December

December 29

Isaiah’s prophecies of coming salvation

' Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert... And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. '

Isaiah 35:3-6,8

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.35.3-6,8

' A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever... Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young... Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.'

Isaiah 40:3-8,10-11,28-31

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.40.3-8,10-11,28-31

‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”’

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭52:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.52.7.ESV

As a prophet, Isaiah had words of wisdom from God, supernatural revelations of the mind and purpose of God communicated by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:7). The purpose described in these passages was that of God’s salvation to come to God’s people over the proceeding thousands of years.

To some with especially steadfast faith, God’s salvation comes as they need it, as Moses described in Psalm 91. Moses and David knew God’s salvation. In the time of Isaiah, Israel received deliverance from Assyria by way of an angel when they decided to pray to the Lord for it (see Isaiah 37). Since this passage refers though to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, it refers to the way He will bring salvation to the nation of Israel in His second coming during the time of the Millenium (see Zechariah 14 for one relevant prophecy about this time).

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert”

The ministry of Jesus brought this prophecy of God’s full salvation (sozo) into its time of fulfillment, drawing the kingdom of heaven near (Matthew 4:17). Jesus healed everybody that came to Him (e.g., Luke 4:30), and when Jesus gave the Spirit of God to the church, then the church began to do it as well (John 14:12-14, Acts 5:12-16). The gift of the Holy Spirit to all of God’s people through Jesus was the living water promised by God (John 7:37-39). The gift is now for “whoever believes” (John 7:38).

“And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.”

In the New Testament, believers in Jesus who profess their faith with their lips (Romans 10:10) are made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21) and empowered by the Spirit of God to renew their minds and lead holy lives (Colossians 2:13-15, Ephesians 4:22-24), having victory in all things that bring glory to God (Matthew 5:6, John 14:13-14).

The prophets proclaimed the coming of the Messiah out of the wisdom of God, especially John the Baptist, as described in Mark 1:1-8. John the Baptist described how the ministry of Jesus would change everything. In the kingdom of heaven that Jesus brought near, everything is different (Matthew 6:10, 20:16) than it is in normal social systems.

‘And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever’

Jesus, the Word of God in the flesh, fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, as John wrote:

'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John [the Baptist] bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) '

John 1:14-15

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.1.14-15

Jesus testified that the Word of God would all be accomplished, in a large part through the way He fulfills it:

““Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:17-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.5.17-18.ESV

The Word of God stands forever, as the Apostle John also described in Revelation (see e.g., Revelation 19:13). As the Apostle Peter wrote, those in whom the Word is emplanted as an imperishable seed in the new birth (i.e., those in the church) also become eternal (1 Peter 1:23):

'Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.'

1 Peter 1:22-25

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/1PE.1.22-25

The Word of God coming in the flesh was God’s good news to humanity because humanity was bound for death without the full salvation of God, which brings quickening and Life in every good form from God. As Isaiah wrote and the Apostle Paul echoed (Romans 10:15), the feet of those who bring this good news of the gospel to those made in God’s image and likeness are beautiful to God. Belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only source of salvation (sozo), peace (shalom), and Life (zoe). God’s will in His gift of Jesus to the world is good toward all of mankind (Luke 2:14). Happiness comes from understanding the giving nature of God, accepting His gift of salvation, and learning through the Spirit of God to give all of oneself as only the grace, love (agape), and tenderness of God can give. The church gives itself fully to God and fully to serving mankind, “enriched in every way to be generous in every way” (2 Corinthians 9:11), even as God is generous.

“Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young”

The Lord God came in power in human form through Jesus of Nazareth, bringing the power of the kingdom of heaven to earth so His will would be done on earth as it is in heaven via the authority given to Jesus, which Jesus gave in turn to the church, the body of Christ. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for the church to bring them abundant Life (John 10:10-11). Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible God, revealing the tenderness of the heart of the almighty God. The compassion of God shown in Jesus Christ (Matthew 9:35-36) is so beautiful that it is attractive to the entire world. This is what the world wants to experience: the love of God. All of those made in God’s image and likeness also want to see things made right, and this is just what the Righteous God does and will do, bringing a reward to those that make God's will their own and do good.

‘Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.'

Praise be to the one everlasting God, the creator of everything and everyone that we see, experience, and come to understand — in the context of its original goodness. Praise be to the God who created His church in His image and likeness, making them “partakers of the divine nature” through His full salvation. God is good! Through salvation, He “has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3-4). Through salvation, each part of the body of Christ has been made alive, eternal and strong. Through connection to the Spirit of the everlasting God, the church has been filled with living energy and endued with power. The church can do all things through Christ who provides to it the strength of God (Philippians 4:13).

December 25

Isaiah's prophecies about the life of Jesus

'Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.'

Isaiah 7:14

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.7.14

'But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.'

Isaiah 9:1-7

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.9.1-7

'There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.'

Isaiah 11:1-6

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.11.1-6

Isaiah answered the call of God to go speak God’s words to His people, although the people did not understand or perceive (Isaiah 6:8-9). Isaiah is known for his great wisdom (1Corinthians 2:7,16), having had many revelations of the mind of God for the future, including the life of Christ and events pertaining to His second coming. Having wisdom from the Spirit of God, David’s psalms also had many prophecies that pertained to Jesus’ life (e.g., Psalm 22).

'Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. '

Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be born of a virgin, Mary. For the church, Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, who dwells in us through faith (Romans 8:9-11,Ephesians 3:17,Colossians 1:27). Those who join themselves to the Lord become one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17) and one flesh with Him (Ephesians 5:31-32). This is God’s design for His church (John 17:21), made in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26), as fully revealed in Christ (Colossians 1:15).

“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”

Jesus’ ministry was primarily in Galilee, and for a time He lived in “Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali” (Matthew 4:12-16).

' From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” '

Matthew 4:17

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.4.17

In Capernaum, Jesus taught and healed in the synagogue (Mark 1:21-28, John 6:35-59). In Capernaum, Mark recorded that Jesus taught as one who had authority, and He cast out a demon simply by telling it to come out of a man. In Capernaum, John recorded Jesus’ words to a crowd that He was the bread of life, speaking of the New Covenant. Jesus also declared that His words were spirit and life, and it is the Spirit of God that gives life. Jesus revealed God’s truth as the Light of the World (John 1:4-5, 3:19-21, 8:12).

“You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.”

God has multiplied the people of God through Jesus and His body, the church, which extended into the entire world. God has brought freedom to His multiplied people through Jesus Christ who always has victory.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) in a stable (Luke 2:6) was the humble entrance of Immanuel into the world, a show of the zealous love of God for the men and women He created. Following his suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus was given all authority over heaven and earth by God the Father (Matthew 28:18, Philippians 2:9-11). Through the kingdom Jesus ushered in, He brings peace (shalom) and righteousness, even as He started to do during His ministry. Seated on God’s throne, He made the church members of His body through which they have union with God the Father and the Spirit of God given to them. In his righteousness, Jesus will continue to have victory over all evil until it is put under His feet completely (1 Corinthians 15:25).

“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.”

Jesus is from the lineage of David, from the tribe of Jesse. Israel was in bad shape at the time of Isaiah such that it might be called a stump. Yet new life, a shoot, would come of the mess that Israel had become in the form of Jesus Christ, Immanuel. To bear fruit is to yield life in accordance with the goodness and will of God.

“And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jesus from the time of His baptism (John 1:32), and in Him the fullness of God dwells (Colossians 2:9). Although he was fully man, Jesus was given revelation from God, including God’s wisdom, knowledge, and discernment of the spiritual (e.g., see John 1:48,4:17-18,39,5:19-20,30).

“He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.”

While righteousness and faithfulness are part of Jesus’ nature as God, the other description here spoke of a time to come when Jesus will judge and when Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will bring the rule of peace. Jesus came to make everything right; He changes everything. By the Spirit that He gave to His church, He turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).

December 23, 2021

Elisha and the Syrians

“Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper… So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean …So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭5:1, 9-10, 14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/2ki.5.1-14.ESV

“Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice. And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” And one of his servants said, “None, my Lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria. As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6:8-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/2ki.6.8-23.ESV

Naaman was a Syrian army commander. He was healed of leprosy when he obeyed the word of Elisha, who had gifts of healing from the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:9). Elisha required an action from Naaman, asking him to wash in the Jordan River seven times. When he did this, his flesh was restored.

When Jesus started his public ministry in Nazareth, declaring in a synagogue on the Sabbath that He was anointed by the Spirit of the Lord to “set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61:1), He mentioned this incident where Naaman was cleansed of his leprosy, showing that God did not favor the Jews. He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), even as Peter declared when the Holy Spirit first came upon the Gentiles during the ministry of the church. Peter saw Jesus demonstrate the same kind of spiritual power during His ministry, including an incident where Jesus healed ten Samaritan lepers who asked him to show mercy. Like Elisha, Jesus required an act of faith from them, asking them to go show themselves to the priests. “And as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14).

“...Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

From God’s Spirit, Elisha was given revelation: words of wisdom, words of knowledge, and discerning of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). By the Spirit of God, Elisha had given knowledge that saved Israel from Syria: God enabled him to know words the king of Syria spoke in private. Elisha’s name means God is my salvation, and the salvation of God is what he brought to God’s people. Jesus also had words of knowledge through the Spirit of God that brought salvation to many residing in Samaria (John 4:39). The Spirit of God caused Jesus to know many things about the Samaritan woman who came to draw water from Jacob’s well at Sychar (John 4:16-18), causing her to believe Jesus was the Messiah when He revealed it to her (John 4:26) and to tell many others about it.

‘Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.’

Through a gift of God’s Spirit, Elisha also had discernment of spirits, a sixth sense. His faith had become an eye that saw the invisible. Before he prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened, he already saw that God, the Lord of Hosts (Jehovah Saboath, 1 Samuel 1:3), was with him. Elisha had first seen chariots of fire and horses of fire when Elijah was taken to heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Now God had opened his servant’s eyes to see them as well. There was no reason to fear. Elisha was strong and courageous because God was fighting for them, making him more than a conquerer (Romans 8:37). The Spirit of God agreed with Elisha’s prayer of faith and struck the Syrians with blindness, removing a mountain for him (Matthew 17:20, Mark 11:23). Elisha led them to the king of Israel, King Jehoram, at Samaria, where he urged the king to have mercy on them. The Syrians’ eyes were then opened at Elisha’s prayer. They were given a great feast instead of being killed, and then they were sent back to Syria. While Elijah's fervent prayers had stopped or restarted rain, those of Elisha gave or removed blindness.

By ability from the Spirit of God, Jesus also saw the spiritual. After He gave authority to and sent out seventy-two of His disciples as His ambassadors to 36 towns in Israel to heal the sick, proclaim the kingdom of God, and speak on His behalf, He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. He told His disciples the spirits had been made subject to them (Luke 10:9-20). Jesus taught and empowered them to do just as He did (Acts 10:38, Mark 16:15-20, John 14:12-16). Referring again to spiritual sight, Jesus also gave some of his disciples the ability to see the spiritual world, Elijah included, at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13).

Just as Solomon is remembered as one who asked for an understanding mind to discern what is right and received it (1 Kings 3:9-14), Elisha is remembered as one who asked for more of God’s Spirit and received it: “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me” (2 Kings 2:9). He was one who earnestly desired the higher gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31) in order to serve God’s purposes, and God responded to his faith. Elisha aligned his will with God’s will; he did God’s will on earth as it is done in heaven, and he brought deliverance to God's people (Matthew 6:10,13).

While Elisha, led by the Spirit, brought glory to God by showing the image, likeness, and dominion of God as a son (Genesis 1:26, Romans 8:14) and had aspects of his ministry which were similar to that of Jesus, he was not perfect (see 2 Kings 2:23-24) nor did he receive what was promised (Hebrews 11:39). In contrast, Jesus Christ, the promised One, the Son of God, is perfect, “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3). “He is the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:3). At least since His baptism (John 1:32-33), He as a man has had the fullness of the Spirit of God. The Apostle John wrote to the church about Him: “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.1.16.ESV

The church, the body of Christ, has received the Spirit of Christ to live within it in fullness (Ephesians 4:4-16), enabling it to show the goodness of God’s will toward all (Romans 12:2).

December 21, 2021

Elisha and the Shunammite woman

'One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.” One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her. When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.” Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.” And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.” When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out. '

2 Kings 4:8-37

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/2KI.4.8-37

'Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, and depart with your household, and sojourn wherever you can, for the Lord has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for seven years.” So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. And at the end of the seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to appeal to the king for her house and her land. Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.” '

2 Kings 8:1-6

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/2KI.8.1-6

The Shunamite woman knew Elisha as a man of God, a fellow worker with Him (1 Corinthians 3:9), and so she extended hospitality to him, even giving him his own room in her home. Elisha looked into how he could be a blessing to her, and he decided to use the gifts of faith and miracles God had given to him to give her a son. He spoke according to a spirit of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13-15), and the words he spoke came to pass: “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” God is generous in every way, and He was generous through Elisha, having given him seed to sow a harvest of righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:10).

When Satan took the Shunamite woman’s son away from her, she went directly to Elisha at Mount Carmel, hoping he could make it right. Elisha told his servant Gehazi to take his staff to the dead boy and lay it on his face. This was not enough to restore him to life, so Elisha, not willing to stop until it was made as it should be, went personally. He went into the room alone with the boy and prayed to the Lord. Elisha then decided to lay right on top of him so the Life of the Spirit of God from him would transfer into the boy, making him alive. The boy began to recover, his flesh becoming warm. God’s work wasn’t completed yet, so Elisha did this a second time, causing the boy to fully recover. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwelled in Elisha (Romans 8:11), and he gave that resurrection Life to this boy. Elisha then called his mother in to reunite her with her son that the Holy Spirit had quickened through Elisha’s act of faith.

“She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground.” The continued generosity of the God of grace brought through Elisha produced an overflow of thanksgiving and glory to God. Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9:10-15)

Elisha continued to seek ways to bless this family. In the words of wisdom God had given to Elisha (1 Corinthians 2:7,10-16), it was revealed to him that there would be famine in the land for seven years. In order to provide for her and her family, Elisha sent her off to the land of the Philistines where there would be no famine. The woman took heed of Elisha’s words to her, yet she lost her land during this time.

God continued to bless this woman of faith. After seven years, she went to petition the king for her land back. At this time, Gehazi was talking to the king, who wanted to hear of the great things Elisha had done. A testimony of God’s goodness, the Shunamite woman, was standing right before him. She spoke up about what the Lord had done for her through Elisha — how God had brought her son back to life through Elisha. Upon her testimony of God’s goodness to her, God restored to her everything that had been hers.

Elisha was God’s handiwork, created to do good works, which God prepared in advance for him to do (Ephesians 2:10). These good works are (for) people created in God’s image and likeness. For Elisha, one of them was the Shunamite woman.

Throughout history, the story of God, God has continued to reveal Himself as “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). God showed His great love for the Shunamite woman through Elisha, and He continues to show His steadfast love through the church (1 Corinthians 13:13), the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18), as each member seeks to do good and to build up the church (1 Corinthians 14:12).

December 19, 2021

Elisha's spirit

'When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. '

2 Kings 2:9-14

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/2KI.2.9-14

'Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” '

2 Kings 4:1-7

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/2KI.4.1-7

'A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.’

2 Kings 4:42-44

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/2KI.4.42-44

“Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”

Elisha asked for a double portion of God’s spirit. It was made his because Elisha saw Elijah be taken to heaven. Having wisdom from God, Elijah knew this was about to come. Elijah knew that if the fullness of God’s spirit came to Elisha, he would see this happen. Elisha saw chariots of fire and a whirlwind when Elijah was taken. According to God’s wisdom and purpose, Elijah would return later to the earth:

' “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”'

Malachi 4:5-6

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/MAL.4.5-6

Elisha did receive from the Spirit of God. From God’s Spirit, he was given revelation from God: wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual discernment. He was also given faith to perform miracles, as all his recorded words came to pass (see 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, Mark 11:22-24).

‘And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.‘

Elisha had faith then when he struck the water of the Jordan as Elijah had done, it would part as it had just done for Elijah (2 Kings 2:8), and it did. Elisha exercised his faith, and it grew from there to become greater to bless others (see Solomon’s knowledge about such things in Proverbs 11:25), leading not to mountaintop-type experiences but rather to a plateau life.

In steadfast faith, Elisha also performed creative miracles not unlike those Jesus did by the Spirit of God during His ministry. First, Elisha provided for a widow and her children, saving her children from becoming slaves. Elisha had compassion on her, bringing the freedom that God brings through multiplying as only the power of God can. The widow believed the words of Elisha, trusting him to be sent by God, and she was blessed.

“Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’”

Next, Elisha spoke words from God and multiplied loaves of barley to feed one hundred, having food left over. By his faith exercised again, Elisha was made able to provide for others, demonstrating the steadfast love of God.

Jesus has the fullness of the Life-giving Spirit of God. He promised it to the church (John 14:15-17) and it was poured out for the church (Acts 2:17), even as the Apostle Paul spoke,

'For in [Christ] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. '

Colossians 2:9-10

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/COL.2.9-10

Christ is the head, and the church, formed by its confessions of faith (Romans 10:9-13), is His functioning body in the world. Christ is alive in each member of the body, and each member is in Him, each of them ambassadors of Christ to carry His love to the world (2 Corinthians 5:20). God has promised something better for the church in Jesus Christ that faith-filled prophets like Elijah and Elisha did not have (Acts 2:38-39, Hebrews 11:39-40).

December 15, 2021

Elijah's prayers for fire and rain answered

'Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water. And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” …And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.'

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18:30-39, 41-46‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/1ki.18.30-46.ESV

When Elijah met Ahab again after years of drought, the nation had turned against God, so he resolved to demonstrate to Israel that God was the true God, the only One worthy of worship. Elijah did this in a showdown that he arranged against the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel:

“And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.””

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/1ki.18.24.ESV

The prophets of Baal failed in the showdown because the false god had no power. Meanwhile, Elijah was confident God would answer:

“And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.””

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18:27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/1ki.18.27.ESV

Elijah’s heart was fully devoted to God, and Elijah knew that the Spirit of God who had raised the boy to life through him would show Himself strong (2 Chronicles 16:9). In steadfast faith, he was confident that he would not be defeated — so confident that he made it impossible for the alter to be lit on fire by any natural means.

Elijah’s will had been aligned with God’s, and so he prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.” And God answered Elijah’s fervent prayer in a marvelous, unmistakable way. This sign caused the Israelites to believe in God, bringing Him glory.

Elijah moved to then pray for rain. He was so confident God would answer, he twice told Ahab it would rain.

James the brother of Jesus explained what happened the following way:

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

‭‭James‬ ‭5:17-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.5.17-18.ESV

James explained to the early church that Elijah was a normal man. Jesus’ disciples and the women who followed him were commoners as well. God is no respecter of persons. Elijah’s faith made him uncommon though, and so the hand of the Lord was on him.

James also explained (though in regard to healing): “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (v. 16). Like Abraham, Elijah was made righteous by his steadfast faith. And so in bringing God’s victory, he made things right in Israel just as he did for the Gentile widow and her son.

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours,” and it was always possible when he prayed for him to say, “God has answered” (EL ANA).

December 12, 2021

Elijah's faith

'Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” And he said to her, “Give me your son.” And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. And he cried to the Lord , “O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child’s life come into him again.” And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”'

1 Kings 17:1-24

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/1KI.17.1-24

Elijah the prophet lived during the time of Ahab, King of Israel, who worshiped idols rather than God. In faith, Elijah declared to Ahab that it would not rain, speaking words with the authority of the living God. James said that Elijah accomplished this through a fervent prayer of faith (James 5:17), and for three years and six months it did not rain. The Lord answered his prayer.

Next, Elijah heard from God regarding how God would provide for him and where he would be protected. Eljiah trusted and obeyed the word of the Lord, not seeking to fend for himself. Consistent with His name given to Abraham, Jehovah Jireh, the Lord provided for Elijah’s needs at the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan. In faith, he was protected from any harm there.

Next, God had a different purpose for Elijah, so He sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath. At the opening of His public ministry to the Jews, Jesus was quick to point out that this widow was a Gentile (Luke 4:16-26). God is not a respecter of persons. The God of mercy has a heart for all of the marginalized including: the poor, the deaf, the blind, foreigners, the fatherless, and widows (Leviticus 6, Deuteronomy 26:12-13, Deuteronomy 27:19).

The widow was generous to care for Elijah, willing to give him the last meal she was going to prepare for herself and her son before they had nothing, expecting to starve to death in the midst of the famine. What!? God knew the heart of this woman; she had a heart of generosity like that of God, full of grace (gratuitous giving). God is a giver. The widow was beautiful in the image and likeness of God.

Telling the woman not to fear, Elijah the prophet, by the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 12:8), spoke words from God:

“For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’”

Elijah stayed with the woman and her son, and the Lord provided for them there by way of the miraculous, even as they had faith that He would. The Spirit of God multiplied to provide food, even as Jesus did through His disciples to feed the multitudes (see Matthew 14:13-21). He who created the heavens and the earth also created food to meet the needs of the children of God. Jesus told his disciples to expect God to meet their needs in faith, not worrying about such things (Matthew 6:25-32): 'But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. '

Matthew 6:33

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.6.33

Elijah sought first the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God. He sought it also for this woman and her son. As a son of God and servant of man, he sought to make things right, depending on the God who was with him to bring victory while he took action. When Satan made a move to take the woman’s son, leaving no breath left in him, Elijah brought the kingdom of God to bear. He layed over the child and cried out to God for life, and God answered his fervent prayer, bringing resurrection life to the boy through the Spirit of God that was with Elijah. This was by the same Spirit of God that raised Jesus Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11).

In His righteousness, God is victorious over death. Elijah knew the righteousness of God, sought it first, and was made righteous through his steadfast faith. His actions springing from his faith brought God’s righteousness to the world around him, causing God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). God’s will is to give Life and make things right in response to faith.

December 8, 2021

The proverbs of Solomon

Selections from a couple of Solomon’s proverbs are given below:

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:1-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.3.1-12.ESV

“When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live… My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:3-4, 20-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.4.3-23.ESV

These selections from the proverbs written by Solomon follow well after David’s psalms. Solomon was known for his great knowledge, having asked God for an understanding mind to govern his people and received a wise and discerning mind in response (1 Kings 3:5-15). According to the selection from Proverbs 4, he was also carefully taught the words of God by his father, David.

Solomon believed that long life and peace (shalom) resulted from obeying God’s commandments. He pursued steadfast love and faithfulness to the covenant-keeping God as his fathers had, believing that favor and blessing resulted from it.

The heart refers to the soul, that interface between the human spirit and body which includes the personality, mind, emotions and will. By the design of God, it is under the control of each person.

Solomon gave counsel to write the word of God on the tablet of one’s heart. God’s words should come to be written on one’s mind. The apostle Paul referred to this as renewing one’s mind to the word of God:

'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. '

Romans 12:2

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.12.2

Paul also spoke of it in the following way:

'to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. '

Ephesians 4:22-24

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/EPH.4.22-24

God’s people are to be transformed by the renewing of their minds that results from knowing, believing, confessing, and continually acting on the words of God. One with a renewed mind knows who they are: a child of God, made in His image and likeness — one of righteousness and holiness. One with a renewed mind chooses to believe and act on the truth revealed in God's Word rather than lies. One with a renewed mind trusts the Lord with all of their heart, leaning not on their own understanding. One with a renewed mind walks in the will of God because their will has been purposely aligned with God’s will. Such choices lead to a straight path and favor in the sight of God and man.

Solomon also wrote about God’s Word (or words): “It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones” and “For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Just as his father David recorded healing from all disease and quickening in the midst of affliction as benefits of God’s goodness and lovingkindness in Psalms 103 and 119, Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3 and 4 that God’s words are the source of healing and Life.

Jesus spoke the words of God, and so He spoke similarly when He said,

'It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. '

John 6:63

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.6.63

and

'Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” '

John 7:38

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.7.38

The Life that Jesus, the Word of God, offers (John 10:10) to the children of God includes salvation, or eternal life; reconciliation to God; health; favor; peace; and abundance.

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”

God is generous and has been generous with His people, who were commanded to love God first (as discussed in reference to the first three commandments). Since His people were to be like Him, they were also to be generous and to give of their firstfruits. As discussed before in reference to Leviticus 19, the giving of the Jews was to go to the marginalized, who were also loved by God, and also to the Levites (priests). The result of such obedience out of faith is to be provided for by the generosity of God. The Life-giving God is generous, and He wants those made in His image and likeness to be generous. The secret of living is giving — giving of oneself fully to God, and then, with open hands, giving of what God has given to them out of His great love. Jesus is the image of God and the ultimate example for God's church of the fullness of the Spirit of God in a man. Jesus is the church's example of doing good, living a life of compassion, and giving. Jesus instructed His disciples, “Freely as you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). His example and instructions are for every believer.

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”

The growth of God’s children into God’s image and likeness is a process wherein God gets involved. After all, God designed the human parent-child relationship after another beautiful one He created: His relationship with each man and woman He created. He knows some wrong choices will be made, and still He works to shape each one for their good, even as a potter molds clay (Isaiah 64:8). God delights in His children, wanting only the best for each one of them. God’s will is good and it is perfect.

December 5, 2021

The steadfast love the Lord

' Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord , his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord .'

Psalm 107:1-43

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.107.1-43

This psalm of David gives thanks to the Lord six times for his steadfast love. God described Himself through Moses as the God “showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:6) and “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands” (Exodus 34:6-7).

The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever. It redeems those who love God. The redemption of the Lord saved God’s people from trouble. It provided them a city to dwell in where their needs were provided. God satisfied their needs with good, both their physical needs and their souls longing for God. The steadfast love of Lord produces the same for His church today — those who love Him, even as the Apostle John wrote,

'Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. '

3 John 1:2

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/3JN.1.2

“Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.”

The redemption of the Lord brings freedom, even as the Israelites experienced freedom from the slavery in Egypt. Darkness, death and bondage come from sin, choosing one’s own way rather than following the words of God. Evil can then take a toehold, a foothold (Ephesians 4:27), a stronghold (2 Corinthians 10:4-5), even a chokehold. In steadfast love, God responds to the earnest prayers of His people, bringing deliverance from any oppression. The steadfast love of God restores light in darkness.

“Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!”

The redemption of the Lord brings healing, sent out by God’s word, from any affliction. In steadfast love, God responds to the fervent prayers of His people, bringing deliverance from any distress or destruction (James 5:16-17). Freedom comes by way of the words of God, His servants, which do not return to Him empty (Isaiah 55:11). God brings Life in every way, quickening His people through His word (Psalm 119:88-89,107; also of David) because He is Life itself. He gives Life, whereas the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). God’s people can be confident that God will hear them, even as Christ was (John 11:41). Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads His people in triumphal procession, and through them spreads the fragrance of Him everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). The Lord truly is a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth (Psalm 86:15; also of David).

“Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.”

The redemption of the Lord brings physical protection to His people, even as it often did for David throughout his life. This enables God’s people to take heart in the midst of danger. The Apostle Paul showed great faith in the midst of danger when he was about to be shipwrecked at Malta (Acts 27:13-44). He exhibited courage and saved the lives of many on the ship bound for Rome.

The text from the psalm above could have quite literally played out when Jesus, crossing the Sea of Galilee with his disciples, calmed the waters by His authority, as Mark recorded:

'And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”'

Mark 4:37-41

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.4.37-41

The steadfast love of God preserves the lives of His people. The words of God accomplish this — in this case, it was the words of Jesus: “Be still!”

Just as the disciples were amazed at Jesus' authority, so ought God's people be amazed at Him, joining the praise of the assembly in heaven: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. "

Revelation 5:12-13

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/REV.5.12-13

“He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”

The redemption of the Lord yields abundant Life. God makes streams of Life flow from the hearts of those who belong to Him (Proverbs 4:23, John 7:38). God multiplies His grace and peace (2 Peter 1:2) to those who hold steadfast to Him in love. If His people keep the soil of their soul (the seat of the mind, will and emotions) fertile through an active, steadfast love for God and others, not letting the cares of the world interfere, then what they sow is greatly multiplied, producing a fruitful yield (see also Matthew 13:22-23).

The love of the Lord is steadfast for those who love Him and stay committed to Him, and the wide channel of God’s great love carries with it the goodness of God and abundant Life in free flow. The steadfast love of the Lord is so good that it is worth shouting about in praise, according to David (Psalm 33:1-3).

December 1, 2021

Life in the Word of God

Psalm 119 was a special psalm to William Wilberforce, leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade, who used to recite the psalm as as he walked from Parliament through Hyde Park to his home.

There is also a tradition within the church which holds that this acrostic poem was used by David to teach Solomon about the alphabet (from Aleph to Taw) and also about the ways of God. This may also be believable in view of his son Solomon’s statement, ‘ “When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live…” ‘ (Proverbs 4:3-4).

Since Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the Bible, it will not be reproduced here in its entirety.

'Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, And that seek him with the whole heart... Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee... I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Deal bountifully with thy servant, That I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law... My soul cleaveth unto the dust: Quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: Teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: So shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word... Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; And quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word Unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: For thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, Even thy salvation, according to thy word... I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself In thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate in thy statutes. Remember the word unto thy servant, Upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: For thy word hath quickened me... Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: For thy law is my delight... Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. Forever, O LORD, Thy word Is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: For all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: For with them thou hast quickened me... How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, That I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word... Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word... Order my steps in thy word: And let not any iniquity have dominion over me... Thy word is very pure: Therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised: Yet do not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy law is the truth... Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment... Plead my cause, and deliver me: Quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked: For they seek not thy statutes. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: Quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; Because they kept not thy word. Consider how I love thy precepts: Quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. Thy word is true from the beginning: And every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever... Seven times a day do I praise thee Because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.

Psalm 119:1-2,9-11,14-18,25-28,37-41,46-50,77,88-93,103-107,114,133,140-142,149,154-160,164-165

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.119.1-2,9-11,14-18,25-28,37-41,46-50,58-62,77,88-93,103-107,114,133,140-142,149,154-160,164-165

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, And that seek him with the whole heart”

The author of this psalm greatly cherished the words of the Lord. God’s words are also called His law, His testimonies, and His judgements. The psalmist saw God as wrapped up in the words He spoke, which is understandable, and believed God’s words to man to be the source of all blessing from God to provide everything good to His children in His kingdom. Faith in God’s word was the channel of Life following the disobedience of Adam, which had brought death. It was true when this psalm was written three thousand years ago, and it continues to be true in that Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14).

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee”

The psalmist desired to be close to the love and the heart of God. God is holy and righteous, and only those who are in right standing with God can be close to Him. Sin comes from not believing the Word of God and acting on it, which means one is choosing one’s own way or the devil’s way over God’s way. The psalmist believed that God’s words and ways were those of Life. Jesus said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be filled and the pure in heart shall see God (Matthew 5:6,8).

“I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Deal bountifully with thy servant, That I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law”

The psalmist saw God’s Word as a rare treasure of the greatest value, the revelation of truth and wisdom from God. It was ever on his mind, and it was his delight. Jesus spoke of the kingdom of heaven as such, a rare treasure (Matthew 13:44-45). The psalmist believed that in seeking God through His Word, God would open his eyes for him to discover wondrous things. He believed that God rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: Quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: Teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: So shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word”

The Word of God is the blueprint for the development of any human life according to God’s ways, from their first physical creation as a seed, to being made eternal (an imperishable seed, 1 Peter 1:23), to being made like Jesus Christ in fullness as part of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). The psalmist prays to be quickened (i.e., to be given more of God’s Life) according to the Word of God. He asks to understand God’s Word and ways so he can speak of God’s wondrous works. He asks to be strengthened according to His Word. Since God’s Word is the source of Life, it is also the source of strength. This song is emotional! It was also likely a model for David to teach his son to worship and to pray.

“Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; And quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word Unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: For thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, Even thy salvation, according to thy word”

The psalmist asks God’s help to turn his eyes away from pride in himself and his achievements, from any worthless things, focusing his attention on God’s way. He asks to be given Life in the ways the Giver gives Life — in abundance (John 10:10-11), in every way (2 Corinthians 9:10-11). In asking for Life, he asks God to confirm the promises of His Word to him, knowing this will bring good to him (2 Corinthians 1:20). He asks to be quickened by God yet again, bringing him righteousness, the mercies of God, and salvation, according to the blueprint and plan of God for His children. This psalmist knew what to ask of God according to His will, and how to ask it — persistently, even as Jesus taught,

' “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! '

Matthew 7:7-11

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.7.7-11

“I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself In thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate in thy statutes. Remember the word unto thy servant, Upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: For thy word hath quickened me”

William Wilberforce spoke up about what was right before the kings of his time, as it were, and he was not ashamed, perhaps having been encouraged by this psalmist. This yielded fruit in an amazing way, bringing more of God’s freedom to the nations. God’s people should also speak up about what God’s Word says and not be ashamed. As our example, Jesus went to public places where He spoke up and spoke openly, even as He told Pilate when confronted by him (John 18:20). It is clear that the hope of this psalmist was the Word of God. He loved it and so he intentionally soaked it in. It was his comfort in any affliction. The Word of God quickened him, giving him the Life only God can give as he needed it. He reformed his notions to harmonize with the Word. He assimilated God’s faith, hope, and love expressed in God’s Word.

“Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: For thy law is my delight... Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. Forever, O LORD, Thy word Is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: For all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: For with them thou hast quickened me”

The psalmist always delights in God’s Life-giving Word as He delights in God himself. He believed that it was the mercy in the nature of God that allowed him to continue to live despite his affliction. The psalmist asked again to be given Life by God according to His character of lovingkindness so he could live his life according to the blueprint of God for mankind, His Word. God’s Word quickened the psalmist in his affliction (pain and suffering). God’s Word always does what it is sent to do, including overcoming any affliction. There is nothing that can stop it, for it overpowers any evil. Faithful to God as a servant, God’s Word created and sustains the earth and all of Life therein. God’s words are His servants to accomplish His good will for His people, and His Word is also the Servant spoken of by Isaiah (especially in Isaiah 53) that would fully accomplish His redemptive purposes.

“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, That I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word”

The psalmist believed God’s Word was both Life-giving and light-giving. It quickened, it gave understanding, and it guided. Through the Life- and light-giving Word, he knew right from wrong (see also Hebrews 4:12), and so he hated every false way because he loved the way of God. In asking to be quickened, He asked for God’s good will to be accomplished in his life through the power of God. He trusted that affliction was not in God’s blueprint for the abundant Life God offers for a follower, so God would replace it with His Life.

“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word... Order my steps in thy word: And let not any iniquity have dominion over me... Thy word is very pure: Therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised: Yet do not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy law is the truth... Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment”

The first section here is reminiscent of the following section of another psalm of David:

'You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah '

Psalm 32:7

https://my.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.32.7

The psalmist had faith in God’s protection for His people. The Lord is a covenant-keeping God. In steadfast faith, the psalmist had hope in the strength and the power of God to make him victorious over sin and also over any effects of the fall. The righteous God is always victorious over any evil. Righteousness like that of God is also the blueprint of God for every life (Leviticus 21:8, Exodus 19:6, 1 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21). The psalmist asked yet again to be quickened according to God’s Word and His lovingkindness. This is what he sees that he needs: more of the Life God gives according to His Word and His nature.

“Plead my cause, and deliver me: Quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked: For they seek not thy statutes. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: Quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; Because they kept not thy word. Consider how I love thy precepts: Quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. Thy word is true from the beginning: And every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever”

The psalmist trusts his cause to God, expecting in faith to be delivered. This is what God does for His people. This is what God sent His Word, even in the flesh, to do: to deliver and to quicken (Matthew 8:17, Luke 4:18-19, John 6:63, Acts 10:38, Romans 8:11, Ephesians 2:4-7, 1 John 3:8). The following statement summarizes the prayer of this psalmist very well: “Quicken me according to thy word.” He sees God’s giving of Life — in every way He gives Life — in keeping with God’s lovingkindness; it is God’s will and His design. God’s Life-giving Word endures forever.

“Seven times a day do I praise thee Because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them”

The psalmist kept God’s law ever on his mind throughout the day, stopping to praise God seven times a day. Daniel prayed three times a day, giving thanks as he did (Daniel 6:10). Jesus set a model for personal prayer to the Father as well, teaching His disciples to start prayer with praise (Matthew 6:9). The psalmist said that loving God’s Word brings one great peace (shalom). Lovers of God’s Word have such peace that nothing shall offend them. They do not take offense. As lovers of God and servants of mankind, they refuse to take offense. This is counter cultural. Yet they do not compromise the truth of the Word of God because they love God and His Word.