And Thou Shalt Have Joy And Gladness; And Many Shall Rejoice At His Birth - Part 2086

"Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." (Acts 14:17)

It came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews wanted nothing to do with the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, having made their minds evil against the brethren. Thus, in this frame of mind, the unbelieving Jews set out to stir up the Gentiles. (Acts 14:1-2)

"Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the Word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use [them] despitefully, and to stone them, they were ware of [it], and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lies round about: and there they preached the gospel." (Acts 14:3-7)

There sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked before. This same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on thy feet." And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." (Acts 14:8-11)

But the message from the apostles was that God Himself had come down in the likeness of men to bring us salvation. To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:17) God manifest in the flesh, and dwelling among us, leaving His own salvation message as a witness, confirming that He was in the world and the world was made by Him even though the world knew Him not. "He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11; John 1:1-18; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) 

Still, herein, the people thought Paul was one of multiple gods who had come from heaven, with the power to heal. But as we know, God is One Lord, who willingly became our Saviour, and He (as repeatedly stated through the prophet Isaiah) does not share His glory with another. God became our Saviour, so that we might have abundant life and gladness in Him.

In fact, the Lord God saith, "I, even I, [AM] the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)

"Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Me." (Isaiah 45:21)

"Yet I [AM] the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but Me: for there is no saviour beside Me." (Hosea 13:4)

" ... the God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Saviour; thou savest me from violence." (II Samuel 22:3)

" ... and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke 1:47)

Of course, even the unbelieving Jews should have understood that God is One, because throughout the scriptures, we are informed that "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!" (Hebrews 10:7; Psalms 40:7; Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31; Revelation 1:8; I Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:13)

Nevertheless, apostle Paul knew in whom he served, and was not about to waver in his faith because others worshipped multiple gods. No, indeed, Paul and the others were going to declare this One and Only true God who loved us beyond measure, enough to come in the likeness of men -- fulfilling His own redemption plan that was from the very beginning of the world. But I digress somewhat.

So, what happens next? They called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. [Which] when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, "Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." (Acts 14:12-17)

Yes, that we should turn to the living God who not only created this world, and all things within, but clothed Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet always without sin) to bring us His free gift of salvation. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)

So, with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither [certain] Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew [him] out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the Word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples. (Acts 14:18-28)

This is why the scripture reminds us often that whosoever -- "when they have heard the Word, [can] immediately receive it with gladness ..." (Mark 4:16)

This is also why we "receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation ..."  because the Lord has a plan for us, as we see in the words of the prophet Jeremiah, who speaks about the coming end of the age, as we know it. (Philippians 2:29)

Because we know in whom we believe, and nothing is hid from them whose hearts are focused on His goodness and grace and mercy. Yes, His Name is JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins.

For thus saith the Lord, "Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel." (Jeremiah 31:7)

" ... the voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, "Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for His mercy endures forever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first," saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 33:11)

"For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; "Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride." (Jeremiah 16:9)

We have a hope and it is not in gods that have come down from the heavens but rather, in the One God, the Living God, the Comforter who leads us into all truth, establishing our steps in the day to day -- He is the Bread of life, He is the Light of the world, He is the King of kings and Lord of lords - Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. 

And although I am not personally in favour of renting our clothes to make a point, it shows how far we in this current society have ventured from willingly sharing the good news gospel message that the Lord has placed in our hearts -- to one and all -- regardless of the costs to us personally. Pulling people from the fire, as apostle Paul once wrote. 

Lots to consider this day. Most of all, let our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ fill your very being with His joy and gladness and rejoice -- as did the apostles -- even in times of tribulation. Think on these things this day.

Stand in the offering plate.