They Shall Still Bear Fruit in Old Age

Psalms 92:12-15
“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

A goal for many people in life is a happy retirement.... They spend years saving and planning for the time in which they retire. They look forward to the free time to do what interests them. But is the concept of retirement applicable to the kingdom of God? We may rightly retire from secular jobs, what about our service in the church? Granted, physical infirmities may sometimes be a hindrance, but is such a valid reason for “retiring” from the work of the church? In Psalms 92:12-15, we find a description of the righteous in which they are described as palm trees and cedar trees flourishing in the house and courts of God. -- Note vs. 14: “They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing” This passage certainly suggests that there is a place of service for the elderly in the work of God. They are able to “bear fruit” and remain “fresh and flourishing”, despite their old age. That God can and does use the elderly should be rather apparent, especially when we take a few moments to consider God’s use of older people in the Bible.

Consider Moses and Aaron. They were chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage at the ages of 80 and 83 - Exo 7:7 “Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.” They were already past the normal life span - Psa 90:10 “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” (written by Moses Psa 90:1a “A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.”)

Consider Joshua and Caleb. Joshua was given the charge of leading the conquest of Canaan, during the last thirty years of his life (he lived until he was 110, Josh 24:29 “After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being 110 years old.”). Caleb was also very much involved in the conquest while in his eighties - Josh 14:6-11 “Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.' And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.”

Consider Daniel. He served God from the days of his youth, for over 70 years! - Dan 1:21 “And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.” He was well over eighty when he served as one of three governors over the kingdom of Babylon - Dan 6:1-3 “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”
He was well over eighty when thrown into the lions’ den – (Dan 6:4-27); Prospered in the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian – (Dan 6:28); and received a series of visions – (Dan 8-12).

Consider Zacharias and Elizabeth. These were the parents of John the Baptist. They were “both well advanced in years” - Lk 1:7 “But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” Yet he was serving in the temple, and she gave birth to John!
Consider Simeon and Anna. Two elderly people who bore witness to the Christ child when presented to the temple to be circumcised - Lk 2:25-38. Anna was at least 84, and had been serving God “with fastings and prayers night and day”

Consider Paul, the aged. As he refers to himself in Phile 9 “yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you--I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus”. Yet we know at this time in his life, he was busy writing letters (Eph, Col, Phi, Phe), even while in prison; traveling, visiting, encouraging churches, when he was released from prison.

There are many other examples of how God used those in their “golden years” to serve Him. These we have considered certainly illustrate how the elderly can “still bear fruit in old age”. But what about today? We'll consider God’s use of older people in the church today in our continuation of this lesson.

The Art of Confessing Our Sins - Cont.

Psalms 51:1-19

As we continue this lesson we will consider what David ask for in addition to forgiveness, as an example for us. As we confess our sins we should look to God for more than just forgiveness! We should also ask for a complete renewal and total restoration! We should also ask for a return of “the joy of salvation” (that joy experienced when we first obeyed the gospel! - Ac 8:35-39 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

As we consider further David’s confession of sin, we find it proper to resolve to offer further service (13-17) David resolves to teach other sinners and transgressors - Psa 51:13 “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

He resolves to praise God for His righteousness in delivering him from sin - Psa 51:14-15 “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.”

Knowing that God delights in something more than animal sacrifices - Psa 51:16 “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.” A broken spirit and contrite heart is what really pleases God - Psa 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”; Isa 66:1-2 “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”; 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Such resolution is in keeping with true repentance for God desires more than just forgiveness, but total restoration - Psa 51:6 “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” And zealous service is indicative of true repentance, as taught in 2 Co 7:10-11 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” As we confess our sins we should look beyond obtaining forgiveness for past sin. We should look beyond obtaining present joy and gladness of heart -- We should be making commitments regarding future service!

Finally, as we come to the end of David’s psalm, we find that “The Art Of Confessing Our Sins” includes that we pray for God’s purposes, (18-19) “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.” David offered a prayer regarding God’s purposes. That God would fulfill His purpose for Zion - Psa 51:18. That God would be pleased with Israel’s sacrifices - Psa 51:19. -- Thus his confession of sin ends with a desire for that which pleases God. As we confess our sins we should not be selfish, praying for only our needs. What about God’s desires? His purposes? -- As Jesus taught us in “The Lord’s Prayer”, it is important to pray for God’s will as well as our own (cf. “Thy Will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”).

I hope I have not made the practice of confessing sins sound complicated.... Certainly there are occasions where a simple “I have sinned...” may suffice as illustrated in the prayer of the tax collector - Lk 18:13-14. Yet if we desire to be less self-centered in confessing our sins, we can follow David’s example...
Appeal to God’s mercy and lovingkindness
Acknowledge our sins to God
Understand where we are and where God wants us
Pray for renewal and restoration
Resolve to offer grateful service
Pray for God’s purposes

By praying as David did, we are sure to experience two things: forgiveness itself and the joy of forgiveness. -- As David expressed in Psa 32:1-5, written after receiving forgiveness for his sins. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” The Christian who confesses his sins is the truly happy individual (“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven...”), for they have the assurance of salvation (see 1 Jn 1:9). Have you confessed your sins to God today?

The Art of Confessing Our Sins

Psalms 51:1-19

Do you remember the joy and the relief you experienced when you were baptized...? Knowing that your sins had been washed away by the blood of Christ? Knowing that you then stood before God holy and without blame? -- Wouldn’t it be great to experience that same joy and relief, time and again? There is no reason why you cannot...! Even though you may have sinned terribly after your baptism, for God has made provision whereby we can enjoy the continual cleansing of the blood of Christ! Not by being baptized again and again..., but by confessing our sins to God - 1 Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” For God who is faithful and just has promised to forgive our sins! -- Just as we were raised from the grave of baptism cleansed by Jesus’ blood, so we can rise from our prayers knowing that we have been cleansed from all unrighteousness! The key is to confess our sins... But how does one do that effectively? Are there some things to keep in mind as we confess our sins? In Psalms 51, we have what David wrote after he was guilty of adultery with Bathsheba. He provides an example of how one should confess their sins to God. He provides what I like to call “The Art Of Confessing Our Sins.”

How should one go about confessing their sins to God? From the example of David, a good place to begin is with an appeal to God’s mercy and lovingkindness, (1-2) “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Note the basis of David’s plea for forgiveness; “according to Your lovingkindness”; “according to the multitude of Your tender mercies” -- David sought forgiveness based upon God’s lovingkindness and tender mercies.

The pardon we seek should not have as a basis in the merit or worthiness of man, but in the goodness and grace of God! As we seek “washing” and “cleansing” from our sins. Don’t base our appeal on our past accomplishments, for example, how much we have done for the Lord, or how long we have been a member of His church, but upon the goodness and mercy of God! Appeal to His mercy and grace! Knowing that He is slow to anger and abounding in mercy! - Psa 103:8-10 “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” -- Remember the parable of the Pharisee and the publican! - Lk 18:9-14 “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

As we seek forgiveness, we must of course acknowledge our sins to God (3-4) “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Note how David acknowledged his sin. He did not try to hide it: “my sin is ever before me”. He admitted that it was a sin against God Himself: “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight” While it is true he had sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah, his own wife... David knew that it was ultimately against God Himself! He accepted the condemnation of God against him. That God was both “just” and blameless” in judging him as God did when He sent Nathan to condemn him.

As we confess our sins appreciate that this is key to receiving God’s grace - 1 Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Acknowledge the sin; while we may at times simply confess to be sinners, it never hurts to actually mention the sin for which we seek forgiveness. Understand that all sin is ultimately a sin against God Himself! Don’t fault God (His Word or His messengers) when we are exposed and condemned for our sins!

As we confess our sins, there is more that we should bear in mind. From David we learn that we should also understand where we and where God wants us, (5-6) “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”

Until forgiven one is deep in sin. Using hyperbole so common in poetic language, David describes the depravity in which he finds himself. He is not trying to escape responsibility by saying he was born that way; only that he knows he is utterly sinful. But God desires much more. David knew that God wanted: “truth in the inward parts” - “wisdom in the hidden parts”-- Again, figurative hyperbole illustrating that truth and wisdom are to be as pervasive as sin had been! David knew that God desired to provide more than just forgiveness, He also desires: total restoration, with understanding and wisdom on our part, that we be equipped for faithful service.

Understanding what God wants of us helps us to appreciate what David goes on to say. Indeed, confession of sins should also mean that we pray for renewal and restoration (7-12) “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."

David desired more than just forgiveness of sin. He does pray for forgiveness, using figurative language in asking God:
1.) To purge him with hyssop - Psa 51:7
2.) To wash him whiter than snow - Psa 51:7
3.) To hide His face from his sins - Psa 51:9
4.) To blot out all his iniquities - Psa 51:9
But he also sought for more; he desired...
1.) Joy and gladness - Psa 51:8
2.) A new heart, and renewal of a steadfast spirit - Psa 51:10
3.) A continuation of God’s presence and Spirit - Psa 51:11
-- As summarized in verse 12: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit.”

As we confess our sins we should look to God for more than just forgiveness! We should also ask for a complete renewal and total restoration! When we continue this lesson we will consider what David ask for in addition to forgiveness, as an example for us.

I Have Set the Lord Always Before Me - Cont.

Psalms 16:8

Finally, allow me to suggest that you set the Lord before you through your fellowship. Strength comes from assembling together. Just as there is strength in numbers - Ecc 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” In view of the very real danger of falling away we need to exhort one another daily - He 3:12-13 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” We need to admonish one another through our frequent assemblies - He 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” -- Like coals in a fire keeping each other hot, assembling together is designed to keep the “spark” alive in our relationship with God.

The early church found strength by assembling together. As when Peter and John were released after being arrested - Ac 4:23-31 “When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'-- for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” As when Peter was imprisoned - Ac 12:12 “When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.”

Our assemblies can be a foretaste of God’s presence. In which we drawn near to God together through song, prayer, and His word. In which we enjoy the fellowship of God and His servants even now - Re 7:9-17 “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."’

Oh! for a home with God, a place in His courts to rest,
Sure in a safe abode with Jesus and the blest;
Rest for a weary soul once redeemed by the Savior’s love,
Where I will be pure and whole and live with my God above!
-- Alone At Eve, chorus, Will W. Slater

Do you desire to draw closer to God? Then “set the Lord before you” through these avenues:
Contemplating nature
Meditating on God’s word
Spending time in prayer
Having fellowship with other Christians

Do this, and we can draw closer to God, and sing with David:
“...In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psa 16:11)

I Have Set the Lord Always Before Me

Psalms 16:8

In Psa 16:11 we are reminded that in the presence of God there is fullness of joy and true happiness... “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
I am sure that all Christians would agree; but even so, there are times we all find ourselves not as close to God as we would like. We find ourselves spiritually weak, filled with depression and anxiety. In such times, what can we do in order to become close to God again? The answer is found in Psa 16:8 “I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” -- It is when we “set the Lord before us” that we receive the benefits of His Presence...

In this lesson, I wish to review ways that you can draw closer to God, or to “set the Lord before you”, anytime we find ourselves drifting away from God. Perhaps a good place to start is to set the Lord before you through God’s creation. Let nature help you draw close to God for the Creation speaks to us of God. It tells of His glory and His knowledge - Psa 19:1-2 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” It impresses us with His eternal power and His deity - Ro 1:20 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” In their own way, such inanimate objects worship God - Psa 68:8 “the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.” When we take time to contemplate God’s creation we understand more of His power and of His person. This understanding enables us to come closer to God, just as increasing understanding between friends enhances friendship as it does any relationship (e.g., marriages).

Others used natural settings in drawing closer to God. Isaac would go out into the fields to meditate - Gen 24:63 “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming.” Jesus would often go to the mountains to pray - Mt 14:23 “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,”. -- It may be easier to draw closer to God in the midst of God’s creation (nature), and away from man’s creation (cities).

“Walking alone at eve and viewing the skies afar,
Bidding the darkness come to welcome each silver star;
I have a great delight in the wonderful scenes above,
God in His power and might is showing His truth and Love.
-- Alone At Eve, verse 1, Will W. Slater

But God’s creation can tell you only so much about Him. To draw closer, you need to set the Lord before you through God’s revelation. God’s word provides the full revelation of God. . Through nature we are limited in what we can learn of God. We can see His power, divinity, glory, and knowledge, but we learn nothing of His will and purpose for us. It is only through Divine revelation that God has made His full will known. He has revealed many things through His Spirit, who in turn revealed them through the apostles - 1 Co 2:9-12 “But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” Such things were written for our benefit and understanding - Ep 3:3-5 “how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”

David and others depended upon the Word to remain close to God. David used it in many ways to stay close to God - Psa 119:92-93 “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.”, 105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”, 147-148 “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.” Jesus used the scriptures to ward off the Tempter - Mt 4:4 “But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'", 7 “Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'", 10 “Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" -- Let God’s Word help you draw near to Him who is the source of peace and strength.

Sitting alone at eve and dreaming the hours away,
Watching the shadows falling now at the close of day;
God in His mercy comes with His word He is drawing near,
Spreading His love and truth around me and everywhere.
-- Alone At Eve, verse 2, Will W. Slater

But do not stop with listening to God through His Word. To really draw close to God, you need to set the Lord before you through your prayers. A close relationship must be a two-way street. God has revealed Himself to us through His creation and revelation. We must reveal ourselves to Him, which we do through prayer by which to express every concern, to receive appropriate blessings - Ph 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” By which to draw boldly to God, to obtain mercy and grace to help - He 4:14-16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Others found prayer the means to receive help from God. David found that confessing sins to God brought forgiveness - Psa 32:3-6 “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.” Jesus found prayer to be a source of strength in times of trial - Mt 26:36-44 “Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.” -- Draw near to God’s throne through prayer, let Him know of your deepest needs.
Closing my eyes at eve and thinking of heaven’s grace,
Longing to see my Lord, yes, meeting Him face to face;
Trusting Him as my all wheresoever my footsteps roam,
Pleading with Him to guide me on to the spirit’s home.
-- Alone At Eve, verse 3, Will W. Slater

We will continue this lesson next week with a final consideration to set the Lord before you through your fellowship, noting that strength comes from assembling together.

The Truly Happy Man

Psalms 1:1-6

Wherein lies the key to true happiness...? We live in a time where boredom, depression and other forms of unhappiness are rampant. Is there some basic principle which determines success in finding happiness? The Book of Psalms with its very first psalm shares with us a key principle that can ensure true happiness...Notice the very first word of the first psalm - “Blessed...” Not "lucky", but "Blessed"!
1) The word in Hebrew denotes the idea of “happiness”.
2) The actual force of the Hebrew could be translated “O how very happy is the man...” Therefore this psalm describes “The Truly Happy Man”. In this lesson, we shall take a close look at the first psalm seeking to glean the principles necessary for one to truly be happy.

The psalm itself can be divided into three sections. The first section describes the blessedness of the righteous man. We are told of his character … (1-2). Described first from a negative point of view - Psa 1:1 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;”. There is value in negative commands or statements:
1) For so much that destroys happiness is the fruit of sinful activity.
2) We ought to appreciate the value of negative commands.
They keep us from going astray and protect from harm and misery like restraining walls along a cliff, they keep us from getting hurt. Therefore it is said that the truly happy man:
1) “Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly”. He does not take their counsel as to how to live. He does not follow the advice of those who are sinful.
2) “Nor stands in the path of sinners”. He does not linger where sinners are known to go. For the temptation to go with them would be great.
3) “Nor sits in the seat of the scornful”. He does not join himself with those who ridicule and mock those trying to do right. Which sinners often do to fortify their conduct and defend their actions.

Notice the example of Hebrew poetry in this verse. Hebrew poetry stressed “thought rhyme” rather than “word rhyme”, where the thoughts are somehow related rather than just the words. Such thought rhyme was often expressed in various forms of “parallelism” (e.g., synonymous, 1:2; antithetical, 1:6). Here we find an example of “progressive parallelism” (walk, stand, sit). This verse may be taken to describe the journey one takes into sin... First, one going along with a crowd, then, taking a stand with the crowd; finally, reaching a point where sinning is not enough, mockery is added.

Note hisis character from a positive perspective - Psa 1:2 “but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” “His delight is in the law of the Lord” which is:
1) The source of his joy and happiness is the Word of God!
2) It is truly his “delight” – as found in Psa 119:16,24,35,47,70,77,92,174; Jer 15:16-17!
3) He preferred it over the counsel of the ungodly!
Therefore, “in His law he meditates day and night”. The word meditate means to “moan, hum, utter, speak, muse”. The picture is one of a man reading and rereading half aloud to himself. Another word might be “ponder”. This he does with God’s word “day and night”. This is not implying a monk-like existence, but a concerted interest which goes beyond a casual acquaintance. What it means is that this is something he does habitually. He takes time to do - setting apart portions of each day. He does both day and night.

We are told of his prosperity - (3) “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
“He shall be like a tree”. This figure of speech is often used in Scripture to describe the righteous – for example, Psa 92:12-15 “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”; Jer 17:5-8 “Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."’ It had special significance to those living in arid climates (like Palestine).

“Planted by rivers of water”; this is a word picture describing a person whose life is rooted in God’s word from which one receives constant nourishment.
“That brings forth fruit in its season”; depicting a life which yields something worthwhile, providing blessings to himself and others. “Whose leaf also shall not wither”. A tree with roots near a river is not likely to be affected in times of drought. So adverse conditions do not affect the fruitfulness of one whose strength comes from God’s word! “Whatever he does shall prosper”. The figure of the tree is now left behind. This is a general rule, exceptions may occur for reasons which only God knows. But a life of piety will generally be followed by prosperity. For piety will heed God’s directions for success in life. And piety will heed God’s warnings concerning things that waste life. Such is the character and prosperity of the righteous man; he is truly happy and a blessing to others because he abides in the Word of God. He also becomes a monument to God’s faithfulness and the value of living by His word. What of those who do not delight in the Word of God, who do not receive the nourishment found in it?

In the next two verses we are shown the condition of the unrighteous. They are nothing like the righteous, (4) “The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” The phrase “The wicked are not so” is more emphatic in the Hebrew. Literally, “Not so, are the ungodly!”; emphasizing that the wicked are not like the righteous. The contrast as illustrated by the Psalmist. He does not even describe them as withering trees, but rather as “chaff that the wind drives away”, alluding to chaff blown away from wheat as it is tossed into the air. The illustration describes a bleak existence. Their life is one of futility (ending in eternal separation from God). Their life is of no substantial value, either to be blown away and not found, or to be burned (Mt 3:12 “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."’)

Their sorry condition portends no good end (5), “The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment”. I understand this may be a Hebraism (Hebrew idiom) meaning that the wicked “shall not be able to maintain himself”, i.e., obliged to sit or fall down in shame when convicted of their guilt. The Final Judgment appears to be under consideration. “Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous”, in all places where the righteous are assembled, they will have no place where they assemble to worship God, where they meet as His friends or where they together participate in His favor. But, especially, in the last day, when the righteous shall be gathered together to receive their reward, or when the righteous shall be assembled together in heaven. The sinner has no place!

The psalm concerning “The Truly Happy Man” ends with a final contrast between the two “ways”. The way of the righteous, (6a) “for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,”. The word “knows” suggests interest in, and care for, the person known -- One could say: “God himself goes with such a person throughout his or her life”
The way of the wicked, (6b) “but the way of the wicked will perish.” The way of the ungodly person “shall perish”, shall tend toward ruin. -- His path becomes less defined until it loses itself (like a trail that leads into a swamp).

Is not the end described for the ungodly a true description of those who go through life bored, depressed, or otherwise unhappy...? Their lives are listless with no sense of purpose or direction, gradually unraveling. Why is this so? Because they heed the counsel of the ungodly! They do not meditate upon the Word of the Lord! If we desire to be “The Truly Happy Man” standing strong like a well-nourished tree, bearing fruit at all times, with the Lord always at our side -- then the key is to delight and meditate in the Word of the Lord, and not heed the counsel of sinners! In whose counsel do you delight? That found in God’s word, or that provided by the ungodly in this world? If you seek true happiness, let the Lord be your counselor, and His word your guide!

Expatriate Extraordinaire - Continued

Esther 2:5-7

Having looked at the example of Mordecai (see previous lesson), what parallels or applications might we draw related to our service as Christians; Christians as expatriates extraordinaire...? Do you consider yourself to be an expatriate? We are called to be expatriates because like the Jews in exile, we are ‘pilgrims of the Dispersion’ - 1 Pe 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” We are ‘sojourners and pilgrims’ in this world - 1 Pe 2:11 “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” Our citizenship is in heaven - Ph 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” -- During our earthly sojourn, we are truly expatriates, residing in a world not our own.

We are called to be extraordinaire with honorable conduct among the Gentiles - 1 Pe 2:12 “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” We are to be children of God without fault, shining as lights in the world - Ph 2:14-15 “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” We are to be practicing pure religion, as did Mordecai raising Esther - Ja 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” We are to encourage one another to do what’s right, as Mordecai exhorted Esther - He 3:12-14 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” As Christians we are to be fulfilling our duties to the governments in which we live obeying the laws, paying taxes, showing respect - Ro 13:1-7 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”; 1 Pe 2:13-17 “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” We are to be praying for those in authority - 1 Ti 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” We are to obey God rather than man, should there be a conflict - Ac 5:29 “But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.” We are to be devoted to the people of God, the church, as Mordecai was to the Jews - 1 Th 4:9-10 “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,” -- Such conduct would certainly be extraordinary; beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional; remarkable.

Do you know anyone like that...? How about the apostle Paul? Any other faithful Christians in the New Testament? How about faithful Christians today? -- If so, mark them well and follow their example - Ph 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” Add to your role models other Old Testament examples.... Men like Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. Women like Ruth, and of course Esther; -- Whose histories were written for our learning - Ro 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” These were “expatriates extraordinaires” like Mordecai. So we can be, if we follow in their footsteps of faith fighting against our enemy (Satan, not Haman). Are you willing to accept the challenge...?

“...Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” - Est 4:14b

Expatriate Extraordinaire

Esther 2:5-7
A much loved story in the Bible is that of Esther (Hadassa), a young beautiful Jewish girl who becomes Queen of Persia - Est 2:16-17 “And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” Who at great risk to her life intercedes for and saves her people - Est 4:15-16 “Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."’ -- Which led to the establishment of the days of Purim for the Jews - Est 9:26-32. Integral to the story of Esther is the involvement of Mordecai the Jew, the first cousin of Esther, who also lived in Shushan of Persia - Est 2:5-7, whose greatness is described in the last verse - Est 10:3 “For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.” -- In fact, the Feast of Purim is called “the day of Mordecai” in 2 Mac 15:36, Mordecai was truly an “Expatriate Extraordinaire”. As such, he provides an example in many respects for Christians today.

Expatriate - One who has taken up residence in a foreign country. His great-grandfather Kish had been taken away into Babylonian captivity - Est 2:5-6 “Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away.” The Jews had begun to return to Jerusalem nearly fifty years earlier - cf. Ezr 1:1-5 “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel--he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem." Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem.” -- Mordecai, like many other Jews, remained in the country of exile.

Extraordinaire - Extraordinary; beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional; remarkable. He raised his orphan cousin Esther - Est 2:7 “He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.” He served as her mentor and protector - Est 2:10-11 “Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.”, 20 “Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him.” He displayed patriotic loyalty by saving the king from assassination - Est 2:21-23 “In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai.” He refused to give Haman homage due only to God - Est 3:1-4 “After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordecai, "Why do you transgress the king's command?" And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai's words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew.” The Jews all think that Mordecai refused this prostration because it implied idolatrous adoration. - Clarke. Hence, in the Apocryphal additions to this book, Mordecai is represented praying thus: “Thou knowest that if I have not adored Haman, it was not through pride, nor contempt, nor secret desire of glory; for I felt disposed to kiss the footsteps of his feet (gladly) for the salvation of Israel: but I feared to give to a man that honor which I know belongs only to my God.” - ibid.

He did what he could to save his people, the Jews. Tearing his clothes, mourning in sackcloth and ashes before the king’s gate - Est 4:1-2. Sending word to Esther that she must be willing to risk her own life - Est 4:13-14. Heeding her plea for him and all the Jews to fast and pray for her - Est 4:15-17 Together with Esther he wrote a decree that countered the one by Haman - Est 8:7-12. He wrote the letters establishing the Feast of Purim for the Jews - Est 9:20-28. -- Mordecai was truly an extraordinary person, his greatness extolled in the book of Esther - Est 9:4 “For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful.”; 10:2-3 “And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.”

With the example of Mordecai, what parallels or applications might we draw related to our service as Christians; Christians as expatriates extraordinaire...? When we continue our lesson we will look at how we can also be expatriates extraordinaire.

The Hand of the Lord My God was Upon Me - Continued

Ezra 7:28

Having noted the blessings of God's provisions in Ezra's life in our lesson last week, we turn to ask, why did Ezra enjoy the blessing of God’s provision in his life? Is there anything we can glean from Ezra’s story that might ensure the hand of God in our own lives? I believe there is! Let me suggest some reasons why the hand of the Lord was upon Ezra. The first reason is that Ezra prepared himself. In a summary passage, we learn why God was with him - Ezra 7:9-10 “For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” God was with him “For (because) Ezra had prepared his heart...” “to seek the Law of the Lord” (to learn what God wanted him to do). “to do it” (to apply it to himself first). “to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (and then teach others). -- Ezra had first made himself “useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” – see 2 Ti 2:21.

Ezra had sought the Lord. He believed that God would be with those who seek Him - Ezra 8:22 “For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him."’ Thus he entreated God’s protection through fasting and prayer - Ezra 8:21-23 “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” -- Ezra believed that God rewarded those who diligently seek Him; such faith undoubtedly pleased God - He 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Ezra was willing to step out in faith. Trusting the Lord would protect them, they began their perilous journey - Ezra 8:31 “Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way.” It was not easy, for there were enemies and potential for ambush along the way! -- But Ezra illustrated that he had a living, working faith! - Ja 2:17 “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”, 26 “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”; Ga 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love."

Ezra was willing to face difficult situations. Upon his arrival, Ezra was faced with a difficult situation - Ezra 9:1-2 “After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, "The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost."’ Many of the Israelites had intermarried with Gentile women. The rulers and leaders of Israel were the worst violators. He was moved to fasting and prayer - Ezra 9:3-15. Others joined him (“everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel”). He offered prayer confessing the sins of Israel. He accepted the responsibility that was his - Ezra 10:1-8. Encouraged by those willing to repent he went on to leading the people to a great restoration! -- It would have been so easy to rationalize away any need for the people to change; but Ezra did not let the emotionally charged issue deter him from doing God’s will!

The hand of the Lord was upon Ezra because he; had prepared himself; sought the Lord; was willing to step out in faith and was willing to face difficult situations. Ezra was not the only person who experienced the hand of the Lord upon him.... The Lord was also with a contemporary, Nehemiah - Neh 2:18 “And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” Sometimes the hand of the Lord was for the purpose of judgment - 1 Sam 5:6 “The hand of the LORD was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory.”

But here we have considered the working of God for good in the life of his servant. How will the hand of the Lord be for us? For our good, if we emulate Ezra by preparing ourselves to be useful to the Master! Seeking the Lord with diligence and faith! Stepping out in faith against the odds. Facing difficult issues and situations head on. Let the example of Ezra encourage us to so live in Christ, that one day we can look back at the events in our lives and say:
“The Hand Of The Lord My God Was Upon Me”!

The Hand of the Lord My God was Upon Me

Ezra 7:28

The Bible is filled with stories of people who lived their lives under the influence of God.... Through deep faith and a willingness to serve, God used them to fulfill His purposes. Ezra is one such example of what can happen when a person determines to seek God and allows the Lord to use him. In 457 B.C., Ezra led a group of Jews from Babylonian captivity back to Jerusalem about eighty years after a group led by Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple. The mission of Ezra’s group was to restore the people of God. In the book of Ezra the first six chapters describe the work of Zerubbabel. The final four chapters relate Ezra’s arrival and the great restoration he brought about. The theme of Ezra’s life and work could be stated as “The Hand Of The Lord My God Was Upon Me,” for six times in two chapters he thus attributes his success.

In our lesson, let’s first notice how the hand of the Lord was upon Ezra. We find this in the receiving his request from the King. Notice Ezra 7:6 “this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD the God of Israel had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.” Because the hand of the Lord was upon Ezra, Artaxerxes allowed him:
1) To go to Jerusalem - Ezra 7:12-13 ‘"Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. Peace. And now I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.”
2) To take silver and gold to buy animals for sacrifice - Ezra 7:14-17 “For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand, and also to carry the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, with all the silver and gold that you shall find in the whole province of Babylonia, and with the freewill offerings of the people and the priests, vowed willingly for the house of their God that is in Jerusalem. With this money, then, you shall with all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and you shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God that is in Jerusalem.”
3) To buy what is needed for the service of the house of God - Ezra 7:18-23 “Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do, according to the will of your God. The vessels that have been given you for the service of the house of your God, you shall deliver before the God of Jerusalem. And whatever else is required for the house of your God, which it falls to you to provide, you may provide it out of the king's treasury. "And I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, requires of you, let it be done with all diligence, up to 100 talents of silver, 100 cors of wheat, 100 baths of wine, 100 baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. Whatever is decreed by the God of heaven, let it be done in full for the house of the God of heaven, lest his wrath be against the realm of the king and his sons.”
4) To be free from taxation - Ezra 7:24 “We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.”
5) To set up magistrates and judges - Ezra 7:25-26 ‘"And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach. Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment."’ -- Ezra recognized the hand of God was at work in his behalf! - Ezra 7:27-28 “Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem, and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the LORD my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.”

The hand of the Lord was upon Ezra in finding servants for the temple. Prepared to leave, Ezra noted none of sons of Levi - Ezra 8:15 “I gathered them to the river that runs to Ahava, and there we camped three days. As I reviewed the people and the priests, I found there none of the sons of Levi.” He sends men to find some who will go with them - Ezra 8:16-17 “Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leading men, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of insight, and sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brothers and the temple servants at the place Casiphia, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God.” -- By the good hand of God upon them, they find 38 Levites and 220 Nethinim to assist them! - Ezra 8:18-20 “And by the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sherebiah with his sons and kinsmen, 18; also Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his kinsmen and their sons, 20; besides 220 of the temple servants, whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. These were all mentioned by name.”

The hand of the Lord was upon Ezra in providing a safe journey to Jerusalem. Ezra proclaimed a fast to seek from God the right way to travel - Ezra 8:21-23 “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” Having told the king that God’s hand would be them, he was ashamed to ask for a military escort - Ezra 8:22 -- God’s hand was upon them, and they safely arrived in Jerusalem! - Ezra 8:31-32 “Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way. We came to Jerusalem, and there we remained three days.” From beginning to end the hand of the Lord was upon Ezra.

We will continue this lesson next week looking into why Ezra enjoyed the blessings of God's provisions in his life. Is there anything we can glean from Ezra’s story that might ensure the hand of God in our own lives? I believe there is!

David's Charge to Solomon - Continued

1 Chronicles 28:9

Are we committed to serving God completely and willingly? To know God and serve Him with sincerity and zeal, such is our duty! From “David’s Charge To Solomon” we can also learn what can serve as our motivation as God searches our hearts. David tells Solomon “...for the Lord searches all hearts”. Solomon later confesses “...You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men” - 1 Kin 8:39. Today it is still the same. Jesus knew the hearts of men during His earthly ministry - Jn 2:24-25 “But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” Jesus continues to search the minds and hearts of all - Re 2:23 “And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.” There is no way we can hide our hearts from God. David understood this - Psa 139:1-12 “A Psalm of David. O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”; He 4:12-13 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” -- Since we cannot hide, why not obey and serve Him willingly?

God understands and knows the intents of the human mind. The Lord “understand all the intents of the thoughts”. He understands “every motive behind the thoughts” (NIV). “not only the thoughts of the heart, when regularly formed and ranged in order, but even the very beginning of them, the first motions of the mind, and before they are well formed”
- Gill. – Even though we may succeed in our motivations and intents from others there is no way that we can hide our motives from God!

Reinforcing our motivation to know God and serve Him with a loyal heart and willing mind, is the two-sided promise found in “David’s Charge To Solomon”. If we seek Him He will be found by us - 2 Chr 15:1-2 “The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” For the Lord is seeking those whose heart is loyal to Him - 2 Chr 16:9a “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” The key is to seek Him with all our heart - Jer 29:13-14a “You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the LORD”; Mt 7:7-8 ‘"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.”; Ja 4:8-10 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” -- Are we making a diligent effort to find God, to learn and do His will?

If we forsake him He will cast us off forever – see 2 Chr 15:2b above; Isa 1:28 “But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.” Even as the Lord promised to do to Israel - 1 Kin 9:6-9 “But if you turn aside from following me, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments and my statutes that I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and the house that I have consecrated for my name I will cast out of my sight, and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. And this house will become a heap of ruins. Everyone passing by it will be astonished and will hiss, and they will say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?' Then they will say, 'Because they abandoned the LORD their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore the LORD has brought all this disaster on them.'" Even as Jesus warned His disciples if they did not bear fruit - Jn 15:1-2,6 ‘"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” – “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” -- How sad and terrible to go through life and death without God at our side!

How much better to go through life and face death with God! - Isa 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Just as David later encouraged Solomon - 1 Chr 28:20 “Then David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.” If we want the encouraging promise spoken of by David, accept the duty spoken of by David...!

David’s Charge To Solomon

1 Chronicles 28:9
Near the end of his life, King David gave a solemn charge to his son Solomon pertaining to the building of the temple - 1 Chr 28:1-10. Of particular note are David’s words in verse 9 ‘"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” David’s charge included three things; Solomon’s duty toward God, motivation for Solomon to fulfill his duty and promises regarding whether or not Solomon fulfilled his duty.

What David charged Solomon in 1 Chr 28:9 has application for us today, in regards to our service to God. Using the verse as our text, consider first what is our duty? Are we not also charged to know God? David tells Solomon to “...know the God of your father”. Nothing is more important in life than to truly know God - Jer 9:23-24 “Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."’ God is displeased when people do not know Him. As was the case in Hosea’s day - Hos 4:1,6 “Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land;” – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” As was also the case in Paul’s day - Ro 1:18-28 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.”

Yet God has made Himself known through creation - Psa 19:1-3 “A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.” God has made Himself known through revelation, and the sending of His Son - He 1:1-2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”; Jn 1:14 “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.”, 18 “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.”; 14:7 “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."’; 17:1-4 “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” -- Have we made a serious effort to know God?

We are charged to serve God with a loyal heart (NKJV). With a whole heart (NASB, ESV). With wholehearted devotion (NIV). With what Jesus described as the greatest commandment - Mt 22:36-38 ‘"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” We are charged to serve God with a willing mind (NKJV). “cordially and sincerely, cheerfully and freely,” - Gill. “neither in a hypocritical manner, nor through force and constraint, nor with loathing and weariness” - ibid. This is the kind of service God expects today of all Christians in their giving - 2 Co 8:12 “For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.”; 9:7 “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Also of elders in their shepherding - 1 Pe 5:1-2 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;” -- Are we committed to serving God completely and willingly? To know God and serve Him with sincerity and zeal, such is our duty!

In our continuation of this lesson we will note that from “David’s Charge To Solomon” we can also learn what can serve as our motivation as God searches our hearts.

The Samaritan's Religion - Continued

2 Kings 17:24-41

One final point to be made about the Samaritans religion, is that it was a religion of “compromise”. In the case of the Samaritans they had God and they had “gods”; they liked the latter best - 2 Kin 17:41a “So these nations feared the LORD and also served their carved images.” They gave God lip service, but they gave the “gods” their true service.

Such can happen to Christians today. When they seek to serve God, while also trying to serve the world. But this is impossible according to Jesus - Mt 6:24 ‘"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” When people try to serve both, the world always wins.... It shows up in how their jobs, their recreation, etc., takes precedence over their service to God. It shows up in how they seek to rationalize their conduct. But God cannot tolerate “compromise”. He requires total commitment to Him, no matter the price. As taught in the Old Testament - De 6:5 “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”, 14-15 “You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you, for the LORD your God in your midst is a jealous God, lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.” As taught by Jesus Himself - Lk 14:26,33 ‘"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” – “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” To compromise with the world is to commit “spiritual adultery”! - Ja 4:4 “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Thus we need to heed Jesus’ admonition: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...” - Mt 6:33

I believe it is easy to see the error of the Samaritans’ religion.... They had a religion of “fear, form, and compromise”. But unless we are careful, our religion can easily become like theirs! If with honest introspection we must confess that our religion is closer to the Samaritans’ than it should be then let Elijah challenge us to give up “a religion of compromise” - 1 Kin 18:21 “And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.” Let Paul challenge us to give up “a religion of form” - Ro 2:28-29 “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” Let John challenge us to give up “a religion of fear” - 1 Jn 3:18-19 “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.”

Have you accepted the Savior’s tender invitation (Mt 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."’), which is received today by obedience to His gospel? - Mk 16:15-16 “And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”; Ac 2:36-39 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."’

The Samaritan's Religion

2 Kings 17:24-41

Following the conquest by the nation of Assyria, most of Israel was deported to Assyria. In their place, Assyria imported captives from other countries to live in Samaria, the main province of Israel at that time - 2 Kin 17:24 “And the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel. And they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities.” In our text, the religion of those who were imported is described at length... - 2 Kin 17:24-41. There are several characteristics of their religion we would do well to take note of, so let’s begin by reading the passage itself. With this passage fresh in our minds, how might the Samaritans’ religion compare with our service to God today?

In some cases, the comparisons may be a little too close for comfort! To begin with, note that their religion was a religion of “fear”. This is evident by the following statements:
1) “So they feared the Lord...” - 2 Kin 17:32 “They also feared the LORD and appointed from among themselves all sorts of people as priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places.” “They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods...” - 2 Kin 17:33. “So these nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images...” - 2 Kin 17:41. That they had the wrong kind of fear is implied in vs. 34: “...they do not fear the Lord” -- Is this a contradiction? No, for remember that there is a proper fear of the Lord. This is taught by Jesus and His apostles - Mt 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”; Ac 10:34-35 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”; Ph 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” As taught by Solomon in the Old Testament - Pro 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”; 14:26-27 “In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”; Ecc 8:12-13 “Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.”; 12:13-14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” This “fear of the Lord”... is the kind of awesome reverence towards God that motivates us to turn away from evil and serve God faithfully at all times. Is not the kind that never thinks of God when things are going well, and then trembles at the prospect of facing God.

So the Samaritans had the wrong kind of fear. They would have never thought of God, had it not been for the lions - 2 Kin 17:25-26. When they did think of Him, it was only to tremble before Him. This is like so many people today who think of God only when they are ill, forgetting Him when they are well. They think of God during their calamities, but not during their joys; when faced with problems, but not when enjoying prosperity. Like some sailors who in a storm pray fervently to God for deliverance, making promises, but then get drunk or engage in immorality as soon as they get to land. If we turn to God only when things go wrong, our religion is no different than the Samaritans’! But with the proper kind of fear (awesome reverence), we will draw close to God through obedience; and when we do so, we will find Him to be so gracious and loving that we will serve Him out of love and not just a fear of judgment - 1 Jn 4:16-18 “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

We also notice that the Samaritans’ religion was a religion of “form”. Their hearts were not in their service to the Lord, as was evident by the fact they continued to serve their “carved images” - 2 Kin 17:33-34 “So they feared the LORD but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. To this day they do according to the former manner. They do not fear the LORD, and they do not follow the statutes or the rules or the law or the commandment that the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel.” What service they rendered to the Lord possessed “form”, but not “substance”.

Such worship is often common today. Where there is “form”, but not “substance”. Now, there is a need for “form” in religion, possessing both a physical and spiritual nature, as man needs physical ways to express his spiritual devotion. Thus God has provided physical expressions even in New Testament worship, even though it is much more spiritual than that found in the Old Testament. The Lord’s Supper, singing, prayer, giving, etc., they all have “form”. But to go through the “form” without the “substance” (i.e., the right spirit, attitude) is “hypocritical” - Mt 15:7-9 “You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

Christians are guilty of such worship if they sing “Give Me The Bible”, but they never read it. Sing “Here Am I, Send Me”, but are not willing to go or do. Sing “Wonderful Story Of Love” with bored expressions on their faces (Pro 15:13 “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”). Worship that is both “form” and “substance” will emulate the example of David, “I will praise You with my whole heart...” - Psa 138:1. “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” - Psa 146:1-2. “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is beautiful.” - Psa 147:1. Is our religion one of simply going through the “form”? Or does it have “substance” as well? If not, then our religion is no more pleasing to God than that of the Samaritans!

There is one final point about the Samaritans religion that needs to be made. We will make that point and examine what can happen to Christians today in the same manner.

This is a Day of Good News (continued)

2 Kings 7:9

Despite the consequences of keeping silent, many Christians do not tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ. Why is this so? Here are some possibilities and reasons why many keep silent. For some, it may be they are starving themselves. They may have experienced the joy of salvation in the past, but through negligence they have failed to grow, and have forgotten the blessings of salvation - 2 Pe 1:8-9 “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” In a real sense, they have returned to a state of spiritual famine! Therefore, they have little or nothing to share with others. Those who are enjoying the blessings of salvation will want to tell others. Even as David did in his psalm - Psa 32:1-11. And as Philip did when he found Jesus - Jn 1:43-46 -- Don’t you have any “good news” worth sharing?

For some, it may be out of fear or discouragement. If fear keeps us silent, remember that:
First place in the list of those consigned to the lake of fire are the “cowardly” - Re 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."’ God does not want us to be fearful - 2 Ti 1:7-8 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,”. Boldness can come through prayer - Ac 4:29,31 “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,” – “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”; Ep 6:19-20 “and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” If discouragement keeps us silent, then remember:
1) The principle of sowing and reaping - Ga 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” The example of our Lord Jesus - He 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” -- Fear and discouragement, as problematic as they may be, can be overcome with faith and perseverance!

For many, it may be the idea that it is too complicated, as though in order to teach someone, one needed a master’s degree in interpersonal communication. Four years of Bible in college, or some other specialized training. In reality, our task is really quite simple.... To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ - Mk 16:15 “And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
1) Which can be presented in the simplest of terms - 1 Co 15:1-5 “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”; 2:2 “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
2) Note that in the book of Acts, the gospel was normally presented in just one lesson!

We are not obligated to teach the non-Christian beyond the “first principles”
1) Only if they accept the “first principles”, will they be ready to receive the “second principles”.
2) For example, why teach people about “Christ’s church” (its organization, work, worship, etc.), if they are not willing to obey Christ elementary commands pertaining to faith, repentance, confession and baptism?
3) Such “second principles” can be left to those “pastors and teachers” who are especially gifted in that area – see Ep 4:11; Ro 12:7; 1 Co 12:29; Ja 3:1.
Sharing the “gospel” is easy, provided we follow the words of Peter - 1 Pe 3:15 “but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;”
1) Give the Lord a special place in your heart.
2) Prepare yourselves to be ready to give a reason for the hope that you have.
For example, that Christ died for your sins and rose again – see 1 Co 15:1-4, and that you responded to the gospel as proclaimed by Peter and the apostles - Ac 2:36-38. Follow the words of Paul - Co 4:2-6 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-- that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”; Ep 6:19-20 “and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Pray for opportunity for it is the Lord who provides the opportunity and He gives it to those who are prepared and praying. Pray for wisdom - Ja 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Pray for wisdom to make the most of the opportunity; to say the right thing in the right way at the right time. Pray for boldness to have the courage to speak when given the opportunity; to say what people need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear.

Brethren, if we are silent with regards to the “good news” (the gospel), then the words of the four lepers is true of us:
“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...” - 2 Kin 7:9. Yes, “let us go and tell” a world that is spiritually starved about the feast God offers through His Son Jesus Christ...! Let us share with others what we ourselves have found! Let them experience the joy, the peace, and the love that only God can give! Indeed, “This Day Is A Day Of Good News” because it is the “day of salvation”, and no one should receive the grace of God in vain! - 2 Co 6:1-2 “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Will we who have been so richly blessed accept the responsibility Christ has placed on us? If our fervor has died down, then we should remember the words of Jesus:
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place; unless you repent.” - Re 2:4-5

Are you in need of repentance?