As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are born into His Kingdom. (John 3:1-21) When we are born again, knowing that the "whosoever" who believes in Jesus -- the Great I AM -- is you and I, we come to know His presence and that similarly, we will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:15) And then, when we continue after repentance to be water baptized in His Name -- the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ - we become sanctified by the Word -- clothed in His righteousness. (Acts 2:36-41; John 17:17)
But because of our faith in Jesus -- as both Lord and Christ, as declared by Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost), many will oppose the Spirit of the Lord God that dwells within, intent on destroying us by whatever means they can. (Acts 2:36-41) Nevertheless, let the righteous be glad. Let us rejoice before God, and not just rejoice but as the scripture declares -- "exceedingly rejoice." (Psalm 68:3) In so doing, sing unto God, and sing praises unto His Name. Extol Him that rides upon the heavens by His Name and rejoice before Him for He alone is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving.
When David the psalmist wrote this psalm, God's given name on the New Testament side was not yet revealed. Thankfully, this is no longer the situation today. We now know that the angel of the Lord declared His new name -- "And ye shall call His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-22) We also know from the New Testament (wherein we are living in the dispensation of grace) that this same JESUS is Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)
"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself ..." (II Corinthians 5:19)
No other name whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
The Name of Jesus -- the Name above every other name. (Philippians 2:9)
Why is this important? Because we are saved because of His abundant mercy and grace and not of ourselves. Indeed, from the very beginning of time, and even before the world was framed, the Lord God had a plan for a people who were at that time still afar off. A chosen people; a royal generation, because we who believe will not reject the Rock which is precious, the same which was made the Head of the corner -- His Name JESUS.
"But unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same made the head of the corner ... and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (I Peter 2:8-10)
This same God who saw us and gave us His purpose whilst still in our mother's womb saw even at the point of creation so very long ago, a people worth shedding His precious blood for. (Acts 20:28) His love displayed for one and all to behold -- that the same God who made us in the beginning, never let go of extending His mercy to His creation.
Yes, God manifest in the flesh so that you and I might have abundant everlasting life in Him. (I Timothy 3:16)
And as weary as it may seem some days, when the world is positioning itself against those who boldly proclaim the Name of the Lord Jesus both near and far, we can be hopeful in the words of the psalmist knowing -- "O God, when Thou went forth before Thy people, when Thou didst march through the wilderness, the earth shook, and the heavens also dropped at the presence of God."
And as weary as it may seem some days, when the world is positioning itself against those who boldly proclaim the Name of the Lord Jesus both near and far, we can be hopeful in the words of the psalmist knowing -- "O God, when Thou went forth before Thy people, when Thou didst march through the wilderness, the earth shook, and the heavens also dropped at the presence of God."
Indeed, He is so very faithful to those who proclaim His holy Name. The psalmist continues:
"A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families: He brings out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. O God, when Thou went forth before Thy people, when Thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: the earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby Thou didst confirm Thine inheritance, when it was weary. Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: Thou, O God, hast prepared of Thy goodness for the poor. The Lord gave the Word: great was the company of those that published it. Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; a high hill as the hill of Bashan. Why leap ye, ye high hills? This is the hill which God desires to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever.
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. But God shall wound the head of His enemies, and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
The Lord said, "I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring My people again from the depths of the sea: that thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same. They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary ... " (Psalm 68:1-
Therefore, don't despair and become weary in the days ahead, but rather, know whom you are in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Most of all, continue blessing ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel, and throughout the world as well.
Stand in the offering people.
Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby Thou didst confirm Thine inheritance, when it was weary. Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: Thou, O God, hast prepared of Thy goodness for the poor. The Lord gave the Word: great was the company of those that published it. Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; a high hill as the hill of Bashan. Why leap ye, ye high hills? This is the hill which God desires to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever.
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. But God shall wound the head of His enemies, and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
The Lord said, "I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring My people again from the depths of the sea: that thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same. They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary ... " (Psalm 68:1-
Therefore, don't despair and become weary in the days ahead, but rather, know whom you are in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Most of all, continue blessing ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel, and throughout the world as well.
Stand in the offering people.
No comments:
Post a Comment