Mark 10:15 ” I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

In a toddler’s mind,  all things are pretty simple…their priorities are food, sleep, and play.  They trust at face value… always looking for the good in things.  So as an adult,  why can’t we do the same thing when it comes to the Gospel Message?  Why can’t we readily accept and embrace the Kingdom of God and everything that goes with it? It’s sadly because the World has clouded and distorted our perception.  The Gospel Message doesn’t need to be over-thought…there’s no hidden agenda or bait and switch tactics involved.  You get what you see with God and His Word…for He is trustworthy and true, and His promises will never fail.

John 2: 25 ” He did not need man’s testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.”

We seldom do something for others totally out of unselfish motives…for usually we have some hidden agenda, whether good or bad.   We’ll do some kind gesture,  with the inner thought of,  “what’s in this for me?”  Or we’ll go out of our way for someone, hoping others will see our sacrifice and praise us for all our hard work.  The Lord knows our thoughts and examines our hearts and will immediately  show us when our motivation is wrong.  For God can bear witness to what lies within all humans…every self-seeking, egocentric, greedy fiber and part.

Isaiah 66:23 ” ‘From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before Me,’ says the Lord.”

We take it for granted that the days…weeks…months…years will pass before us.  We just assume that the Seasons will follow each other.  But are we just as indifferent about the Lord?  Do we just assume that  He’s always there…whether we need Him or not.  It says in Revelation 15:4,  “that all Nations will come and worship before You.”  There is coming a day when the whole human race will bow in submission and acknowledgement of the Lord.  We will no longer be able to take things for granted, or assume  the status quo will continue unheeded…for it will be the dawning of a new day, and we will be forced out of our stupor into the truth of His light.

Isaiah 1: 19-20 ” If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Yielding our will to God is not easy…for compliance never comes without internal struggle.  But if we listen to Him…understanding that it’s for our own good that He’s directing us that way…and then obey the message we’ve heard…God will work all things out for our good.  Along this same line, Job 36:11 says, “If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity  and their years in contentment.”  Simple obedience…sometimes hard to do, but oh so beneficial.

Isaiah 43: 12-13 ” I have revealed and saved and proclaimed – I, and not some foreign god among you. You are My witnesses, declares the Lord, that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am He. No one can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it? “

When God moves, no thing or person can change the outcome He has in mind.  His sovereignty and  power is ever evident as He  works miracles…both on the grand scale, and little blessings only known by the recipient. But the most  important part of this verse is the concept that God’s work can never be snatched away or revoked… for  the Lord is ever in complete control.

II Chronicles 20:17 ” You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…”

You don’t need to fight those battles alone.  You don’t have to stand unaided in front of the enemy of this world defenseless and vulnerable.  The Lord tells us very specifically in this scripture what our role should be in battle.  We are to stand our ground and commit ourselves to trusting God.  We are to hold our ground, not wavering in our belief that God is in control and fighting on our behalf.  Finally, we are to watch as the Lord works… giving us the victory.