His Faithfulness

Beginning to read through Deuteronomy, I noticed the frequent verses and examples of God's

faithfulness to the Israelites and His covenants with them. His promise was spoken in verses such as this one: 

For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them (Deuteronomy 4:31, ESV).

And Yahweh demonstrated His faithfulness in these ways, places, times, and manners:

The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen ho wthe Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you ame to this place (Deuteronomy 1:30-31, ESV).

For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing (Deut.2:7, ESV).

...the Lord your God...went before you in the way to seek you out a place to pitch your tents, in fire by night and in the cloud by day, to show you what way you should go (Deut.1:33, ESV).

For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? (Deut.4:7, ESV).

But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of his own inheritance, as you are this day (Deut.4:20, ESV).

His faithfulness was proven to His people over and over again. Yet, when they went astray and worshiped false idols, it was because they did not keep His promises in the forefront of their minds. Forgetting God's covenants leads to false worship.

Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live? Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another tation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him. (Deut.4:33-35, ESV)

His Names!

About five weeks ago I began a study on the names of God using Kay Arthur's book entitled Lord, I Want to Know You. I thought I'd share the names I've gone through so far.

When reading a book, it's often important to know the author and some of the background behind the story. It's even more important to know Jesus and who God is when reading Scripture. It's been encouraging to be reminded of the names of God over the last several weeks.

Names in Jewish history and culture held much more significance than names today. A name summed up the person and his character and sometimes the time period he lived in. For instance, Nabal's name meant "foolish", and as his wife attested to, he certainly lived up to that name. A priest's wife named her child Ichabod, meaning "Where is glory?" or "no glory", when she heard the ark of the covanent had been taken by the Philistines. Ruth means "friendship" and we see how she lived up to this name in her loyalty to Naomi.

So it is with the names of God--each one tells something about His character and who He is.

Elohim
This is the first of the names in the Old Testament, for it is used in Genesis 1:1. The significance of this name especially is that the Hebrew is plural, showing proof of the Trinity. This is the word often translated as "God" in the OT. He's the God of gods, and as described in Genesis, He is the Creator of the world. He is supreme over all and He created each one of us in the image of Himself. Knowing this name reminds us that we should be living out God's purpose for our lives since we bear His image in our body and spirit.

Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and

were created.

Revelation 4:11

El Elyon

As the sovereign ruler of the universe, God is also the Most High God (as the name El Elyon means). He is in complete control of all and no one can thwart His plans or question His purposes. Nothing happens without His express permission and ultimate sanction. He controls life and death, poor and riche, honor and dishonor, light and dark, godly and wicked, weakness and strength, and is sovereign over absolutely everything else. Knowing this gives us assurance that the Most High's plans and purposes will prevail. 

I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

Psalm 57:2

El Roi
This is the name revealed to Hagar after she was despised and mistreated of Sarai. Fleeing into the wilderness, God meets her there in the form of an angel, and promises that her son will be the first of many descendants. God would give her a son to be named Ishmael (meaning "God hears"), and Hagar would not ever forget how God heard her cry of affliction. After this encounter with God, Hagar is amazed that God would answer her and calls Him El Roi--the God who sees. Still today, there is nothing that God does not see, and sometimes in miraculous or ordinary ways He is pleased to answer our cries to Him. A reminder to us that nothing is hidden from God's sight.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Proverbs 15:3

El Shaddai

God Almighty--the All-Sufficient One--appeared to Abram when he was ninety-nine years old. Renewing His covenant, that Abram would be the father of many nations, God uses the name El Shaddai to remind Abram that He can do anything, and that He will carry out His promise completely. He is sufficient for all. He's the sustainer of life, and His power is made perfect in weakeness. Through Paul, God reminds us that He is still El Shaddai to us today (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

When Abram was ninety-nine years old 

the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him,

"I am God Almighty;

walk before me and be blameless."

Genesis 17:1

Adonai

To be a believer in Christ, you must know God as Adonai--your Lord and Master. This is not merely a name someone can use of God, for Matthew records that there will be many who will call Jesus Lord, but not enter into heaven. As Lord and Master, this indicates our relationship and dependency on God. It shows that He has a right to demand obedience of us, and that we are to completely submit to Him .This name reminds us of God's Lordship over us, and is often translated as "Lord" in our English translations. The two words translated as Lord in Greet (NT) mean "supreme in authority, controller" and "an absolute ruler". This is the God we serve. 

I say to the Lord,

"You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you."

Psalm 16:2

Jehovah

This name holds much history and meaning behind it. It's the name most frequently used in the OT and it comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to be, to become", which describes God's existence. It is typically translated as LORD in our Bibles, and it's the name which is related to the name God gave to Moses at the burning bush "I AM WHO I AM". God is self-existent, with no beginning or end. He gives life, but He is life in and of Himself. He cannot change, and His covenants remain steadfast. God revealed himself to Moses and the Israelites as Jehovah who is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and truth, and forgiving of sin though still exacting justice. 

God said to Moses,

"I AM WHO I AM."

And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel,

'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Exodus 3:14

There are many other names, and since I'm only one-third the way through Arthur's book, perhaps I will share more here as time goes on. I posted here two years ago of a video done by Eric Ludy going through the names of God. If you have the time, I'd encourage you to listen to it again HERE.

May you rest in the name of your God, knowing that it is a fortress and a strong tower for those who run to it. It is only in His name that you will find safety and security. 

His Light!

As I've been reading, listening, praying, and studying the Bible the last couple weeks, there has been a theme running throughout the topics I've gone through. And that is the theme of light. Light is mentioned all throughout the course of Scripture, but I'll just highlight a few of them here this week.

Let there be light.

Perhaps the most obvious reference to light is at the beginning of creation. When nothing except darkness exists, and the Creator ushers in the opposite of that darkness and drives it aside. He doesn't cast darkness completely aside, for day and night are meant for signs and seasons. Perhaps the darkness is also a reminder to us, too, that no matter how deep and dark the night is, dawn always comes, because light drives out darkness. You can't drive out darkness with darkness; only light can do that. And so even at the beginning of time, God offers a contrast, a hope, a difference, to what already was (darkness) by bringing light to the world.

The Lord is my light.

I was reminded of the my post last month quoting Psalm 27. Here, David the psalmist, contrasts the light of redemption to the darkness of condemnation. In his opening verse he says, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" The name Yahweh, often written as LORD, refers to God's deity, that He is the self-existent and self-eternal One. It has its roots in the name Ehyeh which is the name God uses in Exodus 3:14 to say "I AM". As fire from the burning bush, Moses did indeed see that the Lord is our light, just as David says in Psalm 27. I've heard it said that "Only those who can say 'The LORD is my light and my salvation' can say 'Of whom shall I be afraid?'".

I AM the light of the world.

I studied this in the first half of my Bible course on John. The setting in John 8 is the Feast of the Tabernacles. All Jewish males were required to celebrate this feast which took place during harvest season. The people lived in "tents" created out of tree branches for the first seven days of the feast, commemorating God's provision for their forefathers in the wilderness.There was also a special water-pouring ceremony, as well as singing, sacrifices, and dancing. Jesus uttered this description of Himself ("I am the light of the world") likely after a special lamp-lighting ceremony took place. Huge cadelabras were lit in the Court of the Women where Jesus was speaking. These lights were apparently so bright and so large that no court in Jerusalem would have missed seeing them. Everyone danced around them in celebration while singing praise to God. They were a reminder of how God led the people by a pillar of fire at night through the wilderness. And against this backdrop, Christ proclaims "I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). This is the same word that Jesus uses in Matthew 4:16 when He quotes Isaiah: "The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." He was the physical light that led them, but He came as the promised spiritual light to the dark and empty hearts of the world.

You are the light of the world...let your light shine before others.

Matthew 15:14-16 lists some well-known verses for believers. Not only does God create light, express it in His being, and show forth the radiance of light in His Son, but He also gives that light to us. Through salvation, we become witnesses and inheritors of that light, and we're to set it on a hill and spread it all around. We share in that light, that Gospel message. It's ours to claim through faith in Christ, and it's ours to share through His commission. 

Let us...put on the armor of light.

Paul reminds us that as children of light, walking in the light, we're to put on the armor of light. Armor is meant for protection against the enemy, and Paul details the armor of God in Ephesians 6: the belt of truth, the breastplate of rightousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Combined with prayer and perseverence, these pieces of armor provide a formidable force against any foe. We must continue to put away the works of darkness and we do this by putting on the armor of light daily. If we profess to own the Light of the World in our hearts, then we must wear the armor of the Light that we're representing. Our ministry must match our message. 

Light in the dark.

Light is offered as comfort to us from the Lord. It's also something people would pray for in distress or praise God for in times of rejoicing. 

"Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!" (Psalm 4:6)

"For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk befor eGod in the light of life." (Psalm 56:13)

"Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous." (Psalm 112:4)

God's Word is light.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105) In the darkness of this world, God's word provides the light necessary to continue walking through the valleys. For those who don't have this light, this world is the best they will ever get. But for those who have the "light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Cor.4:4) they will have the Light of the world dispelling the darkness of their hearts and providing a path on which to walk. Our road map is the Word of light, because "the unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple" (Psalm 119:130). We're a new creation that radiates the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor.4:6).

The Lord God will be their light.

This world isn't all. There is a life after death, and for believers we will live with the Creator and Being of Light. The Light that was given to us in our hearts and proclaimed by the Word will be the light that we live forever with. We only demonstrate a fraction of this light, but in the new heavens and new earth, we will live in the light of the Lord. There will be no night, no darkness, to dispell anymore. No physical night and no spiritual darkness will be there. "[We] will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be [our] light, and [we] will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 22:5). The best is yet to come. Our Everlasting Light will not just be in our hearts, but He will stand before us, and we will bow to and reign with that Light. 

And so, with the physical light of day being our reminder, let us keep the light in our hearts burning, as we remember the Creator of Light who sent His Son as Light to the world. He offers the Word of light as comfort and direction to all who believe, and we are given the armor of light to fight against the forces of darkness. We are the light-bearers to the world, until that day when the Light comes from heaven and we reign in the glory of the Light of the Son of God.

When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.

-Micah 7:8b

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

-Isaiah 2:5

His Comfort!

Sometimes it's hard to know what to write on a public blog. And sometimes it's even harder, because I don't schedule out posts in advance. I tend to write as the Lord leads through experiences. I wrote a collection of devotionals last year, and because there is such a thing as "writer's block", I'd like to share one of them here with you. ;) I hope it's an encouragement to you. 

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 

(Philippians 4:1, ESV)

~~~~~

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 73:26

            It’s when our strength is needed most that we are overwhelmed with our utter weakness.  Our finite body, mind, and emotions force us to stop, and our willpower says “I can’t go on”. Our physical power reaches its limit, and our mental stability cracks. Such is the constant condition of each human.

            But God doesn’t leave us here, to collapse under the effects of sin. The Psalmist acknowledges his source of strength even when his body and mind gives out: God. God is our strength; He’s the strength of our life and our emotions. The heart is the seat of our emotions, and God is the one who controls their intensity. When your emotions are drained, when you can only cry out to God with the little effort you have left—then He becomes your complete strength. He makes the wounded to fly with the wings of eagles. Not the whole, and not the perfect; but the wounded, cast down, and broken does He heal. He becomes their strength when they have no other.

            In providing food for us, He restores our bodily health, giving strength to the mind, as well. Sometimes our mental weakness correlates to our physical weakness. We will feel sick if we don’t keep our strength with regular intake of food. Yet, even though we may be physically healthy, God still provides a better food for us. His meat and drink fail not, and they satisfy the receiver, so that they will never hunger nor thirst again. He is our  portion. The One who said “Take eat. This is my body which is broken for you”, and “This cup is the new testament of my blood.” The soul food that’s enough—the Bread of Live and the Living Water—it never runs out. He is enough. 

~~~~~

No stars gleam as brightly as those which glisten in the polar sky. No water tastes so sweet as that which springs amid the desert sand. And no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs through adversity. Tested faith brings experience. You would never have believed your own weakness had you not needed to pass through trials. And you would never have known God’s strength had His strength not been needed to carry you through.

-Charles H. Spurgeon

May you find comfort in Jesus, strength in your King, salvation in your God, and wisdom through the Holy Spirit. Stand firm in Him. 

His Word!

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm dedicated to expressing the goodness and glory of God's Word. The psalmist uses many terms when exalting the Word of God including "testimonies", "statutes", "commandments", "rules", "law", "judgments", "precepts", and "word". In describing the Word of God, the psalmist declares his joy, hope, and peace found in the written Word, for God's glory is revealed in Scripture.

As an acrostic poem, these verses are divided into 22 sections, each beginning with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. As I read through this psalm in the past week, verses 105-112 particularly stood out to me, as they described some important aspects of Scripture. Since we, as believers, are to continue to search the Word daily, perhaps these words will be an encouragement to you all to keep reading and studying the words that contain eternal life.

God's Word is a Light and Lamp
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Directing our steps, God's purpose and plans prevail over those of man. He guides and sustains us in our darkness just as He does in the light. We don't have to know all that is ahead--God does, and where His will leads us, His grace will keep us.

God's Word is Righteous
"I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules." (Psalm 119:106)
Here the psalmist here promises to keep the rules of God, for they are the only true and pure commandments that are worth fighting for. The relativity of the world provides no foundation, but in the midst of compromised truth, God's righteous rules provide a solid Rock.

God's Word gives Life
"I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!" (Psalm 119:107)
Affliction, trials, tribulations, and general spiritual weaknesses drain our spirit, and here the psalmist cries out to the Lord. God's Word makes us alive to Christ, and gives us strength and perseverance when we are weary.

God's Word Teaches
"Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules." (Psalm 119:108)
The Lord has promised that those who ask for wisdom will receive it. By reading Scripture, communicating with God, and allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us we will be taught the rules of God. And as the psalmist bring his offerings, He praises the Lord. The rules of God should prompt us to praise and glorify God for who He is and what He commands.

God's Word must be Remembered
"I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law." (Psalm 119:109)
Though there was often danger, the psalmist says that nothing could move him to forget the Word. Scripture is that which will never pass away, and it is these Words that we are commanded to meditate on day and night in order to walk in God's way. It requires active remembrance and purposeful meditation to remember the law of God.

God's Word Protects
"The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts." (Psalm 119:110)
The society and culture around us present many temptations for us; we are constantly attacked with Satan's devices and only faithfully holding to that which is holy and true will lead us in the right path. We must know wrong from right in order to avoid evil, and if we are to stick closely to God's precepts then we must study them to have a deep knowledge of them.

God's Word gives us Joy
"Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart." (Psalm 119:111)
This is my favorite verse from the passage. Perhaps Calvin's commentary describes it best: "Without the Divine word all other things were in his estimation as nothing; so that he could willingly leave to others, riches, honors, comforts, and pleasures, provided he possessed this incomparable treasure." When we treasure God's testimony above all else, earthly inheritances and possessions become nothing to us. God's Word is our delight and it is that which completely satisfies our hearts. It brings us inexpressible joy and we live in the blessedness of God's glory. What we treasure shows where our heart is. When we treasure Scripture, our hearts find delight in Christ.

God's Word is Eternal
"I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end." (Psalm 119:112)
The psalmist here makes a conscious choice to turn his heart to the Word of God until the end of his days. The reward for him will be eternal. God's statutes will remain eternally, and so he commits to following them for all the days of his life. We can't do this on our own, but by drawing strength from the Holy Spirit and meditating on the Words of life, we, too, can fix our eyes on the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. It will be worth the wait.

Stay in the Word. Learn to meditate on it. Seek to make Scripture the joy of your heart.

His Treasured Possession!

At the conclusion of the Pentateuch comes the book of Deuteronomy, the "second law" in which Moses recounts many of the laws given to him and the Israelites on Mount Sinai.

In Exodus, the first law, God gave to the children of Israel the commands they were to live by, reminding them that they were a nation set-apart and holy to the Lord. They were not to defile themselves with the people, cultures, and gods around them, but to serve only the Lord God.

Exodus 19 tells us of the special place that Israel had in being the chosen possession of the Lord. God, in His sovereignty, chose out Israel, and promised to bless them if they were obedient and kept His covenants. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:5-6, ESV)

Reading through Deuteronomy last week, I picked up on the repeated references to the Israelites as God's chosen people.

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:5-6)

God continues speaking through Moses reminding the people that it was not because of their greatness of number that the Lord chose them, for they were not a great nation at first. It was because God is a steadfast, faithful God, who covenanted with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that He would give them a nation. He chose to love the Israelites, and He redeemed and set-apart this nation for Himself. Not because of anything they had done, but because He is a God who is faithful to those who love Him.

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 14:2) 

Because of this calling and this requirement set on them, the Israelites were to drive out the Canaanites who inhabited the land God was bringing them to, so that they would not become polluted. As God's elect, they were to remain holy for Him.

And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commendments, and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised. (Deuteronomy 26:18-19)

But this just wasn't any possession; this was a treasured possession. Something highly valued and cherished. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines treasured as "something of great worth or value; a person esteemed as rare or precious; to hold or keep as precious." The Israelites were of great worth in the Lord's eyes. He viewed them as precious. But this wasn't because of anything in them, for they were often wicked, deserting the One who called them out from a pagan land. They turned from their Redeemer many times, yet He still kept His covenant with them. God placed value in them because of of what His Son would do for them in the years to come. It was through Christ's future coming that they were ransomed, and He chose to love them for the sake of His own glory. 

They are the Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarches, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 9:4-5)

But because of unbelief, the nation of Israel rejected the Son of the One who saved them. And because of their unrepentant spirit, God allowed them to harden their hearts in accordance with His plan to bring salvation to the world. Paul speaks of this in detail in Romans 9-11, and also of his own calling to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. And while the Jews have resisted the work of Christ, the message of Jesus is still offered today for Jew and Gentile alike. The hardness of the Israelites provides the means of repentance to the rest of us. God is God over all, and through His grace and wisdom, has brought salvation to all mankind, showing mercy on the remnant of Israel who love Him and providing a way of escape to the Gentiles, as well. 

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes....For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:4, 11-13)

To those who believe, Christ promises His redemption and peace. The law that condemned the Israelites, also would condemn us, but by laying down His life for us, Christ ultimately fulfilled the law by loving us. The law cannot be held up against us anymore, for Christ's blood covers it all and makes us righteous. God foresaw the rejection of Christ by the Jews and opened the door of mercy and grace to those of us (and them!) who would believe in His Son. It isn't anything in us that makes us worth loving, but because of His faithfulness and patience, God desires all to be saved, and so He provided the way for us through the death of His only Son.

Because of His Son, God also claims us as His treasured possession. The Cornerstone that was laid was rejected by its own. That Cornerstone itself was chosen and precious, and those who choose to believe today in it will not be put to shame, but instead will also be chosen and precious--like Christ is.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; one you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Let us live showing forth the glory of God to a lost world, realizing that we are loved by a Savior who died for us. A Savior who treasures those who belong to Him and lives to make us righteous--not because of who we are, but because of what He's done; not because of what we've done, but because of who He is.

His World and His Word!

This week's Bible reading schedule took me through the whole book of Psalms. And while I love them all, two of my favorites would be Psalm 18 and 19. Psalm 18 describes David's love for the Lord who consistently delivers him. He speaks of God's awesome power over the earth when he cried out to the Lord, and he tells of how God has protected him and enabled him to walk in integrity.

Psalm 19 begins with a description of the Creator's creation, as well, saying that "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). While we as Christians are commanded to share the gospel with the unsaved, creation itself merely shows the God of heaven on its own. In response to the Pharisees who were criticizing Jesus followers for proclaiming His glory, Jesus responded, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." (Luke 19:40) Creation points to a Creator, and because creation is all over the world, the message is spread to all the corners of the earth. "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." (Romans 1:19-20) God's world since the six days of creation have shown the glory of Christ, and David often describes the majesty of the earth in his Psalm, as he did in Psalm 19:1-6. And one day our Creator will create a new heavens and a new earth where we will reign with Him and glorify Him for all of eternity.

In the rest of Psalm 19, David describes the Word of God using four different words: law, testimony, precepts, and commandment. Each of these have specific definitions and describes part of what God's Word does. As the law of God, Scripture directs, instructs, and shows us truth from error. Scripture's testimony is that which points back to the Divine Author. Precepts show us how God governs men's hearts (and all of creation), and commandments in the Word of God are divine orders that we are called to obey. The fear of the Lord imparts wisdom, and in that wisdom we realize that God's rules are righteous, just, and eternal, which leads us to desire them over any temporal, earthly thing. The Word of God also warns and directs, commanding us to deal with the sin in our life as God reveals it, so that it doesn't have dominion over us. David ends with a prayer and a plea that his words and thoughts would be pleasing to a holy Creator. Realizing that he is accountable to the One who made and sustains him, David desires that his life would be a living sacrifice to His Lord--his Rock and his Redeemer.

May we, too, be able to pray as David did, that our words and thoughts would be found to be in line with God's truth. For as our Creator, we are accoutable to Him who gives us our life. By His grace He has granted us mercy by giving us His Word, so that we might know the fear of the Lord that gives wisdom.

His Power!

     Since last week's post, I've read through the last chapters of Jeremiah up to the end of Amos. And most of these books describe the judgment, destruction, and rebellion of the Israelite nation. There is redemption and restoration promised, but they are sobering books nonetheless.

     However, one theme that I noticed mentioned by all the major and minor prophet authors was the power of God. And today I'm going to let Scripure speak for itself.

Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:34

It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom,

and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.

He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Jeremiah 51:15-16

The LORD gave full vent to his wrath; he poured out his hot anger, and he kindled a fire in Zion that consumed its foundations.

Lamentations 4:11

But you, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations.

Lamentations 5:19

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, even I, am against you. And I will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations.

Ezekiel 5:8

But behold, some survivors will be left in it, sons and daughters who will be brought out; behold, when they come out to you, and you see their ways and their deeds, you will be consoled for the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, for all that I have brought upon it. They will console you, when you see their ways and their deeds, and you shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 14:22-23

And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

Ezekiel 39:7

Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons;

he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.

Daniel 2:20-22

All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

Daniel 4:35

But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, 

and besides me there is no savior.

Hosea 13:4

You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

Joel 2:27

"Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!" For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth--the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!

Amos 4:12b-13

     And we see God's power meet mankind's weakness at the cross, for there Christ demonstrated that He was given power over all things--even sin and death. And now He is seated at the Father's right hand, awaiting the Day of Judgment when He will gather together all His chosen and rejoice with them for all eternity. 

This is The Power of the Cross.

"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."

(Ephesians 1:16-23)

His Holiness!

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name. 
~Psalm 97:12


I was reminded of the holiness of God after reading this verse. I have heard it said that God's holiness is His most important attribute, because this is what sets Him apart from other gods. The KJV says it this way: "give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness". This is the attribute that the angels speak of around the throne of God. "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come". (Revelation 4:8). 1 Peter calls us to be holy as the Lord Himself is holy. Holiness means consecration to the service of God. That means that all our thoughts, our actions, and our being is set-apart for the work of God. We are His ambassadors here, and our life must demonstrate that we were called out of the world's darkness and into His light.

God's holiness is not only something we're to emulate, but His holiness also shows us what we are not. God's purity stands in stark contrast to the lives of mankind, and the more we know of God's holiness, the more we will see the sin in ourselves and others. The holiness of God in the Old Testament caused men to fall on their faces in worship to Him. Moses and Joshua were told to remove their shoes as they were standing in the presence of a holy God. Isaiah recognized his sinfulness as he saw the Lord on His throne. God's presence filled the Temple with His holiness and those who entered without permission into the Holy of Holies would die.

God's holiness is something we're to give thanks for. Without the holiness of God no one can see the Lord, and to be judged for all eternity would mean certain death for us. But it was the holiness of God and His Son that enabled Him to die in our place. Because of His perfection, He could stand before God--a God before whom no man could stand--and call us holy, righteous, and pure, because of our faith in Christ. Because of His holiness a Perfect Sacrifice was offered once and for all, providing the means to cleanse our sin forever. Because of Jesus' holiness, we live under grace, and are freed from the bondage of sin. And because of His holiness we continue to be sanctified and conformed to the likeness of Christ. We have good reason to be thankful.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! 
(2 Corinthians 9:15)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10)

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
(Psalm 103:1)

His New Year!

Well, here it is again. Another 365 days (363 now) laid out before us. And January 2015 also ushers in the third anniversary of Facing the Waves. Thank you to all who have made this journey and these posts possible. Knowing my audience and reading comments has served as a means of encouragement each week. :)

In the last several hours of 2013 I posted on one my social networking sites some of the goals I intended to accomplish during 2014. I didn't refer to those goals very frequently througout the year, but I was surprised to see that I had actually accomplished many of them by the end of 2014. I did actually earn 24 more credits. I did attend the annual Christian Heritage homeschool conference in April. I did continue to teach Sunday school, and I did read more books (42, to be exact). I did pass my music harmony exam and my New Drivers' road test. I had seven harp jobs, and I started blogging on a weekly basis. Unfortuntately, there were several major goals I did not accomplish, which were all very disappointing. I did, however, participate in things like my sisters's graduation, a church wedding, my dog's puppies, weekly Bible studies, college assignments, music practice and private lessons, hosting friends, making meals, volunteering for a seamstress, housesitting, and dogsitting.

The very last goal I listed was something that encompassed each and every one of my previous goals, and it was to do as King Hezekiah did in this passage...

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and he did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God. Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered. (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)

Hezekiah didn't just randomly decide to do what was good, right, and true in the eyes of the Lord. He was in the position to lead the Lord's people, and he had to make a conscious decision to seek God. The Israel nation was full of people who had turned from Him, who had had false places of worship erected, and who had had previous kings whose hearts were wicked in the sight of God. Hezekiah had an ungodly father, so he wouldn't have even had a godly upbringing from his own parent. And so he is now king over an ungodly nation, and he has most certainly learned first-hand that people do not naturally seek after the Lord.

A king over the Southern kingdom at age 25, Hezekiah does not procrastinate. He repairs the temple and he calls the entire nation (Northern and Southern) to worship the Lord and observe the Passover. Some laughed and mocked the new king after the couriers had delivered the messages. Hezekiah found that though he heard and responded to the challenge to seek the Lord, not everybody else was going to back him up. Leadership is often a lonely position; those you lead or influence may scorn your ideas and convictions. Be willing to be put in a place where you are the object of other people's mocking. Be willing to go "outside the camp and bear the reproach" for God's sake (Hebrews 13:13).

But some didn't laugh. 2 Chronicles 30:11 said that some of the people humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. They had set their heart and mind to seek the Lord their God (1 Chronicles 22:19a). Seeking the Lord is a conscious decision and it's foundation is prayer. When King Hezekiah determined to seek the Lord early in his days, that's when his life produced that which was good, right, and true before the Lord, and that's why he prospered. He wasn't a perfect man, but his life demonstrated his heart's desire. When we pray, we acknowledge our dependence on God. People often pray when they need something. The Lord's leaders prayed especially when they were completely helpless or surrounded by enemies. We seek the Lord in prayer when we realize who we are and who we are not. And we should be afraid to take one step without the Lord leading our lives. Hezekiah sought the Lord, he prospered, and he brought about a spiritual revival in Israel.

Yet, seeking the Lord doesn't mean we won't have troubling or threatening circumstances. The righteous kings of Israel rooted out the evil, but that was not without difficulty. But those who humbled themselves and prayed, those who heeded the warnings of God, and those who followed His words were blessed. Hezekiah cried out to the Lord and was delivered when Sennacherib threatened his nation. Job was a godly man, yet his life was not free of turmoil and fear. Josiah was a righteous king, and though the Lord promised that he should not see the destruction of the land, He promised that it would surely come later. God never promised a life free of storms, but He did give us a Rock to cling to while we face the waves. He offers the freedom of peace through the difficulties, and He promises that though we may not understand, each joy and each trial will ultimately bring about glory to His name and growth in our spiritual walk.

And so, I learned that this year in my own limited way. Learning that seeking God is a conscious decision; that seeking God doesn't remove challenges, but provides a training ground for spiritual maturity; and that seeking God means constant communion with Him in prayer. And I had ample opportunities to put those things into practice this year.

Don't excuse your imperfections. Plead with God to save your from yourself. Prepare your heart to seek the Lord. And recognize that obstacles and distractions will come. But those who seek the Lord with all their heart will be found of Him, and their life will yield that which is good, right, and true.

Psalm 107 recounts the grace and mercy the Lord provided to His children...

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
(Psalm 107:28-31)

Perhaps 2014 was a good year for you, or perhaps it was a hard year. Likely, it was a bit of both. But God was, is, and always will be in control. There is much hope when walking into an unknown future with a omnipotent, loving, and merciful Savior. And just as He prospered Hezekiah when he sought the Lord, so, too, will he bless those who remain faithful to His Word.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near...

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sowerand bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accmoplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace.

(Isaiah 55:6, 8-12a)

I know not the way God leads me, but well do I know my guide.

~Martin Luther

When the Light of the world is walking before you and beside you, the darkness of the unknown path must flee, for Light is the absence of darkness. The Prince of Darkness is overthrown when the Light of the World is your shield. May His Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path as we tread the path of this next year.

Praise the Lord for what He has done in 2014, what He is doing today, and what He will do in 2015!

God bless you all. Happy New Year!

**Notes taken from the sermon series Hearts Prepared to Seek the Lord (Part One, Part Two) by Pastor Paul Johnson.
**Check out the new blog design, and tell me what you think! Suggestions are welcome! Also, all my previous puppy updates from the summer have been archived to the "My Puppies" page underneath the blog title. 

He is All Things!

And he is before all things and by him all things consist. 

Colossians 1:17

Scripture verses for the Biblical references in this song: All Things to All

He is a path to the misled

And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not;

I will lead them in paths that they have not known:

I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.

These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

(Isaiah 42:16)

And to the hungry, He is bread

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: 

he that cometh to me shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

(John 6:35)

To the prisoner, He is free,

I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand,

and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light to the Gentiles;

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison,

and to them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

I am the Lord: that is my name:

and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

(Isaiah 42:6-8)

And to the weak, how strong is He!

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, 

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions,

in distresses for Christ's sake:

for when I am weak, then am I strong.

(2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

To those in darkness, He is light,

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, 

hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God 

in the face of Jesus Christ. 

(2 Corinthians 4:6)

And to the blinded, He is sight, 

Then Jesus answering said unto them,

Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard;

how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,

the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

(Luke 7:22-23)

To the broken, He is health, 

He healeth the broken in heart,

and bindeth up their wounds.

(Psalm 147:3)

And to the needy, He is wealth.

But my God shall supply all your need 

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:19)

He is defender of the scorned,

But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning:

for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

(Psalm 59:8-9, 16-17)

A comfort to the ones who mourn,

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

(Matthew 5:4)

To the weary, He is rest,

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

(Matthew 11:28)

And He is hope to the oppressed.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble.

(Psalm 9:9)

O He is courage to the meek,

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:

for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

(Joshua 1:9)

The answer to the ones who seek,

Ask, and it shall be given you; 

seek, and ye shall find; 

knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; 

and he that seeketh findeth; 

and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

(Matthew 7:7-8)

Yes, He is peace to those in strife, 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

(John 14:27)

And to the dying, He is life.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:

he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

Believest thou this?

(John 11:25-26)

We have no greater friend than He,

Who satisfies our every need.

Source of what was, what is, will be,

All things to all He is indeed!

http://grooveshark.com/s/All+Things+To+All/2yuQ7Y?src=5 

His Intercession!

Wherefore he is able also 

to save them to the uttermost 

that come unto God by him,

seeing he ever liveth 

to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25

Do you ever think about the fact that Jesus prays for you? We often think about prayer as our talking to God--and rightly so--but Jesus also pleads before the throne of grace for us. He lives to make intercession for His chosen ones. He can save us because He died for us, and is now able to represent us perfectly and completely before a holy and just God. He died to bury our sins, but He lives to intercede for our lives. 

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27) An all-knowing Savior not only knows exactly how to pray for us, but He also knows the mind, Spirit, and will of God. He prays with that knowledge. Knowing that God's purposes are sovereign, and that everything He does or says will be accomplished regardless of man's desires. Yet, the One who searches the human heart still stands before that Throne and begs for mercy and grace on our behalf. 

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

The blood of the One who bought us--the sacrifice Who paid for our sinful lives--takes the likeness of a man on Himself, but His holiness is what permits Him entrance into the holy place. For God cannot turn away a perfect Ransom. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1b-2)

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry.
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry.
"Nor let that ransomed sinner die!"

He is the remover of the Father's righteous wrath. He is the One and only atonement for sin. He is our High Priest--the One who dares to freely enter the Holy of Holies and look upon the face of God. He is the presence of the sinner but the flawless Christ. He is the Son of Man, yet the Son of God.

And He prays for us. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34) Yes, our sins condemn us, but it is the risen Christ who intercedes for us. He not only sits in glory and majesty at the right hand of the Father in equality with Him, but He also took on the form of a servant and the fashion of mankind in order that He might pray for us.

So when your spiritual life appears to be fading, when your prayers don't seem to be reaching the heavens, when your questions outnumber your answers, and when your faith simply collapses--remember. Remember that Christ is already praying for you. Remember that He constantly stands before the Father, pleading for mercy for you. Remember Who He is and what He has done and is doing for you. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of  the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. (Hebrews 9:24) Our imperfect prayers reach the King of Kings as perfect, because of our Intercessor. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Therefore, the Holy of Holies, the sacred dwelling place of God, is open to us. He invites us to enter with our imperfection, because the Ransom who stands in our place has made us perfect in His sight. For all of time and eternity.

Jesus says, I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. and all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, ever as we are one: I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that teh world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:9-10, 17, 22-23)

So then, Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have no an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And "Father, Abba, Father," cry. *

*Hymn lyrics by Charles Wesley.

His Life Purpose!

A man's heart deviseth his way: 

but the Lord directeth his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

     Any former student, current student, or alumni through CollegePlus will recognize the "Life Purpose Statement" as one of the first life skills to earning his degree. But life purpose planning isn't just for CP students. Most people plan their life, create goals, define missions, and state values in some shape or form.

     A life purpose statement, as defined by CP, describes who you are or what you desire to be, who you are called to serve, and what you believe is needed by those who you feel called to serve. I actually wrote my LPS three times to date. I rewrote it the second time because I decided that my first attempt didn't include enough details, and then the third time I rewrote it, I wanted something that would encompass my whole life, rather than just specific aspects of it. And I'm satisfied with my last draft of it, now. ;)

     While there is much in my future that I do not know, my LPS is one that directs me back to my ultimate goal and passion: to serve the Lord with my heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to encourage others to do the same with their life. Our Master will call each of us to different places, give us different passions, bless us with different gifts, and direct our steps in different directions. But I believe this should be the fundamental goal of each Christian is the same: to serve the One who called you, realizing that He gives you the strength to follow and obey His leading.

     My Life Purpose Statement:

As one who is called to bear the cross of Christ, I purpose to use my time, talents, and resources to impact others for His kingdom. (Luke 9:23) By serving, discipling, and challenging others to live boldly on the authority of Scripture, I will endeavor to counsel, mentor, and encourage other believers, so that they will be equipped to defend the truth to future generations. (1 Peter 3:15) 

"It is easier to serve God without a vision, easier to work for God without a call, because then you are not bothered by what God requires; common sense is your guide, veneered over with Christian sentiment. You will be more prosperous and successful, more leisure-hearted, if you never realize the call of God. But if once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God wants will always come like a goad; you will no longer be able to work for Him on the common-sense basis."

~Oswald Chambers

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 
And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

~Mark 12:28-34 (KJV; emphasis mine)

His Names!

All the earth shall worship thee,

and shall sing unto thee;

they shall sing to thy name.

Psalm 66:4

Who is God? All His character is summed up in the names given us in Scripture, and I think many of the deeper meanings are in the Hebrew names. Like El Shaddai (all-sufficient One; Lord God Almighty), Jehovah-shalom (The Lord is peace), or Jehovah M'Kaddesh (The Lord who sanctifies and makes you holy). 

I now have five full word document pages with the names of God and their meanings, and it's been a good reminder just to read the Scripture passages and think on Who God really is. It's a reminder that, if just His name encompasses something about His character, how much more can His Person do? If His name means peace, is He not the Author and Giver of Peace? If His name is Advocate and Intercessor, will He not plead before the Father's throne for us? If He is the Rock, will He not provide security for His children? 

Ellerslie Ministry recently released a video on the names of God, and I thought it was very well done. I would encourage you, if you have not already done so, to watch all 11 minutes, and just remember and reflect on Who your Savior is. 

Who is God?

He is...

 Know ye that the Lord he is God:

it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100:3-5

His Rest!

And he said, 

My presence shall go with thee, 

and I will give thee rest. 

~Exodus 22:13~

Moses was not alone in questioning where the Lord was leading him. He was chosen for the overwhelming task of leading thousands of Israelites into the Promised Land, and sometimes God did not choose to make the path way explicitly clear--and then, Moses would plead with Him for direction. The verse preceding verse 13 says this: Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, and I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. Moses truly desired to know God--he also realized the impossibility of leading thousands of people without God's aid. And in the midst of Moses' query and confusion, God alleviates his fears, promising that His presence will go with Moses, and He would give him rest. 

In today's fast-paced society, we often forget to just "Be still, and know that I am God". (Psalm 46:10) His rest is set-apart from everyday activities. Jesus took the disciples aside from the crowd to rest with Him. (Mark 6:31) God gave us a natural means of rest by giving us one whole day of the week. God knew that or physical bodies and mental capacities would need a means of refreshment after six days of work. 

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Just because we come to Christ doesn't mean that we won't have any more work, but that He will give us the strength and refreshment to carry on for His kingdom with even more fortitude than before. Also His "burden" will be lighter than any we would choose or place on ourselves, because He knows exactly how much we can handle and exactly how much we need. Just like Moses' often sought God in the midst of confusion, so our foresight will be cleared when take God's "burden" and receive His rest, instead of struggling under our own imposed load. 

Because God is the ultimate source of our rest, we will be at peace when we claim His hope. We have hope because...

"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope." (Psalm 16:8-9) 

Because God is always with us, because He is our protector, because He is the one in control of our circumstances, we can be glad, and rejoice, and rest. And also rest because we are possessors of His hope.

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him." (Psalm 62:5)

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)

He is our hope, and He is our rest. Rest in His hope, for only then will you know the "peace that passes all understanding". (Philippians 4:7) Rest not only gives us a break physically and mentally, but it also provides us with the vigor and stamina to go on and do greater things for God. We need to learn to seek rest, so that we can more thoroughly fulfill the will of God. 

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)

"Prepare me always for what Thy providence shall bring forth. Let me never murmur, be dejected, or impatient, under any of the troubles of this life; but ever find rest and comfort in this, this is the the will of my Father, and of my God: this is for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen." (Thomas Wilson)

Be still my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, they heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul; the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last. 

Be Still, My Soul

In Christ,

Kaleigh