because we didn’t fear God, and we hadn’t learned to obey Him (vs4-6).  He says, “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? Yet surely My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they return and said: ‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us, according to our ways and according to our deeds, so He has dealt with us.’”  Now, not because we have overcome Satan, but because God is weary of his oppression, He has lovingly returned to us in mercies, revealing Christ more clearly, and enabling us to obey.

We didn’t listen, but God never intended to destroy us. He warned us, and like Israel, He purged away the fat, but He’s had His eye on us, and He will restore our mercies because He hates sin and chooses us for good.

Don’t be ashamed of the past, as if the future has no hope or very little. I know the past makes you think, “I will be forsaken”, or at least, “I will be small all my life”, but don’t think this way. There is a time to pull down and a time to build.  There is a time to scourge us, and a time to comfort and heal us.  We have SUFFICIENTLY paid the debt of our chastisement, when we believe that God has turned us, again, freely.  Remember, Israel was released by the King of Persia, not themselves, so that God will save us by a power that we don’t have (Ezra 1).

Take the promise and enjoy.  

Finally, the Lord is why we shall be saved with power!  It is because He is a wall of protecting fire to us (Zech 1:18-2:5). He says, “Jerusalem (the church) shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.  For I’, says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst”.  Salvation isn’t because of us, because we are able to do anything ourselves; it is because of God’s love, God’s turning us and Himself, and God keeping us from sin. It isn’t that I’m strong; it is that He is my strength, and He will assuredly save all who believe.

Do you believe, for Christ’s sake, that God is FOR you, even though you have been evil?  Do you believe He chastened you in love, so that He could turn you to Himself and restore joy producing power?  Do you believe God is WHY you’ll be saved?  Then you’ll be saved indeed!

“Lord, Remember David” (Ps 132)

“Lord, remember David and all his afflictions; how he swore to the Lord, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: ‘Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, or go up to the comfort of my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (vs1-5).

God made promises to David, and He fulfilled them in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  He says, “Lord, remember David in all his affliction”, and, “For Your servant David’s sake, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed (the Christ)”.  He built God a house through Solomon, and God honored it.  He said, “The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it: ‘I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body. If your sons will keep My covenant (believe the gospel) and My testimony which I shall teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever”.  Now, He will bless you and me, because Messiah sits exalted to save others (Acts 2:29-33).

We bless God that salvation is by promise, freely given to us, and based upon what Jesus would do (Ps 132:2-5). He came into the world, obeyed God, and died a substitute for all that the Father gave Him (John 17:1-2).  He redeemed us by His blood, earned salvation, and it is 100% up to God. He promised it, Christ died for it, and He will do it by the Spirit’s power, and not ours.  What blessedness this is!  To know that God is your Savior and to look to Him confidently for everything, because He promised, purchased, and has power, is to REST your soul in unspeakable joy, peace, and boldness!

Just as God remembered David, He’ll remember us (vs13-17). He says, “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it”.  He sits in the mercy seat amidst His church saying, “I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.  I will also clothe here priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.  There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed”.   

Salvation isn’t getting God into a saving mood; it is BELIEVING the promise of His great willingness and receiving what Christ died to freely give.  Salvation is by faith; it is going to God in the merit of Jesus Christ, and saying, “Lord, You’ve promised this for Jesus’ sake. You’ve said that You will care for me, both spiritually and physically, so I depend upon You.  I have Jesus the Son at Your right hand, proving that He’s been accepted for sinners, and I come to you through Him saying, ‘Bless, and do what you have said!”  This glorifies God and brings goodness to us, so be fully assured.

What is your relationship with God?  What do you do in your need?  Do you look to yourself and say, “I will bring down the blessing by myself”, or do you say, “Christ has brought down the blessings. I will receive them freely” (Rom 10:5-9)?  

I see sinners, tossed about and burdened, trying to appease their conscience, trying to please God with works, but they haven’t yet rested in the finished work of Christ and God’s goodness by Him!  They think God is One to be charmed, rather than One who loves, and they miss the gospel while “earning” what He must freely give.  We can indebt God. We  must receive from His hands without any merit or strength.  We must believe He’s good enough to love us, because whoever calls on the Lord’s name shall be saved.  We must believe the blood of Christ, because God raised His Son to the throne, and highly exalted Him, as promised David, foreseeing Christ’s obedience.  Salvation, from start to finish, is God’s work.  

Finally, when you look at Christ and the promises, rejoice. He is good to you, so put away the fearfulness and anxiety.  Rest yourself in His love. He will care for you, even when you can’t see how, so praise Him and walk boldly with God.  He’s remembered David (His promises), He’s exalted His Son the Anointed One, and He will care for us assuredly and forever.  Let nothing stop you from believing God.

“In That Day” (Haggai 2)

And again the word of the Lord came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: ‘I will shake heaven and earth.  I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots And those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down, Every one by the sword of his brother. ‘In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

After repentance, God promises to bless us openly. His grace chastened us and His holiness wouldn't accept our efforts, but now, seeing our sin and turning to Christ, God’s promised us a better day, whereby He fights for us.  He says, “According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” (vs5).  The most blessed thing in the world is God being for you, giving you power to honor Him, and then blessing your labors.

Enemies have ruled us and we missed out on blessings, but God put your sin down, gave you godly fear, and He now answers your slavish fear with reconciliation, peace, and prosperity (vs15-19).  He says, “And now, carefully consider from this day forward: from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the lord – since those days, when one came to a heap of twenty ephahs, there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty baths from the press, there were but twenty.  I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,’ says the Lord.  Consider now from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid – consider it; is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit.  But from this day I will bless you”.  You have failed in yourself, but you have God now, working in you, blessing you, and your success is coming GREATER than before.  You have been turned, and the Lord’s goodness is your reward.

I desire ardently that believers know our BEST life now, and it is obedience to God and fearing Him, as commanded (vs6-9).  He says, “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.  ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts.  ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts”.  We can say, “I will live for me, now that I have Christ”, but it doesn’t satisfy us like living for Him.  Ultimately, rebellion is fighting God for the believer, an uphill unwinnable battle, and we are seeking pleasure where it CAN’T be found, like searching for treasure in an empty jar.  The life that we want is obeying Christ, being strengthened by God, and being rewarded by Him. This may LOOK small, but it is blessed. It may not be mighty in our eyes, as if we’ve done great things for Him, but it will be pleasurable inwardly.  It will give assurance, and it WILL be useful to help others.

Finally, heaven is also coming. It is ultimately “that day” when all shall be well, and every foe defeated (vs20-23). He says, “In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord of hosts.” We look forward to this day, trusting the Lord, and living in hope, now.  We are not obeying for nothing!  We forsake sin because it is best for us, and with this in mind, trust Him wholeheartedly to conquer your struggles and trials.  Don’t say, “My behavior doesn’t matter; it’s all about Christ”, for that is like a son saying, “It doesn’t matter how I act, since my father loves me”.  There is no wisdom in light attitudes towards sin.  It is BEST to fear God, to have Him help you, and to be at peace in your labors.  He will ETERNALLY reward you with joy unstoppable for what you’ve done on earth.

"I Will Keep Your Righteous Judgments" (Ps 119:105-112)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments” (vs105-106).

I am resolved and my mind is made up. “I will keep Your righteous judgments”. I will keep the Lord’s commands, His verdicts, the things that He commands us do.  I'm not saying, "I can't", “I don't have to”, or, "I won't". I'm believing the gospel of grace that's unto godliness (Titus 1:1).  I’m trusting what He gives.

Salvation isn't human, but Divine; it comes from Christ the Son of God, and it doesn’t matter what we can’t do; it  only matters what He's promised, and that our faith is in Him (Matt 8:1-3)! To say, "I can't", is actually saying, "He can't", or, "He won't", and that’s impossible. God is willing and able to save by faith alone, by the promise that He will do what He's said (Rom 4:18-20).

Don't fear being resolved.  Faith in Christ is belief in His power, and it is confessed in baptism, by the mouth, and in every day life. You CAN and will follow Him forever, if you only believe that He enables you, and then you continue believing, in spite of your obstacles and sin.

Secondly, we want instruction in God’s way (vs107-108).  He says, “I am afflicted very much; revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.  Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your judgments”.   We aren't cowering from truth, manipulating and twisting scripture, and changing it for the flesh.  We believe it is God's way, and we're to be faithful. We reject all false ways, following Christ only, desirous for His salvation on His terms. How blessed we are to believe the gospel is authoritative and to devote ourselves to His teaching!  We ask God to show the way, believing that He shepherds the sheep willingly and savingly. We aren't forsaken and left to ourselves. God helps us, and we use it, turning from sin by the hand of Christ, by the power of the Spirit, and by the wisdom of God.

He won’t condemn the believer; He teaches.  Therefore, we ask, seek, and knock, waiting patiently. We admit our need and His loving provision.

Finally, it doesn't matter how hard or long the journey: I'm confident I'll endure because God is for me (vs109-112).  He says, “My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law.  The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.  Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end.”

It doesn't matter the sin within or without, the trials or the tears: God’s faithfulness in Christ devours opposition and brings the children home safely.  He says, “Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel (Is 41:14). At times, we're overwhelmed, dejected, and doubtful, but He saves people who need help.  He’s our assurance that we’ll conquer in the end.

Therefore, don't fear. He's promised believers will endure, overcome, and glorify grace in the end. Believe God’s salvation is free to sinners and TAKE it (Rev 22:17).

"The Lord Will Restore" (Nahum 2)

“He who scatters has come up before your face.  Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily.  For the Lord will restore the excellence of Jacob like the excellence of Israel, for the emptiers have emptied them out and ruined their vine branches “(vs1-2).

Even though we have been defeated and chastened of God, the time's come for Him to help us, as promised, and you can be sure His help will succeed.  He says, “For the Lord will restore the excellence of Jacob like the excellence of Israel”.

God's children are often down, wondering what is wrong, learning about unbelief and the unprofitableness thereof. But God sees fit to end the chastening and to restore us, dramatically advancing His truth and power in our hearts.  He says, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb 12:11).  The time has come, and He taunts our enemies, calling them to battle and comforting us with ABSOLUTE promises.  He tells them, “Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks!  Fortify your power mightily... Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water, now they flee away” (vs1,7).  

Victory, by God’s mighty grace, just as He promises, is ours!  Hear the Lord’s boast and believe that YOU benefit from these promises, that this is your reality.  He says, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper” (2 Chron 20:20).  You’ve been misguided and faltering because of sin, but now God calls Himself into action, and love, peace, and obedience will result in you.   Hes’ overthrowing what hinders your walk with Christ, and you WILL be more full.

Be encouraged, and you'll see your victory.  Believe, continually, even amidst setbacks, and it will be true in your experience.  Today is your turning point. Now, your shackles are broken, and now you and I can HONOR Christ by the strength that He gives.  We can serve the church, love the enemy, and walk clean. We CAN be better and nearer to God. We can be joyful in spirit by the power that we didn't have before.

Bless Him by believing, go forward by faith, and look for this new help. You're no longer the weak coward or the lustful beast.  You can whip this inward sin by faith.  You now have and will get the obedience that honors God, brings fruit, and increases your strength. Bless Him by believing and sinning no more.  There was a man in John 5 who was impotent, and Christ asked him if he desired to be made whole. Admitting that he had no one to help him was insufficient. Christ said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk”, and He tells you and me the same.  Right now, believe that you can do what you couldn't do before, because God promises it, Christ earned it, and it is the Spirit who gets it done (John 5:8-9).  

"Utterly Cut Off" (Nahum 1:9-15)

Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; He is utterly cut off. (vs15)

This text, like so many others, speaks of the salvation that we have in Christ, how He delivers us from sin, destroys all opposition to the gospel, and FREES us to serve God in joy and obedience.

The gospel of God’s grace is DELIVERING before it is enabling.  Luke 19:30-31 says,  ”Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat”, a sinner, broken and ruined, enslaved by sin, never have served God . “Loose it and bring it here. And if anyone asks you , Why are you loosing it?  Thus you shall say to him, because the Lord has need of it”, because he must be liberated, so he can serve.  Grace delivers us FROM bondage to sin and the devil -from the flesh- by Christ dying for our sins, reconciling us to God, and making us beautiful -instantly by faith - for His blessing.  Therefore, when liberated, let us BOLDLY go forth, serving the Son of God, a sons, partakers of the inheritance, and possessors of everything!  The gospel’s glory is deliverance from sin to holiness by the Holy Spirit’s power by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, according as God has promised!

Secondly, venture on Him, venture boldly,and let no fear conquer you. 1 Cor 16:13, says, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong”.  Don’t look at the past or your weakness and say, “What is the point? I can’t obey, serve God, or bring forth fruit. I’m defeated, a slave of my passions, and a captive to sin.”  Don’t think such thoughts when Christ has made you free from God’s curse of condemnation.  Indeed, the enemy defeated you because you WEREN’T looking to Christ.  You trusted yourself, did as you saw fit,and so you were enslaved to sin: Satan defeated you.  But now, by grace in Christ, God’s on your side, so you’re no longer bound by what you deserve or what you can do.  You can do all things through Christ, through trusting Him to give the Spirit because He died for you and lives again, because He’s GRACIOUS to sinners and promises.

You are not on your own, but continually bring everything to Him.  Our Lord said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you?”  How long shall you have Me and not use Me? “How long shall I bear with you?  Bring him (the trouble, the problem with sin, the unbelief) to Me”, and He’ll care for you, fix it, and enable you to serve God.  Start as a sinner, unable and unworthy, and look to the grace,blood redemption, the promised help of the Spirit, and take these as yours, even though you may feel unworthy and impotent.  Believe, and you’ll see the glory of God.  Jesus said, “Did i not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God”, and they moved away the stone - did what He said - and He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:40). Take your acceptance by faith and go forward, not in self-strength, but in God’s power.

Finally, this text also speaks of God’s enemies being destroyed, and you and I don’t want to be God’s enemies in the end (Nahum 1:9-15).  He says, “Though they are safe, and likewise many, yet in this manner they will be cut down when he passes through.  though I have afflicted you, i will afflict you no more; for now I will break off his yoke from you, and bust your bonds apart.  The Lord has given a command concerning you: Your name shall be perpetuated no longer.  Out of the house of your gods i will cut off the carved image and the molded image.  i will dig your grave, for you are vile”.  He says again, “For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; He is utterly cut off”.  We will not prevail, and our own way won’t prosper, so be one of these people on God’s side.  This is mandatory, lest you be punished and defeated for your sin He says, “Who do you conspire against the Lord? he will make an utter end of it.  affliction will not rise up a second time (no need for a second blow. One will sufficiently destroy Satan and all who follow him in rebellion).  for while tangled like thorns, and while drunken like drunkards, they shall be devoured like stubble fully dried.  from you comes forth one who plots evil against the Lord, a wicked counselor”. There is no prosperity for the wicked. Sinners may rejoice for a season, but God will assuredly destroy all who oppose Him, all who unite with Satan in unbelief, fighting against God.

Which of these two are you?  Are you the one who is free now, even though enslaved in the past, or are you one who will be destroyed soon, fighting God?

I want my freedom, I want to walk boldly in it, and I want to live WITH God, rather than against!  Bless His name that His great power is on my side, His salvation is for me, and it is FOR you, if you believe!

“He Will Subdue Our Iniquities” (Micah 7)

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever,because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old. (vs18-20)

Confidently trust in Jesus the Lord. We deserve wrath, it is true, but He is MERCIFUL, delighting Himself in His love to sinners who deserve to be punished. “He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities” (vs19). He chastens us in love and brings about a change, using painful terrors to awaken us. But, He has a people promised life eternal, and though we DESERVE wrath, He'll save!

What is your hope? It cannot be that you haven't sinned and all is well. “The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge; the day of your watchman and your punishment comes; now shall be their perplexity” (vs1-4). It must be that God is gracious.

First, don't let go of this hope for any reason (vs5-7). “Do not trust in a friend; do not put your confidence in a companion; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom. For son dishonors father, druthers rises against her mother, daughters-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own household. Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me”. People are wicked, but you hold to Christ, trusting Him with everything. It doesn't matter what others say. They can't give the joy of Christ, and anything they give, God WILL remove. He says, “And hoe who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt 10:38). Trust Him though people turn from you, because God will reward you.

Trust Him, secondly, when times are tough, when sin has got you, and when you're bearing the shame of your behavior (vs8-13). “ Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness. 10 Then she who is my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, "Where is the LORD your God?" My eyes will see her; now she will be trampled down like mud in the streets.” Don't think this is a “good time” only gospel, but pull yourself up. Trust His love, when you deserve to be banished. Trust the blood to cleanse, trust the Spirit by the blood, and trust the promises and patience of God. “For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith” (Gal 5:5). The change will be done by Him, faithfully.

Thirdly, trust the fact He delights in mercy (vs14-20). “He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy”. When things look the worst with us, when we've been chastened and lowered because of sin, we are not cast off, but we are in the position to be used, because He saves sinners, and He uses people who have ruined things, by chastening us, destroying our idolatry, and coming back to us, revealing the GRACIOUSNESS of Himself. “In the day when your walls are to be built, in that day the decree shall go far and wide. In that day they shall come to you from Assyria and the fortified cities, from the fortress to the River, from sea to sea, and mountain to mountain. Yet the land shall be desolate because of those who dwell in it, and for the fruit of their deeds” (vs11-13). He isn't so far away, unwilling, or in any way dealing with us by what we deserve. He is gracious and mighty. Not only is He willing, but just like you love refreshment when weary, love your wife or your own soul, infinitely more, God delights to show mercy to all who believe on Him, and He will show it to all that He's chosen and predetermined. “You will give truth to Jacob (God's elect) and mercy to Abraham (the children of faith), which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old” (vs20). Don't be a downcast person trusting your merits, but have REAL hope before God based on who He is.

“Israel His Dominion” (Ps 114)

“When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion” (vs1-2)

The Lord MIRACULOUSLY provides for us. He provides by making Himself Savior, making His power known, and GIVING us grace – undeserved favor – to meet every need.

First, He miraculously provides for us by making Himself Savior (vs1-2). “When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion.” We were bound by sin, slaves of our captors, and under the condemnation of the holy law of God. Then, by the Lord Jesus, He justified us freely by His grace and we passed from death to life. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1 John 3:14). He brought us out of slavery and gave us acceptance in His sight, promises, and the inheritance of sons. Thus, we became slaves of righteousness, because He never saves to leave men in self-government, where we do as we please, thinking we're free. Freedom always leads to slavery, the slavery of volunteers! Bless His Name, we got right with God and righteous in our conduct, too.

Secondly, He saves us miraculously with power (vs3-6). “The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs. What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs?” He doesn't merely “say” that we're new creations, but He makes us so. Just as the earth trembled at His presence, He has power to conquer temptation, Satan, and sin. He doesn't “say” pardon, and yet we know not what it means, but we TASTE and see the Lord is good, “if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Pet 2:3). He has power to GIVE us holiness, faith, and love. He makes us repent, and then He changes us completely by His strength, so that we're never left to our enemies: we have Him.

He has power to say, “Take up your bed and walk”, “I'm the new King in you now”, and we follow Him, though we've been down and confused, outside of privileges, and living in darkness. He now says, “go” to the demons, and they leave because of His might. “So the demons begged Him, saying, 'If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the heard of swine'. And He said to them, 'Go.' So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water” (Matt 8:31-32). You and I benefit!

Thirdly, He saves by miraculous provision (vs7-8). “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, Who turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of waters.” He gives us GRACE in the hour of need, so we never fall away. Just as He miraculously brought water out of rocks in the desert, He helps us, when we're unworthy... and when we're needy, He supplies our strength. We're surrounded, as if all is lost, and there is no hope for us. But, MIRACULOUSLY He gives us power, produces love for Christ, enlightens, gives repentance, zeal, and every good thing that we need. He teaches us how to fight, win against sin, and how to walk humbly, honoring Him in everything. He provided water out of rocks, and He produces praise in cold hearts, provides love to sinners, and He saves in a way that glorifies Himself.

Bless His name. Praise the Lord that miraculously saves you!

He Shall Tread Down Our Enemies (Ps 108)

“Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies” (vs13)

Walk in assurance, confidence, and boldness!

You and I are to be bold and confident in God! He says, “it is He who shall tread down our enemies” (vs13). It is not up to us to fulfill the promises. He says, “Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom? Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And you, O God, who did not go out with our armies”, and again, “Give us help from trouble. For the help of man is useless” (vs10-12)”.

God made the promises, gave them to us freely, earned them with His blood, and He will perform them in the power of the Spirit. God's grace isn't iffy, and we don't honor Him in humble unbelief! He says, “God has spoken in His holiness: I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem (take what's mine) and measure out the Valley of Succoth”, and again, “Gilead is mine; Manessah is mine”, and again, “Over Philistia, I will triumph” (vs7-9). It is utter WICKEDNESS to say, “I know God is good, but since I'm a sinner, I won't believe. I'll doubt and walk in fear”. This unbelief is pride, self-confidence, and dishonoring to the Lord of glory. Say instead, “O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory (whole being)”, and, “I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations. For your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds” (vs1-4). No part of salvation is BECAUSE OF you and me, as if we deserve it by our efforts or can bring it to pass by the power of our hand, and to doubt simply shows who you're looking to – yourself – rather than Him.

The grace of God is for sinners, so you're worthy of the promises because you surely meet the sinner qualification. He says, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth; that Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and hear me” (vs5-6).

“The Multitude of His Mercies” (Ps 106)

Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled in their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.  Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry; and for their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the multitude of His mercies. (vs43-45)

We have hope because God keeps covenant with sinners, and He's gracious to evil doers. He says He, “relented according to the multitude of His mercies”. I love the gospel because God is holy and pardoning, taking us to task with warnings and grief, and yet saving us without any merit in ourselves. He says, “Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare all His praise? Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times” (vs1-3). We have hope in God's great mercies and covenant promises because it's not of us, but Him. Now, believe in restoration, deliverance, and power.

Believe God's for you now, and praise Him in prayer and song to this end. He says, “Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people; Oh, visit me with Your salvation, that I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, that I may glory with Your inheritance” (vs3-5). Be optimistic in God, expect real experiences of His power, and spread the good news that sinners and people who want change can look to Christ now, and have it. He is gracious, the Refuge, Rock, and the Savior. He says, “ We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, We have done wickedly. 7 Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; They did not remember the multitude of Your mercies, But rebelled by the sea––the Red Sea. 8 Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, That He might make His mighty power known. 9 He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up; So He led them through the depths, As through the wilderness. 10 He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 The waters covered their enemies; There was not one of them left. 12 Then they believed His words; They sang His praise” (vs6-12). He is the One that failures, oppressed sinners, and ashamed saints may look to for tomorrow's grace, and everything for now.

Bless him for the hope.  Believe Him, pursue Him, and get what once seemed to be only a dream. He says, “Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles, to give thanks to Your holy name, to triumph in Your praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, Amen! Praise the Lord”! Walk with Christ, conquer, prosper, stand, and win. You are no longer bound, but free to obey, which is what freedom is. Be encouraged in grace.

“His Deeds Among the Peoples” (Ps 105)

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord” (vs1-3)!

Jesus Christ has cared for us and shepherded us our whole life long. He's CHOSEN to save us, kept His promise, and DELIVERED us from great distresses, trying our patience by His word, but fulfilling it miraculously in the end. He says, “He is Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statue, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, 'To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance', when they were few in number, indeed very few, and strangers in it” (vs8-12) . Look at Israel's salvation, and see your own: it is promised and performed by God, miraculously, even though we go through difficulties and hardships that try us. He says, “When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people, He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, saying, Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm” (vs13-15). The promise is good and the word is true: believe it, praise the Lord, and rejoice.

First, God's promises are good. It may appear as if the promises are invalid, and you won't have them, as if it is a lie, even as Joseph is prisoner for no wrong of his own, forgotten, and left in bondage when promised dominion. He says, “He sent a man before them – Joseph – who was sold a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him” (vs17-19). The Lord's word purified, caused him to hope against hope, and came to pass after many years of endurance. Then, He miraculously brought Joseph out of prison, even as He delivers us from harm. He says, “The king sent and released him. The ruler of the people let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions” (vs20-21). We'll conquer every obstacle that impedes God's promises, even as Israel escaped the dominion of Egypt. We are more than conquerors through Christ.

Don't be distressed because you can't see the end from the beginning. He says, “Israel also came into Egypt, and Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham,. He increased His people greatly, and made them stronger than their enemies. He turned their heart to hate His people, to deal craftily with His servants. He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron whom He had chosen. They performed His signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham” (vs23-27). Don't let present pain or hardship cloud the promise, as if it is no good. Your trouble in no way stops God from fulfilling what He has said, be it your earthly circumstance or your warfare with sin. He says, “He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they did not rebel against His word. He turned their waters into blood, and killed their fish. Their land abounded with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings. He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and lice in all their territory. He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire int their land. He struck their vines also, and their fig trees, and splintered the trees of their territory. He spoke, and locusts came, young locusts without number, and ate up all the vegetation in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. He also destroyed all the firstborn in their land, the first of all their strength” (vs28-36). There is NOTHING God has said that He won't do, but that doesn't mean that it will appear as if it is sure. Often, the promises appear doubtful, impossible even, but if you believe God, they shall surely come to pass. Even if you have tiny faith with great unbelief, He will assuredly do what He has said, but only by FAITH can you enjoy it ahead of time.

Praise the Lord for His greatness to you. He has been faithful, taking you as His people by His own will, and even when you were unable to save yourself, bound, and full of grief, He was working everything for you. “For He remembered His holy promise,and Abraham His servant. He brought out His people with joy, His chosen one with gladness. He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, and they inherited the labor of the nations, that they might observe His statutes and keep His laws. Praise the Lord” (vs42-45)! In the hour appointed, He MIRACULOUSLY saved you, subdued sin by the Spirit, and provides for your earthly needs in your distresses. He says, “He also brought then out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes. Egypt was glad when they departed, for the fear of them had fallen upon them. He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light in the night. The people asked, and He brought quail, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it ran in the dry places like a river” (vs37-39). He has protected you, and when He brings promises to pass, praise Him for who He is. Love the Lord. Say “Thanks” and “Amen” to Jesus Christ.

The gospel isn't an easy race, where we read the bible and get things immediately. But, everything He says, He is praised for, because He will do it. Praise Him ahead of time, like when Israel went out in the days of Jehoshaphat, singing the Lord's praise before the battle happened, ensuring their response was fitting to the promises they'd received (2 Chron 20). You and I don't have to know how things will end, but we know it will be for us, for our benefit, and EXACTLY as He has said.