Waiting on the LORD: Under What Circumstances? (Part 2)

    In our study this week, we will continue to investigate the circumstances in which we find the words: Wait on the LORD. We have covered the references in the book of Psalms, now we move into the Old Testament prophets.

When Troubles and Punishment are Coming

Isaiah 8:17

• Circumstances: Isaiah warns Israel that Assyria will invade and carry them away before his newborn son knows how to speak. A time of punishment has come and many in the kingdom of Israel will fall, be broken, snared, and taken because of their unfaithfulness.  He tells them that the LORD instructed him not to walk as Israel walks, nor to be afraid or troubled by their threats as he proclaimed God’s words of warning to them; instead, he was to hallow the LORD and be fearful of Him.
• Declaration: “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. And I will wait on the LORD, who hides His face from the house of Jacob; and I will hope in Him.”  (Isaiah 8:16 NKJV)

Isaiah 33:2

• Circumstances: God, through His prophet Isaiah, has pronounced woes (punishment) on surrounding pagan nations. He offers hope to his people amidst these proclamations, assuring them of coming salvation and His patient desire to be gracious to them. Assyria’s invasion is approaching and Isaiah proclaims a prayer to the LORD.
• Proclamation: “O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.” (Isaiah 33:2 NKJV) and “The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is His treasure.” (Isaiah 33:5-6 NKJV)

Looking Forward to Salvation (The Coming Messiah)

Isaiah 25:9 and Isaiah 26:8

• Circumstances: Ten of the previous eleven chapters in the book of Isaiah proclaimed woes and destruction to surrounding nations, now Isaiah states what it will be like in the day of salvation – when the LORD gathers His people – and they joyfully praise and exalt Him with a song of salvation.
• Proclamation: “And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” (Isaiah 25:8 NKJV) and “The way of the just is uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just. Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O LORD, we have waited for you; the desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You. With my soul I have desired You in the night, yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; for when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26:7-9 NKJV)

Assured of God’s Help

Isaiah 40:31

• Circumstances: In chapters 38 and 39 the LORD has added fifteen years to King Hezekiah’s life, and the king is told that the impending troubles (Babylonian invasion and captivity) will come in his son’s lifetime, not his own, and he is pleased with this information. Now in chapter 40 Isaiah prophesies of John the Baptist (vv3-5) and Jesus (vv9-11), and the remainder of this chapter is a proclamation of God’s mighty power, His wisdom – “He neither faints nor is weary, His understanding is unsearchable” (40:28) – and His ability to perfectly help those who wait on Him. Troubles will come but God will help, so wait on Him.
• Proclamation: “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV)   

Hosea 12:6

• Circumstances: Assyria has taken the Northern Kingdom of Israel captive and Hosea tells the people that thought they are bent on backsliding from the LORD (Hosea 11:5-7) God loves them still, now Judah is being forewarned of their punishment – but both kingdoms are told to come back to the LORD – He will help them to return, if they will wait on Him.
• Command: “So you, by the help of your God, return; observe mercy and justice, and wait on your God continually.” (Hosea 12:6 NKJV)

Know That God is Not Like Your Idols

Jeremiah 14: 22

• Circumstances: Jeremiah has been telling the people of Jerusalem to depart from their useless idols and return to the one, true God. They are suffering through a punishing drought and famine (because of their unfaithfulness, Jeremiah 14:10), and it is only the LORD who can help.
• Declaration: “Are there any among the idols of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are You not He, O LORD our God? Therefore we will wait for You, since You have made all these.” (Jeremiah 14:22 NKJV)

In Deep, Long-lasting Troubles

Lamentations 3:25-26

• Circumstances: The book of Lamentations is often described as a funeral for the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah looks at the utter destruction of the once beautiful city by the hands of the Babylonians. Jeremiah has endured a 3 year siege (2 Kings 25:1-3) on Jerusalem, suffering hunger, thirst, and imprisonment, he looks tearfully over the devastated city, yet he clings to the LORD in confidence of His mercy and compassion.
• Declaration: “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lamentations 3:22-26 NKJV)

    We need to bind ourselves to God in confident assurance and earnest anticipation. We need to wait on the LORD when we know troubles are approaching, when we are in the very midst of troubles that are lasting a long time; knowing that no idol (another person, money, fame/position) can or will save us, only God – and He will, if we wait on Him with hope-filled anticipation! If we trust Him to help, we will not be ashamed; we can look forward with confidence to the when we will receive the end of our faith – the salvation of our souls.

    Are you ready to bind yourself closer to God as you see troubles approaching? Are you ready to tighten your grasp and cling to Him in complete trust while in the midst of difficult seasons? Are you ready to praise Him for His faithfulness as He helps you come through your troubles?

You can do it! So can I!!

Waiting on the LORD: Under What Circumstances? (Part 1)

    Last week we began a new study of what it means to wait on the LORD. We learned that the Hebrew word behind the ‘wait’ in forty-nine passages in the Old Testament means to be gathered and twisted together and also to look for with confidence. Simply put: Waiting for the LORD means that we bind ourselves to Him in earnest anticipation.

    This week I would like to begin to understand the circumstances surrounding those who have instructed and exhorted us to wait on the LORD. We will begin with the book of Psalms.

A Declared Determination While Going Through Afflictions

Psalm 25 (vv3, 5, 21)

• Circumstances: The writer of this psalm, David, is surrounded by many enemies, who hate him with cruel hatred. He is desolate, afflicted, in pain, and distressed; the troubles of his heart have enlarged.
• Declarations: “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.” (Psalm 25:5) and “My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.” (Psalm 25:15)

Psalm 27 (v14)

• Circumstances: False witnesses have risen against David who breathe out violence.
• Declarations: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?...Though and army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.” (Psalm 27:1, 3) and “Wait in the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:21)

Psalm 52 (vv8-9)

• Circumstances: We are told specifically that this psalm was written when David fled from the presence of King Saul to Ahimelech the priest, and Doeg the Edomite betrayed him to King Saul. Later, Doeg, at King Saul’s command, killed Ahimelech, the priest, and eighty-four other priests who helped David (1 Samuel 22).
• Declarations: “Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.”  (Psalm 52:1) and “…I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.” (Psalm 52:8-9)

Psalm 69 (v6)

• Circumstances: David’s own family turn on him for clinging to God and for being zealous for God’s house. He states that the waters have come up to his neck and he is sinking in deep mire; he has come into deep waters where the floods overflow him. He is weary with his crying, his throat is dry, his eyes fail, he is heartbroken, full of heaviness, poor, and sorrowful. David begs God not to let any who wait on Him be ashamed because of him as he endures this ongoing reproach.
• Declarations: “But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear me in the truth of Your salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink; let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters.” (Psalm 69:13-14) and “…I am poor and sorrowful; let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:29-30)  

Psalm 130 (vv5-6)

• Circumstances: The writer of this psalm is crying out to the LORD from out of the depths.
• Declarations: “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning – yes, more than those who watch for the morning.” (Psalm 130:5-6)

Proclaimed as Advice

Psalm 37 (vv7, 9, 34)

• Advice: “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in the way, because of him who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret – it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth… Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.” (Psalm 37:7-9, 34)

Psalm 62 (vv1, 5)

• Advice: Because David clung to God in confident expectation, he advised others to do the same: “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; for God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)

Psalm 130 (vv5-6)

Note: This psalm appears again because I felt that it was also advice to those who would read it.

• Advice: “O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD this is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.” (Psalm 130:7)

Proclaimed in Prayer

Psalm 39 (v7)

• Proclamation: “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. Deliver me from all my transgressions…” (Psalm 39:7-8)

Proclaimed in Praise

Psalm 40 (v1)

• Proclamation: “I waited patiently for the LORD, and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set me feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD… Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!” (Psalm 40:1-3, 16)

    Have you ever found yourself in troubling circumstances? Maybe painful ordeals that occupy your thoughts for hours, if not days; troubles that rob you of sleep and comfort? Cling to God – bind yourself tightly to Him, and trust in His ability to help you (Hebrews 4:16), to comfort you (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), to strengthen you (1 Peter 5:10), to grant you wisdom (James 1:5), and to guard your heart and mind with His peace through Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). Seek Him in prayer and tell God that you trust His ability, His power, and His wisdom – make your petitions and your faith known to Him.

    After earnestly anticipating God’s help in a situation, did you receive it? Did you take Him at His word, trust in His promises and find them to be true?  Continue to cling to God – bind yourself tightly to Him, and continue to trust in His lovingkindness and faithfulness – praise Him for these in song (Psalm 92:1-2)! Tell others about His mercy and His trustworthiness – letting others know of your unwavering trust in Him may encourage them to “taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8)!

    In times of trouble or in times of rejoicing, cling to God – bind yourself to Him – and earnestly anticipate His ability to hear you and help you! Determine that you will wait on the LORD in every circumstance – today, and in all your tomorrows!

You can do it! So can I!!

New Study: Waiting on the LORD

New Study: Waiting on the LORD

Wait.

It does not mean to mindlessly pass the time, nor does it mean to fretfully pace in uncertainty.

If the Lord wills, the ‘wait’ we will be studying comes from the Hebrew word ‘qavah’ (pronounced kah-VAH, Strong’s Hebrew #6960). It is used 49 times in the Old Testament, and it is echoed in the New Testament as well. What does it mean to wait on the LORD?

Qavah means to wait, to look for, to hope, to expect with eager expectation.

It is first found in Genesis – but not in a way you would expect: “Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.” (Genesis 1:9 NKJV)

You may be asking yourself, ‘Where is the waiting in that verse?’ Well, let me show you where qavah is in Genesis 1:9 “Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens qavah into one place…” Qavah’s core meaning is to be gathered together, to be twisted together (like a cord or rope), bound together. God commanded the waters to be gathered together into one place, and He wants us to be gathered to Him, bound to Him in faith and trust (Ecclesiastes 4:12, Romans 12:9); it is only when we cling to Him in this way that we can properly wait on the LORD each and every day.

I would like you to consider a picture that is formed from 2 Peter 1:5-8; I think it should help you better understand the Hebrew ‘qavah’. First, take time to read the passage.

Now think of it this way:

God the Father looks down in love and has thrown us a rope (Jesus). That rope is anchored firmly in Him and His abiding love (Jeremiah 31:3, 1 John 4:8-10). We take hold of the rope, and in faith we cling to it and we don’t let go. We anchor our faith in the Truth, and our faith (our hold/grasp) grows stronger as we learn and obey; it grows as we add virtue (moral excellence), knowledge, self-control, perseverance (patient endurance), godliness (understanding who God is and who we are before Him), brotherly kindness to our daily walk, and as we learn to love as God loves (1 John 4:11).  We are tethered to God, and as we continue to obey His instruction, we diligently strengthen the bond between us and Him, building a lasting relationship with Him. We wait on Him, wholly trusting that we will see Him one day and remain with Him for eternity (1 John 3:1-3).

God has done His part; it is up to use to do ours. It is worth our every effort.  Are you ready to intertwine your life with God? To take hold of the rope He lovingly proffers and not let go? Are you ready to tighten your grip in trust and increased obedience? Are you ready to wait on the LORD?

You can do it! So can I!!

 

Sacrifices We Still Need to Offer – A Summary

    It is Thanksgiving Day here in Canada, so I thought a simple summary of our recent study would be suitable for those who may be busy today with family and friends and/or travel.

    While most everyone today is thankful that we do not need to offer up blood sacrifices or tithes* (first 10% of our income or crops) as they were commanded to do under the Old Covenant, there are sacrifices that we are commanded to offer to God in the New Covenant:

Present Your Bodies a Living Sacrifice  

“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1 NKJV)

    When we realize that God in His mercy determined to share the good news of Jesus with the whole world (not just the children Of Israel), when we look at what He has done, continues to do, and promises yet to do, then we will come to the conclusion that offering Him our lives by making every effort to be holy and acceptable to Him (by being different than the world because we are transformed by the renewing of our mind, Romans 12:2) is the most sensible thing we can do in response to His love and provision.

Offer the Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving

“For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:14-15 NKJV)

    We need to take the time to open our eyes to what God has done, continues to do, and promises yet to do. We need to fill our minds with such appreciation and gratitude that we cannot help but tell others of His grace and goodness, of His help, comfort, and strength provided through our troubles, His faithful love, and the hope He provided through His Son, Jesus. Speaking good things about God to others (and to Him) is an offering of praise, and giving Him thanks for what He has blessed us with is also an offering of praise! These are things we are to be offering to Him continually.

“Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name.” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NKJV)

The Sacrifice of Doing Good and Sharing

“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16 NKJV)

    All good and perfect gifts come from God (James 1:17), let’s freely share them with others (1 Timothy 6:17-19). God has taught us how to do good (1 Peter 2:19-23, 1 John 2:3-6, Romans 12:9-21), He provides us with opportunities to do good (Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 14:3-7, Galatians 6:9-10, James 1:27), and even provides us with the wherewithal to do good and to share (2 Corinthians 9:8) – let’s willing give and share God’s blessings with those around us!

The Sweet-Smelling Sacrifice of Supporting a Preacher

“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet smelling aroma, and acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18 NKJV)

    Supporting faithful men who speak God’s truth is a wonderful sacrifice of our time, words, home, food, and money – it is well pleasing to God and allows these men to focus wholly on spiritual matters and not worry about material things. So let’s speak encouraging words to them (Ephesians 4:29), open our homes to them, offer them a seat at our table, help them out financially, and show them that we love God and hear His commands by growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18), so they are always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58)!  

    We need to acknowledge that there are still sacrifices we need to be offering to God: using our lives to become holy and acceptable to Him, using our hearts and lips to speak words of praise and thanksgiving, using the opportunities and wherewithal He provides to do good and to share with others, and using the same to support and encourage gospel preachers and teachers – with these sweet-smelling, acceptable sacrifices God is well pleased!

You can do it! So can I!!   

*tithe literally means ‘tenth.’ A tithe was first mentioned when Abram gave Melchizedek (a priest and king) a tenth of all (Genesis 14:18-19). Later, the Israelites were commanded to tithe (Leviticus 27:30, Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:10); their tithes provided for the Levites who served in the tabernacle (and later in the temple), and in turn the Levites would then offer a tithe of what they themselves received from the people’s tithes (Numbers 18:21-32). Under the New Covenant though, there is no command to tithe – no command to give 10% - God desires you to give only what you yourself have determined to give (a freewill offering), not grudgingly or because you were told you had to – God loves a cheerful giver. Please take time to read 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.     

Sacrifices We Still Need to Offer – Helping Support a Preacher

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”  (Philippians 4:13-18 NKJV)

    The apostle Paul, in the strength He gained through Christ, learned to be content in whatever circumstances he found himself, whether he had plenty or had need of many things. Paul trusted God to provide what was truly necessary (Matthew 6:25-34, Hebrews 4:14-16) so he could continue preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ.

    When we set our hearts to help – willing to sacrifice some of what God has blessed us with (Deuteronomy 8:18, 2 Corinthians 9:8, 1 Timothy 6:17-19) – we can be part of how God blesses those who faithfully preach and teach His word!

What does this sacrifice look like?

• Financial help – help relieve some of the cost of living so he can focus on preaching (Philippians 4:13-18, 2 Corinthians 11:6-9. 1 Corinthians 9:7-12)
• Hospitality – open your home and cupboard to him (2 Kings 4:8-10, Acts 16:15 and 40, Romans 12:13, 2 Timothy 1:16-18, Hebrews 13:2)
• Sincere words of encouragement – esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake (Ephesians 4:29, 2 Corinthians 7:5-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
• Praying for them – pray that God grant them knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual understanding, that they may know how to answer each one with grace (Matthew 9:37-38, 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, Ephesians 6:18-20, Colossians 4:2-6, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)
• Obeying God and growing - hearing his words, searching the scriptures to find out if the they are so, and applying them to your daily walk (Acts 17:11, 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, 2 Thessalonians 3:4-5, 2 Timothy 1:13, Hebrews 13:7, James 1:21-25, 2 Peter 3:17-18, etc.)

    This sacrifice that causes a sweet-smelling aroma and is acceptable and well pleasing to God can be any or all of those things mentioned above. If you are blessed with money – be generous. If you are blessed with space in your home or at your table – invite them in (If you don’t have space you can take the food to them). If you have a tender heart of care – build these men up with sincere words that will refresh and revitalize them. When you pray – remember them. When you hear them speak God’s word – listen attentively, follow in your Bible, obey God’s truth; your progress will be evident to the preacher and to all (1 Timothy 4:15).

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV)

    What a wonderful sacrifice it is to help support a man who faithfully proclaims God’s word! It is a sacrifice we still need to offer – are you ready?

You can do it! So can I!!

Sacrifices We Still Need to Offer – To Do Good and To Share

    Over the past two weeks we have looked at Hebrews 13:15 where we find the command to “continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name,” and this week we will dig into the next verse in Hebrews 13:

“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well-pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16 NKJV)  

    Within these two verses, we quickly see how much of ourselves need to be involved in offering these sacrifices: our lips (words of praise), our minds (thankfulness), our hands (to do good), and our hearts (to see a need and share).

Do not forget to do good…

    We are the workmanship of our gracious and merciful God, who created us in Christ Jesus for good works; He prepared good works for us to do so that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). Walking in these good works means to live in them; doing good is the standard we hold our lives to.

“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.” (Proverbs 31:10-12 NKJV)

    We are to not grow weary while doing good, because a harvest will come if we do not give up, so we need to do good to all whenever opportunity arises, and make especial effort toward fellow Christians (Galatians 6:9-10, see also 1 Corinthians 15:58).  

    The apostle, Paul, reminds Titus repeatedly to be ready for every good work (Titus 3:1). He tells him a few verses later, that he should affirm constantly that those who believed in God should be careful to maintain good works because these things are good and profitable to men (Titus 3:8), and in his closing words, he states: “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” (Titus 3:14)  

…and to share

    Jesus, in teaching a certain ruler in Luke 18:12-23, told this man that even though he had been obeying the commandments from the Law since he was a child, there was still something he lacked. Jesus instructed him to sell all that he had and distribute to the poor; in doing this and following Jesus, he would have treasure in heaven, but instead of being happy to now know how he could inherit eternal life, the man became sorrowful because he was very rich.

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV)

    One of the very first things we see the church doing in Acts 2 is selling their possessions and goods, and dividing them among all, as anyone had need (verse 44). These new Christians had all things in common, they shared everything so everyone had what they needed, and didn’t have to worry about material things. We see this again in Acts 4:32-37, where members of the church who had land or houses, sold them and gave the money to the apostles to distribute to anyone who had need – this act of sharing resulted in no one among them lacking anything.  As you read through the remainder of the New Testament you will find multiple occasions where individual Christians and churches shared with other Christians to benefit the spreading of God’s word and to help relieve them during a crisis (ex: Acts 11:27-30, Romans 15:25-26/2 Corinthians 8:1-7, Philippians 4:15-16).

    Remember, for everything God asks of us, He always provides a way: “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) – God provides all we need to do His will, we simply need to employ our heart and hands to do it! And when we do good and share from the abundance God gives us, people will abound in glorifying God and in giving thanks to Him (2 Corinthians 9:10-13)!

    Are you ready to do good and to share with others? With such sacrifices God is well-pleased! He always does His part, let’s be sure we are doing ours!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Sacrifices We Still Need to Offer – The Sacrifice of Praise (Part 2)

“For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:14-15 NKJV)

    I thought it would be valuable to take an extra week to understand the importance of the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving that we are to offer because this is not the first time these two words have been linked in the Bible. 

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation; gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in Your praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 16:34-36 NKJV)

    David leads the Israelites in a song of thanksgiving after the ark of the covenant is returned to Jerusalem (Note: This song is also recorded as Psalm 105). David wanted the people to recall all that the LORD had brought them through, all the reasons to thank Him and praise Him. He wanted them to look to God, to continue to depend on Him for salvation, so that they could thank Him and triumph in His praise. David wanted all the people to sincerely joy in the LORD, thank Him and laud Him, appreciate all He has done (and continues to do) and to glorify His name!    

“Sing praises to the LORD, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name… You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me in gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” (Psalm 30:4. 11-12 NKJV)

    When David finished building his house he praised God. The LORD had brought him through much turmoil and troubles (see 1 and 2 Samuel) and has now given him the throne over the kingdom of Israel. When he says “my glory may sing praise to You” he means his soul; his soul will sing praise to God – from the very core of his being, he would declare the glories of God and not be silent! He would also give thanks forever, meaning there would never come a time in life (or in eternity) in which God would not be thanked for His goodness and mercy.  

“I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.” (Psalm 35:18 NKJV)

    Similar to the verse before, David declares that he will proclaim God’s help and provision by openly thanking Him before a multitude of people and by praising Him to a countless amount of people. It was as though David was saying, ‘To those I am with now, and to everyone I speak with in future, I will tell them how thankful I am to You, and I will always praise Your name.’  

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30 NKJV)

    David again calls on the Lord for help, and he is so sure of God’s care that he pronounces that he will praise Him with a song and magnify Him with thanks. Magnify means to make great or powerful. Have you ever done something for someone (or given them something) that meant so much to them that their thankfulness made it seem like a much bigger gift than it was? Maybe they told others about it for quite a while after? We need to be thankful towards God like that! Now, His love, mercy, care, and provision cannot be overstated or over-thanked, but when we, in full appreciation of His gifts, openly declare our thanks and praise, it may cause one who does not pay attention to the things of God to take notice; it may lead them to “taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8). I invite you to “magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3).

“So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to all generations.” (Psalm 79:13 NKJV)

    In this psalm of Asaph, we find a confidence that God will have mercy on His people, and they in turn will always be able to thank Him and tell others (future generations) of His goodness and grace. Take time to read and consider these passages that convey a similar message: Joshua 4:1-7, Psalm 71:18, and Psalm 78:4

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with Praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:4)

    Think on those things that are praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8) and meditate on (frequently recall to your mind) those things that you are thankful for; gather them up in your heart/mind as you approach God’s throne (Hebrews 4:14-16), and bless His name. Bless (in this verse) means adore with bended knee; reverent love. Speak beautiful words about God from a heart of sincere appreciation and devotion. 

“Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God.” (Psalm 147:7)

    The first “sing” in this verse refers to the literal singing voice; thanking God in lyrical song. The second “sing” refers to literal playing of music which was made common in the tabernacle by David (and later in the temple) in the Old Testament; its original meaning was to hum or murmur (i.e. music of the heart and mouth). There are several mentions of Levites (servants in the house of God) being assigned to give thanks and to praise the LORD: 1 Chronicles 25:32 Chronicles 31:2, Nehemiah 12:24 and 12:46 

    In the New Testament we do not find any instruction or example for using mechanical instruments in our worship (and God knew all about them, so if He wanted them used He certainly would have given clear instruction), but we do find one instrument mentioned, a God-made instrument that we all have: our hearts. “…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Ephesians 5:19-20). So, we can certainly still sing to the Lord with thanksgiving and sing praises with our heart to our God!

“Praise the LORD! O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures for ever.” (Psalm 106:1 NKJV)

    This is why we offer the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving: because life is hard, but God is always good. He is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), His compassions fail not, they are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-26)!

    Let’s take time each day to think on all God has brought us through, all that He has brought to, and all the provisions He continues to bless us with (Psalm 68:19). Let’s sincerely joy in His power and His grace; celebrate it! Tell Him what it means to you to have the hope of heaven! Thank Him for sending His Son to be our Saviour! Be ready to tell others about His goodness, about His wonderful care and His wisdom – keep telling others for as long as you live (Psalm 146:1-2, 150:6), don’t be silent, tell your children and grandchildren – tell anyone who asks the reason for your hope (1 Peter 3:15). Proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Magnify Him and openly thank Him for His faithfulness (Psalm 92:1-2). Read some more of the psalms and tune your heart to speak beautiful words about our God. It will take time and it will take practice, but God is worthy of our every effort to reverently praise and thank Him!

You can do it! So can I!!   

Sacrifices We Still Need to Offer: The Sacrifice of Praise

    We no longer live under the Old Covenant because Jesus brought God’s New Covenant into effect when He died on the cross (Hebrews 10:5-10), and it is because of Jesus’ sacrifice that we no longer need to offer animal or grain sacrifices, but we must not neglect the sacrifices that we are still commanded to offer to God: spiritual sacrifices.

“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5 NKJV)

    This week, I would like you to consider the sacrifice that is commanded in Hebrews 13:15 – the sacrifice of praise.

“For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:14-15 NKJV)

    Jesus sanctified us with His own blood outside the gate, because of this, we willingly go to Him outside the camp and endure the same reproaches He endured (Hebrews 13:13, 1 Peter 2:20-24); because we seek the eternal city that is to come (consider John 14:1-6, Hebrews 11:16).

    Keeping what Jesus has done for us always in our minds, knowing that through Him we have been granted access to boldly approach God’s throne (Hebrews 4:14-16), we should be continually (from this time forward without end) offering the sacrifice of praise to God.

    What is this sacrifice of praise? 

    We offer God the fruit of our lips – our words of praise and thanksgiving to His name.

    How are speaking words of praise and thanksgiving a sacrifice?

    First, they are a sacrifice because we are offering them to God. What we offer should be heart-felt and sincere; God knows our hearts, we need to let our hearts seek His face (Psalm 27:8) and the words will come.

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness every night.” (Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV)

    Second, they are a sacrifice because we will have to give some things up in the process: time and thoughtless/corrupt speech.  

    The fruit of our lips is not always praise, is it?  We do not always speak with grace – sometimes the saltshaker is nowhere to be found (Colossians 3:6). Sometimes we let our upset take the reins and we say things we shouldn’t, we post things we shouldn’t…

“With [our tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:9-10 NKJV) 

    We don’t want the fruit of our lips to be wormy and rotten (consider Matthew 12:33-37 and Ephesians 4:29), we can prevent this by purifying our hearts, by being mindful of what we are thinking at all times, and by spending more time appreciating all that God has provided for us – on earth, in His word, in His people (the church). 

    In a world that praises the hustle and the constant go, go, go, we need to take the time every day to be still (Psalm 46:10) and give God thanks and praise Him for life, breath, and all things (Acts 17:25) and for giving us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).   

    We do not want to be like those mentioned in Isaiah who drew near to God with their mouths, who had the appearance of honouring Him with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him (Isaiah 29:13). Let’s determine to offer God what is right, not give Him what is left. We have been granted access to speak to God; the Creator of the universe! Think about that for a moment… Let’s not leave it to the very end of the day, when we can barely keep our eyes open, to thoughtlessly utter a memorized phrase before falling asleep; instead, let’s take time in our day to press our minds and hearts with thought and search our vocabularies for appropriate words to speak – let’s proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)! Always remembering that we can read some of the Psalms to learn how to increase our offering of praise to God and find even more reasons to give thanks to Him!  

    Take time to read and consider Psalm 101 and Proverbs 4:20-27.

    I hope you will put aside your busyness today to sit quietly and honestly examine your heart. Yank out the weeds of corrupt speech and plant words of praise and thankfulness in their place; it will take time, it will take sacrifice, but it will be worth your every effort! Help your heart along by teaching yourself to meditate on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely; what is good news, virtuous, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8); in doing these things we will be able to continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, and be able to readily give thanks to His name!

You can do it! So can I!! 

New Study - Sacrifices We Still Need to Offer: Present Your Bodies a Living Sacrifice

    I have heard many Christians say that they are glad that we do not still live under the Old Testament with its required blood sacrifices and offerings, but there are sacrifices in the New Testament that we need to be aware of so that we are offering what is acceptable and well-pleasing to God.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1 NKJV)

“I beseech you therefore… by the mercies of God… ”

Beseech means to strongly urge, to implore, or fervently ask. “I strongly urge you brethren…”

Therefore means because of what I have just said, because of this, for this reason. So, whenever you see the word “therefore” in the Bible, read the context (chapters and/or verses before) to understand what the current command/instruction is ‘there for.’ To understand Romans 12:1, you need to read Romans 11:28-36. In these verses we find that because of God’s mercy, the gospel was given to the Gentiles after the Jews rejected it.

“…that you present your bodies a living sacrifice…”

Present your bodies means our physical bodies, our capabilities: everything we can do with and within our bodies. We can use our bodies (our members: mind, heart, hands, etc.) as instruments of either sin or righteousness. Take time to read Roman 6:1-23.

A living sacrifice means that God does not require blood or death (as required under the Law, i.e. animal sacrifice), but instead He desires us to have a willingness to sacrifice whatever we need to remove from within ourselves (desires, sin) and our lives (company, habits) so that we may commit/submit wholly to Him and His way. Consider Matthew 16:24. People in Jesus’ time would have understood that anyone seen carrying a cross was not going to return to their former life, and so we understand that when we deny self and take up our cross, we, too, will not return to our old life/ways because we are now following Jesus (1 John 2:3-6). Show yourself ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to follow God and obey His commands.

“…holy, acceptable to God…”

Holy means sacred, set apart. You allow God’s word to make you different than the world and more like the Lord (Romans 12:2).

Acceptable to God means we do what He requires and commands. We study God’s will, the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15, Ephesians 5:8-10, 15-17), so we can do what aligns with His will, what is approved by Him. Read and consider these examples: 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 1 Peter 3:1-4, Hebrews 11:6

“…which is your reasonable service.”

Reasonable service means rational conclusion. As we gain knowledge through study, and gain wisdom through use of that knowledge (obedience), we will develop spiritual understanding: comprehending the vital importance of God and His word, Jesus’ sacrifice, His example, etc. We will begin to comprehend the value of the spiritual blessings found in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14). Our rational response to this understanding and comprehension is to wholly commit to do what is needed to be holy – different than the world, and more like Him – because we adhere to His instructions and guidance. This is the most logical, the most sensible, response you can give to God who loves you and shows you such mercy.

    I strongly urge you brethren, because of God’s mercy and compassion on you when He gave you access to the gospel of Christ; that you show yourself ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to follow Him and obey His commands, allow God’s word to make you different than those in the world who don’t know Him and become more like the Lord, doing what aligns with His will and what is approved by Him, for this is the most logical and the most sensible response you can give to God who loves you and shows you such mercy.

    As Christians, this is a sacrifice we need to be making each and every day. Are you presenting your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God?

You can do it! So can I!! 

People in the Bible Who Pleased God – You

    Yes, you read the title correctly. You are among the people written about in the Bible, and you please God!

If you have followed the biblical example and…

… heard the gospel (Romans 10:11-17)

… believed God and His word (Hebrews 11:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:13)

… acknowledged your sin and repented of it (2 Peter 3:9, Acts 2:38)

… confessed your belief (Romans 10:8-10)

… were baptized for the remission of your sins (1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16)

… continue to walk faithfully before Him (Romans 6:1-4, 1 Timothy 2:22, Revelation 2:10, Matthew 22:13)

then you can have confidence that you are a child of God (1 John 1:3-6, 2:28-29, 3:1-3, 10; 5:10-13) and part of the body of Christ (Romans 6:1-4, 1 Corinthians 12:13), and if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:26-29), making you a person who was prophesied and written about in the Bible (Isaiah 11:10, Romans 15:12, Matthew 12:17-21, Galatians 3:8-9, Ephesians 2:11-13, Colossians 1:26-28)!   

“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV)

    If, like Enoch, you are willing to seek (Acts 17:26-27) and willing to speak (Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 10:9, 1 Peter 2:9; 3:15)

    If, like Noah, you are a doer of the work (James 1:21-27, Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 6:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Colossians 3:23)

    If, like Abram, you are willing to sacrifice (Romans 12:1, John 15:13, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Ephesians 4:17-24, Colossians 3:1-11, Hebrews 13:12-16)

    If, like Joseph, you trust God (Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:25-34, Hebrews 10:23, 35-39, 1 Peter 2:1-3; 18-24)

    If, like Job, you learn who God is (Jude 24-25, Hebrews 12:28-29, 1 John 4:7-11) and who you are before Him (ex: His child – Ephesians 5:1-21, 1 John 3:1-3, Hebrews 3-11, a slave of righteousness – Romans 6:1-23, a bondservant – someone who chooses out of love to stay and serve, Ephesians 6:6-7,  Galatians 1:9-10, Colossians 3:23-24)

    If, like Moses, you are a humble servant (John 13:3-17, Matthew 25:31-46, Galatians 6:9-10)

    If, like David, you seek God’s heart (Psalm 27:8, Isaiah 26:9, 1 John 1:7-9, Romans 12:9, Colossians 3:1-2)

    If, like Solomon, you ask God for wisdom (James 1:5; 3:13-18, Colossians 1:9-11)

    If, like Daniel, you are determined to be undefiled (1 Corinthians 5:7-8, 2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1, 1 John 3:1-3, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Romans 12:9, James 1:27 1 John 5:18)

    If, like Mary, you believe in God and humbly submit (1 Peter 5:5-6, James 4:7, 10, Hebrews 11:6, Proverbs 22:4)

    If, like Zacharias & Elizabeth, you pray and obey (Philippians 4:6-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 1:5-8, 1 John 3:21-23; 5:14-15)

    If, like Jesus, you want God’s will, not your will, to be done (Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Galatians 1:10, Hebrews 12:1-2) 

    If you are His child, and you are doing these things to the very best of your ability – giving God what is right, not what is left – then you can be confident that you are pleasing God!

“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well-pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16 NKJV)

    We began this study with a question: What does it take to please God? Some think it an impossible task, so they don’t even begin to seek an answer to that question. Is it impossible? Without faith, yes (Hebrews 11:6). But with faith, one can be pleasing to God! Faith starts us on a journey with God, obedience keeps us to the path we walk with Him, and gratitude keeps our grasp firmly on Him!

    I hope that throughout this study you have discovered that it is possible to please God every single day. We have studied ordinary people like you and me who were written into the Bible’s pages for our learning (Romans 15:4); they have taught us that we, like them, can trust God, obey His commands, and continue to make wise choices that align with His will, whether we are surrounded by believers or non-believers, whether we are in sickness or in health, and whether we are young or old. God has given all we need to know/do to please Him; He even gave us His Son who perfected each and every facet of pleasing conduct that we have studied!

    As a child of God and a faithful follower of Christ, you are written about on the Bible pages – let that fact bolster your determination “to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9)!

You can do it! So can I!!   

People in the Bible Who Pleased God – Jesus (Part 2)

    I wrote this addendum to last week’s post to show how Jesus perfected the pleasing conduct exhibited by the people in the Bible – perfected because He exhibited every facet of the pleasing conduct that we have studied, He was consistent in His behavior, and He was wholly without sin.

    Please take time to read each passage listed, and if you have other appropriate Bible passages that have not been included on any of the given points, please email me (if you’re reading this on my blog, my address is listed at the bottom of the post) or reply to me from your inbox; I would very much appreciate any additional scripture you can suggest.

    Let’s summarize the pleasing conduct we have learned so far in our study:

• Enoch – willing to seek/willing to speak
• Noah – a doer of the work
• Abram – willing to sacrifice
• Joseph – trusted God
• Job – learned who God is and who he was before Him
• Moses – a humble servant
• David – sought God’s heart
• Solomon – asked for wisdom
• Daniel – determined to be undefiled
• Mary – believed God and humbly submitted
• Zacharias & Elizabeth – prayed and obeyed

    Now, please open your Bible and see how Jesus exhibited every one of these facets of pleasing conduct:

    Like Enoch, Jesus was willing to seek/willing to speak: John 8:28, John 7:16, John 12:49-50, John 14:10, 24, Hebrews 2:11-12

    Like Noah, Jesus was a doer of the work: John 4:34, John 17:4

    Like Abram, Jesus was willing to sacrifice: John 10:17-18, Ephesians 5:2, Hebrews 9:23-28, Mark 10:45, Titus 2:13-14

    Like Joseph, Jesus trusted God: Luke 23:46, Psalm 31:51 Peter 2:23, Hebrews 2:11-13

    Like Job, Jesus knew God and knew who He was before Him: John 1:1-2, John 13:3, John 17:1-3, 5; 25-26, John 10:14-15, 24-30, Hebrews 10:5-7

    Like Moses, Jesus was a humble servant: Mark 10:45, John 13:3-17, Philippians 2:7-8, Matthew 11:29

    Like David, Jesus sought God’s heart: John 5:30, John 8:29

    Like Solomon, Jesus was given wisdom: Luke 2:46-52, Mark 6:1-2, Matthew 7:28-29/Mark 1:21-22/Luke 4:31-32, 1 Corinthians 1:22-24, Colossians 2:2-3

    Like Daniel, Jesus determined to be undefiled: Hebrews 4:14-15, Hebrews 7:26

    Like Mary, Jesus believed God (His Father) and humbly submitted: Philippians 2:8, John 6:38, Isaiah 53:1-11, 1 Peter 2:18-24

    Like Zacharias & Elizabeth, Jesus prayed and obeyed: Matthew 26:39, Luke 22:42, Hebrews 5:7-8

    Take time to read and think on these passages to see why God was well-pleased with His Son. Let's continue to learn from the ordinary people who pleased God and to follow in the footsteps of our extraordinary Saviour!

You can do it! So can I!!