Hope in the face of unyielding despair ∙

Hope in the face of unyieldingdespair ∙

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. – Psalms 143:8

Ecclesiastes 3:11-14

 11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.

 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

 14 And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.

Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher and a vocal atheist. Many would argue that he was the foremost atheist in the Western world in the twentieth century. One of his well-known books is “Why I Am Not a Christian.”

His philosophy is representative of many of those who reject God as the source of all things and embrace evolutionary constructs in place of Him. People without God end up by the force of logic in a futile and despairing place. Through exploring these themes, Russell articulates a methodology that prioritizes empirical evidence and rational thought over faith-based convictions. Rather than confident expectation based upon faith in the word of God, he winds up in a dark, lonely place. Bertrand Russell writes,

“That man is the product of causes which had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of atoms; that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve an individual life beyond the grave; that all the labors of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and that the whole temple of Man’s achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins – all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain, that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand.”

“Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.”

Bertrand Russell would have us build our lives upon a foundation of unyielding despair. What a dismal outlook! One book of the Bible, Ecclesiastes, reflects Russell’s worldview.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

It’s a tradition for many to reflect upon the previous 12 months at the beginning of a new year.  Some years are crushing, challenging us deeply, and testing our emotional and physical resilience. Our experiences often highlight the perceived emptiness of existence without a guiding belief or trust in God. Many thoughtful and logical individuals find themselves grappling with unyielding despair.

Children of the King can have an entirely different mindset that provides hope, that is, confident expectation for the future. The Father is all-wise. He has a master plan unfolding within our lives and the universe. 

It is incumbent upon each child of the King to place their confidence in the Father’s character and essence. The Father’s nature is fully displayed in His lovingkindness and steadfast love. As we contemplate His loyal, unfailing love, we have reason to celebrate and experience His comfort and joy. Knowing He has our best interests at heart, the natural outflow is confident trust.            

The choices before people are polar opposites. They can build their lives on the lovingkindness of a faithful, loyal, dependable, loving Father God. Or they can rest their lives upon the foundation of unyielding despair.

REFLECT & PRAY

David seeks to experience the Father’s lovingkindness and asks the Father to teach him how to gracefully traverse the challenging moments of this existence.

Father thank You for always being there for me. Help me live my life based on the firm foundation of the truth of Your Word.

INSIGHT

Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart . . ..

Solomon observes and delves into profound contemplation of what he sees. He acknowledges the Father’s craftsmanship in rendering all aspects of creation. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Yet he recognizes the tension and a pervasive restlessness within the human spirit.

He concludes that it has been embedded there by the Creator Himself. The Father has placed eternity in every human heart. It drives an insatiable curiosity about life’s mysteries and the enigmatic nature of existence. We want answers regarding the seeming absurdities of life and things beyond life itself. Yet, we cannot resolve our curiosity. We cannot fully grasp what the Father has done from the beginning until the end.

This is a conundrum. Yet Solomon comes to terms with this reality when he recognizes that “both his desire to understand all of life, as well as the limitations on his ability to do so, have been ordained by God” (ESV notes).

As detailed in the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon wrestles with the apparent meaninglessness of life in a world marked by imperfection and transience. Yet, within this very struggle, Solomon finds a glimmer of hope – acknowledging that our quest for understanding and our limitations are intricately woven into the fabric of our existence by the Father Himself.

Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.

Whatever the Father has designed and created endures, and no one can change His plan. “God’s acts are eternal. Earthly events are limited and marked by fixed moments, but God stands outside these limits. We can know a little about what God does, but his actions are actually of a different order: eternal, complete, and unchanging” (UBS).

Children of the King should recognize that no matter how confusing or frustrating the fallen world is, we must learn to be at peace because we cannot alter His eternal plan.

Solomon offers advice on how to respond. Modern culture would say carpe diem (seize the day).

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.

 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

In these challenging times, the children of the King are endowed with extraordinary capabilities that guide them through adversity, anchoring their sights on an eternal future alongside the Father.

It is the Father’s lovingkindness and unwavering compassion that give us hope. His love is faithful and reliable. He is always present to offer support. “Even when God’s people sin, we can appeal to the Lord for help and restoration based on His faithfulness and righteousness” (Constable).

Psalms 143:8-10

 8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

 9 Rescue me from my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me.

 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.

“If we want God’s guidance . . . then He instructs us to ask for it. We must ask in faith and then listen carefully for His voice. He always guides those who really likes want to follow” (Stanley).

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© Dr. H 2024

Adopted into God’s Forever Family ∙

Adopted into God’s Forever Family ∙

God sent his Son . . . so that he could adopt us as his very own children. – Galatians 4:4-5

Galatians 4:1-7

 1 Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.

 2 They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set.

 3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

 4 But at the fulness of time, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us, who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

For millennia, inheritance has been governed by the law of Primogeniture, which is derived from the Latin word “primogeniture,” meaning “first birth.” This rule grants the firstborn son exclusive rights to inherit his parents’ entire estate when they die.

The rationale behind Primogeniture was practical rather than discriminatory. Its primary aim was to avoid the continual subdivision of parcels of land across multiple generations. If the land were continually subdivided, there would eventually be little or nothing left for the heirs down the line.

Primogeniture remained a prevalent inheritance system among many European royal families until the 20th century, with its principles still influencing the inheritance of noble titles in England. The goal was to ensure estates remained whole and undivided as much as possible.

Does primogeniture exist in the Scriptures? The answer is mixed. In the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the tradition saw the eldest male child inheriting his father’s throne. However, there are also instances of more equitable distribution among heirs, such as Judah’s blessings to his twelve sons, indicating a nuanced approach to inheritance.

Genesis 49:1 Then Jacob called together all his sons and said, “Gather around me, and I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come.”

The Father shows no partiality among the children of the King; the practice of Primogeniture does not apply to our inheritance.

Every child of the King receives every spiritual blessing by the Father, as we are joined with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is both His firstborn and His only Son.

Ephesians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Our inheritance is not derived from a human birthright but from a spiritual one. Every child of the King receives their inheritance from the King without bias based on gender, birth order, social status, or any caste system.

Romans 8:16-17

 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ, we are heirs of God’s glory.

The Father adopts us into His Forever Family when we place our faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, because He accepts us just as He accepts His own Son (Romans 8:17) (Stanley).

Every child of the King has been welcomed into God’s Forever Family. It’s a done deal. It happened at the moment we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Yet, the journey doesn’t end there. While the wonders of redemption and salvation would have been sufficient in themselves, exceeding all expectations, the Father’s aspirations for us stretch even further. He has much more in store for us. Forgiveness, redemption, and salvation are only the beginning of what the Father intends for us. When He “sent His Son . . . to redeem” us, it was not an end in itself but a gateway to an eternal bounty beyond our wildest imagination.

Galatians 4:4-5

 4 But at the fulness of time, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us, who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

Why does the apostle Paul refer to all children of the King as “sons?” In the first-century Mediterranean world, it was common for sons to inherit their father’s wealth. Therefore, everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, regardless of whether male or female, becomes a “son” of God, an heir with equal rights of inheritance. All children of the King are heirs of the Father’s bounty.

REFLECT & PRAY

We are more than saved. We are adopted into God’s Forever Family and are greatly beloved.

Father it is such a privilege and delight to call You Abba! Thank You for wanting me and welcoming me into your Forever Family.

INSIGHT

When Paul referred to the “fullness” of time, he highlighted a pivotal moment in history marked by the birth of the Messiah during the Pax Romana. This era, characterized by relative peace and stability, the advent of Greek as a common language, improved travel infrastructure, and the rise of urban civilization, created an ideal environment for the rapid dissemination of the gospel and the subsequent expansion of Christianity. The prophet Daniel also foretold this period as the appointed time for the Messiah of Israel to come (Daniel 9:24-26).

The term “adoption” in Paul’s writings is translated from the Greek word “huiothesia,” which appears only five times in the New Testament and is exclusively used by Paul. “Huiothesia “ is a compound of two words: “huios,” meaning son, and “thesia,” meaning placing. Thus, it conveys the act of being placed as a son within a family (adopted), encompassing the rights, privileges, and responsibilities accompanying family membership.

Similarly, the Apostle John emphasizes that through this spiritual adoption, we become members of God’s Forever Family, highlighting a perpetual bond and belonging within God’s family.

1 John 3:1-2

 1 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.

 2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

Children of the King, we have a delightful relationship with the Father. The Father has provided an informal, intensely intimate relationship with Him. We are encouraged to call Him Abba, that is, Daddy or Poppa (Romans 8:15-16).

“Abba is an Aramaic term for ‘father’ that suggests warmth, closeness, intimacy, and mutual delight. God did not bring us into His family to be our austere and stern Father but to be our beloved and approachable Daddy” (Stanley).

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© Dr. H 2024

Growing up ∙∙

Growing up ∙∙

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. – Hebrews 5:8

Genesis 45:5-8

 5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.

 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors.

 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! He was the one who made me an adviser to the Pharaoh – the manager of his entire palace and the governor of Egypt.

Sadly, our world is rife with disappointment, suffering, mistreatment, and betrayal. When viewed from a human perspective, these adversities are horrific and must be corrected if possible.

The Father does not take pleasure in witnessing the suffering of His people. He recognizes that trials are an inherent aspect of existence on Earth. Instead of eliminating these hardships, the Father chooses to use them as instruments for the growth and development of the children of the King. Suffering is one of the tools He employs to foster spiritual growth, depth, maturity, character, and willing submission to the Father.

Helen Keller once said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

Consider Joseph’s life, which was marred by numerous setbacks, deceit, betrayals, and treachery. His own siblings plotted against him and sold him into slavery. This led him to Egypt, where he became a servant in Potiphar’s household. Despite these challenges, Joseph’s God-given natural talents and abilities allowed him to excel. However, after being falsely accused and betrayed again, he was imprisoned, seemingly doomed to be forgotten.

Did Joseph become angry, bitter, or hateful? Was he overcome by resentment seeking revenge? Definitely not. Instead, the Father used these arduous years to transform Joseph, fostering his growth into a wise and mature individual. The Father child-trained him. As a result, godly character and integrity were added to his natural brilliance and leadership abilities. But he remained a prisoner until the day the Father appointed for him to be set free. The Father has provided an example of the transformative power of faith and perseverance amidst adversity for all time.

The Father had a plan all along, but it was only at the time of Egypt’s greatest need that Joseph was called upon to rise to the occasion and solve Egypt’s dire problems. Famine was coming, and with it would come certain death from starvation. However, the Father equipped Joseph with a strategy that exceeded beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.

One day, Joseph was a filthy prisoner, a slave in tattered rags. The next day, he was the Prime Minister of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh in authority and power. Not only was Egypt saved from the devastating impacts of famine, but he also ensured the accumulation of ample reserves of grain and other essentials.

Eventually, Joseph’s own brothers came to Egypt to try to purchase grain so that they and their families would not die. They did not recognize Joseph. He chose not to reveal his true identity to them when they arrived. Transformed in appearance and fluent in Egyptian, Joseph now embodied the poise and authority of a high-ranking Egyptian official rather than the Hebrew brother they once knew.

Gone were Joseph’s earlier arrogant pride and boastfulness. Instead, his heart was now characterized by wisdom, gentleness, grace, and forgiveness. The Father’s child training had achieved its intended effect. But Joseph was curious. Had the Father also changed his brothers’ hearts during their years apart? Indeed, the Father had been at work in their hearts during the period of separation. They, too were new men. At the right time, Joseph reveals himself.

Genesis 45:1-4

 1 Joseph could stand it no longer. Many people were in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was.

 2 Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly that the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to the Pharaoh’s palace.

 3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them.

 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt.

Imagine the tears, the kisses, and the hugs.

Reflect for a moment on the Father’s magnificent transformative power. He had done what was seemingly impossible. Genesis is an essential book that includes the beginning of all the Father wants us to know regarding origins. Yet, 15 chapters are devoted to Joseph. Why? The Father is at work in every child of the King to conform us to the image of His son. Joseph shows the way.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Lord Jesus Christ is the God-man. He lived a sinless life, learning obedience through what He suffered. He was always obedient and submissive. He learned firsthand the cost of being obedient in the midst of suffering. He “increased in wisdom and stature” (Luke 2:52).

Father thank You. It is true that whom the Lord loves, He disciplines for their good. You seek to produce in us the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

INSIGHT

Difficult times prune away the deadwood in our lives. The accumulated dross needs to be addressed and handled to conform us into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hard times are part of the Father’s training for each child of the King.

Hebrews 12:10-11

 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.

 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

The Father uses disappointment and suffering to develop character and maturity. This was true even for the Son of God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 5:8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.

“Pain is inevitable; sorrow is optional” (Stanley). How we respond to physical and emotional pain is a choice for every child of the King. “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom” (Viktor Frankl).

“Someone once said to a sufferer: ‘Suffering colors life, doesn’t it?’ The sufferer replied: ‘Yes, but I propose to choose the color.’ The Christian is the athlete of God whose spiritual muscles become stronger from the discipline of difficulties” (Barclay).

The canvas of our lives contains all of our life experiences. Our relationship with the Father, or lack thereof, affects the textures and colors that are added to it. It can be dull, drab, boring, or depressing. Or it can be bright, cheerful, upbeat, and filled with hope, that is, confident expectation.

“When trials hit, we can always be sure that God will come to our aid. Why? (1) It’s His nature – “He is ‘the Father of mercies’ and the ‘God of all comfort.’ (2) He’s training us to comfort others” (Stanley).

And so it was with Joseph!

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

This is the Father’s purpose for every child of the King. Our model is the Lord Jesus Christ. In the incarnation, He became the God-man. He was fully divine and also fully human. He was always without sin, as He learned obedience in real life. He was committed to submissive obedience and “increased in wisdom and stature” (Luke 2:40, 52). Total submission was required to face and endure the events of Gethsemane and Golgotha. Through great suffering, the Lord Jesus Christ continued to obey. 

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© Dr. H 2024

He cannot deny Himself ∙

He cannot deny Himself ∙

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. – 2 Timothy 2:13

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

 23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Frequently, individuals struggle with punctuality or completing tasks on time. This can be incredibly frustrating when we rely on them. How do we react? We often become annoyed, irritated, or worse. People always have excuses to defend their behavior: hard luck stories, forgetfulness, car trouble, etc. Sadly, for some, this unreliability becomes a recurring pattern. Over time, consistent irresponsibility can drive people away, and ultimately, trust is broken.

Vince Lombardi famously said, “If you are 5 minutes early, you are already 10 minutes late!” This emphasizes the importance of not just being on time but being ahead of time. Being on time means being early. Punctuality reflects reliability and respect for others’ time. The Father is never late. He always follows through and does what He promises.

The Father is never in a hurry, but He is always on time.

It is as though the Father has a schedule to keep, which was booked in eternity past. He orchestrates situations and guides individuals precisely where they need to be at the exact moment He has predetermined. This unseen guidance ensures that crucial encounters unfold as intended. Reflect on the encounters of Philip with the Ethiopian eunuch and the Lord Jesus Christ with the Samaritan woman as examples of this divine scheduling, where each was led to a pivotal moment in their lives by a plan set in motion from eternity past.

Acts 8:26-39

 26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

 27 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia . . .. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship,

 28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

 29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”

 30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

 31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

 36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”

 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.

John 4:4-29

 4 He had to go through Samaria on the way.

 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.

 7 Soon, a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”

 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.”

 14 “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet.

 25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming – the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

 26 Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”

 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone,

 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”

As children of the King, we are part of His Forever Family. The Father has made magnificent and precious promises to each of us. His promises are always fulfilled based on His character, not our performance. He remains steady and sure regardless of how we perform.

Regrettably, our understanding and expectations are often skewed. When we fail, we usually expect Him to withdraw. We fear that punishment is just around the corner. We might expect this reaction from others but not from the Father. He operates differently, offering steadfast love and grace instead of withdrawal or punishment.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

What fabulous reassurance and comfort we find in this truth! The Father is faithful. Faithfulness is a core aspect of His essence and character. He is not whimsical, arbitrary, or capricious. He is never erratic. He doesn’t play games.

He is also omnipotent and thus fully capable of fulfilling His promises. He promised to finish what He had started in each child of the King perfectly and on time.

REFLECT & PRAY

“How does a human father ‘pity’ His children? He considers their weakness, immaturity, and ignorance, and so does not require of them more than they can handle. Our Father does the same with us” (Stanley).

Father thank You for being faithful and for remaining faithful to me. Encourage me to be faithful to You and not shrink back.

INSIGHT

Philippians 1:6 I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

He never gives up on us, no matter what we do. No matter our actions, He remains unwavering in His commitment to us. He is faithful and determined to accomplish what He set out to do.

What is the good work that the Father has promised will complete? First and foremost, it is the work of the gospel (Philippians 1:3-5).

The work of the gospel produces salvation. “In the New Testament, God has revealed that salvation is a process. It involves justification when a sinner trusts Jesus Christ as their Savior. It includes progressive sanctification that occurs from the time of justification to the Christian’s death or the Rapture. It culminates in glorification when the redeemed sinner finally sees Jesus Christ and experiences transformation into His image” (Constable).

Only the Father has the authority to justify the children of the King. He alone will bring us to glory (1 Corinthians 15:50-57). While every child of the King is involved in sanctification, our role involves active participation and cooperation. Despite this, it’s possible for us to resist, challenge, and even hinder the sanctifying efforts of the Father within us (1 Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30).

Our Father is merciful and compassionate. That is what He is and what he does. He chooses to forgive and forget our sins, iniquities, and transgressions.

Psalms 103:10-14

10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

 13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

 14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is (2 Timothy 2:13).

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© Dr. H 2024

So let it be written ∙

So let it be written ∙

I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the LORD my God commanded me so that you may obey them. – Deuteronomy 4:5

Nehemiah 8:6,8

 6 Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

In 1956, the legendary Cecil B. DeMille brought to the screen an epic masterpiece, “The Ten Commandments.” The film boasted a stellar cast, with Charlton Heston portraying Moses, Yul Brynner as Rameses II, Anne Baxter as Nefertiti, and John Derek as Joshua.

The movie is remembered for its powerful lines, including:

“It would take more than a man to lead the slaves from bondage. It would take a god. And I am no god, I am but a man” (Moses).

“His god…is God!” (Rameses II).

“He has forgotten both of us. You lost him when he went to seek his God. I lost him when he found his God” (Sephora, speaking to Nefertiti regarding Moses).

“So let it be written; so let it be done” (Rameses II). What does this mean? The Egyptians were meticulous record keepers. When important decisions were made or actions performed, they were written down by a court scribe.

The Father has provided people with an accurate, written record regarding Himself, biblical history, His will, His standards, and His plans for the future. To paraphrase Ramses II, “What has been written is what is to be done.”

The Father has revealed what He wants the children of the King to know, believe, and act upon. But sadly, people have poor memories. Do the children of the King know what the Father desires or asks of them? Do they know where to begin to fulfill His dreams for them?

The remarkable story and the events portrayed in Cecil B. DeMille’s movie, The Ten Commandments, are often considered nothing but myth today. How can this possibly have happened? The Scriptures have been preserved and handed down through the centuries. The warning to remember one’s history, issued to the children of Israel 3500 years ago, has never been more pertinent.

Deuteronomy 4:9-13

 9 But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.

 10 Never forget the day when you stood before the LORD your God at Mount Sinai, where he told me, “Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live and teach their children to fear me.”

 12 And the LORD spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice.

 13 He proclaimed his covenant – the Ten Commandments – which he commanded you to keep, and which he wrote on two stone tablets.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father does not have grandchildren. He only has children. Each of us must decide to believe and eagerly desire to learn and follow what He has provided.

Father may I eagerly seek You. May I be attentive, hear, listen, and receive Your word, and may I respond accordingly.

INSIGHT

There’s a story about two graduate students discussing the event where Moses records the parting of the Red Sea in the book of Exodus. The first student expresses disbelief, saying, “I am at a loss; how could such an event ever occur?” To this, the second student responds, “It’s simple! The story of the Red Sea is the story of a miracle. When you believe in God, you believe in miracles.” The first grad student says, “Now I understand. I don’t believe in miracles because I don’t believe in God.”

Our culture has shifted away from theism, the belief in a prayer-hearing God Who is there and Who acts in the space-time continuum. The collateral damage has been considerable. Faith in the Father God, as revealed in the Scriptures, has become almost absent. Reverence and worship are becoming outdated notions for many. Tragically, the Father and His teachings have lost their relevance to a significant portion of the population.

This is nothing new. It has happened many times in history. Before we criticize others, perhaps we should examine ourselves. Do we read the Scriptures with eagerness and understanding? Do we make life decisions based on what we read? Or do we take the Father for granted?

By around 600 BC, the children of Israel had become complacent and fallen into a state of spiritual apathy. They were simply going through the motions of their faith. They had head knowledge, but the Father was far from their hearts. They defied the proclamations of His prophets. They ignored and disregarded the warnings of His prophets of impending doom. Prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah were met with hostility and horrible mistreatment.

There was no change of heart nor repentance; judgment fell. Jerusalem was conquered, the temple was destroyed, and the people were taken to Babylon.

Captive in Babylon, the children of Israel were demoralized, saddened, and afraid. So much had been lost. They lamented and longed for “the good old days.”

However, ironically, those “good old days” led to their current plight.

Eventually, Babylon fell to the Persians, and the people of Israel were allowed to return home. The Father raised up Nehemiah and Ezra. The Word of God was again available to be heard, understood, believed, and followed.

It was read aloud to the people, translated as needed, and explained. Truth and sound teaching were again within reach. The people were eager and attentive. Hard times have a way of turning things around, even for the hardest of hearts.

Nehemiah 8:2-10

 2 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, including the men, women, and children old enough to understand.

 3 He read it from early morning until noon to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.

 6 Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

 10 This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

The time for mourning and weeping was over. A new day had begun. The children of the King had rediscovered and embraced the Father God and His Word and soon discovered that, indeed, “the joy of the LORD is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10).

The “good old days” of Israel bear a striking resemblance to our own times. In our fast-paced streaming culture, it is easy to take what is commonly available for granted. As children of the King, the most priceless treasure we hold is the gift from our Father: His Word.

Today can be a new day for each of us. The Father has made His Word accessible and continues to speak; are we listening? Are we open to hearing His voice?

Oh, that today you would listen as He speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, but instead listen attentively to His words today (Hebrews 3:7-8).

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© Dr. H 2024