Micah 5
Order to gather the troops verse 1
Now gather yourself in troops
O daughter of troops – he has laid siege against us
they shall smite the judge of Israel
with a rod upon the cheek
Ruler of Israel to be born in Bethlehem verse 2
BUT you – Beth-lehem Ephratah
though you be little among the thousands of Judah
YET out of you shall HE come forth unto ME that is to be
RULER IN ISRAEL
whose goings forth have been from of old
from everlasting
Future restoration of the nation of Israel verse 3
THEREFORE will HE give them up
until the time that she which travails has brought forth
THEN the remnant of HIS brethren
shall return unto the children of Israel
Future Shepherd of Israel verse 4
And HE shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God
And they shall abide
FOR NOW HE shall be great unto the ends of the earth
Israel’s enemies destroyed in future verse 5- 9
This MAN shall be the peace
when the Assyrian shall come into our land
and when he shall tread in our palaces
THEN we shall raise against him seven shepherds
and eight principal men
and they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword
and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof
THUS HE shall deliver us from the Assyrian
when he comes into our land
and when he treads within our borders
AND the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people
as a dew from the LORD
as the showers upon the grass – that tarries not for man
nor waits for the sons of men
AND the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles
in the midst of many people
as a lion among the beasts of the forests
as a young lion among the flocks of sheep
WHO – if HE go through – BOTH treads down
and tears in pieces – and none can deliver
Your hand shall be lifted up upon your adversaries
and all your enemies shall be cut off
No more war verse 10- 11
It shall come to pass IN THAT DAY – says the LORD
that I will cut off your horses out of the midst of you
and I will destroy your chariots
and I will cut off the cities of thy land
and throw down all thy strongholds
No more false religion verse 12- 15
and I will cut off witchcrafts out of your hand
and you shall have no more soothsayers
your graven images also will I cut off
and your standing images
out of the midst of you
and you shall no more worship the work of your hands
and I will pluck up your groves out of the midst of you
so will I destroy your cities
and I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen
such as they have not heard
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (4910 “ruler” [mashel] means have dominion, reign, power, govern, or control.
DEVOTION: There was a future birth announced in this minor prophet. Micah tells us where this future ruler is going to be born – Bethlehem Ephratah. He tells us that it is a small village outside of Jerusalem. He informs us that HE was known about in ancient times.
When the wise men came to Herod asked for the place where the KING of the Jews was to be born, Herod asked the scribes. They looked in the ancient manuscripts and found that HE was going to be born in Bethlehem. Remember Bethlehem means “house of bread.” Christ is the Bread of Life.
HE is going to be the Savior of the nation of Israel in the future. In the future there was not going to be any more false worship. HE was going to destroy all those who practiced false worship, as well as, the images they worshiped.
We know that before the world was created, the LORD was going to come to save HIS people from their sins. The LORD knew about the fall of man before it happened. Nothing has changed the plans of the LORD. Nothing is a surprise to HIM.
The prophets inform us that the coming Messiah was first going to come and die for the sins of the world. Many of the Biblical scholars of Christ’s day didn’t understand there were going to be two comings of the Messiah. HIS second coming was going to be to reign here on this earth. We have a future coming KING. HE is presently seating on the right hand of the Father making intercession for HIS saints. One day HE is going to come and set up a kingdom here on this earth that will last for eternity.
In the midst of the present situation in Israel, Micah tells them the there is a bright future ahead. There is affliction at present for the children of Israel. He is telling us the same truth today. There is a bright future ahead when we reign with Christ. This life is going to have suffering but glory is coming. Praise the LORD.
CHALLENGE: If the priest knew where the Messiah was born and told Herod and the wise men we should understand there is a coming King who will reign. HIS name is Jesus Christ!!
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: 4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great to the ends of the earth. (3427 “abide” [yashab] means to dwell, to be inhabited, to continue in a place, position or situation, or remain.)
DEVOTION: One of the reasons we have pastors in our churches is so that they can minister to those in the congregation. Is the only responsibility of pastors in our churches to preach? Is it all they have to do to see the LORD’S work accomplished in the church? Does the LORD expect more from those HE calls to serve in the local church?
These questions enter the mind of all those in leadership in our local churches. Should the pastor spend all his time in the building or be out in the neighborhood visiting the members and those who are not members? Or should those who need to speak to the pastor have to come to the church with an appointment and they meet with him?
A shepherd in the fields of Israel would lead his sheep to their pasture and then into the fold at night. He would stand guard over the sheep to protect them from anything or anyone that would come to harm them. He would care for the lambs that wander.
In one of the parables the LORD taught that a shepherd might leave his ninety-nine sheep to look for one lost sheep. There was an idea of seeking those who have strayed.
Now during the Millennium we find we find the LORD leading HIS flock. HE was going to stand and protect them. With that happening the people or sheep would be undisturbed by any problems. This Shepherd would be highly honored around the world.
The LORD as our Shepherd is an example to those who are pastor/shepherds today. They need to follow HIS example and not what some professor teaches differently.
CHALLENGE: Hit the streets pastors and leaders!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 12 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of your hand; and you shall have no more soothsayers. (3785 “witchcrafts” [kesheph] means sorcery, incantations, black magic, or act of obtaining powers from spirits.)
DEVOTION: There are many people today who look at their horoscope in the newspaper each day to see what type of day they will have. There are some who even go to people who can read their palm to see what is in their future. There are some who buy games that go into the spirit world to find out what the future holds.
We have a place in New York where there is a town that just does these kinds of things for people who want to find out the future or talk to someone who has died. The best example of this in the Old Testament was the witch at Endor. She was to bring up the ghost of Samuel for king Saul of Israel. When it happened she was even surprised. It is not good to do these things in the sight of the LORD.
In the end times the LORD is going to cut off or end all those who deal with these types of things. HE is going to sent them to the lake of fire for eternity. They are not working with HIM but against HIM and what HE taught in the Word of God. Christians should not be involved with these things because they are giving a place for the devil to work in their life. This is a warning to all those who claim to be followers of the LORD but think they can play in this area.
CHALLENGE: Avoid all contact with those who want to entice you with the evil spirit world. Remember that the devil likes to appear as an angel of light.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. (5359 “vengeance” [naqam] means revenge, requital, punish, retribution, repaying, or avenge.)
DEVOTION: The Bible teaches that we are not to avenge ourselves as believers. The only one who can avenge someone who has hurt us is the LORD. HE is the one who has us under HIS care. HE promises to never leave us or forsake us. HE wants us to realize that HE loves us and will not let anything happen to us unless it is for our good.
Now we find that the LORD is going to execute punishment on those who have disobeyed HIM. HE is going to deal with the heathen in a way that has never happened before this time.
Remember we are talking about the last days before Christ is going to reign on this earth. HE is going to deal with those who rejected HIM during the Tribulation time period when they had all those witnesses giving them the message of the Messiah. Many became followers of Christ but the rest rejected HIM to follow the devil and his workers.
The future is certain in the eyes of the LORD. HE had it planned before the foundation of the world and HE is working HIS plan. We have to be patient and let HIM work in HIS time.
CHALLENGE: Don’t let your anger get the best of you in regarding to getting even with someone who has hurt you or said something against the LORD. HE will deal with them. HE is in control.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 4, 7, 10
LORD his God verse 4
Strength of the LORD verse 4
Majesty of the name of the LORD verse 4
Judgment of LORD verse 9-15
I will cut off your horses out of the midst of you verse 10
I will destroy your chariots verse 10
I will cut off the cities of your land and throw
down all your strongholds verse 11
I will cut off witchcrafts out of your hand verse 12
You shall have no more soothsayers verse 12
Graven images also will I cut off verse 13
No more worship the work of your hands verse 13
I will pluck up your groves out of the midst of
you verse 14
I will destroy your cities verse 14
I will execute vengeance in anger and fury
upon the heathen verse 15
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Smite the Judge of Israel verse 1
Birth of Jesus Christ verse 2
Ruler in Israel verse 2
Everlasting verse 2
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign, Plural name) verse 4
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Assyrians verse 5, 6
Nimrod verse 6
Sons of men verse 7
Gentiles verse 8
Adversaries verse 9
Enemies verse 9
Heathen verse 15
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Witchcrafts verse 12
Soothsayers verse 12
Graven images verse 13
Worship work of hands verse 13
Groves verse 14
Heathen verse 15
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Remnant verse 3, 7, 8
Abide verse 4
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Judge of Israel verse 1
Bethlehem Ephratah verse 2
Judah verse 2
She that travails hath brought forth (Mary) verse 3
Children of Israel verse 3
Remnent of Jacob verse 7, 8
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Everlasting verse 2
Your hand shall be lifted up upon
your adversaries verse 9
Your enemies shall be cut off verse 9
In that day verse 10
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DONATIONS:
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QUOTES regarding passage
5:4 Virtually everyone agrees that the antecedent of “He” is the coming Ruler of v. 2, namely, the Messianic Son of David. After his people return to him (v. 3), here is what the Messiah will do for them. First, he will begin his rule over them (“will stand” probably meaning something like “will be installed as King”; cf. Ps 2:6 for the concept). Alternatively, the sense may be that his reign will endure or last forever. Second, he will be their Shepherd-King—feeding, leading, and protecting them—essentially taking good care of them (see 2:12 and 4:8 and comments; cf. 2 Sam 5:2; 7:8; Pss 23:1; 95:7; 100:3; Isa 40:11; Jer 23:2–6; 31:10; Ezek 34:11–16, 23–24, 31; Zech 10:3; Matt 2:6; John 10:11; Heb 13:20; 1 Pet 5:4). Such a shepherding ministry was a royal function in the ancient Near Eastern world. Van Groningen makes this comparison between the Messianic King and his ancestor David:
As David was a shepherd (Pss 23; 78:70–72), so his antitype, the royal Shepherd, will lead, feed, protect, and exercise authority over his own. As a Shepherd, he will be invincible: David protected his flock from the lions and bears; the ruling Shepherd will be endowed bĕ ʿōz yhwh (with the strength of Yahweh), exercising divine strength to protect the flock.
The Lord himself will enable the Shepherd-King to do his work (“in the strength of the Lord”; cf. “Mighty God” in Isa 9:6 and “Spirit of … power” in Isa 11:2; see also Isa 61:1). The promised Ruler will carry out his ministry in the “majesty” (=regal authority and power) of the “name” (=the Lord himself or his manifested character) of the Lord “his God” (speaking of the special, intimate relationship between the two). The language here may echo that of the Shepherd-King’s ancestor David, who also was a shepherd-king: “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Sam 17:45; cf. Mic 4:5).
As a result of the above, the royal Shepherd’s people (“flock”) will live securely. The Hebrew for “live securely” means simply “live,” “dwell,” or “sit”; but the ultimate sense is doubtless what the NIV has (so it is a pregnant or elliptical construction). The picture evoked is that of 4:4, where the Hebrew for “sit” is the same verb used here. “For” further explains how all these accomplishments are possible. “Then” is literally “now,” but it refers to the future time when all these things would come true. Finally, the Messianic Shepherd will be so great that his rule will be universal (cf. 4:1–5; Pss 2:8–9; 72:8–11; Zech 9:10; Luke 1:32–33). That is why he can accomplish all the preceding. Craigie concludes his treatment of this section with these practical words:
Matthew’s quotation of Micah’s prophecy [Matt 2:6] has set it in a new perspective for the Christian reader of the Old Testament. The deliverer has come to this world in the person of Jesus; like David, Jesus is the new Shepherd of God’s sheep, offering security from external enemies and a life of security. Jesus, of the Davidic line, is above all a gift of God to this world. To those who feel shut in on every side, like the besieged citizens of Jerusalem who first heard these words, Jesus brings the prospect of deliverance and security. And that is the essence of the Christmas message: God makes a gift to a besieged world through whom deliverance may come. (Barker, K. L. (1999). Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (Vol. 20, pp. 100–101). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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4 The benign effect of the kingly reign of Messiah is described in pastoral terminology. Israel will be lovingly cared for by the messianic King who will carry out his regnal duties in the strength of God. In effect Yahweh will reign over the people—but in the person of the King.
The expression “in the name of” is parallel to “in the strength of,” establishing a connection between the two concepts (see note at 4:5). The Deliverer is to be the embodiment of the strength and might of God, communicating that attribute to the people under his authority and thereby establishing their security eternally. The gracious benefits of his reign are to extend beyond national limitations, for the authority of the King is to be universal in scope because his greatness is to extend “to the ends of the earth.” This description of his power goes perfectly with the description of universal peace seen earlier (4:1–4) and complements it by affirming that the peace described there will be effected by the Ruler born in the insignificant town of Bethlehem. Isaiah called him the “Prince of Peace” (9:6). (McComiskey, T. E. (1986). Micah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (Vol. 7, p. 428). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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5:4. The Messiah will … shepherd His flock (cf. 2:12; 7:14; Zech. 10:3), something the nation’s leaders in Micah’s day were refusing to do (cf. comments on Micah 3:1–11). Christ’s caring, guiding, and protecting role will be accomplished by the Lord’s strength and for His sake. As He shepherds the nation they will have peace and security (cf. Zech. 14:11) because His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth (cf. Mal. 1:11a). since He will rule over the entire world (Ps. 72:8; Zech. 14:9), all will know of His sovereign power, which will guarantee Israel’s safety. (Martin, J. A. (1985). Micah. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1487). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Ver. 4. And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, &c.] The ruler in Israel, before described and prophesied of; the Messiah, as Kimchi himself interprets it, and other Jewish writers. Kimchi’s note is, “after the affliction, the King Messiah shall stand and feed Israel in the strength of the Lord;” and so R. Isaac paraphrases the words exactly in the same way: wherefore, as another learned Jewu observes, these expressions evince that the ruler here spoken of can be no other than the Messiah; not Zorobabel, who never attained to this height and happiness. He is both King and Shepherd, and to each of these the act of feeding is ascribed. The same word, in the Greek language, signifies both to rule and to feed, and is used by Matthew, ch. 2:6 and kings are often compared to shepherds. Christ feeds his people, his brethren, his flock, his sheep, and lambs, all truly converted ones; and this takes in the whole office of a shepherd, and the care he has of his flock; he takes an exact account of them, goes before them, and leads them out into good pastures; sets under-shepherds over them; protects them from all their enemies; looks after what is lost or driven away; heals the sick, strengthens the weak, binds up the broken, and watches over his flock continually: he feeds them with himself, the bread of life, with his flesh and blood, which are meat and drink indeed; with the doctrines and ordinances of the Gospel; and which are found to be spiritual, savoury, strengthening, satisfying, and soul-nourishing food: and he stands and does this, being raised from the dead, and possessed of all power in heaven and in earth; which designs not the position of his body, but the ministration of his office, and his alacrity and readiness to perform it, and his constancy in it: and all this in the strengh of the Lord; in his own strength, as a divine Person, which is the same with the strength of Jehovah; and in the power and strength that is dispensed to him as Mediator; and with his Gospel, the rod of his strength, and in such manner as to defend his flock from all that would devour them: in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; Jehovah the Father is the God of Christ, as he is Mediator; and his name is in him, even the majesty of it; for, as a divine Person, he has the same nature and perfections with him; and as man, exalted at his right hand, has a name above every name in this world, or that to come; and it is by authority from him, in his office-capacity, that he rules and feeds his people, having all judgment committed to him: and they shall abide; that is, his people, his flock, his sheep fed and ruled by him; these shall continue and persevere under his care and keeping; in him, in whom they are chosen and preserved; in his love, from which they can never be separated; in his hands, out of which none can pluck them; in his church, where they shall ever remain; and so may be considered as a promise of the perseverance of the saints in faith and holiness to the end: or, they shall sit; quietly and securely, being freed from persecution, with which the Christians were attended in the first three centuries: this began to be accomplished in the times of Constantius Chlorus, who succoured the Christians in the times of Dioclesian, and with whom the persecutions ended, and peace and prosperity followed: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth; as he was in the times of Constantine, and will be again. Christ is great in himself, in his person and offices; and will appear to be so unto all men, even unto the ends of the earth, when his Gospel shall be preached and spread everywhere; when his kingdom shall be enlarged, and be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth; even then shall he appear to be a great King over all the earth, and the great Shepherd of the sheep, the man, Jehovah’s fellow; and to have such a flock, and so large, as never any had; when there will be one fold, and one shepherd; for this prophecy respects the latter-day glory. Kimchi’s gloss is, “the name of the Messiah shall be magnified, after the judgment of the wicked.” (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, pp. 575–576). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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DAILY HOPE
Today’s Scripture
Genesis 1-3
As we begin the New Year I want to wish you and your family a great beginning to 2022! A new year is a time when we seek to put the past behind us and expectantly look to the future with anticipation and hope. As believers, we are excited about the possibilities that God has in store for us and what His plans are for each one of His followers.
The best way we can know the plans He has for us, is to know His word and seek to be obedient to His established directions. This can only be done as we read and meditate upon the scriptures. Reading the Bible is essential for our growth, maturity, and effectiveness as a disciple of Jesus Christ. In stating this, I would like to invite you to read with me through the scriptures chronologically. I will provide Monday through Friday reading plans.
Establishing these 4 points will assist you to be successful in your reading.
1) Create a plan. Make a daily appointment with God and maintain it until it becomes a habit and a priority in your life.
2) Prioritize a specific time. It will take 20-30 minutes each day to accomplish the reading and meditation.
3) Find a quiet place; free from interruptions.
4) You may desire to have a journal to take notes.
Begin your reading by prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to speak through His written word. Read the passage and consider what God may be personally speaking to you about and how that applies to your life?
In today’s reading, God reveals to us His plan for creation and the work that He did to bring this creation into existence! As you read, note the way God’s handiwork is described, emphasized and the manner it is presented. Perhaps you can also detect how creation is presented differently in the first two chapters. Lastly, see how subtle temptation was used to bring sin into the world. Conclude by asking yourself how we are tempted and what subtle elements do we need to be mindful of in our life.
Pick a version of Scripture that you enjoy reading or have wanted to read or read/ listen using apps such as Bible Gateway (www.biblegateway.com) and enjoy your journey through the Scripture this year. My prayer is that all of us will benefit and grow in our likeness of the Savior!
With an Expectant Hope, Pastor Miller
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The classical passage is Deut 32:35, 41, “Vengeance is mine … I will recompense them who hate me.” God cannot be true to his character of holiness and justice if he allows sin and rebellion to go unpunished. The prophets stressed “the day of the Lord’s vengeance” (Isa 38:8; 61:2; 63:4) as times in history when the Lord sets the record straight.
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The ot people are reminded that it is only God who can champion his own cause without error (Deut 32:35). This verse is echoed by Paul in Rom 12:19 as he warns against a vindictive spirit on the part of God’s people. It is also used by the author of Hebrews to warn of the horror of coming under the avenging wrath of God (10:28–31). (Smick, E. B. (1999). 1413 נָקַם. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (599). Chicago: Moody Press.)
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Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren Wiersbe
Keep me as the apple of YOUR eye; hid me under the shadow of your wings. Ps. 17: 8; Ruth 2: 13; I Kings 8:62; 2 Chronicles 5: 7; Psalms 17: 5; Psalms 57:1; Psalm 63: 7; Psalms 91: 1. This imagery is mentioned eight times in Scripture. As you read Psalm 17, not that David tells us what God does for those who live under his wings: HE saves, HE keeps, and HE satisfies. … Because we are “under HIS wings,” we have salvation, security, and satisfaction. (p. 56, 57)
PREPARE: Living Your Faith In An Increasingly HOSTILE CULTURE by J. Paul Nyquist
But as Christians we can choose optimism over pessimism. We don’t live in a closed system where we’re forced to solve problems with only available, natural resources. Our open system lets us access the sovereign Lord’s abundant resources; therefore, no matter how bleak the situation, we always have hope. (p. 139)
Hypogrammon was used in education to describe how children learned to write the alphabet. They would trace over the pattern of the letters as they learned each stroke and shape. Here it implies a tight resemblance. Karen Jobes writes, “It suggests the closest of copies. English words such as “example,” ‘model,’ or ‘pattern’ are too weak, for Jesus’ suffering is not simply an example or pattern or model, as if one of many; he is the paradigm by which Christians write the large letters of his gospel in their lives.” (p. 146)
Peter makes two main points about Jesus’ response to suffering. First, Jesus didn’t retaliate. He didn’t return insults, threats, or attacks. He didn’t sin physically or verbally. Second, Peter says Jesus kept entrusting judgment to His Father. God will set all records straight. His judgment will be perfect and impartial. We can trust God to exact whatever punishment may be due our opponents – if not in this life, then in the life to come. (p. 147)
We can be comforted by the Father’s sovereign control, guided by the Son’s example, and also empowered by the work of the Holy Spirit. (p. 149)
Paul says “the spirit helps us” in our weakness. The English translation to the word help is rather bland, as the Greek word – used rarely in the New Testament – means literally, “to lend a helping hand” or “to come to the aid of someone.” (p. 149)
We’ll be hurting so much we won’t know what to say. The Holy Spirit helps by interceding for us when we – in our pain and weakness – don’t know what to pray. Paul says “the Spirit himself” (repetition providing emphasis) “intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” When we can’t find words, the Holy Spirit put His arm around us and communicates with the Father in ways we cannot fathom. (p. 150)
Our God sees our plight. In ways that will confound out enemies, He can and will help us. The Father will help us as we trust in His sovereign control and ask for wisdom. The Son will help us as we look to Him for a righteous model to follow. The Spirit will help us by giving us power and a bold witness when we rely on Him. We need nothing more. (p. 152)
TOZERSPEAKS by A. W. Tozer
Citizenship is not the final issue with God. Morality and obeying the law are not the final issues with God. The Spirit of God tries to speak to this modern man of the great curse that lies upon his heart and life – he has become so absorbed with money and bank accounts and profit and loss and markets and loans and interest that any thought of God and salvation and eternity has been crowed out. There are dollar signs before his eyes and he would rather close another deal and make a neat profit than to make his way into the kingdom of God. (p. 273)
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Isaiah 53
Our Savior bore the chastisement for our iniquity.
INSIGHT
When Christians suffer, they are tempted to resent God, to wonder: “Why me?!” If God is all good and all powerful, why must His children suffer? The answer to that question is difficult –and not totally satisfying to the finite mind. Jesus maintains His credibility, however, in that He readily suffered for us all—suffering more than He will ever ask of us. Why must God’s children suffer? We don’t know. What we do know is that God was willing to suffer for us. He asks nothing of us that He was not willing to do for us. (Quiet Walk)
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THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1
We say we want to worship God and to know Him; so the first thought that comes to our minds is the existence of God, because, as we all know full well, there are many people who tell us they do not believe in it. It is not so much that we are concerned with them and their arguments as that, from our own standpoint, it is essential that we should be clear in our thinking about this subject.
The Bible does not argue about the existence of God–it declares it. The Bible does not give us any proofs of the existence of God–it assumes it. Take that opening phrase of the Bible. Genesis does not start by saying, “Well, by the following proofs we establish the existence of God, and because He was existent, we establish that at the beginning He created….” Not at all! “In the beginning God created….” It just states His existence and His being.
Some theological books present a number of “proofs” of the being and existence of God. There is the so-called cosmological argument, which is an argument from nature: Every effect has a cause. Then there is the argument from order and design, called the teleological argument, which says that everything leads up to something–that is clearly evident. Then there is the moral argument, which concludes that our awareness of good and bad, our sense of right and wrong, point to the existence of a moral God.
Now what the Bible teaches about such arguments is that they can never create faith. They are useful in a negative sense, but they will never lead to faith; and according to the Scriptures, no one can believe in God without faith, without the inward work of the Holy Spirit that leads to faith.
A Thought to Ponder: The Bible does not argue about the existence of God–it declares it.
(From God the Father, God the Son pp. 48-49, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Gracious Strength
“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1)
As with so many other character attributes, a Christian cannot measure strength as the world does. True strength is not military might or athletic skill or purchasing power. “For . . . not many mighty . . . are called: But God hath chosen . . . the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27).
A Christian is strong when he or she is a person of gracious character, strong in the grace manifested by Christ in word and deed. “My strength is made perfect in weakness,” the Lord told the apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 12:9), who then prayed that we would also be “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11).
But how does one acquire such strength in grace? First of all, it is by the working of the indwelling Holy Spirit in the believer’s life—“strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).
Then it is by spending times of quietness before the Lord in prayer and study. “Their strength is to sit still. . . . in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:7, 15). Frantic efforts to acquire, by human methods, the power one needs to accomplish a task or to reach a goal will be futile in the end, “but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).
After the people had spent a day before the Lord and His written Word, Nehemiah could assure them that “the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee,” the psalmist could say (Psalm 84:5). When we acquire our strength from Him, we can confidently claim the ancient promise: “And as thy days, so shall thy strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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