Tag: Salvation

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. 

 

 

 1 John 5:11-13    And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

 John 3:36     Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

 John 5:24    Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

 John 6:40     For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

 John 6:47    Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

 John 8:51    Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

 John 11:26    and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

 Mark 16:16    Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

 1 Peter 1:21   who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

 John 10:27-30   My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:9     For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 1 John 3:14    We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

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

The second we were born we were given a “death sentence”. Seems harsh, doesn’t it? Some may be born and live 70 to 100 years. Others are much shorter. However, the fact remains that every last one of us will die. We will experience death. Our time on this side of eternity will stop. All of the pleasures, trials, blessings, troubles, love, anger, joy, hate, worry, fear, peace, hope, etc…… on earth will cease for us. We do not know the day or time of our death but it is as sure as the sun rising and setting.  We don’t give much thought to our death, but we sure give much thought to our living. 

We try to prolong life and delay death without giving much thought to death. It seems as though it is something that happens to others and not so much to us, when in fact, it will. We don’t know when our time will be over. And yet it will happen. 

When we don’t give thought to death and what is on the other side of it, our lives become full of only what this world has to offer us. temporal things, things that will decay, things that give us short-lived satisfaction, and they are all left behind when we die. 

There is a spiritual side to every single person born just as there is a fleshly side. We tend to the flesh but give little thought to the spiritual. Think about it, how much of your time any given day is given toward God and eternity compared to things of this world. 

Scripture tells us that though our flesh dies our spirit lives forever. It also reveals that there are two destinations to which our spirit will arrive. Eternal life in heaven with God or eternal total separation from God in hell. How important then is it to give time to thinking about the eternal over what is temporal?  How important is it to give thought to eternal life in heaven and eternal separation in hell? 

Scripture says – Death

 Romans 5:12     Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Hebrews 9:27.  “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. 

 Job 14:5    Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass,

 Job 30:23     For I know that you will bring me to death and to the house appointed for all living.

 Psalms 89:48     What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?

 Ecclesiastes 3:20    All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.

 Ecclesiastes 9:5     For the living know that they will die

 Ecclesiastes 12:7   and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Scripture says – Judgment

 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.

 Ecclesiastes 12:14     For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

 Matthew 25:31-34     “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.  Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

41  “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

 2 Timothy 4:1     I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead

 Romans 2:5   But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

 Romans 14:12   So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

 2 Corinthians 5:10    For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

 Jude 1:15    to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

Scripture says – Life

Jhn 3:16    “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:15-16    The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.  But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

 John 3:36    Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

 John 5:24     Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

 John 6:40     For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

 John 20:31    but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

 Romans 5:21     so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 Romans 6:23     For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 1 John 5:11-12    And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

53.c. Wilderness – 17.i. “Do you thus repay the LORD, you foolish and senseless people?”

 

 

Deu 32:4-6  “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation. Do you thus repay the LORD, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you?

 Psalms 74:18     Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles your name.

 Jeremiah 4:22    “For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.”

 Jeremiah 5:21   “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.

 Galatians 3:1-3   O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.  Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith.  Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

 Isaiah 1:2    Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.

 Titus 2:11-14    For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

If we look at foolish in a Thesaurus: stupid, silly, idiotic, halfwitted, witless, brainless, mindless, thoughtless, imprudent, incautious, irresponsible, injudicious, indiscreet, unwise, unintelligent, unreasonable; ill-advised, ill-considered, impolitic, rash, reckless, foolhardy, lunatic; absurd, senseless, pointless

Foolish and senseless people, foolish people, My people are foolish, and foolish are all ascribed to people who should know better. It indicates they have had teaching in proper conduct but discard it and choose paths that are foolish and unwise. It is easy to understand why those who reject God, things of God, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are acting foolish and untie. However, I often wonder why this occurs in those who are called by His name. God’s Word gives clear examples, promises of judgment, warnings, and curses, and yet, these are disregarded and something else takes hold. What are foolish things that people who should know better do that is foolish: They choose to

Neglect God’s Word

Harden their hearts

Stiffen their necks

Deafen their ears

Satisfied with the lack of understanding

Eat baby food

Stagnate in their pursuit of holiness

Give no thought to honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all thoughts, words, and actions

Unrepentant

Worldly and fleshly pursuits

Allowing the busyness of life to consume them

Follow after what the world deems important

Does not seek to be led by the Holy Spirit

God’s Word is truth and in it are depths of wisdom and understanding so vast that a life time of study will only scratch the surface of it. There is never a minute wasted when God’s Word is pursued. How easily we are distracted. How easily we are influenced. How easily we fall away. How easily we disregard holiness. How easily sinfulness is disregarded. How many professing Christians give only lip service to things of God? How many are void of the influence of the Holy Spirit in their lives? How many are self-reliant? How many are blinded and deafened by things of this world?  Neglect of God’s Word is a result of having no desire for it and seeing no need for it in their daily lives.  

We make time to eat and even snack throughout the day. Our day is structured around getting what is needed to fuel our bodies – breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Our day is also structured around getting rest – bedtime. We choose how we apply our time to fill our need for these. It is said we can live 40 days without food, 4 days without water, and 4 minutes without air. That is how we were created. God’s Word says that we find life in His Word, both now and eternally. We will find wisdom, understanding, knowledge, truth, purpose, rest, hope, and satisfaction in it. Apart from His Word, we will not. There is no one to blame and no excuse that can be given for choosing to neglect God’s Word other than ourselves 

Confess it, repent of it, and intentionally choose to live differently. It is not about carving out time or making time for God’s Word. That would indicate it may have value, but you are using your precious time to tick the box of things to do out of your hectic life. God’s Word needs to be desired deep within our souls. It must be important to our lives.  It must be what gives us purpose and satisfaction. 

If the generations of people before us and their time were consumed with worldly and fleshly pursuits, how much more are the temptations of this technology-filled world influencing our minds and consuming our time?  Oh, foolish and senseless people.

47.t. “Wilderness” – 11.z. “I will devote their cities to destruction.”

 

Num 21:1  When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD and said, “If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction.” And the LORD heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the name of the place was called Hormah.

 Psalms 44:3-4   for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.  You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob!

 Psalms 10:17    O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

The date of this occurrence is uncertain. The district of Arad appears to have extended to the southern frontier of Canaan. (Comp. Numbers 33:40; Joshua 12:14; Judges 1:16-17.) The attack probably took place either in the interval between the departure of the messengers to Edom and their return, or at the time at which the Israelites broke up from Kadesh, and before the direction of their march had been ascertained. (Ellicott)

He fought against Israel – This attack (compare Numbers 20:1 and note), can hardly have taken place after the death of Aaron. It was most probably made just when the camp broke up from Kadesh, and the ultimate direction of the march was not as yet pronounced. The order of the narrative in these chapters, as occasionally elsewhere in this book (compare Numbers 9:1, etc.), is not that of time, but of subject matter; and the war against Arad is introduced here as the first of the series of victories gained under Moses, which the historian now takes in hand to narrate. (Barnes)

The description of the king of Arad presents a challenge with geography and chronology. The site recognized as Tel Arad is west of the Dead Sea, about halfway between Beer Sheva and the Dead Sea, and about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Hebron. This is much further north than we would expect Israel to be, putting them in the southern part of Canaan. We would not expect Israel to be in this part of Canaan until well into the book of Joshua. Also, the archeological evidence from Tel Arad is from an earlier period. The most likely explanation is that the king of Arad was, at this time, the leader of a nomadic group that roamed the area south of Tel Arad (who dwelt in the South). When he fought against Israel he traveled still further south, to where Israel camped.

This was the beginning of Israel’s wars of conquest and God’s judgment against the Canaanites. Most of these battles are found in the book of Joshua. These were not only battles to take the land that God promised to Israel, but they were also part of a unique war of judgment against the Canaanites. They were a particularly sinful and depraved people, whom God literally gave hundreds of years to repent. Just as God sometimes used other nations to bring judgment against His people, in this period the LORD used His people to bring judgment against the Canaanites.  Because this was a war of judgment, they were to receive no spoil from the battles – nothing at all. They were to utterly destroy everything. There were a few reasons for this, but one of the most important was that God did not want His people to profit, to gain, to be enriched by a war of judgment. Such wars are the holy expression of God’s sorrow at the necessity of judgment, and He did not want His people to gain or to be happy about it. Therefore, Israel was strictly commanded that when they conquered a Canaanite city, none of the spoil could go to them. It didn’t go to the tabernacle, to the priests, or to Moses. It was all to be destroyed, dedicated to God alone by making no use of it for anyone else. (Guzik)

The Canaanites were given over to Israel to perform God’s judgment upon them. Do you ever wonder what the culture of their cities and towns was like? Do you ever wonder what it was they were doing as a society that provoked God? Whatever it was they were content in doing it without regard for God and things of God day after day and year after year. Just because God’s judgment has not occurred does not mean what is being done by a culture/society/nation is without guilt or blame. To think that something wrong is right because there is no Godly judgment taking place at the time is foolish.

I worry about our country/nation/cities/towns. How much further can we walk apart from God? How much perversion and foolishness around LGBTQ…. Pornography….. Abortion….. Divorce…… Greed….. Pride……. Hate…. Anger….. will God allow before judgment? Just because there is no apparent judgment does not mean it has a thimble’s worth of being right in the sight of God. How much of this foolishness has filtered into people who profess their trust in God?

46.x. “Wilderness” – 11.c. “Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

 

Num 12:3-9  Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. And suddenly the LORD said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. And the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them, and he departed.

 Psalms 147:6    The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.

 Psalms 149:4    For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

 Matthew 5:5   “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

 Matthew 21:5   “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

 James 3:13    Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

 1 Peter 3:4    but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

  Opposition from our near relations, and from religious friends, is most painful. But this is to be looked for, and it will be well if in such circumstances we can preserve the gentleness and meekness of Moses. Moses was thus fitted to the work he was called to. God not only cleared Moses, but praised him. Moses had the spirit of prophecy in a way which set him far above all other prophets. (Henry)

Moses, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth; being seldom angry, and when he was, it was generally, if not always, when the honour of God was concerned, and not on account of his own person and character; though it must not be said of him that he was perfect in this respect, or free from passion, or from blame at any time on account of it, but, when compared with others, he was the meekest man that ever lived; whereby he became the fittest person to have to do with such a peevish, perverse, and rebellious people as the Israelites were, whom no other man could well have bore with. (Gill)

The basis of the complaint of Miriam and Aaron was essentially, “What’s so special about Moses?” God here explained exactly what was so special about him. Most prophets receive revelation through a dream or in a vision, but God spoke with Moses face to face. As much as Miriam and Aaron did not want to recognize it, Moses did have a unique calling and equipping from the LORD. They did not speak against Moses as the leader of Israel as much as they spoke against Moses the servant of God.  Miriam and Aaron should have been afraid to speak against Moses because their criticism was prompted by their own self-interest; they were jealous of all the attention Moses was receiving and wanted some of it for themselves. (Guzik)

46.b. “Wilderness” – 10.h. “The LORD bless you and keep you”

 

Num 6:24  The LORD bless you and keep you;

Psalms 91:11    For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

 Psalms 121:4   Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

 Isaiah 42:6    “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,

 John 17:11    And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

 Philippians 4:7   And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 1 Thessalonians 5:23   Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 1 Peter 1:5    who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 Jude 1:24     Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

I the Lord have called thee in righteousness in a righteous way and manner, consistent with his own perfections; and not against the will of Christ, but with his full consent concerning the welfare and salvation of his people; to perform his righteous promises of his coming, and of good things by him; to show his strict vindictive justice against sin, in the punishment of it; and to bring in an everlasting righteousness for his people. As the apple of his eye, being dear unto him; from being hurt by his enemies till the time came to be delivered into their hands; and from miscarrying in his work; and from the power of the grave, so as to be long detained in it. (Barnes)

 “Thus saith God, Jehovah, who created the heavens, and stretched them out; who spread the earth, and its productions; who gave the spirit of life to the people upon it, and the breath of life to them that walk upon it: I, Jehovah, I have called thee in righteousness, and grasped thy hand; and I keep thee, and make thee the covenant of the people. The Author of all being and all life, the Creator of the heaven and the earth, says, “I will keep you”. (Keil)

Who or what can remove us from the Hand of God and His care? No one and nothing. Who or what is more powerful than God? No one and nothing. Do uncomfortable and heart hurting situations, we find ourselves experiencing, keep us from the Love and Power of God? No. When God says He will bless you and keep you, does that mean we will not experience uncomfortable and heart-hurting situations? No. It does mean the Creator of all there is and who is all-powerful, and who is all-knowing, past present, and future, will bless us and keep us.  How this manifests in the life of a believer is limitless. It may come as peace, or rest, or hope, or faith, or steadfastness, or strength, or humbleness, or love as their total reliance rests in God alone. Whatever the uncomfortable or heart-hurting situation – God is able to Keep you and Bless you.

42.k.. “Let My People Go” – 10.h. Praise and Rejoicing

 

Exodus 15:1  Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Revelation 15:3   And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!

Philippians 4:13   I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Exodus 15:6  Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.

 1 Chronicles 29:11-12    Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

Exodus 15:11  “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 

Jeremiah 10:6   There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might.

Exodus 15:18  The LORD will reign forever and ever.”

 Daniel 7:27    And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’

 Daniel 4:3     How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

This song is the most ancient we know of. It is a holy song, to the honour of God, to exalt his name, and celebrate his praise, and his only, not in the least to magnify any man. Holiness to the Lord is in every part of it. It may be considered as typical, and prophetical of the final destruction of the enemies of the church. Happy the people whose God is the Lord. They have work to do, temptations to grapple with, and afflictions to bear, and are weak in themselves; but his grace is their strength. They are often in sorrow, but in him they have comfort; he is their song. Sin, and death, and hell threaten them, but he is, and will be their salvation. The Lord is a God of almighty power, and woe to those that strive with their Maker! He is a God of matchless perfection; he is glorious in holiness; his holiness is his glory. His holiness appears in the hatred of sin, and his wrath against obstinate sinners. It appears in the deliverance of Israel, and his faithfulness to his own promise. He is fearful in praises; that which is matter of praise to the servants of God, is very dreadful to his enemies. He is doing wonders, things out of the common course of nature; wondrous to those in whose favour they are wrought, who are so unworthy, that they had no reason to expect them. There were wonders of power and wonders of grace; in both, God was to be humbly adored. (Henry)

What a song of worship and praise to God. A song pinned out of humbleness and gratitude. A song reflecting the pureness of raw worship and praise. A simple song with such depth and emotion that comes with a heart-felt presence of God. A song that reflects praise and worship, God’s power, God’s judgment, God’s love, and God’s holiness. 

I love old hymns. You can tell people have written them with like hearts and minds. They are songs of thanksgiving, worship, hope, and praise. If you ever get a chance to acquire a hymnal, do it. Read the heartfelt songs in them. Feel the presence of God in these people’s lives. Just because you are not gifted in music or poetry talent does not mean you can’t join in on the praise and worship in them. Your heart and mind certainly can joyfully join in this praise and worship as the writer has expressed. 

Let your hearts and minds proclaim the greatness, awesome power, and love of God, though they are pinned by another.

39.w. “I wait for Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

 

 

Genesis 49:16   “Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that his rider falls backward. I wait for your salvation, O LORD.

 Judges 18:22-31    When they had gone a distance from the home of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house were called out, and they overtook the people of Dan.  And they shouted to the people of Dan, who turned around and said to Micah, “What is the matter with you, that you come with such a company?”  And he said, “You take my gods that I made and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then do you ask me, ‘What is the matter with you?’”  And the people of Dan said to him, “Do not let your voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows fall upon you, and you lose your life with the lives of your household.”  Then the people of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his home.  But the people of Dan took what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, and they came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire.  And there was no deliverer because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone. It was in the valley that belongs to Beth-rehob. Then they rebuilt the city and lived in it.  And they named the city Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor, who was born to Israel; but the name of the city was Laish at the first.  And the people of Dan set up the carved image for themselves, and Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land.  So they set up Micah’s carved image that he made, as long as the house of God was at Shiloh.

 Psalms 14:7  Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

 Psalms 40:1   I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

 Psalms 62:1  For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

 Psalms 119:41  Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise;

 Psalms 119:166   I hope for your salvation, O LORD

 Psalms 130:5   I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

 Isaiah 8:17    I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.

 Isaiah 25:9     It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

 Lamentations 3:25   The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

 Micah 7:7    But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

 Galatians 5:5    For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

 1 Thessalonians 1:10     and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. There is an elegant paronomasia, or an allusion to the name of Dan in those words, which signifies to judge, and the sense of them is, there should be heads, rulers, and judges of it. (GILL)

“Dan will procure his people justice as one of the tribes of Israel. Let Dan become a serpent by the way, a horned adder in the path, that biteth the horse’s heels, so that its rider falls back.” Although only the son of a maid-servant, Dan would not be behind the other tribes of Israel, but act according to his name (ידין דּן), and as much as any other of the tribes procure justice to his people (i.e., to the people of Israel; not to his own tribe, as Diestel supposes). There is no allusion in these words to the office of judge which was held by Samson; they merely describe the character of the tribe, although this character came out in the expedition of a portion of the Danites to Laish in the north of Canaan, a description of which is given in Judges 18, as well as in the “romantic chivalry of the brave, gigantic Samson, when the cunning of the serpent he overthrew the mightiest foes” (KEIL & DELITZSCH)

Jacob, almost spent, and ready to faint, relieves himself with those words, I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord! The salvation he waited for was Christ, the promised Seed; now that he was going to be gathered to his people, he breathes after Him to whom the gathering of the people shall be. He declared plainly that he sought heaven, the better country, Heb 11:13,14. Now he is going to enjoy the salvation, he comforts himself that he had waited for the salvation. Christ, as our way to heaven, is to be waited on; and heaven, as our rest in Christ, is to be waited for. It is the comfort of a dying saint thus to have waited for the salvation of the Lord; for then he shall have what he has been waiting for. (HENRY)

34.q. “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out”

Matthew 26:69  Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

 Romans 7:18-20   For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

What can a person do when they have intentionally chosen to do that which they have said they would not? Some may deny the act or give it no thought. Its significance of it to them is like a passing of a gust of wind, they felt it but give it no thought. They may even give an excuse for it – I had no choice, I was just following the crowd, it wasn’t my idea, it really isn’t that bad, It didn’t adversely affect anyone else, no one saw me do it, etc…….. People like this may come to a place where they are sorry but never come to a place where they repent.

There are then those who become aware of the fact that they did exactly what they said they would not.  Their heart is ripped in two and their sorrow is soul deep. Oh, that we would have hearts so tender as to be broken easily for the sins we commit. How sad is it if you are not aware of the sins you are committing? If our sole purpose in this life on this side of eternity is to honor and glorify Jesus Christ, then being aware of how we may be falling short would be a good thing to know and repent of.  Having a tender heart that is open at all times to the leading and correcting Spirit of God will always lead us down paths of growth, maturity, grace, love, mercy, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding – And yes, it will lead us down paths of repentance if we would.

Our strength is not in ourselves but in the power of the Holy Spirit.

34.j. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 

Matthew 19:26  But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 Genesis 18:14   Is anything too hard for the LORD?

 Numbers 11:23    And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

 Job 42:2    “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

 Psalms 62:11     Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,

 Psalms 3:8   Salvation belongs to the LORD

 Jeremiah 32:27     “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?

 Mark 10:27    Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

 Luke 1:37    For nothing will be impossible with God.”

 Luke 18:27    But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

 Ephesians 3:20  Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine

With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. If men indeed were left all to themselves, none would be saved, but God can bring men to heaven by the mighty power of his grace: he can change a rich man’s heart, and take it off from too much love of riches, and make him despise and contemn his wealth, and to put his trust in the living God, or a poor man’s heart, and make him also poor in spirit and rich in grace.

The way to heaven is a narrow way to all, and the gate that leads into it, is a strait gate; particularly so to rich people. More duties are expected from them than from others, and more sins easily beset them. It is hard not to be charmed by a smiling world. Rich people have a great account to make up for their opportunities above others. It is utterly impossible for a man that sets his heart upon his riches, to get to heaven. Christ used an expression, denoting a difficulty altogether unconquerable by the power of man. Nothing less than the almighty grace of God will enable a rich man to get over this difficulty. Who then can be saved? If riches hinder rich people, are not pride and sinful lusts found in those not rich, and as dangerous to them? Who can be saved? The beginning, progress, and perfecting of the work of salvation depend wholly on the almighty power of God, to which all things are possible. Not that rich people can be saved in their worldliness, but that they should be saved from it. A poor man may have little, and love that little more than God or reject God because of it. Nothing a man does can save him. Knowing this begs the question, “Who can be saved?” If left up to each individual, no one. But, with God all things are possible. Salvation is possible. Redemption is possible, Forgiveness is possible. Eternal life is possible. Fatih is possible. Hope is possible. Peace is possible. Joy is possible. Courage is possible. Discernment is possible. Obedience is possible. Pure love is possible. Rest for your soul is possible. Victorious Living for Jesus Christ is possible. Living to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do is possible. With God, all things are possible.

34.b. “Do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.”

 

 Matthew 18:1  At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

 Psalms 51:10-13   Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

 Acts 3:19   Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

 Acts 28:27    For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

 1 Corinthians 14:20     Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

 Psalms 131:1-2   O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.  But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

 Isaiah 57:15    For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

 Luke 14:11     For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 James 4:10     Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

I have much to say about humbleness, repentance, belief, grace, mercy, etc… However, as your read these Scriptures of God’s Word, let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts accordingly for they are full of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the Holiness of God and the lowliness of man. For with the right heart and mind, these Words of God will speak into your life.