I Saw The Dead

Posted on November 27, 2024 by heatonkent

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (Revelation 20:11-12)

I Saw The Dead

The population of the earth is around eight billion souls. That is only the tally for one year. The world has existed for thousands of years, making the total number of people who have lived and are living on the earth innumerable. No one knows how long the world will exist. Only God knows when the end of all things will be accomplished, and until that time, with each passing hour of every day, more souls are added to the human equation. With these numbers in mind, consider the greatest gathering ever known before the throne of God, where everyone who has lived from Adam will be gathered.

In John’s revelation, he sees an image of what that day will be like. There is the great white throne where the Lord God is seated. Heaven and earth have passed away into obliteration. Only the eternal souls of humanity remain. What John saw was the dead. When God destroyed the universe, all human life came to an end. All of humanity had died or were changed when the world ended. Everyone standing before the Lord was dead but alive in the eternal spirit. There was no separation of the small and great, rich and poor, nationality, gender, or education into certain groups. Rich men stood next to the poor. Influential people in history were standing next to the unknowns of human history. The scene of judgment was without partiality. Every soul was equal.

No one has received preference over another because of their lives on earth. The only separation that took place were those found in the Book of Life and those whose names were not inscribed by the blood of the Lamb. It was a simple process. When the Book of Life was opened, it was filled with many names. These souls had been in covenant with the Lord God and found faithful to His will. They had been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. The Book of Life was a book of eternal life. These saints would enjoy the blessings of eternal life in the presence of God.

When the Book of Life was opened, there were many whose names could not be found there. Most had never had their names written in the Book. Some had once named the name of Christ but had turned away from God’s grace. Their names had been blotted out. Seeing how many names were not in the Book of Life was sad and tragic. Jesus taught that most people would not find their names in the Book of Life. Many religious people thought their names were in the Book of Life, but they were rejected because they refused to obey the will of the Father.

The incredible mass of humanity standing before the great white throne were all judged according to what was written, or not written, in the books. The dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. It was no surprise for those who did not have their names there. They knew they had not believed in God or done His will. The souls who grieved the most were those who had once tasted the Heavenly gift of God’s mercy but had turned back into the world. Now, it was too late. The fate was sealed.

John saw the dead in a prophetic vision of what is yet to be. The final day of judgment has not come. God’s grace continues to call men to come to Him and find salvation in the blood of Jesus. If the Lord allows the world to continue for a thousand more years, more opportunities will be given to those who have yet to have their names inscribed in the Book of Life. At judgment, the only thing that will matter to you is where your name is. Don’t kid yourself into believing there is any other way to have your name in the Book of Life than what God said in His book, the Bible. There is only one way, one truth, and one life. Where is your name?

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Give Thanks To Him Who

Posted on November 26, 2024 by heatonkent

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: to Him who alone does great wonders, for His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136:1-4)

Give Thanks To Him Who

The time of thanksgiving is to know from all blessings flow. There are many things to be thankful for, and the heart should acknowledge those blessings. Having a home and food is something to be thankful for. Enjoying a beautiful day kindles a spirit of thankfulness. Having close friends to enjoy company finds its worth in how thankful a person can be for friendship. There are so many things to be thankful for, but the question is, what is the heart grateful for that has lasting value? To be thankful for a home is wonderful, but it will not last. The things of the world are real, but they have no lasting value. Everything about life is transitory in the material world. True thanksgiving must come from a higher level of understanding.

God created man in His image as an eternal being. Every child that is born is a creature that will never cease to exist. Life comes from the hand of God as the eternal spirit inhabits a physical body. A baby brings nothing into the world, and it is certain in death, nothing is taken. This will help focus on those things that are of more value. Giving thanks must begin and end with recognition of the bountiful gifts of the Lord. God is good! Not just in blessing a person with good health or a home and a job. The mercy of the Lord endures forever. That is something that has a higher meaning of thanksgiving.

The mercy of God is best defined to know the difference between God and man. In the beginning, God created man to glorify Him. Because of sin and rebellion, man separated himself from the Lord. By the mercy of God, Adam and Eve were spared destruction and, through grace, allowed to exit the garden. Sin has had dominion over man from the beginning. Through the infinite mercy of God, Jesus Christ came to die on the cross, redeeming humanity back to the Father. Who among the populace of world history deserved such a sacrifice? None. God’s mercy is salvation because God is good, and His love is everlasting. Mercy came through the death of Jesus to wash away the sins of corruptible men.

If there is any giving of thanks that must pass the lips of the child of God, it is to be thankful the mercy of God endures forever. The Lord is the God of gods and Lord of lords. There is no one who has done so many great wonders than the Lord God Almighty. He spoke, and the world came into being. When He spoke in the days of Noah, eight souls were saved from a flood that killed everyone outside the ark. God spoke the words to man to know His will. Jesus Christ came as the living Word to reveal the Father. The cross of Christ is the greatest wonder, culminating in the greatest miracle, the resurrection. How can a man not be thankful?

There is great joy in knowing the mercy of the Lord endures forever. No one stands in the presence of God deserving of His grace, but the mercy of the Lord endures forever. A thankful heart gives thanks for the blessings of life, such as a home, food, clothing, and family. These are vital to the happy heart. Beyond the things of the world, nothing compares to the blessings for those in Christ Jesus. To be in Christ is to know the mercy of the Lord. Enjoying the covenant of grace in the body of Christ is to see the mercy of the Lord. Thanksgiving can only be understood when viewed through the lens of God’s mercy. It is amazing.

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The Purpose Of God

Posted on November 25, 2024 by heatonkent

For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. (Acts 4:27-28)

The Purpose Of God

Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great by Malthake, a Samaritan. It was Herod Antipas, under the influence of his wife, Herodias, who killed John the Baptist. During the ministry of Jesus, Herod desired to meet the man from Nazareth to see some miracle performed. The first meeting between Herod and Jesus is when Pilate sends his prisoner to Herod for examination. Jesus refused to say anything to Herod. Before sending the Lord back to Pilate, Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. They put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. Luke tells of Pilate’s massacre, where the Jews were sacrificing at Jerusalem. Pilate came suddenly upon them and killed them, and their blood was mingled with the blood of the animals that they were offering for sacrifice. Like Herod, Pilate was a sadistic narcissist who ruled his subjects with force. The Roman Empire was the greatest nation on earth. No army could stand against the might of the Roman Legions. The Gentile world held a powerful grip over the subjects in hundreds of countries and subjects, including the Jews.

Israel had been under the rule of bondage for nearly six hundred years. Babylon had first subjected the people when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C. When Jesus was born, Israel was ruled by Caesar Augustus. Thirty years later, when Jesus began His ministry, Tiberius Caesar reigned. The Romans allowed Israel to exist with its rituals and leadership, but Roman law governed everything. Jesus worked within this system to declare God’s kingdom and show the world He was the Son of God.

In the early days of the church, the Jewish leadership arrested Peter and John because they preached in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. This greatly disturbed the Jews and the impact it was having on the people. Releasing Peter and John, the leaders warned them not to preach in the name of Jesus or teach in His name. Undaunted, the apostles returned to the brethren to proclaim the joy of suffering for Christ.

The message of the early disciples facing persecution was there was nothing the world could do to stop the will of God. Quoting from the psalmist David, the brethren rejoiced that nations raged and the people plotted vain things. Herod and Pilate were the two most powerful men in Palestine, and there was nothing they could do to stop the work of Jesus, which was to die for the sins of the world. The Roman Empire and Israel became the tools God used to bring about His will to offer His only begotten Son to redeem man. Pilate thought he had power over Jesus, but the Lord reminded the governor that his power came from God.

There is nothing the world can do to change the will of God. Men have tried to corrupt the Bible, but it remains true. Satan has tried for two thousand years to destroy the church of Christ. It stands firm. Right and wrong are challenged by the immorality of the human heart. Righteousness always prevails. In a dark world, evil forces seek to take hope away from the faithful’s hearts. Hope reigns. Everything Herod, Pilate, the Romans, and the Jews did was determined beforehand according to God’s will. The earth will pass away, but the word of the Lord endures. Man serves the will of the Lord God Almighty.

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Blessing By Faith

Posted on November 24, 2024 by heatonkent

By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel and gave instructions concerning his bones. (Hebrews 11:22)

Blessing By Faith

After Jacob returned to Canaan with Leah and Rachel, he purchased a field at Shechem. He erected an altar in the field and called it “El Elohe Israel,” meaning “God, the God of Israel.” One hundred eighty-five years earlier, Abraham built an altar on the same land as a sign of the promises of God. Jacob established an altar at Shechem to show the faithfulness of God in keeping his promises. The altar confirmed Jacob’s vision at Bethel years before when the Lord assured him that He would always be with him and that Jacob would return to the promised land.

At one hundred thirty, Jacob moved his family to Egypt to be with Joseph, his beloved son. It had been twenty-two years since Jacob had seen his son, believing him to be dead. Jacob lived seventeen years in Egypt, and when he knew he was dying, he made Joseph promise him that upon his death, his son would take his body back to Canaan. After Jacob’s death, Joseph and his brothers took their father back to Canaan and buried Jacob in the cave of Machpelah, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite.

Joseph lived to be one hundred and ten years old. He took an oath from the children of Israel that upon his death, they would carry his bones when they left Egypt. The difference in the story of Joseph is that, unlike Jacob, his bones would remain in Egypt until the Hebrews were released from the bondage of Egypt. They could have made the trip to Canaan as they did with Jacob, but Joseph wanted the people to remember a promise God had made them. The Lord had told Abraham his descendants would be strangers in a foreign land and be oppressed as slaves for four hundred years, but God would deliver them.

Because of his deep faith in the promises of God, Joseph told the people they would leave Egypt one day. As a sign of the promise of God, Joseph’s coffin would remain in Egypt for hundreds of years as a memorial of the promise of God. Whenever the people saw the bones of Joseph, they would know God promised to deliver them, and He would keep His promise. After the conquest of Canaan and the division of the land, the family of Joseph buried their ancestor as a sign of the fulfillment of the promise of God.

Jacob built an altar on the ground where Joseph was buried, calling it “God, the God of Israel.” For the Christian, the cross of Jesus has been left as a memorial to remind us of the faithful promise of God to deliver us from sin and death. God, the God of Israel, is faithful and true to all His promises. When the people saw the remains of Joseph, they knew God would not abandon them.

The cross of Jesus is a memorial to the faithful promise of God to deliver us. Sin is defeated in the Red Sea of the blood of Christ. Death is defeated as the saved enter the promised land through the Jordan River. By faith, Joseph wanted the people to know that God was a God of promise. That same faith is proven in our lives when we commune before the cross of Jesus Christ. God cannot lie, and He keeps all His promises. He washed away our sins and promised eternal life. Trust in God. Believe in His promises.

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Bearing The Marks Of Jesus

Posted on November 21, 2024 by heatonkent

From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. (Galatians 6:17)

Bearing The Marks Of Jesus

The apostle Paul lived a remarkable life. From his informative years to adulthood, Paul (Saul) was a devoted Jew to the keeping of the Law. His life changed when he persecuted the disciples of a teacher named Jesus and met the Lord on the road to Damascus. Paul was going to Damascus to arrest any followers of Jesus he could find. Three days later, Paul was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. He would devote his life to the gospel of Christ and die for his Lord and Master, Jesus of Nazareth.

Paul endured many conflicts and persecutions during his ministry of spreading the gospel. His body bore the marks of stripes from beatings. Five times, he was beaten by the Jews, who inflicted 39 stripes each time. On three occasions, he was beaten with rods. When Paul preached at Lystra, the people took him out of the city and stoned him, leaving him for dead. His body was wracked from the shipwrecks, perils, weariness, hunger, thirst, cold, and nakedness. One could not help but see the cost Paul paid to devote his life to the cause of Christ.

Paul’s physical sufferings were evident as he bore in his body the marks of Jesus Christ. Paul was not ashamed of his marks of agony when compared to what Jesus endured. Nothing could conquer Paul’s spirit to live for Christ and preach his name. He spent many long weeks in prison but never gave up hope. When he faced certain death, he confided in Timothy of his expectant hope and joy for the crown that awaited him. Paul bore the marks of Jesus on his body not to brag but to testify. His life was not easy. He grew up in opulence but was willing to die in poverty to serve his Lord. The marks that covered his body were his testimony of God’s grace.

There were many years when the followers of Christ suffered at the hands of those who tried to destroy the church. The faithful saints of God endured the suffering in this present world to attain the glories of the world beyond. Their sufferings were real and harsh. In a time of peace, little suffering inflicts the church of the Lord making the heart complacent and lax. Paul’s bold assertion of bearing the marks of Jesus bears scrutiny in the church today. If God’s people were beaten for assembling together to remember the memorial of Christ, how many would show up? Excuses are given as to why service to God is lacking, and none are about physical persecution. Christianity can become a means of worship according to convenience rather than conviction.

The question that must be answered is how far will the child of God go to bear the evidence they belong to the Son of God? Living in a country without persecution in a time of prosperity can damage the view of living with the marks of Jesus. Faithfulness is not being faithful only in times of persecution. There are many excuses given why God’s people will not and cannot serve the Lord and they bring shame to the name of Christ. Standing for truth is allowing the Bible to speak the truth. This will be against the norms of society. Questions of morality are shaded so feelings are not hurt. There is an acceptance of immoral behavior lest conflict arise. Marriage questions refuse to be answered so families will not be broken up.

It is impossible to live in the world and not suffer persecution. If a child of God never faces difficult decisions about choices relating to the word of God and the norms of society, they have become friends with the world and enemies of God. Paul reminds Timothy that all who desire to live godly will suffer persecution. The body may not bear the marks of beatings (like Paul), but if the life of the Christian does not bear the marks of devotion to the Lord, there is no blessing from God. Paul gloried he was able to suffer for Jesus – it was the least he could do for his Lord. What am I willing to do for Jesus?

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The Wrath Of God Is Utter Destruction

Posted on November 20, 2024 by heatonkent

If you hear someone in one of your cities, which the Lord your God gives you to dwell in, saying, “Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’”—which you have not known— then you shall inquire, search out, and ask diligently. And if it is indeed true and certain that such an abomination was committed among you, you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying it, all that is in it and its livestock—with the edge of the sword. And you shall gather all its plunder into the middle of the street, and completely burn with fire the city and all its plunder, for the Lord your God. It shall be a heap forever; it shall not be built again. So none of the accursed things shall remain in your hand, that the Lord may turn from the fierceness of His anger and show you mercy, have compassion on you and multiply you, just as He swore to your fathers, because you have listened to the voice of the Lord your God, to keep all His commandments which I command you today, to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 13:12-18)

The Wrath Of God Is Utter Destruction

There is no quarter with sin and wickedness. God is a jealous God. His name is Jealous. Many examples are given in the Bible about the wrath of God. In the days of Noah, the Lord killed every human being on the face of the planet except for eight souls. This is the highest count of people killed in one event in the history of the world. On Passover night, when the Hebrews huddled in their homes, the destroyer of the Lord swept through Egypt and killed every Egyptian firstborn child and firstborn among the animals. Contained within the Law of Moses is the imprecatory language of God’s wrath against those who challenged His law and authority.

Moses brought the law to the people, beginning with the Ten Commandments. First and foremost is the commandment that no other god can come before service to the One True God. This was not a suggestion but a divine law that carried with it the divine wrath of a jealous God. To clarify how intent the Lord was to impose this law, Moses further explained the consequences of challenging the Law of God and the danger of serving the gods of men. If men came among the people and tried to lead them away from serving the Lord God, specific judgments were to be rendered to the city and its inhabitants.

Every person in the city must be killed without exception. No mercy is to be given to the city. Everyone must die. All the livestock must be slaughtered. Everything that belongs to the city’s inhabitants will be gathered in the middle of the street and burned. The city must be leveled to complete destruction. No person is to be left alive, no possessions kept, and the city made into a heap, never to be rebuilt again. This was the law of God. The Lord expected and demanded it be carried out to the fullest extent of the Law.

God demands justice against all ungodliness. It seems brutal to go into a city teeming with men, women, and children and slaughter every living being, including their animals. That was the command of the Lord against those who sought to steal away the hearts of His people to serve the gods of men. If a brother, sister, son, or daughter tries to lead hearts away to serve other gods, they are to be killed. A parent was not to consent to the actions of their rebellious children. They were commanded to kill their child and to be the first to cast a stone because they sought to entice the family away from the Lord God. There is no quarter given to sin. God tells Israel to hear His word and fear Him.

The failure of Israel to keep the law of God doomed the nation to be destroyed by God. Israel was once the apple of God’s eye. The nation of Israel was destroyed by the Assyrians and Babylonians, never to rise again as God’s people. They stand as a monument to the wrath of God and the failure of human wisdom to obey the law of God. The Lord God is viewed as only a God of love and compassion; He is a God of love and compassion. But there is the nature of God that will unleash His wrath against those who refuse to obey Him. Human wisdom cannot define it. The Bible explains it. Jesus preached it. A day is coming when those who will not do the will of God will face an eternal wrath that will never end. The wrath of God is utter destruction – Hell.

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Two Things That Are Certain

Posted on November 18, 2024 by heatonkent

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:7)

Two Things That Are Certain

Life is filled with uncertainties and fears. There are few guarantees because of the unstable nature of the economy, ever-changing health and aging, decisions impacting the course of life, and a host of elements that fill life with feelings of insecurity. A divine view of life will put everything into perspective with two certainties that are true for everyone without exception. It does not matter if a person is rich or poor; these certainties apply. Cultural differences do not change reality. Science cannot redefine or alter what is unchangeable. Every human being enters the world naked and leaves the same way.  

The first certainty is evident every time a child is born. When a baby is delivered, there are no attachments of riches, fame, and knowledge that proceed from the womb. The only thing the doctor finds at the birth of a child is a naked baby dependent on someone else for survival. Without the care of the mother, the child will die. It will take a few years for the child to become dependent. No one brings anything with them into the world. Birth only produces a baby. Every announcement of a new baby should come with the acknowledgment that the baby entered the world naked. They did not bring anything with them. Babies born with silver spoons in their mouths get the spoon after birth.

A second certainty is connected to the first. As the baby comes into the world naked, everyone dies naked. Death does not take a person’s clothes. They are left behind. When a person dies, they cannot take their bank account with them. It remains for others to divide among themselves. All the knowledge gained from the many years of study dies. Fame will diminish over time, and the world will soon forget names once known by the world in a fickle turn of fate. Cemeteries are filled with marble headstones of souls born into the world stark naked who died completely naked of everything they gained in life. The two certainties in an uncertain world are the certainties that nothing is brought into the world and nothing is taken in death.

The knowledge of the certainties of life should impress upon the heart the true value of living. It is remarkable how often the lesson is lost that gaining the world is gaining nothing. No one remembers the moment of their birth, but they should learn the lesson they brought nothing with them. More importantly, the grave is a stark reminder that everything possessed in life remains in this world. How many funerals have people attended mourning the loss of a loved one and not realizing everything the person had remains? No one is exempt from these certainties, and yet most people live as if they will take everything with them when they die. It would be good for them to look at their baby pictures to remember how dependent they were on others and that nothing in life is of any value.

God testifies to His creation of certainties in life to remind man how frail he is. Man was not created to serve the world but to serve God. The reason man comes naked in the world is first to declare man is created by God. Death is a reminder from God that nothing in this world is of value. When a child is created, he becomes an eternal creature that will never die. He is born naked in the flesh, but he is made in the image of God. Life is the time when the eternal spirit of man learns about his Creator so that he can worship Him and give Him glory. When death comes, everything in the world is left behind, but the eternal spirit continues to the praise and honor of God. That is what life is about.

There are three certainties that man must remember: nothing is brought into the world, and nothing is taken in death. The third reality is that God is on the other side of death. Life is a short time, but in that capsule of time, the destiny of an eternal creature is determined. Nothing in birth and nothing in death. It is what happens after death that is certain that must be considered. Are you ready to meet God?

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Isaac And Jacob – Faith Overcomes Weakness

Posted on November 17, 2024 by heatonkent

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. (Hebrews 11:20-21)

Isaac And Jacob – Faith Overcomes Weakness

The faith of Isaac and Jacob looked beyond the customs of men and accepted the will of God as their guide. That faith was severely challenged throughout their lives. Isaac was deceived in giving his blessings to Jacob, and Joseph watched as his father, Jacob, blessed his two sons in the wrong order. All of this was because of the faith in things to come. Faith is always looking ahead, and it comes from trusting in God.

Following a long-held tradition of the fathers blessing their sons, Isaac and Jacob blessed their children and grandchildren, which became part of the divine plan from God. For Issac and Jacob, this came from their reliance upon the providence of God stemming from their great faith in the will of the Lord.

Isaac favored his eldest son, Esau, while Rebekah took Jacob under her wing. It came to pass when Isaac was old that he thought he might die. Before he died, Isaac wanted to pass on his blessing to Esau. Through deception, Jacob received the blessing instead of Esau as the divine “supplanter” of what was rightfully Esau’s.

Jacob would live to be one-hundred forty-seven; when realizing he was dying, he asked to bless the sons of Joseph. Joseph had married Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, and had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. When Jacob asked to bless the sons of Joseph, Manasseh, and Ephraim were brought to their grandfather.

In a repeat of the blessings of Isaac on Jacob and Esau, Jacob chose to bless Ephraim (the younger) over Manasseh. Jacob put his right hand on the head of Ephraim to receive the greater blessing. Like Isaac blessing Jacob over Esau, Jacob followed the providential plan of God to raise Ephraim above Manasseh.

The Hebrew writer emphasizes the matter of faith on the part of Isaac and Jacob. They both realized God’s greater plan, even if they did not understand. Isaac was upset that he had blessed Jacob with the blessing of the firstborn, but he did not try to change it. He accepted by faith the will of God. Jacob blessed the young sons of Joseph as the will of God. In both stories, trust in God was first and foremost. Faith comes from the heart, trusting in the will of God in the face of ridicule, opposition, and the world’s norms. Esau and Manasseh should have received the blessings, but God had a greater plan.

Our faith must trust in the will of the Lord whether we understand everything God desires. In simple trusting faith, we obey and give God the glory. The stories of faith reflect the simple reliance on the truth that God knows what is best, and following His will becomes a blessing. Faith can be hard to accept sometimes, but allowing God to work in our lives will increase our faith. Then faith can have its perfect work and establish trust. Faith will always overcome the weakness of human logic.

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When The Lord Holds Back The Water

Posted on November 15, 2024 by heatonkent

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

When The Lord Holds Back The Water

The Hebrews rejoiced as they prepared to leave the land they had called home for nearly four centuries. Life had become a bitter struggle as the Egyptians enslaved the people and made their lives hard with severe labor. Through the grace of God’s love, Moses had come to deliver the descendants of Abraham to fulfill a promise made many centuries before. The land of promise was near where the Hebrews lived in Goshen. If the people took the route by the sea, they could quickly arrive at the border of Canaan. When the time came for Moses to lead the people out of Egypt, the Lord led them roundabout through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. He told Moses to have the people camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea along the shore, across from Baal-zephon.

Pharaoh heard where the Hebrews had gone and thought they had gotten lost in the wilderness. He mustered his army, took all his horses and chariots, charioteers, and troops, and caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon. When the people saw the Egyptian army, they panicked and cried out to the Lord. Moses was not fearful because He knew God would deliver them. The plagues the Lord brought upon Egypt should have taught the Hebrews to trust in the power of God.  They would see another example of God’s power as they leave Egypt for the last time.

The Lord tells Moses to take his rod and raise it over the Red Sea. By the power of God, the sea was opened by a strong east wind that blew all night. A path through the water opened, allowing the more than two million souls to walk through the middle of the sea on dry land, with walls of water on each side. The parting of the Red Sea was a miracle matched only by the flood of Noah. God held the waters up to let His people pass. The Egyptians did not learn from the plagues that devasted their nation. They should have been warned against trying to destroy the Hebrews, especially having recently buried all their firstborn. Emboldened by rage and pride, Pharaoh sent his army into the sea where the people had walked. Just before dawn, the Lord confused the army, creating panic among the soldiers. As the day dawned, Moses held his rod above the waters and the waters returned and covered all the army of Pharaoh. All the Egyptians that chased the Hebrews into the sea perished. No one survived.

God held the waters back, allowing the faithful to walk safely to the other side. The same hand that held the waters back for the Hebrews let loose the waters upon the Egyptians to destroy them. All the Hebrews passed in safety, and all of the Egyptian army perished in the flood. God’s power saved, and His power destroyed. The Hebrews were rescued because of their faithfulness and trust in the word of the Lord. They had to have great faith to walk in the midst of the sea with waters abounding on both sides. There was no hesitation. They obeyed and were saved. The Egyptians believed they could find salvation like the Hebrews, not knowing the hand of the Lord would not save them but kill them.

The story of the Red Sea crossing declares the power of God and the need for faithful hearts to believe the word of the Lord. When the Hebrews came to the Red Sea, they thought they were trapped, and there was no hope. God brought them the way of the sea to test them and show His power. There was no hope to evade the Egyptian army as the people stood on the seashore. Moses told the people to wait and see the power of God; and they did. God held back the waters of the sea, and the people walked through. His power can do the impossible when it seems impossible because it is impossible for God to fail. The people believed, and they were saved by the hand of God.

There are times in life when the world seems like an impossible place. It can be like the people standing before the sea with no escape and the army of doubt coming to destroy. Waiting on the Lord and letting His power save in the day of darkness will allow the soul to walk on dry ground in the midst of a sea. God can deliver His people. Sometimes, He does it quickly; sometimes, it takes a wind blowing all night. He will never leave His people and leave them defenseless. The people trusted in the hand of the Lord to keep the waters away, and God did. When you trust in the Lord to keep the fears of the world at bay, you will find the peace that passes understanding as you walk on dry land. God does not lie. His hand will hold back the waters. He knows and cares. Let Him take away your fear. He can do some awesome things.

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Never Retire

Posted on November 14, 2024 by heatonkent

Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come (Psalm 71:18).

Never Retire

General Douglas MacArthur wrote, “People grow old by deserting their ideas. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fears; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.” Age is a number that should never define the character of the man. The Bible says that with the increase of age, the body’s development is slowing down and changing. This does not mean that the mind must quit using its faculties to learn more about the word of God and share the gospel of Christ.

Retirement for the masses is an idea that has only been possible in recent history and only in certain parts of the world. The hope of reaching a time when there are few responsibilities is appealing. It can be a wonderful time, but it can also be a dangerous period of waste. A person wants to work for forty years, retire with a gold watch, and spend the remaining years watching the sunrise and sunset leisurely. There is so much more to do. Ideas do not age. Knowledge does not come with wrinkles. Faith is not something that should be retired from. When faith is retired, it dies.

While the body goes through many changes with increasing years, the spirit of hope should increase. There is so much work to be done for the Lord. First, God does not give up on old people. The world may think the older generation is out of touch, but the opposite is true. When a man and woman spend their lives searching the word of God, learning all the nuggets of divine truth to help and guide them; they have an infinite storehouse of knowledge to share.

Retiring from a job is a privilege well deserved and well rewarded. There are no retirees in the kingdom of God because the work never ends. Few people would want to retire and then work again. The joy of working in the kingdom of God as an older person is it brings in so many dividends. There is knowledge to share from a lifetime of experience. Learning from the younger generations increases the capital of knowledge that must be shared.

As a Christian, the heart must be willing to work in the vineyard of the Lord until the eternal retirement in the presence of God. Then, and only then, will the labor be done. Until then, there is so much more to do, to learn, and to share.

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