December 2022 – Page 3

40.s. “He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them”

Exodus 3:7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters.

Psalms 22:24   For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.

Psalms 34:4   I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 34:6     This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalms 106:44    Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry.

Psalms 145:19    He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

Isaiah 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

400 years, or close to it, God’s chosen people were oppressed. Think about that. We declared our independence from England 246 years ago. Add another 154 years to our history and have us living under oppression this whole time and this would be the life of Israelites for generation after generation. 400 years. During these 400 years of oppression, God knew what was going on. God saw it. Year after year it continued. If you had not known freedom and this was the only life you knew, would it make it bearable? No. However, it might make it seem like this is just the way things are, always have been, and always will be. What hope would you have for the present? What hope would you have for the future? It would seem hopeless for life any better.

400 years. I still have a hard time putting this into perspective. The Bible is filled with example after example of God’s protective and mighty hand defending and bringing rather quick resolution. It is also filled with examples of His seeming delays. Of course, we can look to and trust God when He answers immediate prayers. What kind of faith can wait year after year, knowing the promises of God, claiming these promises, believing them, trusting in them, but not seeing tangible evidence of them? This kind of faith keeps eyes, heart, mind, and soul focused on God and not the circumstance or situation. This kind of faith knows without a doubt that God is able and limitless in what He can do. This kind of faith says; “God is able, but if in His plan and purpose I do not see His hand at work I know He is watching over me. He loves me. He will strengthen me. He is God.”

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

40.r. Today I want to share some Quotes I have collected over the years

Until you are willing to accept God’s evaluation of yourself and your sinfulness, you will never be ready to accept God’s gift of forgiveness.

A. W. Tozer seldom used an unnecessary word. His sentences were plain and vivid, connecting with readers like an electrical circuit. Listen to this Tozer paragraph: “One great concern I have is that many of today’s Christians are not taking the Word of God seriously. For whatever reason, the Scriptures do not have authority in the Christian’s life in the way that is necessary for him or her to live a life to the glory of God.”

God and His Word are the only immovable shelters in a world of uncertainty.

Do you have that sense of urgency right now about eternity? Do you realize that the date of your death is a fixed date on God’s calendar? There is not one thing you can do to postpone it. And every second that passes moves you closer and closer to that inevitability. A wise person is one who acts quickly to make preparation for the future. Anytime I talk to somebody about their relationship with Christ, there is one question that to me determines whether they are saved or lost: If you were to stand before God, and He were to ask you, “Why should I let you into heaven?” what would you say? Most people would say, “I live by the Golden Rule,” or, “Although I am not perfect, I am good enough.” That is what most people are banking on: that they are good enough to enter God’s presence.

Professions of faith without expressions of faith mean there is no possession of faith. It does not matter what you say you believe; the true evidence of your faith is your obedience to God.

If you want to manifest the fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, etc,,, and other attributes of Christ, you must be rooted in Him, watered and pruned by His Word.

One of the greatest mistakes Christians make is believing we get an exemption from problems in life. Being a follower of His does not exempt you from problems. Yet many Christians are absolutely shaken to their foundation when problems enter their lives. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.

40.q. “God called to him out of the bush”

Exodus 3:1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

For 40 years Moses lived as an obscure shepherd in the desert of Midian. At this point his life was so humble that he didn’t even have a flock of sheep to call his own – the sheep belonged to his father-in-law. The bush burning but not being consumed was a magnetic sight to Moses – it drew him in for a closer examination. Some think the burning bush to be a symbol of Israel, or the people of God more generally – afflicted but not destroyed, because God is in the midst of them. The bush burning but not being consumed was a magnetic sight to Moses – it drew him in for a closer examination. Some think the burning bush to be a symbol of Israel, or the people of God more generally – afflicted but not destroyed, because God is in the midst of them. God didn’t speak to Moses until He had Moses’ attention. Often God’s Word doesn’t touch our heart the way that it might because we don’t give it our attention. The burning bush was a spectacular phenomenon that captured Moses’ attention; but it changed nothing until Moses received the Word of God that came to him there. God’s first words to Moses called him by name. This shows that even though Moses was now an obscure, forgotten shepherd on the backside of the desert, God knew who he was, and Moses was important to God. God told Moses to do two things to show special honor to this place because of the immediate presence of God. He told Moses to keep a distance (Do not draw near this place). He commanded Moses to show reverence for God’s presence (Take your sandals off your feet). God revealed Himself to Moses by declaring His relationship to the patriarchs. This reminded Moses that God is the God of the covenant, and His covenant with Israel was still valid and important. This wasn’t a “new God” meeting Moses, but the same God that dealt with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God would reveal Himself to Moses more intimately than He had to any of the patriarchs; yet it all began with God reminding Moses of the bridge of covenant they met on. Some in the days of Moses might have thought that God neglected or forgot His covenant in the 400 years of Israel’s slavery in Egypt, since the time of the patriarchs. Nevertheless, God was at work during that time, preserving and multiplying the nation. God told Moses to do what was appropriate for a creature before their Creator – to revere and recognize His holiness. Moses responded as a man who knew he was not only a creature, but also a sinful creature – he hid his face. (Guzik)

If our mind shuts out things of God and our eyes quit looking for God’s hands in things around us, and our ears quit listening for the quiet whispers of God’s Word into our lives, it is no wonder our lives have no peace and rest. Though a foundation may have been laid there is no continual building upon it. Such a waste of a life of a child of the King of Kings. “Turn your hearts to Jesus, look full into his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

40.p. “He will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them.”

Exodus 2:23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

Nehemiah 9:9   “And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea,

Psalms 18:6    In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalms 81:7  In distress you called, and I delivered you;

Psalms 107:19-20   Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.  He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

Isaiah 19:20   It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them.

God did not turn His attention to Israel because they were such good people, but because of the covenant He made with them. (Guzik)

Probably the murdering of their infants did not continue; that part of their affliction only attended the birth of Moses, to signalize that. And now they were content with their increase, finding that Egypt was enriched by their labour; so they might have them for their slaves, they cared not how many they were. On this therefore they were intent, to keep them all at work, and make the best hand they could of their labour. When one Pharaoh died, another rose up in his place, that was as cruel to Israel as his predecessors. And they cried — Now at last they began to think of God under their troubles, and to return to him from the idols they had served, Ezekiel 20:8. Hitherto they had fretted at the instruments of their trouble, but God was not in all their thoughts. But before God unbound them, he put it into their hearts to cry unto him. It is a sign God is coming to us with deliverance when he inclines us to cry to him for it. (Benson)

How much do we suffer without taking it to Jesus? How long do we wait before we see Him as our hope? Jesus is ever-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful and is able to do more than we ask and much more than we can even imagine. His power and knowledge have no end. Why is it that we try to resolve our trials and troubles in our own reliance and limited knowledge and understanding? How much peace and rest have we forfeited because we choose not to cry out to Him? I fear way too many times. Let us draw near and never choose to leave the presence of our savior for even a single minute of every moment. Purpose in your heart to stay close and honor and glorify Him in all thoughts, words, and deeds.

40.o. “But Moses stood up and saved them”

Exodus 2:16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

Moses flees for his life and comes to a place where there happens to be an injustice being inflicted upon the daughters of the Midian priest. He intercedes and corrects the injustice, is invited to the home of the priest, is given a daughter in marriage, and has a son. We can surely see the hand of God in this, but the question of the sovereignty, plans, and purposes of God and the free will acts of man raises its head. I start down this path only to find myself at a crossroads that either gives too much credit to free will, and thereby limiting God, or places everything being done as the total work of God and thereby limiting man’s free will.

God has given mankind the free will to choose to honor and glorify Him or to go after their own way and dishonor and reject and deny Him. Mankind chooses to do good or bad, right or wrong, godly or ungodly things. God has given mankind a “free will” choice to trust in, cling to, rely on, follow, and obey Jesus Christ for their salvation and forgiveness of their sin. Eternal life is promised to all who repent, believe, and trust in the redemptive work on the cross through Jesus Christ. Eternal torment is promised to all who don’t. In these promises, there is God’s all-knowing “past, present, and future” purposes and plans, and mankind’s free will. God reaches out to the hearts of mankind and offers salvation, at the same time He knows who will repent, trust, and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This mystery of God’s sovereignty and mankind’s free will is far above my understanding.

I do know this; repentance, trust, belief, obedience, and reliance on Jesus Christ changes a person. You are changed immediately and being changed continually for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. Old things are past away and all things are new. You are a new creation, born again, and a light that shines for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. Into this person will come to the Holy Spirit to guide, lead, and direct them in thought, words, and actions that honor and glorify Jesus Christ. To these, there is given a peace that passes all understanding though the world around them is in trials and troubles.

Commit this day to live in such a way that in all you think, say, and do will honor and glorify Jesus Christ.

40.n. From “Pathway to Victory”

Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
–James 1:22

In Matthew 7, Jesus told a story about two builders who built on two very different foundations. First, Jesus talked about the wise builder. Verse 24 says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” The word “acts” is key to understanding this passage. The mark of a true disciple of Jesus Christ is obedience. In James 1:22, James said, “Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” In 1 John 2:4-5, John said, “The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected.” It is one thing to hear God’s Word and believe, but it is altogether different to believe and obey.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “The common temptation is, instead of really repenting, to talk about repentance; instead of heartily believing, to say, ‘I believe,’ without believing; instead of truly loving, to talk of love, without loving.”

I think perhaps the greatest delusion in evangelical Christianity is the idea that intellectual belief is sufficient. We have taught people that if you simply believe the right set of facts about Jesus Christ, you get to go to heaven. But that is a lie out of the pit of hell. Did you know Satan and the demons believe Jesus Christ was the perfect Son of God who died on the cross for the sins of the world? In fact, Satan and his demons witnessed it firsthand! Yet are they saved? Of course not. It is not enough to believe those facts intellectually; we have to believe it enough to kneel in faith one day and cry out, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner! Today I am clinging to the Lord Jesus Christ to be my Savior.” That is what saves a person–believing enough to obey.

There are many people in the church today who say, “I have trusted in Jesus as my Savior. I am building my life around Him.” But then they completely disregard what He said, for example, about divorce and remarriage. Or what He said about not building your life around money but building it around eternal things. Or what He said about how to respond when people mistreat you. Somehow, they have lulled themselves into thinking they are followers of Christ even though they disregard everything He said. The Bible is very clear: to hear and not obey is not to hear at all. (Dr. Jeffress)

40.m. “Surely the thing is known.”

Exodus 2:11 One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.

Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

Moses boldly owned the cause of God’s people. It is plain from Heb 11. that this was done in faith, with the full purpose of leaving the honours, wealth, and pleasures of his rank among the Egyptians. By the grace of God he was a partaker of faith in Christ, which overcomes the world. He was willing, not only to risk all, but to suffer for his sake; being assured that Israel were the people of God. By special warrant from Heaven, which makes no rule for other cases, Moses slew an Egyptian, and rescued an oppressed Israelites. Also, he tried to end a dispute between two Hebrews. The reproof Moses gave, may still be of use. May we not apply it to disputants, who, by their fierce debates, divide and weaken the Christian church? They forget that they are brethren. He that did wrong quarreled with Moses. It is a sign of guilt to be angry at reproof. Men know not what they do, nor what enemies they are to themselves, when they resist and despise faithful reproofs and reprovers. Moses might have said, if this be the spirit of the Hebrews, I will go to court again, and be the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. But we must take heed of being set against the ways and people of God, by the follies and peevishness of some persons that profess religion. Moses was obliged to flee into the land of Midian. God ordered this for wise and holy ends. (Henry)

We don’t always know the plans and purposes of God for our lives until we have lived long enough to see how His hand has guided, protected, placed, and like a great conductor, orchestrated our lives into a beautiful harmony with His plans and purposes.

40.l. “She named him Moses”

Exodus 2:1 Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

It is remarkable that all the persons in this narrative are anonymous. We know that the names of ‘the man of the house of Levi’ and his wife were Amram and Jochebed. Miriam was probably the anxious sister who watched. (Hebrews 11:23) By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. The writer of the Hebrews lifts the deed out of the category of instinctive maternal affection up to the higher level of faith. So we may believe that the aspect of her child woke some prophetic vision in the mother’s soul, and that she and her husband were of those who grasped the unseen God as their helper. Will it be thought too fanciful if we suggest that we are taught another lesson,-namely, that the faith which surrenders its earthly treasures to God, in confidence of His care, is generally rewarded and vindicated by receiving them back again, glorified and sanctified by the altar on which they have been laid?

The princesses of the royal house had separate households and abundant liberty of action. Still, it was bold to override the strict commands of such a monarch. But it was not a self-willed sense of power, but the beautiful daring of a compassionate woman, to which God committed the execution of His purposes. The great lesson of this incident, as of so much before, is the presence of God’s wonderful providence, working out its designs by all the play of human motives. Our story teaches us that God’s chosen instruments are immortal till their work is done. No matter how forlorn may seem their outlook, how small the probabilities in their favor, how divergent from the goal may seem the road He leads them, He watches them. Around that frail basket, half lost among the reeds, is cast the impregnable shield of His purpose. All things serve that Will. So ever His children are secure as long as He has work for them, and His mighty plan strides on to its accomplishment over all the barriers that men can raise. (MacLaren)

There is hope to be learned throughout scripture. Seeing the hand of God revealed through His word and through the actions of those whose hearts are focused and in reliance upon Him gives us hope, reliance, and peace for whatever the day, week, or months ahead of us. There is no bleak future in the heart that has placed its hope, faith, trust, and reliance on Jesus Christ.

40.k. “Because the midwives feared God”

Exodus 1:15 Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”

We are not to think that these were the only midwives to so many thousands of Hebrew women, but they were the most eminent among them; and it may be, for their excellency in that profession called to the service of some Egyptian ladies, and by them known to Pharaoh, who might therefore think by their own interest, and by the promise of great rewards, or by severe threatenings, to oblige them to comply with his desires; and if he met with the desired success by them, he meant to proceed further, and to engage the rest in like manner. (Poole)

But the midwives feared God: They probably feared Pharaoh and his power; but they feared God more. For them, the choice was clear. The civil government commanded something that was clearly against God’s command. The midwives did the only right thing: they obeyed God rather than men. Though generally we are called to obey the government and honor civic rulers (Romans 13:1-5), we are never called to put government in the place of God. Therefore, if the government tells us to do something against God’s will, we are to obey God first. (Guzik)

Here are the problems with many people today;

Having discernment to know the difference between right and wrong
Knowing scripture
Fearing God more than man
Seeking and desiring to hear the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit directing thoughts and actions
Seeking and desiring to honor and glorify Jesus Christ

As election time has recently passed I am amazed at the issues people gravitate towards. Reproductive rights is used to disguise killing babies in the womb and people cannot discern the insanity of this murder of innocent babies. People are actually cheering for this right to kill. This was the number one issue causing many to vote. Is there no fear of God in these people? Have they become so calloused and heart hardened that the horrific action of killing babies in the womb is a right? What about the rights of the unborn? Who speaks for them? What kind of person thinks this is right, true, and just?

Lost people. People who have no light in their heart. People who are living in darkness. People who seem to have no other course of action. People who are afraid. People who are worried. They are lost and following the lead of “what seems right” in the eyes of those promoting this darkness.

Is it possible for these lost to come to the understanding of sin, salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life? YES, YES, YES!!!! We certainly do not need to be hating these people nor the ones promoting abortion. They are lost and in darkness. We can be the light and are called to be the light reflection the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ. We can certainly hate, despise, and be angered at the killing of unborn babies. Having a heart that is sensitive to this and being upset is normal. It is out of this “being upset” that we can pray more earnestly, live more kindly, speak more lovingly, and proclaim hope to the lost.