- araratchurch
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
“Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
Psalms 131:1-2 NKJV
Anyone who has spent time with children, understands the phenomenon of the bottomless pit of, “Why?” Many times, in trying to explain something to a child, you cannot seem to get to the end of the explanation; every part of the answer, provokes more questioning.
Think about it, when it comes right down to it, most things, if not all things concerning our existence, our world, are never completely explained. We may not be aware of our ignorance, taking some things as given, or settled, for which we really have no explanation.
Why do we fall if we step off a cliff? The answer: Gravity. But where does gravity come from? The answer: The mass of objects causes them to have attraction. But then, why will objects of different masses fall at the same rate in a vacuum? OK, I’ll stop.
Now, your knowledge of physics will determine how many questions you can answer in this line of questioning. But eventually, EVERYONE will come to the point of not knowing the next answer. And, those who pretend they can answer every complex question all the way to the end, are answering with theories. Now, THAT’S a fact!
I’m not trying to add to our confusion here. What I’m saying is that there’s more that we don’t know, than what we do know.
However, there will always be people who don’t know, what they don’t know. Ironically, we call those people, “know-it-all’s.”
So, not knowing what they don’t know, these know-it-all‘s, make themselves more foolish than those deemed (by the know-it-all) of “lesser intellect” At least the person who is more “concrete” in their thinking (deemed as “simple” by the know-it-all), knows what they don’t know. And many times, the “simple” are more teachable—particularly concerning things of the Spirit—than those who fancy themselves to be “intellectual.”
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”
Romans 1:20-23 NKJV
Yes, concerning the things of God, often people who judge themselves as possessing great wisdom and/or intellect, have failed to truly know who He is, turning rather to idolatry.
Jesus, after remarking about the many places where He and His teaching had been rejected, made an interesting statement to the Father:
“At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.”
Matthew 11:25 NKJV
You see, those who were “babes” in their approach to truth, received His message. The religious leaders—assuming themselves to be very “learned”—rejected His message; it didn’t fit in with what they thought they already knew.
Many years ago, the Lord spoke to me and said, “Janet, what you think you know about Me, is keeping you from knowing Me.” I did not realize that I had made “holy,” my way of thinking about the Lord. But since He pointed this out to me, I have received understanding of so much more, having come to know what I don’t know. Well, at least, I’ve BEGUN to know what I don’t know.
In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see David expressing his simple trust in the Lord, likening himself to the child who is calm in its mother’s arms. You see, the child does not have to know why it feels calm in its Mother‘s arms, it just does; and it finds rest.
Now, no one can read what David has written, knowing what he accomplished, and think him to be intellectually challenged. But, David never conflated the things he had learned and was able to do, with having perfect knowledge of all things. Indeed, he knew he did not have perfect knowledge of all things. However, he also knew that the Lord does have that perfect knowledge.
In another place, in expressing the fact that the Lord knew everything about him, David again remarks on his lack of ability to comprehend the greatness of the Lord’s level of knowledge and understanding:
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.”
Psalms 139:6 NKJV
Understand, my normal tendency is to be very analytic; I like to figure things out. And whereas there’s nothing wrong with liking to figure things out, it becomes wrong, when we think that if we can’t figure it out, if it doesn’t make sense, we should be dismissive of it.
As well, some, wanting to be able to answer a question, develop an “answer” to a question that is not for any of us to answer. Even worse, they may hold to that “answer,” as if it is written on the same stone with the law of God.
Child of God, trusting the Lord, involves knowing that He knows what we don’t know. And whether we know the “why,” or not, ours is to trust and follow Him!
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
Some things are not for us to understand.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When men rose up against us, Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us; Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul; Then the swollen waters Would have gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.”
Psalms 124:2-6 NKJV
A growing number of people in our society believe in what they call “equity.” Now, on the surface, that concept sounds good and fair. But, when you see how it is to be implemented, you come to understand that what they are wanting, is to assure equal outcomes for everyone, no matter what the individual does or doesn’t do.
The goal should be equal opportunity; and yes, that should include remedial help for those who need it. But in application, it seems that the goal is to “even things up” by putting restrictions/restraints on the “oppressors”, while indulging “victims” in extra benefits and freedom of expression.
Indeed, these champions of equity, want to decide who is worthy and who is not worthy to have freedom of expression and access to opportunity. All this is done in the name of “equity.” But, actually, they want to pick the winners and losers. So, It isn’t even about assuring equal outcome. It’s about deciding who will be more likely to keep them in power, then lavish benefits and opportunity on those people.
Now with the Lord, He doesn’t need anyone to help him stay in power; He is God all by Himself. People who align themselves with the will of God and the law of God, position themselves to receive favor. The Lord doesn’t “play favorites,” as we may use the term.
You see, When people play favorites, they can’t help but allow their personal agenda to affect who does or doesn’t receive their favor; and so often, it’s all about their own benefit.
God has made very clear how we may align ourselves with His favor. And, the same opportunity is afforded all. He sent His Son as His Representative to be offered to anyone who would accept Him. And to anyone who accepts Him, He gives the power or authority to become His favored child:
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:”
John 1:11-12 NKJV
Throughout the story of the Bible, we see that it has always been those who seek the Lord, who find His favor. Yes, seekers of His heart, find everything!
Through the New Covenant in Jesus Christ, we have been given a Person through Whom we receive God’s favor. He—by becoming the perfect sacrifice—has made it possible for us to be (through Him) in position to receive the favor of God!
In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see David talking about the fact that the Lord being on his side, has made all the difference in his life. Without that favor, his enemies would have had their way with him!
Earlier in our “100 Days with David,” we discussed the fact that the secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him:
“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.”
Psalms 25:14 NKJV
In other words, those who recognize Who God is, and have reverential fear for Him, leading to obedience to His word, are positionally favored over those who reject the Lord. They are friends of God.
Now, people can clutch their pearls over the concept of God having favorites, but it will not change the fact that He gives favor to those who are His through Jesus Christ. And aren’t we glad He does!
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
God has favorites.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the Lord, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the Lord. For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”
Psalms 122:1-6 NKJV
It really doesn’t matter whether something makes sense to us or not; what matters is what God wants or what He thinks. With that, one thing is for certain, God loves Jerusalem. Consider that the Lord has said that Jerusalem is where He has put His name. Now, that’s kind of a BIG deal!
“(but he shall have one tribe for the sake of My servant David, end for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel), And to his son I will give one tribe, that My servant David may always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for Myself, to put My name there.”
I Kings 11:32, 36 NKJV
Sadly, replacement theology (the belief that the church has become the new and improved, or true Israel, replacing Israel as God’s dwelling) doesn’t give any special importance to the State of Israel or the physical city of Jerusalem. That is a BIG mistake.
Interestingly, I don’t think that there’s ever been a city in the history of mankind over which there has been more controversy and conflict than Jerusalem.
Since being made the capital of Israel by King David, it has often been a “cup of trembling,” with very few periods of peace. We also know that Jerusalem will be central to the events leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The attack on Jerusalem will actually be the event that brings Jesus back to fight for His Holy City!
“Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.”
Zechariah 14:3-4, 9 KJV
Additionally, Jerusalem will be the seat of the Lord’s power when He rules and reigns from the earth.
“At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.”
Jeremiah 3:17 NKJV
In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see David speaking of Jerusalem as “the house of the Lord.” This psalm was actually written by David to be a “Song of Ascents,” to be sung by the people making pilgrimage up to Jerusalem. In it, David not only expresses the joy of going to the house of the Lord, but also declares a blessing on those who love Jerusalem and pray for its peace.
Make no mistake, it’s impossible to be aligned with the heart of God and not care what happens to Israel with Jerusalem (undivided) in it.
Let’s consider this: After a couple of thousand years of being out of Jewish control, the city of Jerusalem was brought back into the complete control of the Jews in the Six Day War of 1967.
Additionally, in 2017, on the 70th anniversary of Israel’s rebirth, President Donald J. Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. These things should tell you what time it is. Let’s pray for Jerusalem and Israel as it’s still important to our Lord.
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
Jerusalem is special to the Lord.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!