The Heaton File

Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:1-4)

Nine Reasons To Trust God

Trust is a strong character of unwavering belief in the qualities of another. There is a sense of hopeful reliance on what is promised from one who has the power to deliver certain promises. No one defines the purest trust that man can believe than the Lord God. David understood the deepest ways of the Lord to know whom to trust and how to put his confidence in the promises delivered by God. His life had been filled with turmoil and conflict but a day came when he realized what all men seek: peace. The Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. There were many who sought to destroy him and none as great as a man he loved as king of Israel. Saul was filled with great jealousy towards David spending much of his reign as king trying to kill David. It was a difficult and weary time in the life of David but through it all he maintained his trust in the will of God. Writing a song of praise to the Lord, David declares nine reasons he trusted in the Lord.

The Lord is a ROCK. In war one of the places of security is a high cliff or precipice. This gives advantage against the sudden attack by enemies. David saw God is his high cliff where he would find safety from those who sought to kill him. His safety trusted in the protection of the Lord instead of the whims of men. Only in the Lord could David find security. Climbing to the high cliff of God’s protection the servant of God will see the vistas of God’s mercy and grace. There is no greater place to be with the Lord than secure in His arms as He protects His children from the wiles of the devil.

The Lord is a FORTRESS. A fortress is a place of defense that is so secure that no enemy could approach it. It was a safe place protected by the assaults cast against it. Formed of rock or a hill, the fortress became a place of safety in time of need. David looked upon God as his place of safety so secure no enemies could destroy him. His peace came from the knowledge that his God would keep him safe. The Lord is still a fortress to all those who seek His protecting hand.

The Lord is a DELIVERER. Security not only came from the protection of a rock or fortress, God delivered David from his troubles. Standing before Goliath took a great deal of courage. David told the Philistine giant the Lord was his deliverer and through the might and power of God was able to overthrow Goliath. He did not trust in his own power but relied on the promise of the Lord to supply the strength to overcome insurmountable odds. Looking to God as a deliverer puts the trust of salvation outside human power relying only on the will of the Lord.

The Lord is STRENGTH. Similar to the idea of the Lord being a rock, David knows his power of victory comes from the power of the Lord alone. Not only does the shepherd king rest under the shelter of the rock of God, he finds the strength in his life to be ‘rock-solid’ in knowing the power of God will overcome those who oppose him. Men have to look upon the Lord as their strength instead of relying upon their own knowledge. God must be viewed as the only rock to build a life upon.

The Lord is a SHIELD. In war the buckler or shield was vital to the protection of the whole body. A soldier would use it to cover his body from the arrows of the enemy and to help defend against attacks from the sword or spear. It could be used offensively but it was mainly a weapon of protection to guard against harm. Like a shield, the grace of God covers the heart and soul of the man who depends on the Lord to protect him. David was a man of war and knew personally the value of a shield. He knew the care of God guarded his heart and mind from the wiles of the devil. Shields have no value unless they are taken in hand and used for the purpose of their design. The Lord offers His divine protection for the child of God if he but seek the shield of trust and faith.

The Lord is the HORN OF SALVATION. The horn of salvation was emblematic of power, might and dominion. David looked upon the Lord as a means of power and effectual salvation. Trust must come from relying upon the salvation of God and the horn of salvation was the symbol showing that by God’s power men will be saved. While foreign to modern understanding, the idea of the Lord being a horn of salvation carries the idea of His power to save men in all their circumstances. There is no greater might than the exercised dominion of the Lord God. His might is greater than the greatest man can offer. Trusting in the Lord is relying upon His salvation solely for deliverance.

The Lord is a STRONGHOLD. The fortress of the Lord is a high place where the child of God can safely resided in peace away from the fear of his enemies. This also suggest a high tower as a place of lofty heights impossible for men to overcome. Trusting in the Lord places an acknowledgement that God is so high men cannot attain where the Lord resides. Putting faith in God places the heart in the hands of the Lord where men cannot overcome – nor the devil. Trusting in the will of the Lord places the spirit of man secure in the stronghold of the mighty Father.

The Lord is a REFUGE. When oppression came against David he sought the comfort of God’s refuge. As his stronghold, rock and fortress, the son of Jesse knew that only from the sanctuary of the Lord would he find peace from those who were his enemies. There was not only security but calm in the refuge of the Lord. Resting peacefully in the protection of the Lord God there was nothing for David to fear. Trusting in the Lord will bring a spirit of peace that passes all understanding. Death is not feared, harm from men is dismissed and the trials of life are viewed as stepping stones to eternal rest. God will give refuge to His people now and eternal shelter in the blessings of His presence when all things come to an end.

The Lord is the SAVIOR. Finally, David sums up his trust in the Lord. God is his savior. None could save like the Lord. There is no measure of man to match the salvation found in serving the Lord God. As a rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn of salvation, stronghold and refuge, God saved David from all the violence men sought to bring upon him. There is nothing to fear when men place their trust in the Lord. Salvation can and will only come from the power of God. Because of his confidence in the Lord, David eagerly calls upon the Lord as his deliverer and hope. God is worthy to be praised because of the promises of God are true, righteous and everlasting. There will be no fear in the presence of his enemies because David will be saved not by his hand – but the mighty hand of the Lord. Nine reasons he trusted in God. We can do no less.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

No More Tears

I am tired of crying. I am weary of broken hearts rending with the agony of sorrow. A father weeps uncontrollably as he looks upon his infant son who is dying. Laying next to her precious child a mother can find no more tears to shed as she embraces the tender hand of her son. Family and friends encircle the family with little words finding only expressions of love and support. Death knocks at the door once more. It has happened again as it has since Adam and Eve took of the forbidden fruit. The lie of Satan plunged the world into a darkness of death, sorrow and crying. How did Adam rationalize his son Abel as he lay in a field bloodied by his brother’s anger? Where did Eve go to find answers about why her son was dead? The first murder brought the first death to a family and the first questions and deep sorrow. Sadly, since that time in the beginning, the answers still are being sought for the why.

Death is the unwelcomed guest in every home and is no respecter of persons, age, gender, race or economic status. The old must die; the young can die. Monuments of marble fill the earth as reminders of the cruel hand of death and the unending plague of sorrow. Tragedies come upon the homes of the righteous and the unrighteous. Death is a cruel master. Sorrow is the common lot of all men. Tears flow constantly from eyes filled with the agony of the pain of hearts rent with unimaginable pain. It is unending, merciless and cruel. Sin was the harbinger of the sorrow of all men. The promised joy never came, the gain of wisdom lost and the pleasure of the moment was lost in eternity. Expelled from the garden man lost the ability to live without death. Created an eternal being man abides in a carnal and fleshly temple decaying each day. Death is not a choice but a reality. All men experience sorrow and all of humanity know the sting of tears that stain the face. Death brings sorrow.

Jesus did not come to take death away. It has remained for two thousand years marching through the nations unimpeded. Through the centuries wars, plagues, natural disasters and the common aging of men has reaped a harvest of souls into eternity. Death will remain until the coming of the Lord. It is then, and only then death will be finally destroyed. Found within the word of God is the only knowledge man can have to understand the beginning of death, the why of dying and the hope of what comes after death. In the meantime, sorrow rules as death takes lives daily. Families are torn with the awful pain of loss. Tears fill with eyes in an unending flow of the frailty of life. Jesus cried when He heard of the death of His friend, Lazarus. He understands the process of sorrow and tears. His earthly father Joseph died before His ministry began and the Son of God understand the pain of death. He wept over Jerusalem, He wept over the sins of the people and He wept for the dark sorrow that filled the world. Then He went to Calvary and died so that we could try to understand death. By God’s power He rose from the dead bringing the bright light of eternity to the darkened hearts of men. His death and resurrection did not take death away but it defeated its power. There will come a day with the Lord God will cast death into the second death and it will be no more. It is then – and only then – God will wipe away sorrow and tears from the eyes of His children.

Jesus died to save all men and to take the sting of death out of the hearts of all men. Sadly, most men will not accept the gift of God’s Son which means they will endure sorrow in this life and unbelievable sorrow in the world to come. The children of God will weep in this life and while the tears will flow with deep grief, found within the gem of God’s eternal hope is the knowledge that one day death will reign no more. What is felt in this life will be no more and the joy of a place where there is no death, sorrow, pain or tears will be realized. Death will have its small victory in this world but there will come a day with God will destroy death. Hope is what carries the broken hearts of the grieving to the promise of tomorrow. Experiencing the hollow void of death will give place to the eternal expanse of God’s love. There is a better day coming. A brighter day. This day will be without the tears of loss. It will be the voice of joy in the presence of God. Live for that day. Long for the coming of the Lord. Look to the Father. He loves and cares for our sorrow. Isaac was the son of promise. That promise still lives today.

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Dealing With Anger

Emotions are a part of the human character. God created man to be an emotional creature with the knowledge of right and wrong. The challenge has always been learning how to control the emotions so that righteousness will be seen instead of the character of unrighteousness. One of the most common emotions that all men battle with is the problem of anger. Someone said the word ‘anger’ is one letter away from the word ‘danger’ and how true this will be when not kept in check. Cain became angry with his brother Abel and killed him. Moses lost his inheritance into the promised land when he let his anger get the best of him. When the Lord struck Uzza for touching the ark, David became angry because of the Lord’s outbreak against Uzza. Jeremiah spoke of the fierce anger of the Lord against His own people. Jesus was angered by the hypocrisy of the Jews who denied He was the Son of God. The sin is not in the anger but what anger is allowed to do. Paul admonishes the people of God to know the power of influence unchecked anger will bring upon the soul. It is possible to be angry and not sin but that takes great care in keeping the fuel of anger within righteous bounds and not losing control. Anger should not fester or be allowed to continue. The admonition to not let the sun go down on wrath is the problem with anger. If allowed to continue, fueling up the reserves of increased emotion within the heart, Satan enters in and begins to make the heart sin with hatred. Controlled anger can be used in righteousness. Uncontrolled anger leads to unrighteousness.

The challenge of anger is not to ignore it but to learn how to control it. Paul quotes the psalmist David when he writes, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, ‘Who will show us any good?’ Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4) The apostle uses a very well-known psalm to reference his argument to refrain from unbridled anger. His solution is to appeal to the pattern given by David in the psalm. Learning to control anger begins with the God of righteousness. Anger is mitigated because of a desire to please the Father. The people of God are set apart to be holy and godly examples of truth. Allowing anger to go unchecked does not show others the grace of the Lord. It is impossible to show Christ as Savior with the same mouth spewing forth fiery anger. Prayers can be hindered if anger is not controlled.

How can one be angry and not sin? First it comes from meditation to control anger. Walking away from a situation for the purpose of collecting the emotional thoughts of anger is required to control the unruly beast. David said to meditate within the heart on a bed and be still. The bed may not be handy but a closet, stairwell, front yard, back forty acres and a long walk in the park will soothe the beast swelling within. Do not let anger lose control or you are in control of a losing battle. When anger rears its head have a talk with God – FIRST. David said to offer the sacrifices of righteousness. The only way to be angry and not sin is to allow the emotion to be covered in the righteousness of the Lord God. Jesus was angry but He did not sin. Paul was not suggesting an impossible task but a necessary character of the growing Christian. Of all people in the world – Christian’s should not be known as angry people. My brethren these things ought not so to be among the family of God. What is the final advice from David? Trust in the Lord. Be angry and do not sin because trusting the Lord to take care of the matter will remove the sinful attitude that will happen if left unguarded. Formulate the emotion of anger under the umbrella of God’s will, His way, the truth and never allow the unbridled anger of sin destroy the character.

A final thought. David says if you want gladness in your heart and to find the joy of peace and pleasant sleep – be angry and do not sin. Let the Lord take the burden. Do not let the sun go down on unresolved issues that will only be harder in the morning. What you carry from day to day will become a burden you will not be able to bear. Your marriage will suffer, relationships will be strained and your character will implode into a selfish pride of arrogance. Do not give place to allow Satan to do that. Anger can be controlled when God is the center of your life. Be angry but don’t you let sin enter the door. In the philosophical wisdom of the deputy from Mayberry, USA: nip it in the bud.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea. Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, forever. (Psalm 93)

Omnipotent Sovereignty

There are many things that worry men concerning the affairs of the world, nations rising and falling, fears from enemies and moral changes in the compass of the heart. It can be a time of grave concern fearing the reprisals of ungodly men and persecution. Throughout history the fortunes of life have changed dramatically with wars, rumors of wars, divisions, economic collapse and natural disasters. In times such as this the spirit of God’s people can be filled with dread at the coming trials of affliction like an imposing tsunami of suffering. The joy of being a child of God is to know that regardless of good times or bad times one thing remains constant: the Lord reigns. Psalm 93 is written by an unknown author but the one who scribed this simple psalm of ninety-one words is well acquainted with the author of the world. The short psalm is a confidence that no matter what happens in life, no matter how difficult things become or tedious life can become – God is always ruling over the affairs of men. His majesty will always be present in the world to show His sovereign and omnipotent presence through His will. Nations will seek war with other nations bringing fear to the hearts of men but the Lord is still King and His kingdom is established to overcome all other kingdoms. It must be remembered the Lord reigns.

Using the mighty power of a flood, the psalmist compares the threat of the crushing waters to the rule of God. Whether the psalm was written under the backdrop of a nation coming against Israel or the trials of a man’s heart, the answer remains the same. Knowing the majesty of the Lord and the strength of His power should instill confidence that God will care for His people. Victory is never assured by the hand of men but it is confirmed by the strength of God’s righteousness. The throne of the Lord God is established from of old, before time began and before man was created. Jehovah God is from everlasting and there is no power or might greater than that. What feeble thing can man do that would overwhelm the might of the Lord God? History is stained with the ruins of nations who ruled for a time with great pride and arrogance falling to the folly of man’s wisdom. Where is the mighty empire of Rome, the Third Reich or the many despots who have risen to power bringing fear to the nations of the world? The U.S.S.R is no more, ISIS defeated, murderous tyrants deposed and the kingdom of God remains. All opposition will be overcome for the Lord on high is mightier than the greatest threat man can bring to the world.

When all is said and done and man has tried his best to exalt his knowledge above the power of God – the testimonies of the Lord remain as firm as it was in the beginning. There is no greater example of the constant value of God’s word than looking at history and how over the centuries men have tried to destroy the kingdom of God. It has been attacked by philosophies, nations, immorality and everything Satan has in his arsenal to try and destroy the work of God. It has all come to no avail. Established upon the holiness of the house of the Lord, truth rules supreme because the Lord God reigns with omnipotent sovereignty. God is all-powerful in the purest sense. His reign is without comparison. His testimonies and His holiness are forever. The Lord reigns. Rooted in the church of Christ is the eternal promise that His kingdom will never fail. Men have tried to destroy it, change it and redesign into his own image but the wisdom of man will always fall away in ruin as the glory of the kingdom of God emerges in holiness. God still reigns. His church is evidence of the glory and power of His divine will. The word is still very sure and holiness still adorns His house. Praise the Lord for He is from everlasting.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

Lamb Of God

There is no animal that depicts the character of gentleness and humility as the sheep. Young sheep under the age of one year are called lambs. From the early recorded days of Abraham lambs were used for sacrifice and were a pivotal part of the sacrifices under the Law of Moses. When Israel prepared the Passover meal a lamb was required (sheep or goat) to take the blood and strike the lintel and two doorposts so that when the Lord saw the blood He would not strike death upon the house. Jesus would become the sacrificial lamb of the new Passover as His blood was struck upon the cross so that God would pass over the sins of mankind. Salvation is found in the cross of Jesus Christ and through His blood the remission of sins is granted to those who obey the will of the Father. The symbolism of Jesus being the Lamb of God is fully realized in the imagery God placed in the character of the lamb and the history of worship requiring the offering of a lamb.

Jesus is the Lamb of God as the humble servant who followed His Father’s will. Everything He did was to the glory of the Father. His teaching, miracles, purpose and life was fully given to serve the eternal plan of God. Before the earth was formed Jesus became the lamb who offered to sacrifice Himself for the redemption of men. Coming to live as a man in a world of darkness, Jesus took the form of a servant, learning obedience through the cross and left an example of humble obedience to the glory of God. John the Baptist clearly identified the man from Nazareth as the Lamb of God. Embodied in the life of Christ was a meek and gentle spirit filled with compassion for suffering man. The Lamb of God healed multitudes of people through eyes of love. His hands touched lepers, sinners, cast down women scorned by men, little children and blind beggars. Nothing in the life of Jesus was filled with pride or arrogance. Characteristic of the gentle lamb, the Lord impressed upon the hearts of those who would follow Him the knowledge of God’s love. The Lamb of God showed men God.

Sheep and lambs were used often in sacrifices. Solomon dedicated the Temple with an offering of 120,000 sheep. Jesus would offer Himself as the lamb to be slain once for all men. The prophet Isaiah would proclaim the Christ would be sacrificed like a lamb led to the slaughter that was silent before his executioners. Jesus stood before the Jewish council and the Roman courts and having the power to call twelve legions of angels to wipe out the human race; chose rather to remain silent and allow man to do what His Father desired. God watched His only begotten Son die like a lamb. The Father was silent too. When Jesus died the creation trembled. The Lamb of God had taken the heavenly scroll and willingly offered Himself to worthless man as a final sacrifice. John saw the Lord as the Lamb of God and proclaimed He would take away the sin of the world. We must see Jesus for who He is and understand that as a lamb He was lead to the slaughter and because of His love died to save you and to save me. As the meek and gentle creature formed by the hand of His Father, Jesus became the Lamb that would bring all men to know the truth, the life and the way. The kingdom emblem of God is the Lamb. A. W. Tozer said, “Faith is not a once-done act, but a continuous gaze of the heart at the Triune God. Believing, then, is directing the hearts’ attention to Jesus. It is lifting the mind to ‘behold the Lamb of God,’ and never ceasing that beholding for the rest of our lives.” Let the Lamb be always in your mind, heart, soul and body.

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:20-23)

The Two Thousand Year Old Disciple

Following the resurrection of Jesus, the eleven remaining apostles were still struggling to understand the plan God prepared to establish the church, teach all nations and bring the grace of salvation through Christ. Jesus would spend a brief forty days with the disciples teaching and exhorting them for the work they were preparing to do. When Jesus died the apostles were in shock. This was heightened more when Jesus rose from the dead and stood before them. Now during this time before Pentecost, the Lord is instilling in the men the reason He choose them to carry out His message. To witness the death and resurrection of Jesus would have been sufficient reason to never doubt or question the will of the Father but the weakness of men always has a way to creep into the mind of man.

One morning as Jesus was eating breakfast with His disciples, He upbraided Peter to commit himself fully to the Lord. In a series of questions Jesus revealed the struggles the apostle was having in finding courage to be wholly devoted to the work of God. Simon Peter was grieved because the Lord was challenging him in such a manner. When the Lord finished, Peter seemed to want to justify himself and he points out John, the beloved disciple and asked the Lord what would happen to him. This is a common defensive tact to divert attention away from the one who is being admonished to someone else. Peter wanted the spot light away from his character and chose John as a possible victim of the attention of Jesus. The Lord would not have it. Peter was told how he would die and now Peter wants to know how John is going to die. If the Lord is going to tell the apostle how he would die then Peter wanted to know how everyone was going to die. The answer by Jesus is telling. In fact, the Lord simply tells Peter it is none of his business what happens to John. If it was the will of God that John remains alive until the coming of the Christ, it would be done. In our day that would make John more than two thousand years old. Imagine talking to a two thousand year old man who was just as active and vibrant as a thirty-year-old man. God could do that if He willed. There is no doubt.

John points out in his own gospel that for a long period of time some thought Jesus meant the apostle would not die – which was not the case. The aged apostle was banished to the isle of Patmos and died in his old age. Jesus never intended to suggest God would have a reason to keep John alive until the second coming but the answer of Jesus to Peter was two-fold: Peter, it is none of your business what happens to John; furthermore God can do what He wants to do. Hard lesson to learn sometimes. After witnessing the death of Jesus and experiencing the joy of the resurrection, Peter still had a long way to go in growing his faith to trust in the word of God. Meddling in matters that pertain to the will of God is not a place for any man to tread. The mind of God is far above the wisdom of men. How the Lord carries out His will, what His will is, the reasons for doing what He does when He does – that is the business of the Lord alone and no man should presume to challenge the will of God – at least not without consequence. The Lord invites questions but not challenges to His sovereignty. A two-thousand-year-old man would prove to all men that God’s word is absolute. John died as did all the apostles. What is given to man today is a two-thousand-year-old message: Jesus Christ and Him crucified. If one does not believe in Him, a two-thousand-year-old man would not convince them either.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. (Hebrews 11:4)

The Faith Of Abel

It is difficult to imagine how the world looked in the days of Adam and Eve post-Eden. Created and placed in the beautiful garden by the Lord, Adam and Eve had no peers, no history, and no books written thousands of years previous and little to go on as to the lessons of life. The first days after being expelled from the garden must have been incredible. A shelter had to be provided, food gathered and the common necessities of life realized. What was it like when Adam first created fire? When did he plant his first crop? The sun and moon that dazzles the sky today is the same heavenly bodies Adam and Eve gazed upon those first days of the earth. When Eve became pregnant with Cain no one was there to tell her what was happening and certainly Adam marveled at the process of birth. Then a second son was born, Abel and other children. As the story of early earth unfolds the two brothers Cain and Abel offered sacrifices to the Lord. Worship has always been a part of the relationship between God and man. It would seem likely Adam and Eve offered sacrifices to the Lord and taught their sons faith in the Creator Lord. The first son of creation was a man of impure motives and the Lord did not accept his sacrifice. His brother Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice and God signified the righteousness of his faith.

Faith comes from hearing and this can only come from the word of God. The character of faith has always come from listening to the will of the Lord as directed by the author of the law. Those who obey the will of God today are the recipients of nearly three thousand years of history to read and understand the mind of God. The law given to Moses was written over a thousand years before the birth of Christ. It has been two thousand years from the writings of the early church. The Bible is the complete revelation of God’s will to all men produced in written form so that all men can read and understand what they must do to be saved. What did Abel have? Where was the lineage of spiritual history dating back thousands of years that he could rely upon to serve his God? His parents were the first man and woman of all humanity. They could stand at the edge of Eden and tell about the joys found inside the garden when they walked and talked with God in the cool of the day. The four rivers of Eden reminded Adam and Eve of the beauty found in the garden: Pishon, Gihon, Hiddekel and the Euphrates. Barred from entering the garden, Adam and Eve could only tell Abel of the days spent in the presence of God. Abel learned faith in the Lord God to do all that was asked of him. His faith was rooted in the short time man existed on earth and yet his faith still speaks to all men today.

God has revealed Himself through the written word to bring men to His Son Jesus Christ. Many struggle in giving their faith to the will of the Lord and yet Abel – who had so little to compare as men find today – offered up his sacrifice in complete faith finding favor with the Lord because of his righteousness. The Bible does not reveal what level of faith Abel had and what he understood about the whole scheme of things comparative to the eternal plan of God but what is known about Abel is that he had simple faith to do what was asked of him and he obeyed. His righteousness was not based on three thousand years of knowledge compiled in a book. The will of the Lord was what motivated Abel to offer a sacrifice that pleased his heavenly Father. In so many ways we are blessed to have the body of knowledge preserved through the centuries to guide our faith, build our faith and establish our faith in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. What is sad is how little we know about the word of God and how challenged our faith becomes when we do not know how to offer acceptable worship to the Lord. Abel still speaks today and his voice is loud. If he were living today he would preach a message of repentance. The sweet incense of his sacrifice still permeates the gospel of the heavenly Father to exhort His people to learn from the life of Abel, son of Adam and Eve. He obtained witness that he was righteous. God testified to all men since the beginning of time of the gift of sacrifice offered by Abel. And though Abel is dead, he still speaks.

If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.

But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words? (John 5:31-47)

Right God, Wrong Lord

Jesus was born in the lineage of Abraham, circumcised the eighth day and taught the history and language of the Jewish nation. He was from the tribe of Judah. Everything about Him was the complete package of the Abrahamic covenant with a few notable exceptions. His birth was miraculous; born of a virgin. The teaching was the same except He understood things more clearly than others as seen at the age of twelve. When He began His ministry His teaching was bold and with authority. This was unlike the teachers of the day. Through the power of the Holy Spirit He healed all diseases, raised the dead, walked on water and cast out demons. No man could do what Jesus did. John the Baptist testified of the man of Nazareth the Christ had come. Throughout the teachings of Jesus He appealed to the scriptures and teachings of Moses to show men He was the Son of God. The problem the Jews had with Jesus was they believed in the same God but could not accept that a carpenter’s son was divine, heralded as the Messiah, Son of God. Rejecting the claims of the supposed son of Joseph, they clung to the hope that believing in God alone would save them. What they served was the right God but wrong Lord.

It is easy for men to accept there is one God and seek to serve Him as they believe He must be honored. Different faiths and beliefs can embrace the idea of the same God painting Him in a portrait that suits their needs and beliefs but if they will not accept that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God their religion is vain and useless. The words of Jesus testify that truth comes from believing in the Father and the Son. Salvation cannot come without the belief there is a God Creator of the world and that He sent His Son to die for all men. Believing in God does not save man. Following the will of God and obeying the commands of the Son of God is where salvation is found. Jesus said the greater witness He had than John the Baptist are the works the Father sent Him to do. What angered the Jews of His day was the claim Jesus always made that He came from the Father and the Father had sent Him. The Jews were correct to think this was blasphemy because no man could make such a claim. However, what the Jews refused to see was that Jesus was the Son of God and He could make that claim. Believing in the same God but rejecting Jesus Christ as the Son of God would not save them. The scriptures testified of Jesus being the Christ yet the Jews would not see Him in their holy scrip. As a result of their seeking to worship the right God and rejecting the claim of Jesus to be the Son of God, they were lost.

Obedience to God requires acknowledging Him as God alone. Salvation comes not from believing in the right God but accepting that what makes the Father God alone is the testimony of His only begotten Son. There is no hope if one is rejected from the other. An appeal is made that two religions worship the same God but call Him by different names. There is a feeling of acceptance that one can worship God one way and another can worship God their way and it is okay. The problem is that if one rejects the belief in Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God the religion is in vain. Jesus testified of Himself that He is the way, the truth and the life and no one can approach the Father (same God as believed) but through Him. Rejecting Jesus is rejecting God. There can be no true worship until man believes in God and obeys the gospel of Jesus Christ. Worshiping the same God does not save. Worshiping the same God and worshiping the only Christ is the way of truth.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who follows righteousness.

(Proverbs 15:8-9)

The Gospel Of Two

Throughout the Bible God emphasizes that man has a choice. He was given the ability to choose in the garden of Eden when the Lord placed two trees in the midst of the garden and told the man he could eat of one but the other was forbidden. Cain and Abel understood the choice of following the will of the Creator or disobeying it. Abel’s sacrifice was accepted but the worship of Cain was refused. Noah was given a choice to believe, obey and save his family or disbelieve and be lost. He chose to obey and found salvation. When the children of Israel received the law of the Lord they were told they had the choice between life and death. If they obeyed the will of God they would be blessed beyond measure. Choosing to rebel against the word of the Lord the nation would be destroyed. The latter was their end. Jesus came into the world as the light in the midst of darkness. Salvation was offered to those who would believe Jesus was the Christ the Son of the Living God; or not. Those who believed in Jesus found redemption and those who refused perished. Throughout the teachings of the New Testament canon the choice of righteousness and unrighteousness are contrasted with salvation to those who embrace the grace of God and condemnation for those who reject the mercy of the Lord.

The proverbs are filled with simple statements of truth that bear the mark of the wisdom of God in eternal prose. Two choices are given to all men and the results are markedly different. The wicked and the upright are opposed to one another. Those who follow in the ways of unrighteousness make sacrifices that are abominations to the Lord. The sacrifice is detestable, disgusting and abhorrent to the nostrils of God. What makes the sacrifice of the wicked so horrific is there is no desire to forsake evil. The life of the wicked is based on the carnal desires with no regard to the holiness of righteousness and truth. Hearts are filled with wickedness seeking the pleasures of self. God’s word is rejected, repudiated and renounced. There is another way men can walk to find the blessings of God: the prayer of the upright from the one who loves to follow righteousness. Man has always had a choice. The Lord loves those who believe and trust in Him. The upright heart is one who is seeking to please the Lord in everything they do. Self is not the center of life. Seeking the blessings of God is the sacrifice of the righteous who petition the Father for grace, truth and mercy. His way is their way, His truth is their truth and the life of the Savior is the life of the righteous. The wicked offer sacrifices of self while the righteous offer up prayers of servitude. God delights in the prayers of the righteous and loves to see His children walking in righteousness. Man has a choice.

The gospel of Jesus Christ offers all men the choice to live upright and follow the way of righteousness. Refusing to believe in the Son of God is a choice men will make when they refuse to worship in truth and live in their wickedness. Satan clouds the eyes of men to see there are only two choices. He does not want man to know God limits the choice to life and death. The sacrifice of the wicked is gratifying to the spirit of carnal man as they walk in the ways of unrighteousness fulfilling the fleshly desires that are for a moment. There are many choices offered by the great deceiver – all couched in the world of deceit and darkness. God’s word is true from the beginning. Two trees are still in the midst of man’s heart. The choice he makes will have eternal consequence. One way is an abomination to God; one way is His delight. God loves those who follow in the paths of righteousness. What choice will you make?

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

• Who forgives all your iniquities,
• Who heals all your diseases,
• Who redeems your life from destruction,
• Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
• Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5; A psalm of David)

The God Of Who

David knew the power of God’s presence. He had history with the Lord God. As a young man he learned to trust in his heavenly Father to protect, guide and bless him. Standing before Goliath was not the first giant he destroyed. The son of Jesse was a man of courage knowing the infinite blessings of the relationship he shared with the Lord from an early age. His whole being was fully devoted to the grace of God in revering the holy name of the Lord. In many of his prayers, David did not want to forget the benefits or blessings of what God had done for him. There are five things David praised his God for knowing that without the blessings from the Father he would be nothing.

WHO forgives all your iniquities. God forgives sin. David begins at the basic need of all men. The mercy of God to forgive the iniquities of the heart was difficult for David understand as it is for any man. He was a man after the heart of God but he battled with sin as the wretched man that he was. His deliverance came from the knowledge of the grace of God allowing a sinful creature to come into the presence of an Almighty God seeking forgiveness from sin. David not only begged for God’s kindness to be shown to remove his sin; he acknowledged the power of the Lord’s grace with a prayer of thanksgiving. Seeking to remove sin is essential and we should always be thankful that God hears our prayers. We praise the Lord because He is willing and just to forgive our transgressions and we glorify His name because of that benefit or blessing. Thank you God for Your forgiveness.

WHO heals all your diseases. The Lord God heals the body. David knew in the long ago the power of prayer. It was never a guarantee the children of God would live healthy lives without the pains of physical suffering. But David was not unaware the Lord promised to answer prayers for healing of diseases. He was thankful for the times of illness that prayer manifested itself in bringing about the healing power of the Creator. Prayer is pleading the promises of God and the Lord has promised to care for His children as He sees fit. Part of those promises is to believe He will grant the request of mortal man to receive a portion of health in the healing of the body. David was thankful for the answered prayers of the Lord as disease wracked the body bringing sorrow and pain. Prayer must be a petition for healing and it must also include a prayer of thanksgiving to bless the Lord for His kindness to heal the body. Thank you God for Your healing hand.

WHO redeems your life from destruction. Only from the hand of God will deliverance come. There is no God like Jehovah God. Standing before Goliath, David knew if victory was to come it would be by the hand of the Lord and not by his hand. He understood his feeble part was for the glory of God. The Lord used David as an instrument against those who oppose the glory of God. It would never enter the mind of David to brag about how by his own power he was able to destroy the giant. He told Goliath he was coming in the name of the Lord and that all Israel would know there was a true God to worship. The child of God must be thankful the Father is willing to fight the battles against Satan and defeat the works of wickedness through His own power. The Lord redeems His children from the wiles of the devil. He will not allow the temptations of the flesh to conquer His saints and by His grace offers a way of escape. Sin comes about when the path of escape is ignored. God is willing to redeem the soul from destruction because He has all power and authority to rule over sin. Only by His grace are we saved. Thank you God for saving us.

WHO crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. God’s grace is so abundant and full. The Lord not only bestows His blessings on His children, He crowns them with His love. No father has shown parental love to his children like the Lord God Almighty. The joy of being a child of God is to be crowned with all of the love of God to forgive sins, bless the soul, rejoice the heart and instill in the mind of His children the eternal promise of life with Him. Love is the central theme of God sending His Son to die for man and that same love expresses itself in the lives of His children through forgiveness and grace. David was so thankful the relationship he shared with God was filled with the kindness of God and willingness to remove the stain of sin from his life. There is no father like the heavenly Father who loves His children so incredibly and the glory of showing that love through His Son. Thank you God for your lovingkindness and mercy.

WHO satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. There is great satisfaction from the Lord of good things that strengthen the aging spirit with youthful energy. If the skies above were parchment and the ocean a well of ink unending, it would be impossible to write the story of God’s blessings for men in a thousand lifetimes. David exalted in the praise of what his Lord had done for him in his life. He knew how the Lord was working in his life and he understood his heavenly Father would never leave him or fail him. There were no words to describe how he felt. It invigorated the spirit of David to ponder the blessings of God. The Lord forgave his sins, healed his body from disease, redeemed his life from destruction, crowned him with His lovingkindness and tender mercies; and all David could do was to praise, praise and praise the Lord more and more and more. Nothing could compare to the love David had for God. His God was a God of WHO – who did so many things for him. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.