Author: kezha1

You can read a Biography of a famous person and know about them…but if you never actually meet and spend quality time with them…you will never truly know who they are. The same goes for being somewhat familiar with God, vs encountering Him as your Lord and Savior through His Holy Word. If you have the time, I encourage you to read Psalm 119 in its entirety and discover the many facets of God’s Word. Throughout this Psalm we read about mediating on His Word & hiding it in our heart, for by doing so we gain Divine insight and guidance as we seek to obey God’s revealed Word in our everyday life. For God’s Word is living and active. (Hebrews 4:12) That’s because, unlike any other written word, His Word is powerful enough to enter the deepest recesses of our being, and potent enough to accomplish its purpose.

If today you need encouragement to continue on, know that God will never leave you, no matter what. If you’re feeling discouraged & sad, understand that He is always in control, and that He is a merciful & loving God who wants only the very best for you. Therefore, be strengthened and determined by His Name & His Words…for His Name is Immanuel, “God with us” and His promises are true, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Housebound, shut-in, homebound…all three terms are used to describe a person confined to their home because of a disability, limited mobility, or chronic illness. They rarely leave their home and then require the assistance of another person and/or medical device such as a wheelchair or walker. For many, this causes isolation, depression, and the feeling of being a prisoner in their own home…because, in a way, they are. Not surprisingly, this condition can also affect the caregiver who cannot safely leave their loved one alone. But just because a person is homebound, it doesn’t mean their heart & soul can’t be free. The prophet Isaiah foretold of the Messiah in Isaiah 61:1… that Jesus would proclaim freedom for the captives…setting them free from bondage so they might experience liberty & freedom in Christ.

The Apostle Paul, or Saul as he had been named, was born into a proud and strict Pharisee family. He was highly educated…studying in Jerusalem under the great Rabbi Gamaliel and rigorously observing the requirements of the Law. As the early Church of Believers increased, Paul immediately recognized the threat they posed in Jerusalem. And he quickly became the most ardent persecutor of this new sect. But on the road to Damascus, he was radically changed…changing not only himself, but the entire course of Christianity. So, when God called him to go to “those who are far off”, even though it was counter intuitive to everything Paul knew & had been taught, he obeyed…to the point that Paul considered himself the Apostle to the Gentiles… spreading the Gospel Message that his own people would reject. God’s Will for our life can take many strange twists & turns if we only look at it from our very limited knowledge…but know that God’s Will is always perfect, always on time, and exactly what He desires to happen…for our good and His glory.

It’s the wonderful gift of God’s grace that gives us peace…or as II Thessalonians 3:16 tells us, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace.” And then there’s I Peter 3:11 that reminds us to,” Seek peace and pursue it.” So why do we spend so much of our time in a constant state of frustration because of the actions of others? Or aggravated in ourselves for not being able to physically do what we once did so easily? Colossians 3:15 tells us to let the peace of Christ rule in our life…. not exasperation. That’s because the peace of God is not a peace that stems from the absence of difficulties, but rather, it’s a peace that guards our hearts and minds in the midst of great trials. (Isaiah 26:3) So when frustration & disappointment overwhelms, seek out the quiet serenity & tranquility of God’s peace.

When Jesus spoke this to His disciples, their whole world was falling down around their ears. Judas had betrayed Jesus, and Peter had just been chastised for his upcoming failures of denial. This left the disciples scared and confused…not realizing that in a very short time there would be the agony of Gethsemane and the horrific spectacle of Jesus’ death on the Cross. Yet, as we read this passage, it conveys a real sense of sublime peace in the midst of all this chaos. We can control only what we can control, and unfortunately, many times in life control is ripped from us by serious health issues, severe accidents, or grave actions taken by others. But Jesus wants us to know that we do have control. We have control of our emotions and where we place our trust. We also have control over who we put our faith and confidence in when life is upside down. For when we can look to God in confident expectation and utter dependance on Him…our peace will overshadow any of the chaos in our life.

Just as God does not change, His Word does not change in the sway of public opinion. Or to quote Charles Spurgeon…”Do not ask God to confirm your opinion but ask Him to make your opinion conform to His truth.” Our personal opinion changes constantly. Our beliefs, convictions, feelings, and judgments of things & people change as we age, move from one season of life to another, or are influenced by others. But what doesn’t change is the unchangeable character of God & His Word. His Word is flawless, upright, faithful, and just and should be used as the plumb line for any of our so-called opinions. So just remember, anytime your opinion doesn’t match God’s Word…it’s not your opinion that’s correct.

The wearing of sackcloth in Biblical times was an outward expression of an inward state of the heart & soul. It was also a very obvious visual symbol for friends, family and the community to then gather around to console & give solace. As a significant cultural and religious practice, it was deeply embedded in the very fabric of Jewish society and was a symbolic sign of not only a physical display but a profound expression of human fragility, humility, and the need for reliance on God’s mercy & grace. Wearing sackcloth expressed grief, death, calamity, and even sin. And throughout Scriptures we find many instances of individuals, cities, and nations donning sackcloth in contrition… seeking divine intervention and earnest supplication before a merciful God. Here in Matthew, Jesus is promising not only divine comfort, but the eternal hope of restoration for those who grieve & mourn.

Often in the middle of mourning, grief, or intense distress & trauma we will wear sackcloth of the soul. Now it may not be seen by others, but we’ve torn our clothes and exchanged them for the rough garments of lament. But if we allow the Lord’s actions to fill us, He can change our perspective. Psalm 16:9 tells us that, “My heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure because You will not abandon me…” When we can look at our situation through God’s eyes…the circumstances may not change, but we can look beyond the sackcloth of our soul and instead abide & dwell safely in the Lord…thus allowing us to praise and give thanks in joy.

In his final instructions to the Church in Corinth, Paul interjects this exhortation amongst directions about certain named people. I don’t think it was just an afterthought, but rather an earnest warning placed in the last passage of his letter. It was forthright & direct…be ever watchful of your walk with the Lord…Hold firmly to your faith & the Gospel Message…Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, knowing it is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead…and finally, Paul wraps it all up in – follow the way of love, or pursue love…which is an action we are obliged to perform one to another.