courage

Precious In The Sight Of The Lord - Psalm 116

10:00 AM


Psalm 116, 2 Corinthians 4:13-15

One of the most well known passages in the Bible is Psalm 23. Often read at funerals, it tells of the lovingkindness, mercy, and goodness of the Lord, bringing comfort to those who are left behind. But just as comforting is Psalm 116. For it too speaks of the lovingkindness, mercy and goodness of God. And expresses just how valuable His children are. Not only in life, but especially in death. For as much as we love the Lord, He loves us even more. And all who belong to Him are so very precious in His sight. 


There is no other pain like the loss of a loved one. It cuts deep, leaving behind a gaping hole of sorrow and emptiness. Yet as much as it hurts to lose the ones we love, we are grateful for the glory awaiting those who love the Lord. Death is just as much a double edged sword for God. Because as our Heavenly Father He grieves at our pain and mourning. Yet at the same time He rejoices greatly at His precious child coming home. 


Once we were like the Psalmist. Enemies of God and eternally separated from Him, “The cords of death encompassed me and the terror of Sheol came upon me. I found distress and sorrow.” But because of God’s righteous compassion, also like the Psalmist, through the name of Lord we have rescue, restoration, and life. Our souls can rest knowing that Jesus forever conquered the sting of death. And He lovingly offers the cup of salvation to all who will drink. 


As believers we know that death is not end. But rather the beginning of a glorious eternal life spent in the presence of God. It’s a natural part of the cycle of life and the wonderful opportunity to be reunited with God. One day, the Lord will call us home. And never again will our eyes shed a tear. Nor will our feet ever stumble. With our new glorified bodies, we will dwell in the house of the Lord. And together with God we will reign forever in perfect love and peace. 


Pause and Reflect -

How can I live my life in a way that honors God and reflects my faithfulness to Him? In what ways can I trust God's plan for my life, including my eventual death? How can I support and encourage others who may be facing death or grieving the loss of a loved one?


Let’s pray together - 

Our dearest Father heaven above, Ruler and Creator of all things, hallowed be Thy name. Father we thank You for the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. And in the comfort of knowing that our death is precious in your sight. Lord help us to live our lives in a way that is faithful and pleasing to You, so that we may be counted among your faithful servants. Give us strength and courage to face death with hope and confidence knowing that it is not the end, but rather a transition to a new and glorious life with You. Father comfort those who are grieving. May they find hope and peace in Your promises, and may they feel Your loving presence surrounding them in their time of sorrow. In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen.


Don't' forget to head over to our Facebook group at, https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 to join in on the discussion. Also check out our public Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083156569388 and give us a like!


I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.


💖 Lisa

Challenge for 2022

Approaching His Throne of Grace

9:00 AM

Girl with basket is a painting by Johann Georg Meyer von Bremen 

This was how I used to picture myself approaching God's throne. As a daughter weighted down by the cares of this world, ready to leave them at my Father's feet. Only if I'm honest, I didn't always leave them all there. Often I'd pick much of them back up and continue on my way once more. 

It must have broke my Father's heart for Him to see me pick them all back up and keep going just like I was. Didn't I trust Him? Or better yet, why didn't I trust Him with everything?

I believe the reason I continued to carry the weight of my worries is because I truly didn't know Who God was at that time! And if there are others like myself out there that find themselves anxiously worrying unnecessarily, who pray and immediately pick up their basket of burdens just as soon as they have prayed, I want us to pause for a bit this morning as we get set to study prayer during this month and focus on Who we are approaching. 


 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Not only is Jesus our Savior and Lord, Jesus is God's anointed High Priest, through whom we have been made fit to approach the awesome throne of God Most High. This means Christ's high priestly role is an eternal and continuous one.

He is our perfect Priest, who through His own sacrifice, has once and for all atoned for all our sins forever and ever. We've been sealed by His Holy Spirit which can't be rendered void. And our access to a Holy, Omnipotent, God has been sealed as well. 

Our Lord Jesus is the ultimate and final Word of God. He is the incarnate Word, who took upon Himself human flesh (John 1). And as our great, High Priest, He is forever interceding day and night for His Church. Jesus is the only Mediator between man and God. 

Imagine for a moment that Jesus, our Savior, not only died to pay for our sins and make a way for us to be with Him one day in paradise, but He is now interceding for us constantly before God! We need to remember this each time we seek to approach God's mercy seat. 

Beloved, Jesus is our righteous, Kinsman-Redeemer, who has become our Mediator. He was given the name that is above every name. He cannot fail! And all of us who have trusted in His death, burial, and resurrection, for the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life, have been called to "hold fast our confession." (v.14) 

We are commanded to stand firm in our faith that:

  • Jesus is the Son of God, 
  • Jesus is our great High Priest,
  • Jesus has put away our sin forever by His death on the cross
  • Jesus' resurrection gives us the assurance of eternal life 
  • Jesus ascended into heaven so that one day we too will be with Him in heaven. 
  • Jesus is forever interceding on our behalf until we all make it home.

When we put it this way... Wow! No wonder we are exhorted by the writer of the book of Hebrews to hold fast to our confession! 

To take God at His word and boldly approach His throne of grace in order to leave our baskets of burdens there at His feet; trusting the One Who is able to make all grace abound to us! 

He waits to hear from you!

I pray this month's study on prayer will not only increase our faith, but our prayer life as well! Will you pray with me...

Father of my Lord Jesus Christ I come. With a grateful and repentant heart I come to my Rock, my Lord and my Redeemer who has made this all possible for me at this moment. 

I know that You shall listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lay my basket of burdens before you and lift up my hands towards your holy sanctuary. Lord, please give Your people strength ...

I want to praise You, Lord, for You have heard my cry for mercy. You alone are my strength and shield.; The One i will place my trust You with all my heart. You are my help, and my heart is filled with joy! Thank You, Lord Jesus for making a way for me. My heart is full to bursting with thanksgiving for simply loving me. Amen.


Blessings! 

sue

 



Becky Austin

I Desire Mercy (Matthew 12)

11:30 AM




Matthew 12

If you saw someone who was hungry, would you not want that person  to have means of satisfying their hunger? Would you perhaps even offer some food to them if you had it to give? That seems like what any decent person would do for another.  But the Pharisees were not that compassionate. They were focused on rules, rituals and performance. They were not focused on the true need of their fellow humans. 


Jesus disciples were hungry and so naturally they grabbed some grain as they were passing through a field to ease their hunger pains and nurture their bodies. But the Pharisees had no compassion or mercy to offer. They only had condemnation to give because they performed this act on the Sabbath. Jesus calls them out in this, pointing out instances in the Bible when God allowed the hungry to perform similar actions to quell their hunger. And then he makes it clear they should have a better understanding of God’s priorities and God’s compassion. “If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.” (v7)


This phrase ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice’ comes from a passage in Hosea 6. During this time, the Israelites were doing all of the “rituals” of serving the Lord, but they were not doing so out of love, gratitude or from having a personal relationship with God. They were also serving their own interests and worshiping other gods. Through the words of Hosea, God expresses longing for a better relationship with His people.


““Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” “What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth— then my judgments go forth like the sun. For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭6:1-6‬ 


Usually, during the Christmas holidays, we see lots of compassion, charity and expressed goodwill toward humanity manifested in our communities and even our media. But, this holiday season has unfortunately been impacted by the tensions and unrest of the strange events of 2020. There are so many opposing groups and expressed frustrations that it can quite frankly feel cold and unsettling. Now, more than ever, the world needs our compassion, our mercy and to feel God’s love. We may not be giving out hugs and attending parties but we can still intentionally connect to others and show that we care. We can remind ourselves that behind every mask is a real person with real needs and one of the biggest needs is to know that God loves them and accepts them for who they are. We need to put aside our differences and judgements and find ways to embrace and encourage each other. This Holiday season, may we be reminded that God wants our mercy far beyond our sacrifice. He also wants to revive and restore us. It’s why He sent His Son. 

1 Peter 1:3

God’s Grace and Mercy (John 1: 1-18)

12:00 AM


Please read John 1: 1-18

What a wonderful week we have had studying about His Grace and Mercy, as we prepare our hearts for Easter.

Today as we read John 1, it brought to my memory how difficult it was for me to realize that I had to stop trying to earn God’s favor through works and that the traditions which were the foundation of my faith were worthless. That I was dead in my sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1-5) and only through Jesus I would be saved!

In some way I can understand why the Jews of those days reacted in disbelief when John the Baptist testified about the “True Light which was coming into the world (1:9):
“10 He (Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to that which was His own [that which belonged to Him—His world, His creation, His possession], and those who were His own [people—the Jewish nation] did not receive and welcome Him.

Their religious pride and their judging by the Law made it difficult for them to grasp this Truth.
“12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—“

“Only BELIEVE in Jesus and RECEIVE HIM in your heart, asking His forgiveness, for He paid the penalty of your sins on the Cross (Col. 2:13-14)”, I was told.
This was the first time I had heard this! What kind of religion was this? But there was this deep thirst inside of me that longed for Him and needed to BELIEVE!

“Often doubts will prevail. What a mercy it is that it is not your hold of Christ that saves you, but His hold of you! What a sweet fact that it is not how you grasp His hand, but His grasp of yours that saves you.” (C. Spurgeon)

 “Faith is described as ‘receiving’ Jesus. It is the empty cup placed under the flowing stream; the penniless hand held out for heavenly alms.” (Spurgeon)

Yes, I needed Jesus to transform my life, I needed to embrace His Truth and receive Him as my Lord and Savior. I learned that, “As many as received Him” is just another way to say “those who believe in His name”.

“Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace; we have received "even grace," a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us.” M. Henry

John 1:13 emphasizes this new birth, as those: “13 who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].

 It refers to the children of God as those “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” God causes the new birth; we don’t. We are not only transformed, but now become His children!  Peter stresses this same thing:
” Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1:3)

In John 1:14 we read: “ 14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).

“Beloved, notice here that both these qualities in our Lord are at the full. He is ‘full of grace.’ Who could be more so? In the person of Jesus Christ the immeasurable grace of God is treasured up.” (C. Spurgeon)


Verse 16 describes the fullness of grace announced by John the Baptist and brought by Jesus Christ. God the Word, Jesus Christ, brought a different order than the one instituted by Moses.
“16 For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]. 17 For the Law was given through Moses, but grace [the unearned, undeserved favor of God] and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:16-17)

Grace for grace: “Literally it means ‘grace instead of grace’. Clearly John intends to put some emphasis on the thought of grace. Probably also he means that as one piece of divine grace (so to speak) recedes it is replaced by another. God’s grace to His people is continuous and is never exhausted. Grace knows no interruption and no limit.” (Morris)

Our God in His great Mercy delivered us through Christ, from the misery and punishment of our sins, AND gave us in return “grace upon grace” ! Isn’t it amazing to know that this Grace, His Grace is never ending? Sadly there are many around us who have rejected His Word and His Saving Grace. Let us continue to intercede for them in prayer, and most of all to love them as He loves them!

O what Amazing Grace we have found in Him!!

Mari


God's grace

Hebrews 4:16 ~ ~ God’s Grace and Mercy

12:00 AM

Saturday, March 23, 2019


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is Hebrews 4:16...

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

Let me begin with the difference between mercy and grace…

Mercy = God NOT punishing us as our sins deserve = deliverance from judgement
Grace = God’s blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it = extending kindness to the unworthy

Everyday we live is an act of God’s mercy. If God gave us what we deserved we’d be in hell for all eternity. As David cried out in Psalm 51…”Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love…” (Psalm 51)

Anything good that we experience is because of the grace of God. God gives us good things that we do not deserve and could never earn. Grace from God is given to everyone, however saving grace is available only through Jesus Christ. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, through His grace we are saved and through His mercy we are delivered from eternal judgement. By His grace we are gifted with an abundant life, a forgiveness of sins and an eternity with Him in Heaven.

Show God everyday, through your worship, how amazing He is and how thankful you are!

Have a blessed day and week everyone!


Faithfulness

Lamentations 3:22,23 ~ Never Ceasing ~ God’s Faithfulness

12:00 AM

Saturday, March 9, 2019




Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is Lamentations 3:22,23...

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. (ESV)

What an amazing promise! God’s love never fails us and is endless.  Making a bad choice does not diminish or take away His mercy. It is there, just as sure as the sun rises in the morning. 

He is faithful. Whatever He promises He will do. We can trust Him fully!  Even during the times in our lives that are most miserable, saddest, confusing…He is there! Just as Jeremiah utters these words, we can. He will ALWAYS come to the rescue and we can ALWAYS trust that it flows from His love for us! 

Gods mercy and faithfulness surround you today. Notice! Be amazed! Worship and praise Him!  (based on iWorship devotion)

Have a blessed day and week everyone!




Crucifixion

His Never Ending Love {John 18:1-19:42}

12:00 AM



“ I love you.”
“How much?”
“SO much.”
“How much is so?”
“Way, Way more than you know.”

This comes from a book I used to read to my young son entitled, “I Love You So...” by Marianne Richmond. It’s a beautiful story about the unconditional and never ending love a parent feels for a child. This book has always been one of my favorites. It perfectly expresses the height and the depth of the love I have for my son, and reminds me of that same love Jesus has for each and every one of us. 

No matter how many times I read the story of the Crucifixion, and what Christ endured on our behalf, I can never get through it with a dry eye. His entire life here on earth from birth to death, was a perfect shining testimony to the unconditional and selfless love He so freely offers to all. Even while hanging on a Cross in excruciating pain, and until He breathed His last, He continued His ministry; demonstrating grace, mercy, and love until the end.

“They took Jesus therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between.” (vs. 19:17-18) Jesus, innocent and blameless, was made to be degraded by hanging the “King of the Jews”, between two common thieves. While one of the men joined in the crowd, mocking Jesus and hurling insults at Him, the other admitted his guilt and professed faith, asking the Lord to remember Him when He entered into His kingdom. Even with the physical pain He was experiencing, Jesus didn’t hesitate to give this man His unmerited grace saying, “Today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be.” (vs. 19:23-24) Imagine Jesus looking down from His Cross and seeing the angry mob crying out for His death, the mocking religious leaders, and the soldiers who had beat, ridiculed, spat on, and crowned Him with thorns now gambling for pieces of His clothing as a souvenir. Filled with agony, Jesus looked upon them not with admonishment, but with mercy praying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:24)

“When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, Behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ “ (vs.19-26:27) Bruised, battered, and nearing His death, Jesus wasn’t concerned with His own needs, but with those of His loved ones. Knowing that He would soon leave them, and that His mother and His dearest friend would each need the other, Jesus told them to take care of and love each other as family. He wanted them both to receive the comfort they would soon need and, “From that hour, the disciple took her into his own household.” (vs. 19:27)

Tortured and nailed to a cross, no one would blame Jesus for being so overwhelmed by His pain and suffering, that He could think of nothing else. Yet instead He repeatedly demonstrated His incredible, selfless love for others; never wavering in His grace and mercy. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Christ endured all of this; the wounds, humiliation, and shame for the “joy set before Him.” What is this joy? It’s you, it’s me, and all who would be saved through His death and resurrection. With His never ending love He gave His life, and with His dying breath He gave us life. Never again will we find condemnation, for as Jesus cried, “It is finished!” (vs. 19:30)

Jesus

Honoring The Final Words of the King {Mark 15:1-16:20}

12:00 AM


The story of the Crucifixion is a tough one. It’s gut wrenching what Jesus suffered at the hands of His captors. He endured savagery, mockery, and rejection. He was brutalized and spit upon. What He withstood we can barely comprehend. And He did so willingly. At any time more than twelve legions of angels were ready to rescue the Lord at a moments notice, (Matt. 26:53), yet Jesus bore His Cross to the end. He bore it for our salvation and to see the will of God done.

In the books of the Old Testament we’re told that a blood sacrifice was needed to atone for sin. And God’s plan from the beginning was to reconcile us to Him through the blood of Christ. Before the world was formed, before Adam took his first breath, God knew how man would fall. Because of this, in His infinite love and wisdom, He predetermined for His Son to provide the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have eternal life. “The Lamb was slain from the creation of the world"(Rev. 13:8)

Never once did Jesus stray from accomplishing what God commissioned Him to do. He followed God’s plan to the letter no matter the cost to Himself. And before He ascended to the right hand of the Father, Jesus passed down this same commission not only to the disciples, but to us as well. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (vs. 16:15) 

Although at times sharing the message of Jesus can seem like a daunting task, many are the reasons as to why we should eagerly spread the gospel to the world around us, and here are but a few.

Obedience- In John 20:21 Jesus says, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” We are Jesus’ ambassadors on earth. (2 Cor. 5:19-29) He displayed perfect obedience and as His followers, we need to follow His example. Hebrews 5:9 tells us that Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. And although we know that we are not saved through obedience, our obedience to Him is proof of our salvation.

Love- In Romans 5:8 Paul says, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Because of His abounding love, Jesus gave His life so ours would be spared. A love He extends to all. And a love we are called to imitate. In 1 Cor. 11:1, again Paul, who out of his love for God and for the people did nothing for his own gain but for the salvation of others counsels, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ”.

Mercy- In 1 Peter 1:3 Peter says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Because of the grace and mercy of God, We are provided a path to eternal life. We are to extend that same mercy to those who are perishing. Jude 1:22-23 tells us, “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Knowing that each soul saved brings great joy to God, (Luke 5:10) how wonderful it is to be able to spread the Good News of His everlasting mercy!

The mission of saving souls is a serious one. It was the reason Jesus, “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” (Phil. 2:7) His entire ministry was dedicated to evangelizing the world, and when He ascended into heaven His work on earth ended and ours began. Now it is up to us to go out throughout the lands and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, like the women visiting His tomb who received the good news of His resurrection, what a privilege it is to be able to honor the final words of the King and joyfully shout to all who will hear, “He has risen!” (vs. 16:6)

Becky Austin

What God Desires (Matthew 11-12)

10:53 PM




While reading the New Testament, an important question arises. 
How could the religious leaders of Israel, who had the privilege of access to Scripture and even access to God’s presence in the inner temple not know the Son of God who was standing right before them?  These were the chosen of the 12 tribes to have the special duty of offering sacrifices and interceding on behalf of the people. They had the most intimate and privileged opportunity to know God and yet they didn’t know Him at all. 

In fact, they not only didn’t recognize Jesus as the promised one but they despised, hated and plotted against him. They found fault in everything Jesus did, including the wonderful miracles that brought hope and healing to those in need. When the hungry disciples gathered food on the Sabbath, they passed harsh judgment against them for breaking the Sabbath and showed no concern or compassion for their need for nourishment. They also showed no compassion for a man needing healing of a withered hand. 

Jesus responds by reminding them of 2 examples in the OT where the Sabbath laws were broken and yet no judgment passed by God. He then challenges their understanding of Hosea 6:6 “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”  
Jesus called them out on the motives of their hearts. 
“And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.”(Matt 12:7) The Pharisees were worshipping the Law itself and forgetting that the Law was meant to serve the people. 

”The Pharisees’ motive was not love for people, but love for themselves. They loved the law because they used the law to feel valuable...
Pharisees don’t see themselves as God’s Masterpiece mercifully being restored. 
They see themselves as muddied people who cleaned themselves up (or didn’t need restoring). (John Burke)

This is an important concept to grasp. If we can humble ourselves and see ourselves as “God’s Masterpiece mercifully being restored”, then we can extend that same mercy and compassion to others. When we realize our desperate need for God’s grace then we can put away our judgments and condemnation of others who need His grace too. How easy it can be to get caught up in what we know or religious acts we carry out and lose sight of God’s heart and God’s will. 

God doesn’t want our “religious offerings”. He wants our devoted, love extending hearts. 
“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)


Humility

Justice, Mercy and Humility {Micah 5-7}

12:30 AM


August 21, 2018

As we read chapters 5-7 today, we should pause and look at any areas in our hearts that need confessing.  Micah is the one book in the Bible with the clearest prophecies of Christ’s coming, and as you read these chapters, what are you obsessed with?  Is there something you keep thinking about or are doing that needs to be removed from your heart to make room for Jesus?

Micah’s prophecies are clear – God will destroy anything and anyone who is opposed to Him.  When God rules in His eternal kingdom, our strength and deliverance will not be found in military might, but in God’s power.  God will destroy all the weapons that people use for security.  Armies will not be needed because God will rule in the heart of every person.  That alone should give us confidence.

Chapter 6 is definitely one of my favorites.  In fact, this plaque has set in our house for 4 years since my youngest son graduated from the 8th grade.  It reminds me where my focus should be.

I’ve written my last two posts about the land of our heart and that is the land that the Lord wants to occupy.  A changed heart, one that no longer desires to sin, but one that listens to the Holy Spirit, is what God desires from us.  As we read 6:1-7, we see that there is nothing we can do to repay God for our sins.  God has been kind to all of us forgetful people.  When we regularly forget to remember God’s goodness and we take all of His gifts for granted, we stand condemned.  We need to remember all of the times God has protected us and in return we will see His present provision.

When we are tempted to come up with a way to please God, we need to remember what God requires from us.

        Do Justice – we need to have a strong desire or sense of right and wrong.  
        This drives a person to strive to do what is right.

       Love Mercy – we do this by showing God’s love to others and by being loyal to God.

      Walk Humbly – being humble will reflect what God is doing through your life. 
       This gives God all the glory.

All religious rites, no matter how extravagant, can never compensate for a lack of love.  External compliance to rules is not as valuable in God’s eyes and as a humble heart that simply does what is right.

Even in our world today, God’s people will continue to desire justice, mercy and humility.

 Image result for 1 corinthians 13:3
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grace

A Just God Demands Justice {Micah 1:1-4:13}

1:28 AM

 

Micah was a prophet called from his hometown of Moresheth to deliver God’s message of judgement against Israel. Corruption and abuse had become the practices of the rich and powerful against the poor. Micah warned the people of God’s approaching consequences against those oppressing others for their own personal gain. For the Lord is holy and righteous, and He expects the same from His people. And a just God demands justice.

What does it mean that God is just? It means that He is fair and impartial, and deals justice according to His righteousness. He can neither be bought nor bribed. His Word is true, His decisions final. “His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.” (Deut. 32:4) The Lord rules in justice which He tempers with love and grace. For when He deals out His judgement, He stays by our side, loving us through the consequences until, through our repentance, we are once again restored to Him. And that same love and grace He extends to us, He wants us to pass on to others.

Throughout the Bible we read how seriously the Lord takes the plight of the poor, the widowed, and the orphaned. And He let’s us know exactly what He expects our treatment of them to be. “Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” (Is. 1:17) We are God’s mirror images here on earth, and as His representatives our lives and behavior should reflect His just and holy character. To follow the Lord means to practice justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him. To be living testimonies of the fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Yet although we may fail practicing justice and giving mercy, we can trust that God never will. The penalty for our sin is death. And justice cries out for satisfaction. And even though God wishes to bless instead of punish us, He must maintain His absolute justice by punishing all sin. But because of His great mercy and love, instead of giving us what we deserve, God Himself provided that satisfaction by sending His Son Jesus to serve our sentence on the Cross. Through His sacrifice Jesus not only satisfied the justice of God, He also made Him both the Just and the Justifier of all who have faith in the Lord. (Rom. 3:23-26) 

One day soon Jesus will return to rule His earthly kingdom from the holy city of Jerusalem. There He will teach us His ways and judge with perfect justice between many nations. (vs. 4:2-3) The Lord’s reign will be established and the people will follow His laws. But until that time, it is up to us to demonstrate to the world what it means to act justly and to love mercy. To stand up against oppression and abuse of those who cannot stand up for themselves. For as Proverbs 31:8-9 tells us,”Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.”

“Throughout history it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph.”...Haile Selassie


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