Religious scribes were an important and integral part of ancient Jewish history. They preserved and interpreted the Holy Scriptures. When they spoke the word of the Lord out loud to the people…they were speaking on behalf of God…knowing His word would never return void without first accomplishing its purpose…the ultimate purpose for each listening ear.
Tag: God is in control
Ecclesiastes 2:26 ” To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.”
To the Believer, the Lord bestows not only godly insight and discernment…but also optimism and deep contentment. But to the non-Believer, the Lord gives the assignment of acquiring wealth in order to bless Believers with provision and prosperity.
Proverbs 6:23 ” For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.”
We all want long life, health, and prosperity…but what does it take to achieve these things? This verse states that we need to first accept instruction and discipline from the Lord, and then allow it to be assimilated and incorporated into every part of our life…and into every action and behavior .
Proverbs 25:28 ” Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. “
When a city has no defenses…the enemy can come in – invading and conquering without opposition. When we allow our inner self to act out without restraint…the enemy comes in also. He comes in to overpower our dignity and flaunt our volatility. He holds captive our discretion and boasts of our instability.
Ephesians 6: 16 ” In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
The shield of the Roman soldier was long and rectangular in shape…and almost as tall as he was. Its protection was superb, and when groups of soldiers closed ranks, fit the shields together, and advanced as one, the line was impenetrable. They would also hold the shields overhead, forming a circle of protection from arrows flying down from enemy walls above. Our saving faith…that firm and confident belief in Jesus and His Gospel covers us with complete protection from the devil. And when the Body of Believers band together with our shields of faith…we are unstoppable…we are victorious.
Ephesians 6:12 ” For our strength is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
It’s the age-old battle of good versus evil…but the battle isn’t against our fellow-man, but against what initiates the evil within us. The armor of God isn’t made for battles with man. Rather, its strength and protection is for battles from forces so powerful that without it we would be completely defenseless. It’s made for battles far beyond what we can comprehend…and battles that come from deep within.
Romans 5:5 ” And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us.”
The hope we have is because of the Lord’s great love for us. No disappointment is too big…no challenge too great, that His love can’t overcome. This hope we possess has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is continually encouraging us to not give up.
II Peter 2:20 ” If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.”
So why do Believers fall away…even after experiencing the saving grace and mercy of Jesus? Is the pull of the world too strong, or is their confidence in this new-found faith too frail? Has the self-centered human nature triumphed over the newly gained eternal perspective? And why does Peter tell us they are worse off than before they knew Jesus…could it be that they may spend eternity lamenting their decision?
Jeremiah 14:7 ” Although our sins testify against us, O Lord, do something for the sake of Your name. For our backsliding is great; we have sinned against You.”
Backsliding…slipping from good behavior to bad. Most times it’s slow and insidious…our waywardness creeping steadily towards what’s wrong…and before we realize it, we’re caught up in evil. Rarely do we see a Believer blatantly plunge into the deep end of wickedness without regard of the consequences for themselves and their relationship with God. Backsliding is rationalizing away God and putting ourselves in control…and that never ends well.
Job 42: 1-2 ” Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted.’ “
God’s Will and purpose always prevails. No one or thing can stop His Will from being completed. His power will always triumph…for nothing is too hard for God. Our Lord is and will always be in complete control…for nothing is impossible for Him.
Safetypinlove 