Month: February 2017

How precious becomes Jesus to each who has accepted Him.  The Saviour, Jesus Christ is a gift from God, upon which there is no price or estimation!  I wonder why so many do not accept Jesus Christ as their own precious Saviour, or lose their connections so easily for other interests and causes, or personal hurt and disillusionment?  God is so wonderful no matter our behaviour; He loves each and seeks to bring each person to Himself.

Colossians 2: 6 “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”  As those who shepherd a church fellowship can find, some people attending, may look like they really love Jesus first, but after a while, there is evidence that at the same time they have their own self construct on Bible truth and church policy, which they use to influence others in the church membership into disaffection or total lack of faith in those others in leadership, or some Biblical principles. What a pity some precious people, leave like a pack of fire crackers going off, with maybe no one being too sorry for their departure.   Many other precious people have left, often drifting away, like a boat cut from its mooring that is never followed up or bought back.  Please fill us with Your type of forgiving active love, Lord.  V8 “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”  Though these people and their actions are cleverly clothed as if representing Christ, the Holy Spirit will lead us to test the spirit behind any wrong and empty teaching, and then instead lead us on unto Christ and truth.  V 9 “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; V 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” 

When it comes to presenting spiritual truth not actually found in the Word of God or putting our own construct upon Gods words; what man or woman could measure up to the Godhead = God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, in knowledge and intelligence?  Jeremiah 9: 23, 24 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.  For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.”

God freely exhibits, wonderful principles of love, purity, mercy and justice, even though the Old Testament reveals there were many occasions that God severely disciplined those people, chosen specially to be His representative to others.  They  themselves, originally said they had chosen Him!  The disciplined were never left forever in their state without hope and/ or being restored by and to God.  Hosea 6: 1 – 3 “Come, and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.  After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight.”  Repentance, and turning from our wrong ways is all it takes to be back as Gods person, now able to fully grow and manifest His love, purity, mercy and justice.

All through the New Testament, the longsuffering and total love of Jesus and His Father toward all people upon the earth, is often revealed and taught.  Though unlike the Old Testament, there are not that many bible passages devoted to judgement from God upon His followers during the times of writing the New Testament.  There are many clear passages written about the coming final judgement upon all who have lived on planet earth.   No one alive today need to fear any personal hardship, situation, or the coming judgement events, for Jesus has not vacated His role as Saviour, and is ever available to those who seek Him.  Romans 8: 37 – 39” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death no life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, not things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Let us gladly give Him our heart, trust and allegiance?

Ii is always a joy to greet God in the morning, and especially when it has been a difficult night, with not as much sleep as one would like.  It is a real consolation more deep than I can write; to have God answer a heartfelt thought, with a text into my mind that promises to “supply all my need”.  Then to find more promises in my diary that remind me anew, we never travel this path alone, and the path is filled with joy.  Hallelujah and praises to Gods on high, again on this day.

Proverbs 4: 18, 19 “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.  The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”  V13 “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.”  So many promises and words of instruction, to remember and claim, and I am thankful I have been reminded of them, for now I can think upon them over the next few days, and claim for them for myself.  This next instruction from Jesus also gives hope today, Luke 11: 10, 13 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  V 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

It is so easy to focus on self and our failures in life, personal interactions, or even upon the failures made as Gods erring child.  Truly Gods word gives instruction and real hope, Romans 6: 22, 23 “But now been having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. V23 For the wages of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

The desire to have eternal life has been for some the concern deep in their mind and soul; though often unnoticed or addressed.  Jesus had a young man come that expressed such a desire, Luke 10: 25 – 28 “……..’Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ 26 He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?’ 27 So he answered and said,” ‘You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’” 28 And He said to him, ‘You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.’”  It is so easy to think we do not have to care much about those we do not know, and to do as this young lawyer did, V 29 “But he wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?”  In verses 30 – 37 Jesus told the well-known story of the Good Samaritan (hated by the Jews) and his kind and generous actions toward a Jew, equally disliked by the Samaritans, to illustrate His answer.  Finally the young man had to admit and answer, V 36, 37 “So which of these three do you think was neighbour to him who fell among thieves?  And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”  To love God supremely and to care about all of Gods children is what we are asked to do as a natural heart response, to the love of God that is poured into, onto and around all on this earth.

Today my God, I desire to forget present difficulties and downheartedness, and instead sing with the David, from Psalm 30: 10, 11”You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent, O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

Another Sunday, and amazingly it is the start of the 8^th week of 2017, and I am thankful for my life, and for the love and care of God.

1 Corinthians 10: 13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”  Temptation comes to every person who has ever lived.  Tailor-made by the ‘evil one’ to fit our personal situation and past experiences and weaknesses; therefore it is not wise to criticize another for their wrong doing. It is sure we will have done wrong/sin, and maybe in a different area than the other person.  Of course because God is faithful and will not allow things to come to us, that we cannot bear, we can in His strength come through these situations, and gradually become more able to withstand, as our habit patterns, become less established.  Praise God for that, for one of the consequences of habitual sinning, is to be miserable and hardened toward others.

Sometimes sicknesses, disability, hard times etc. come upon us, even though the person may have done nothing that would cause these situations.  Again God has been my answer and for numerous other people I know about; and through the reading of His sacred word, and prayer answers granting mental strength, we have been able to live a happy life, in the midst of these situations.  Sometimes this certainly was not the case at the beginning for me and it took much prayer and claiming of the promises of God, for a mental adjustment toward a more positive outlook, to occur.  Such an example comes from Paul, 2 Corinthians 12: 8, 9” Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  To my eternal gratitude, there have been times when the answer to a prayer of need, was immediate, and the improved health and/or peace and acceptance beyond human expectation was God’s answer to me.

A wonderful Psalm for the giving of praise to God and His instruction and hope, is Psalm 121, which gives recognition of God’s deeds and character.  Psalm 121: 1, 2 “I will lift up my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”  I understand that these promises were made about literal Israel, but that I can trust that my help will come from the Lord, because I have asked for it, and am part of God’s ‘Spiritual Israel’  V3, 4 “ He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.  4 Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”  We certainly need divine help that never sleeps on the job of caring for us; for the ‘evil one’ does not need to sleep either, and can even give us weird dreams and wrong thoughts as we sleep, let alone what happens when we are awake, especially when we are not concentrating, tired and past our ‘best game’.  V7, 8 “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and forevermore.” 

I remember God, how Your Son, Jesus taught His disciples to pray.  Today I unite with Jesus, in praying just the last verse, Matthew 6: 13 “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.  For Yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever.  Amen   I am glad to give you my praise and grateful thanks, as we enter a new week.

It is wonderful when we receive best wishes from a friend or someone who cares about us; which makes the message, close and personal,  which often sounds like a blessing, made up of loving thoughts and aspirations bestowed upon another; especially if the person asks God, to bless abundantly.  These were the type of greetings Paul sent to his beloved believers.  The ones he had nurtured to accept Jesus, as their friend and Saviour, before he had to leave them, to go teach others the same saving message.  How good it would be, if more often, we greeted friends in this meaningful way.

So as we read a little of Paul’s writings here, I plan to take them for a personal message of blessing; why don’t you do that also.  Colossians, 1: 9 – 12 “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”   The next verses are not so much, best wishes framed in prayer, but  instead give a joyful recounting of what God has done for His own,  “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” 

Whilst on this earth, God delights to hear every sincere prayer that we make putting our affairs, and physical body in His care, as well as the prayers about our salvation and redemption.  I am lifted up mentally when I remember and give praise for God’s interventions on my behalf.   Micah 7: 7, 8 “Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.  Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.”

No need any more to be fearful about anything (though it sometimes takes the body a while to catch up with this head knowledge.)  God is more powerful than any power of darkness that may beset us, and He just waits for us to believe and in trusting faith, ask for deliverance.  In prayer times and in times of special need, I find a great stability of spirit, to read and claim Bible promises; especially these oft repeated words of Jesus, John 14: 27 “Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

God I know that You have heard my every prayer, and will be my strength and stay, keeping me safe, because my life and affairs are in Your care, by my request and Your invitation!

I love to think of the example given in scripture of God the Father and Jesus, His son, being surrounded by dazzling brightness and light.  Angel messengers when they come to earth are depicted also as coming in dazzling brightness, and always coming for the good of the person they are revealing themselves unto.  Unlike the many depictions of Satan and his angels being clothed in black, with pitchforks, they were in heaven once in clothes of light, and can still appear in white, as if from heaven.  They however come in the clothing of light in order to deceive people into thinking they represent Jesus and they do not come with the good of the person as their ultimate intention.

There are still many peoples that live today, who are in the darkness of fear and constant superstition, without happiness and peace.  There is a powerful example given in three of the gospels, of the extreme outworking of the powers of darkness in the life of a person/s.  Jesus had travelled to the other side of the sea, and had arrived at the country of the Gadarenes.  Mark 5: 2 “And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.”

It is so wonderful, that the power of God, is so much stronger than the power of darkness, and could through His Spirit could shine a ray of hope, into the darkened, spirit deranged mind of the slave of darkness, so that he recognized Jesus for who He was; as one deserving worship. The controlling forces within, also recognized Jesus and made themselves known, V 6 – 10 “and he cried out with a loud voice and said, “’What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me.’  For He said to him, ‘Come out of the man: unclean spirit!’  Then He asked him, ‘What is your name?’  And he answered, saying, ‘My name is legion, for we are many.’  For some reason, the spirits (who could not resist the power of God) did not want to be sent out of the country, and instead asked to be go into the nearby heard of pigs, very shortly thereafter the spirits, caused the destruction of all the pigs: which is in keeping with how the forces of darkness operate.  V” And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.”  This of course did not please those in charge of the pigs, or other nearby people when they were told of this supernatural event.

As always when God intervenes and His light comes into the mind and heart of a person, sanity with purpose returns; bringing peace and heart devotion toward the/our divine Redeemer.  V15 “Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed in his right mind.  And they were afraid.”  How often we born in sin, become afraid of the unknown, and do not comprehend, that God has been at work, and reject what He has for each who will believe and accept; and this was the case at Gadarenes; after all no human could explain, the dramatic change in the previously violently deranged man, or the sudden mad dash of 2000 pigs, down a ‘steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.’  V 17 “Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.”  This of course was not the reaction of the man set free from demon possession, for he just wanted to learn more of the message of light and love that Jesus spoke and embodied.  V 18, 19 “And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to Him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.’”

How easy it would have been for this barely converted worshiper of Jesus, to follow around, learning more and basking in His presence.   Jesus showed by not allowing this man to do this, that within each person, devotion and committment grows with the personal sharing of our experiences with Jesus, and in turn provides the opportunity for other people, to open their hearts to the life changing message of the gospel.  V20 “And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him, all marveled.” 

Be my strength and power Jesus, for I desire that nothing constrain me from telling others what You mean to me and have to offer them also.

 

In my Bible at the beginning of the chapter 1 of 1 John is a commentary on the contents of the following chapters.  To quote a little from some of the commentary, “God is light; God is love; and God is life.  John is enjoying a delightful fellowship with that God of light, love and life. And he desperately desires that his spiritual children enjoy the same fellowship.”

“Therefore, to engage in fellowship with Him we must walk in light and not in darkness.”  We will need to often confess our sins, so we can be cleansed by the blood of Christ.  John has identified the two significant blocks to a Christian walking in the light of Jesus, “will be the falling in love with the world and falling for the alluring lies of false teachers.”

As children of God, we must walk in love, because God is love.  “In fact, John says that if we do not love, we do not know God.  Love is more than just words; it is actions.  It is giving, not getting.  Biblical love is unconditional in its nature.”

“Those who fellowship with Him must possess His quality of life.  Spiritual life begins with spiritual birth which occurs through faith in Jesus Christ.  Faith in Jesus Christ infuses us with God’s life – eternal life.”

1 John 1: 2 “The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us.”  V4, 5, and 7 “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.  This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”  It is a human deception to think we do not sin, or minimize the gravity of every sin, from those that are considered small to what we think is at the top of the list of sins.  In the consequences for us, all sin is sin!  V9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 2: 1 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”  V5, 6 “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him.  By this we know that we are in Him.  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”  V9 “He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.”  V 15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”  V25 “And this is the promise that He has promised us – eternal life.”

It is worthwhile to note, that the apostle Paul had every confidence that he knew Jesus Christ and His will for himself, how he should live and present the gospel of Jesus to everyone else.  This was despite the fact, he had been rendered poor of sight, by an encounter from heaven, Acts 9: 3 – 5 “As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.   And he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’  And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’  Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting……….’”  He was chosen by Jesus to be his special witness, and he himself, was already very learned, but now completely converted and surrendered to Jesus; absolutely knew Whom He loved and where and how, he was proceeding.

He certainly ‘copped a lot of flak’ and trouble for his words and stance for Jesus.  There was dissension amongst the church fellowship, as seems so common in all ages.    Probably due to the different personalities coming together, with some who dominate, and divide, thinking they are or have a message, that is a ‘ cut above’; with devotees that follow and promulgate the divisive message.   In reality self-reliant human wisdom is not what edifies on any level, the people in the church fellowship.  1 Corinthians 3: 21, 23 “Therefore let no one boast in men.  For all things are yours.  And you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s” In confidence Paul could say to the disaffected ones, 1 Corinthians 4: 4, 5 “For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts.  Then one’s praise will come from God.”

Dear Jesus, I choose as did the apostle John, to also have a ‘delightful fellowship with that God of light, love, and life…….’ and follow Your words, and life.  To flee from self-reliant human wisdom, when applied to the things of God, and instead seek the wisdom written in the scriptures and in belief, abide in You.  Realizing, that by the gift of the Holy Spirit, I will be able to lovingly forbear with different personalities and actions.  Remembering to pray for self and others, knowing that God will lead and sustain; then all things will be revealed by Him.

 

 

Historically it can be seen that there has always been wrong doing upon the earth.  Some people are kind and considerate and not given to doing wrong things to others, whilst others appear not to have kind feelings or a conscience about the impact of their wrong doing to other people, who are many times innocent.  It is also true however, that no matter whether a regular doer of good or bad deeds, no human person can be called holy and pure as is God, and all goodness comes as a gift in trust from God.

God loves us all and is merciful toward the good and the bad, and longs to bring us to a place of walking in His image.  Ezekiel 36:26 – 28 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statures, and you will keep my judgments and do them.  Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.”  I am thankful for the many promises given to the wicked, erring Israelite nation, that have application and promise to each of us, as erring people upon this earth right now.

Because I appreciate Gods mercy and goodness, my mind is lifted to heaven in praise, because I have been helped so much by reading and claiming Bible promises on a daily basis.  God cannot lie, and will not deny the promise within His words, when they are believed and claimed.  Psalm 147: 11 “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.” Psalm 146: 3-4 “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is not help.  His spirit departs, he returns to earth; in the very day his plans perish.”   God Himself says that no earthly created person can in any way equal the God of heaven.  It has taken numbers of years to understand how  mankind and the earth around us is put together and works; and we are told not all is known to scientists at this point; and no one can replicate the elements used in creation and put them together into a life form.  Isaiah 40: 25 “To whom then will you like Me, or to whom shall I be equal?”  Then God asks His readers to look for the evidence of His creation, V 26 “Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing.”

Isaiah a prophet in one of the significant troubled times of the Israelite people, calls on them to trust God, for He has the credentials, and a proven history of help and restoration to those who turn from their wrong ways and call out to Him.  Isaiah 40: 28, 29 “Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.  His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.”  V 31 “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”  So many need all from God that is promised in these findings and God revealed knowledge related by Isaiah.

Thankfully God never leaves us to flounder or trying to find Him or His will for us each individually or as a group.  It is good that there is recorded in scripture records of someone asking for help down the right pathway, and God doing so.  Psalm 25: 4, 5 “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths, Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”  Moses is another case of being accepted by God and led as leader of a rebellious difficult people; with the wonderful promise that God Himself (“My Presence”) would go with Moses.  But more than that, he was to be given rest, even whilst on his difficult experience.   Exodus 33: 13, 14 “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight.  And consider this nation is Your people.  And He said, ‘My presence will go will you, and I will give you rest.’”

Please open our hearts and minds God, that those who need to, will forsake their wrong doing, and everyone will put their lives and concerns in the care of their God and Maker.

I believe Your promises, and give You thanks for hearing my prayer, and know Your Spirit will go with me on life’s pathway, and I will be given Your peace, throughout my earthly journey.

 

 

David, had a long association with God, who had never forsaken him, from when as a young man, with nothing, he was forced to flee from King Saul, who out of jealousy sort to kill him; on into his 40 years of being a king.  Because of his love for God, he had wanted to build Him a beautiful building, instead of the tent temple, in which people came to worship and praise, the Lord of heaven.

David prepared everything he could think of for the building of a permanent temple and the Israelite people had given much of their personal treasure, so that the temple could be fine and beautiful; and they were glad to do so. God gave precise instructions to David, as to why he personally was not to build a permanent temple; and about whom he was to pick to do so and why.

David contented himself, with preparing all the plans and materials, for God’s chosen successor to the Israelite throne to build the temple.  1 Chronicles 22: 5 “Now David said, ‘Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries.  I will now make preparation for it.’  So David made abundant preparations before his death.”  The time had arrived for David to tell his successor in more detail all the preparation he had made, as well as God’s instructions and His promised future blessings and care for faithfulness.  1 Chronicles 22 6 – 10 “Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house to the name of the Lord my God; but the word of the Lord came to me, saying ‘you have shed much blood and made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.  Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest from all his enemies all around.  His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.  He shall build a house for My name…….”

David knew from whence his help and strength and help had always come, and so he advises his son, V 12, 13 “ Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.  Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfil the statues and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel.  Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

In his words, David continues to show his love and desire to always be obedient to God and that he had been mightily led and saved by God during many difficult times.  Therefore David reassured Solomon that if he allowed and was faithful, God would also be his source of strength ,wisdom and salvation.  1 Chronicles 28:19, 20 “All this,” said David, ‘the Lord made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.’  And David said to his son Solomon, ‘be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God-will be with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.’”

I am thankful, that we can apply many of these promises from God, spoken to Solomon by his earthly father, to ourselves, in many different places, when we also are faithfully obeying God, and undertaking whatever He asks us to do.  That of course can be doing many different things for God, and others, as we follow God’s scriptural instructions, and love Him supremely.

Hear us dear Lord above, we as also give You praise with David’s words: 1 Chronicles 29: 11 “Yours, O Lord is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all.”                                        1 Timothy 1: 17 “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, honour and glory forever and ever. Amen”