Tag: alive

22.o. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

 

Genesis 50:20  But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

 Psalms 56:5   All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil.

 Psalms 119:71     It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

 Romans 8:28     And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

When something bad happens in the life of a new Christian, they will often say, “Lord, why is this happening to me?” When something bad happens in the life of a mature Christian, they will often say, “Lord, why is this happening to me?” Same question, but different motivations. The new Christian may think it unreasonable that a bad thing happened. But the mature Christian knows problems are part of life in a fallen world. His “Why?” question is to discern from God what he can learn from the difficult situation—how he might grow in faith.  When the teenage Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, he no doubt asked the “Why?” question. At first, he may have thought, “What did I do to deserve this?” But later, his “Why?” likely turned into, “Oh, now I see why!” He realized God had sent him to Egypt to prepare a place for Jacob’s family to escape the famine in Canaan. When you experience difficulties in life, it’s not wrong to ask “Why?” Just make sure you’re asking for the right reason.

20.b. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. “

Romans 8:28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 Genesis 50:20    As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

 Jeremiah 24:6-7   I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up.  I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.

 2 Corinthians 4:15-17    For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

 Psalms 46:1-2  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

 Ephesians 3:11    This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

 2 Timothy 2:19   But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

God’s sovereignty and ability to manage every aspect of our lives is demonstrated in the fact that all things work together for good to those who love God, though we must face the sufferings of this present time. God is able to make even those sufferings work together for our good and His good. God is able to work all things, not some things. He works them for good together, not in isolation. This promise is for those who love God in the Biblical understanding of love, and God manages the affairs of our life because we are called according to His purpose.

It is not hard to state, “All things work together for good” when things are going well.  It is when we get side-swiped by something totally unexpected.  It comes in many forms, health, relationships, finances, accident, family, employment, etc…  One day everything is going well and then BAM something hits us from out of the blue to seemingly mess up our lives.  It is hard to say “all things work together for good” but even harder to believe it when we say it.  These trials or troubles will certainly test our faith, but should never take us to a place where we question God’s love or purpose or will for our lives.  When trials/troubles explode into our lives is when doubts, worry, anger, frustration, fear, and a host of other thoughts can overwhelm us. Faith is not, and should not be based solely on how “Good” things are.  This side of eternity will always have moments of trials/troubles that will attack our faith and trust in the purposes and will of God.  It is in these moments that we fall on our knees and lay our burden at His feet.  It is in these hurts and uncertainties that we, by faith, trust in, rely on, and cling to Jesus Christ more deeply. It is ok to tell God about our fears, hurts, worries, frustrations that have overwhelmed us.  He already knows and will work all things together for good.

16.n. Fear not, I am the first and the last,  and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

John 8:58  Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Proverbs 8:22-30    “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.  Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.  When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.  Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,  before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.  When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,  when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,  when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,  then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,

Colossians 1:17    And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Hebrews 1:10-12     And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;  they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,  like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

Hebrews 13:8    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Revelation 1:17-18    When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,  and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

John 17:24    Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

Before Abraham was, I AM: With this dramatic phrase Jesus told them that He was the eternal God, existing not only during the time of Abraham but before unto eternity past. We think of Jesus Christ as our redeemer and savior.  We trust in God’s Word that says He sent His Son into the world to redeem the lost and whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life.  Do you ever give thought to where He came from?  It may give you a greater appreciation for His love for you.  Before the beginning and before creation and before heavenily hosts, earth, and living plants and creatures Jesus Christ was.  He existed in eternity.  He is Holy, Pure, and True. He willingly came to earth, taking on the form of man, healed the sick, blind, deaf, lame, paralyzed, dead, proclaimed the day of salvation, suffered, died, and rose again all for the single purpose – to redeem the lost and give hope to the perishing.  Think about the grace, mercy, and love He displayed for you.  For certain you did not deserve this gift of eternal life but in and through His power, might, and love He came and bore your sins so that you might have eternal life.

When things around you are falling apart and there seems to be no reason for you to rejoice and give praise to Jesus Christ, remember who it is that gave His life just for you so that all who believe will have eternal life with Him forevermore.

15.o. “Do not marvel at this”

John 5:25  “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Ephesians 2:1     And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

Ephesians 2:5    even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved

Revelation 3:1   “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

Jesus had already explained that one who lives can hear His word, believe, and have everlasting life. Now He adds that one day even the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and be raised again.  He said do not be astonished or surprised by what I am telling you. While we are breathing and have the appearance of life we can still be dead spiritually.  When a person understands this they will make a choice to believe in or deny Jesus Christ.  To believe (clings too, relies on, and trusts) in Him they are born again and alive in Christ.  They rely on the words of Christ.  They understand they are separated from this new life because of their sin, no matter how good they outwardly appear to live.  They understand the need for redemption.  They understand the need for forgiveness.  They understand the need to repent and turn away from their old life. The Holy Spirit indwells them in this new life to guide, lead, instruct, and encourage them in the grace, love, mercy, will, purposes, and glory of God the Father through Jesus Christ.

When a person does not understand how they are spiritually dead, even though they are still breathing, they will make a choice to deny Jesus Christ. Though they have the appearance of being alive they are dead.  They choose to deny their sin, the glory and power of God, and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ.  It is in this denial they are dead while they live.

Jesus also says that a time is coming when those who are in the grave will hear his voice and be reunited with their spirit.  This resurrection with the spirit and body will happen with all who have ever been alive.  Some to the resurrection of life and some to the resurrection of judgment.  Those who trust and believe in Jesus Christ may experience a physical death of the flesh but they will be resurrected alive to be with Christ forevermore throughout eternity.  Those who deny Jesus Christ will experience a physical death of the flesh and will be resurrected to judgment, torment, and separation from God for eternity.  This is the second death.  This death is not an end, but it is an eternal death where there is total awareness of judgment, torment, and separation from God for eternity.  We may experience a peaceful or traumatic physical death but this sting of physical death is nothing compared to the second death of those who choose to deny Jesus Christ.

Oh that the mystery of this would be made aware in full understanding in our hearts, minds, and souls.

14.e.  “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Malachi 3:7  From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

Deuteronomy 9:7-21     Remember and do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD.  Even at Horeb you provoked the LORD to wrath, and the LORD was so angry with you that he was ready to destroy you.

Deuteronomy 31:20    For when I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to give to their fathers, and they have eaten and are full and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and break my covenant.

Deuteronomy 31:27-29     For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Behold, even today while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the LORD. How much more after my death!  Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them.  For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you. And in the days to come evil will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger through the work of your hands.”

Nehemiah 9:16-17    “But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments.

Acts 7:51-52     “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

Psalms 78:8-10    and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Ecclesiastes 11:9    Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Romans 10:3     For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

Isaiah 65:2    I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;

James 4:8     Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Jeremiah 3:12-14   Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, “‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever.  Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD.

Romans 10:21   “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

When I think about COVID and all the fear that has been instilled by continual over-reporting and misreporting from virtually every national news outlets and how the nation, states, cities, businesses, and people have reacted, I wonder if this is all it takes to turn reason and logic into fear, anger, worry, panic, stress, tension, unrest, suspicion, nervousness, etc….  Continually spreading and broadcasting pessimistic, gloomy, alarmist, hopeless, and despairing news appears to be all it takes to move nations, states, cities, businesses, and to get people to think un-rational and illogical.  At some point, individuals begin to believe it so much that anyone who thinks differently than this narrative is censored, ostracized, ignored, banished, shut out, and rejected.

So I sit here this morning and wonder what it would be like if the Word of God was broadcasted, reported, declared, distributed, transmitted, and spread in the same way and manner?  Would people’s hearts, minds, and souls be moved and turned toward God?  Would people believe in Jesus Christ?  Would people repent? Would people fear God?  Would they lose interest in things of this world and have their hope and trust in Jesus Christ and eternity?  Would truth, justice, mercy, grace, and love become a way of life and the “New Normal”?  If nations, states, cities, businesses, and people can be led by lies, half-truths, and fear would they just as easily be led by truth?

People want the truth so bad that they will believe lies to think they have it.  It is as if they will believe lies and half-truths easier and much faster than truth.  In fact, it appears as if they choose lies over truth.  And such it is with mankind where there is an intentional choice to deny, defy, neglect, and reject the truth.  Some of this denial, defiance, and rejection come from and out of a want for truth but rather than listening to the truth they turn away from it and choose to believe lies.  However, the real reason there is denial, defiance, and rejection of the things of God is within the heart of man.  I think this is why there are so many warnings in the bible to seek Jesus Christ first.  When He is first everything else can be viewed within the context of worldly and heavenly, present and future, right and wrong, truth and lies.  There should be no fear, worry, helplessness, pessimistic thoughts, panic, anger, panic, and unrest in the hearts of those who trust in Jesus Christ.  Do not let things of this world blind your hearts, minds, and souls from the truth that is eternal life-giving.  Seek Jesus, for today is the day of salvation, hope, joy, peace, power, and courage.

13.u. “Behold, a day is coming for the Lord”

Zechariah 13:7   “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones. In the whole land, declares the Lord, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’;and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”

Zechariah 14:1 Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.

Zechariah 14:9  And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.

In this prophecy from Zechariah we see a clear picture of Jesus Christ, the Shepherd was struck (crucified) and the scattering of the sheep took place when persecution fell on those in Jerusalem. Act 8:1  And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. We also see those who will be alive at His return to earth for the millennial reign, and the death of those who were striving to destroy Israel and His followers who came to an understanding of and trusted in salvation and redemption through Him during the tribulation period and were alive at His coming.  “His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives.” Those that come against Him will surely perish.  Those that trust in Him will surely live and they will reign with Him on earth for 1000 years.

There is more definition to the timing and what will occur in Revelation about the tribulation period when the wrath of God is poured out on all mankind for their rejection of Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy, and love.  We know that man has both physical and spiritual makeup.  The physical dies but the spirit is eternal.  Those who have rejected Jesus Christ will die physically but spiritually they will live in torment, Hell, totally separated from Jesus Christ.  This is not something to be taken lightly.  I recently had a conversation with a relative who said when he dies he knows he is going to hell and he said that he will only take up a small portion there.  I told him he is still alive and while he still has breath there is time to change that outcome.  How is it that people can take Hell so lightly?  It is because they make the sacrifice, redemption, and salvation of Jesus Christ his offer of grace, mercy, and love lightly.  I don’t know how it works, but Jesus Christ can soften hearts and harden hearts with the same offer of redemption, and salvation.  Look at Paul the leader of and the one who carried out great persecution on the early church yet his heart was softened.  Look at Pharaoh who in the light of all of the wonders displayed hardened his heart like stone.  Look at your own life and how self-centered, self-absorbed, and self-satisfied you were and somehow the Word of God softened your heart to the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Obviously it was not a work of your own thinking but the work of the Holy Spirit of God opening up your mind to understand the need and offer of redemption.  Only God knows how this works.  He is all-knowing, Holy, and just.   Somewhere in all of this is a free will choice that is made deep within the heart and soul of every person.  All I can say is that if the Holy Spirit of God is revealing the need and offer of redemption and salvation, do not reject it.  Your eternal destiny is based on this choice.

9.u. “For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it?”

Amos 3:1  Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing? Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing? Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it? “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

Genesis 50:20    As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Isaiah 14:24-27     The LORD of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stan  that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder.”

 This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.  For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?

Isaiah 45:7   I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.

2 Kings 22:13     “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

God is saying; “Will there be any evil, or calamity inflicted on a wicked city, which does not proceed from me, as the effect of my wrath?” These the examples were intended to convince the people that they had cause for alarm, as their monstrous iniquities called down the vengeance of God to punish them with these calamities. Time after time prophets were sent to warn the Israelites of pending action from God.  This warning came with a call to repent and turn away from their sinful ways.  I am sure there were those who did take this seriously even while most others did not.  Such is the way of mankind when the Word of God is void and humble service, honor, praise, worship, trust, obedience, and reliance no longer are even a thought in their mind.  The process of blindly following after that which is not pleasing to God will always start with losing desire, hunger, and thirst for God’s Word.   When this happens that void is filled with what the world has to offer.  That first day of thinking you are to busy to spend time in God’s Word is a slippery slope of more days to follow.  At first, there may be some void that is felt somewhere in your soul but after repeated days this void is no longer felt.  It has been replaced by things of this world that we so easily claim bring satisfaction into our life.  I heard on the radio that some governors are proclaiming that abortion is not an elective procedure and federal judges are agreeing.  I have a friend who needs a triple by-pass and that is deemed elective, some prostate and cancer surgeries, for the most part, are called elective, as well, some knee, hip, and other orthopedic surgeries.  Think about this: taking the life of an unborn and healthy child is deemed medically necessary while treating other life-enhancing surgeries not.  When has a nation that tolerates pornography (adult entertainment) ever survived judgment coming from God over it?  When as a nation that promotes, supports, and tolerates homosexual activity survived coming judgment from God?  There has not been any since the creation of the world.  Denying God and that He exists does not mean it is true.  It does not protect a nation or person from His judgment.  “For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our father have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us”

5.z. I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Revelation 1:18    I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Psalms 68:20     Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.

Isaiah 22:22    And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

Matthew 16:19     I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Revelation 9:1    And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.

Revelation 20:1-2     Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.

Revelation 20:14     Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

Romans 14:8-9     For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.  For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Death has a finality to it and Christ has been all authority over it.  To some, this will be death to eternal life.  For others, it will be death to eternal torment.  The difference is between those who trust in, cling to, and rely on Jesus Christ redemption and forgiveness of sin, and those who choose to reject salvation through Jesus Christ is their eternal destiny.  Many live like and eternal destiny does not matter or even exist.  This still does not negate what God’s word promises to both.  Rejecting Jesus Christ, the one who went to the cross to suffer and die once and for all for our sin seals their eternal death and torment forever and ever.  Likewise, those who believe in by faith trust in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for their sin seals their eternal life and forevermore with Jesus Christ.

God has revealed this mystery throughout scripture.  Sin always has consequences and obedience always has a reward.  Self-centered Christ-rejecting people do not believe in Jesus Christ, the need for Jesus Christ, judgment, wrath, and anger of God.  They reject the idea of judgment and eternal torment.  Yet those whose hearts have softened to the call of Jesus Christ sought forgiveness of sin, and chose to believe His sacrifice and promise that it forever cleanses them.  To them will be a time of rejoicing at the second coming of Jesus Christ for they will forever be with Him in eternity.

The time for this choice is while we are alive this side of eternity.  There is no chance after death to choose.  At the time of death, our eternity is sealed forever.   Choose faith in the sacrifice and redemption found in Jesus Christ.

105. For you have rejected the word of the Lord

5:1   And Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”

So Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand men on foot, and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. Then Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart; go down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul defeated the Amalekites from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.

The word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night. And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.” And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction.” Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me this night.” And he said to him, “Speak.”

And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?” And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” And Samuel said,

Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.” And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”

Over and over, the Bible tells us that God blesses and rewards obedience. James 1:22–25 says it perfectly: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.“

Obedience enables us to live a life of joy, power, courage, and faith rooted deeply in the Lord and confident in our eternal hope. We can be rewarded by God in a myriad of ways. “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart”.

For all true followers of Christ, obedience is never peripheral. At the heart of what it means to be a disciple of our Lord is living in loving devotion to God. But if such love is real, the acid test is obedience. Following Christ does not allow for selective obedience.  Selective obedience comes out of neglect of His word in our daily lives.  Selective obedience falsely allows us to think we are obedient in all things because we have chosen to live without heart and mind deep daily desire to intentionally live and breath in the depth of His word. Daily time in His word will grow our understanding and knowledge of God which grows our devotion and desire to obedience for His honor and glory.

Trust, faith, hope, reliance and love

Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Psalms 119:71  It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Psalms 119:67  Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Hebrews 12:10-11  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Genesis 37:4  But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

Genesis 37:18-20  They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.  They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.   Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”

Psalms 56:5  All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil.

Genesis 45:5-8  And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Acts 2:23  this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Acts 3:13-15  The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.  But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,  and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

Romans 8:28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Is not God Sovereign?  Is He not righteous? Is He not all powerful?  Is He not loving?  Is He not the author and finisher of life?  Is He not all knowing?  Does He not have plans and purposes for us?  Is He not a place of refuge?  Is He not a comforter?  Is He not able to do more than we ask and can imagine?  Is He not living water and bread of life to our soul?  Has He not promised eternal life to those He loves and called according to His purpose and eternal death to those who do not?  Has He not given great and many precious promises of hope to our soul?  Has He not sent the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our paths?  Does He not know the thoughts, intents and actions of man?

Why is it then that we think we will never fall on troubled times or be disciplined by Him?  Why do we think, this side of eternity, we will have an easy go in life different from what all mankind face?   Why do we think death and judgement will not reach us until another time? How do we expect our faith, worship, thankfulness and love for God to grow if there is no need for dependance upon Him?    How do we expect to hear His whispers of guidance if we see no need for it?  How do we expect to see His handiwork if there is no want or desire to see it?  How are we to speak of His holiness if we never seek to understand it?

Why do we not seek His wisdom and understanding in all things?  Why do we allow good times to lead us into complacency and neglect?

Trust, faith, hope, reliance and love come through knowing Him more and more each day through all of the trials, troubles, and easier times in life.

We do well to respond as David did;  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!