PSALM 133
Unity is pleasant verse 1
BEHOLD – how good and how pleasant for BRETHREN
to dwell together in unity
Unity is precious verse 2
It is like precious ointment upon the head – THAT ran down upon the beard
even Aaron’s beard: THAT went down to the shirts of his garment
Unity is refreshing verse 3
As the dew of Hermon
and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion
for there the LORD commanded the blessing
even life for evermore
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (3162 “unity” [yachad] means unitedness, a unit, alike, both, likewise, only, together, community or wholly.
DEVOTION: How many of us are looking for a place to worship the LORD together with other believers? We would like to work together with individuals who hold to the Bible as the infallible, inerrant truth of God that speaks with authority in all matters of importance. We would like to fellowship with those who want to practice personal holiness in their home and in society. We would like to be able to say that we agree on all the major teachings of the Word of God.
When we find those who believe the same doctrines can be called brethren. When those who practice the way the commands of God are stated can work together as brethren. When we find those who trust in the LORD for direction are called brethren.
It is called good. It is called pleasant. Too often it was just the opposite when the children of Israel were together. When Moses was leading the children of Israel through the wilderness, many complained and didn’t want to follow him as he followed the LORD’S instructions.
When David led the children of Israel people complained. Today, in the church we find the same thing happening. Sometimes the pastor wants his way in the church. Sometimes the deacons want their way in the church. Sometimes one group in the church wants their way or the highway. Some people in the church are blindly following the Robert’s Rules of Orders instead of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes people want the Holy Spirit and no constitution to guide them.
If there were no people in the church there would be no problems. Of course, there would be no church either. The LORD wants HIS people to get along together. There is give and take in most situations. If it is major doctrine or a moral issue there can be no give and take but all others can be left to the togetherness of the Spirit.
We will not all agree on all the minor points of doctrine but we can still get along. Please pray for more togetherness among the brethren in our churches. If everyone in the church worked together most of the time, imagine what would happen in that church.
The LORD wants HIS people to work together. If there is a problem there should be a spirit of reconciliation at work in the body. If there is everyone trying to encourage one another there can be real fellowship.
CHALLENGE: Don’t major on the minors and don’t let the majors be watered down. Study the Word of God to know the truth and then practice it with others.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
:2 “It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982).
DEVOTION: When a family or congregation is unified amazing things happen within that group. The power of God can be so real and evident that people are astounded at the works. Unity is often the missing ingredient in sports teams and when it occurs championship follow. The oil running down the beard of the High Priest onto the breastplate that held stones that symbolized the twelve tribes represented the work of the Holy Spirit as He united and knit the tribes into one nation under David. The work of the Holy Spirit cannot be underestimated when it comes to unifying and creating a family or congregation that is cohesive. When the times of worship are held and special events scheduled take time to pray and intercede for the group to be unified as the breastplate of Aaron represented the unity of the nation of Israel.
CHALLENGE: As the Oil represents the Holy Spirit and Aaron represents the High Priest of Israel, may you take a moment to allow the Holy Spirit to pour over you and intercede for your family or church today. Be a source of unity in a dysfunctional environment. (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of
Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
(2416 “life” [hay] means as consisting of earthly felicity combined with
spiritual blessedness, vigorous, flourishing, prosperous, duration of life, or
lifetime.
DEVOTION: Family is important. Family worship is even more important. Here we find Israelites going to Jerusalem for a feast. There were three feasts that the men of Israel were to attend yearly. The city of Jerusalem would grow from a population of about 20,000 to 125,000 in the time of Christ. There were a lot of families coming to celebrate an historical event in the nation of Israel.
David stated in this Psalm that it was like the dew of the morning on the fields of Israel. The heavy dew watered the crops so they could grow and feed the nation. Without the dew there would be no harvest. Without the blessing of the LORD there would be no celebration.
Once the families and the nation realized the importance of worshiping the LORD they received a blessing. This is communicating that the LORD would give earthly blessings to those who were true worshipers of HIM. This also communicated that these blessings would not end in this life but would continue into eternity. At the end of the life of those who were faithful followers of the LORD would be a place in heaven. This was a promise that was connected with unity in a nation and in an individual family.
Are we enjoying the blessings of the LORD in our times of worship? Are we watering the land we are living in with the dew of heaven? Is this time of blessing over? Can the LORD give us fresh blessings if we are faithful in our worship of HIM?
CHALLENGE: Our responsibility is to dwell together with fellow believers in a state of unity. This means that Christ is the center of our unity and proper worship.
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)
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 3
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Good verse 1
Pleasant verse 1
Brethren verse 1
Dwell together in unity verse 1
Blessing verse 3
Life forevermore
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Psalm of David Prefix
Aaron’s beard verse 2
Mount Hermon verse 3
Zion verse 3
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Life for evermore verse 3
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QUOTES regarding passage
The psalmist pronounces a blessing on those who “live together in unity.” During the pilgrimages, the Jews enjoyed an ecumenical experience on their way toward and in Jerusalem. The pilgrims came from many different walks of life, regions, and tribes, as they gathered for one purpose: the worship of the Lord in Jerusalem. Their unity was in conformity with the regulations for the three annual feasts (Exod 23:14–17; Lev 23:4–22, 33–43; Num 28:16–31; 29:12–39; Deut 16:1–17). During the feasts the Jews celebrated their common heritage: redemption from Egypt and their encampment around the tabernacle in the wilderness (cf. Num 2). (VanGemeren, W. A. (1991). Psalms. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, p. 815). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
133:2. David compared the unity mentioned in verse 1 to the oil that consecrated Aaron (cf. Lev. 8:12). This imagery from the priesthood was appropriate because of the pilgrims being in Jerusalem. The oil poured on Aaron’s head flowed down on his beard and shoulders, and onto the breastplate with the names of all 12 tribes. The oil thus symbolized the unity of the nation in worship under their consecrated priest. As the oil consecrated Aaron, so the unity of the worshipers in Jerusalem would consecrate the nation under God.
133:3. David then compared the unity mentioned in verse 1 to the dew that covers the mountains. The picture of oil running down (v. 2) no doubt suggested dew coming down from Mount Hermon in the north onto Mount Zion. The dew of Hermon was heavy; it symbolized what was freshening and invigorating. The refreshing influence of the worshiping community on the nation was similar to the dew on vegetation. This was a fitting symbol of the Lord’s blessing on His people. (Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 888). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
We Are Born of the Spirit (v. 1)
When you read the Scriptures, you cannot help but discover that the “brothers” did not always live in unity. Cain killed Abel (Gen. 4), Lot quarreled with Abraham (Gen. 13), Joseph’s brothers hated him and sold him for a slave (Gen. 37), and the brothers did not even get along among themselves! (Gen. 45:24). Miriam and Aaron criticized their brother Moses (Num. 12), and some of David’s children turned against him (2 Sam. 13–18; and note 2 Sam. 12:10). Our Lord’s own disciples frequently quarreled over which one of them was the greatest (Matt. 18:1ff; Mark 9:33ff; Luke 22:23ff), and Paul and Barnabas argued over John Mark and finally broke company and chose new ministry companions (Acts 15:36–41). The church began in visible unity (Acts 2:1, 44, 46), but when you read Paul’s epistles, you find a sad story of rivalry and division, and it is not much better today.
It was one thing for the Jewish clans to spend a few days together while traveling to Jerusalem and quite something else to dwell together at home for the rest of the year! Yet they all had a common ancestor in Abraham; they spoke a common language; they worshiped the same God; they were children of the same covenant; they shared a common land; and they were governed by the same holy law. Christians today have experienced the same spiritual birth, worship the same God, declare the same gospel message, preach from the same Scriptures, and are headed for the same heavenly city, but, alas, there is often more division among us than unity! Yet all of us know that spiritual oneness in Christ (Gal. 3:26–29; Eph. 4:1–6) is both “good and pleasant.” There is an artificial “unity” that is based on “least common denominator” theology and is more organizational uniformity than the kind of spiritual unity for which Jesus prayed (John 17:11, 21–23). This we must avoid. Those who have truly been “born of God” (1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18) belong to the same family and need to love one another.
We Are Anointed by the Spirit (v. 2)
At his ordination, the high priest was anointed with the special oil that was compounded according to the directions God gave Moses (Ex. 30:22–33). He and the other priests were also sprinkled with the oil and the blood from the sacrifices (Ex. 29:1–9, 21). In Scripture, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Isa. 61:1–3; Zech. 4; Luke 4:17–19; Acts 10:38), for this anointing was given to priests, prophets, and kings, all of whom needed the Spirit’s help to be able to minister effectively (1 Sam. 16:13). We often hear Christians pray for “an anointing of the Spirit” on God’s servants, yet each true believer has already been anointed of God. This anointing establishes us so that we do not fall (2 Cor. 1:21–22) and enlightens us so that we do not go astray (1 John 2:20, 27). Every believer needs this strengthening and teaching ministry of God’s Spirit.
When the high priest was anointed, the oil ran down his beard to the front of his body and over his collar. This suggests that the oil “bathed” the twelve precious stones that he wore on the breastplate over his heart, and this “bathing” is a picture of spiritual unity. When God’s people walk in the Spirit, they forget about the externals and major on the eternal things of the Spirit. Externals divide us—gender, wealth, appearance, ethnic prejudices, social or political standing—while the Spirit brings us together and we glorify Christ.
We Are Refreshed by the Spirit (v. 3)
The Jews were basically an agricultural people and they depended on the early and latter rains and the dew to water their crops (Deut. 11:10–17). In Scripture, dew symbolizes the life-giving Word of God (Deut. 32:2), the blessing of God that brings fruitfulness (Gen. 27:28, 39; Deut. 33:13, 28), and God’s special refreshing on His people (Hos. 14:5; Zech. 8:12). How often we need the refreshment of the Holy Spirit that comes silently but bountifully, like the dew upon the grass! When things are “dry,” they begin to wither and fall apart, but when the dew comes, it brings new life and things hold together. Life means unity, death means decay, and the difference is the dew from heaven. Hebron in the far north was the highest of their mountains, nearly ten thousand feet, and Zion was one of the lesser mounts in the land. They were 200 miles apart, yet God sent His dew to both of them! Travelers report that in some parts of the Holy Land, the morning dew is like a hard rain that fell in the night, saturating everything. The dew speaks of fruitfulness and the anointing oil speaks of fragrance, for the unity of God’s people is both “good and pleasant.”
What does the word “there” refer to in verse 3? Probably two things: (1) Zion and Jerusalem, for it is there God commanded His blessing (132:13–18; Lev. 25:21; Deut. 28:8), for “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22); and (2) where there is unity among His people (v. 1). The Holy Spirit is grieved by the sins that bring division (Eph. 5:25–32). Both images—the oil and the dew—remind us that unity is not something that we “work up” but that God sends down. When we get to the heavenly Zion (Heb. 12:18–29), there we will enjoy perfect unity “life forevermore.” But why not seek to have that kind of unity today? “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (85:6, nkjv). (Wiersbe, W. W. (2004). Be exultant (1st ed., pp. 179–182). Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.)
133:1 brothers. Those whose lineage can be traced to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. unity. While national unity might be on the surface, the foundation must always be spiritual unity. This would be the emphasis here, since these songs were sung by Jewish pilgrims traveling to the 3 great feasts.
133:2 oil upon. Most likely refers to the anointing of Aaron as High-Priest of the nation (cf. Ex 29:7; 30:30), which would picture a rich spiritual blessing as a first priority.
133:3 the dew of Hermon. Mt. Hermon, a 9,200 ft. peak at the extreme northern portion of Palestine, provided the major water supply for the Jordan River by its melting snow. This reference could be to the Jordan water supply or figuratively to the actual prevalent dew of Hermon being hypothetically transported to Zion. Either way, this pictures a refreshing material blessing as a second, lesser priority. there. Seems to refer to Zion. life forever. Cf. Ps 21:4–6. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ps 133:1–3). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is, &c.] Aben Ezra thinks the word thing should be supplied; the thing is what follows. For brethren to dwell together in unity: which the Targum interprets of Zion and Jerusalem, as two brethren; Aben Ezra of the priests; Kimchi of the King Messiah and the priest; and Jarchi, and Kimchi’s father, of the Israelites; which is best of all, especially of those who are Israelites indeed; for this is not to be understood of all mankind, who are in some sense brethren, being all of one blood, and among whom peace is to be cultivated; nor merely of those of the same nation, under one and the same government, who should endeavour to live peaceably and quietly; nor of brethren in a strict natural state, who belong to the same family, and are of the same parents, and should be kindly affectioned one to another; but rather of such who are so in a spiritual sense, who have God for their father by adoption and regeneration, are related to Christ the first-born among many brethren, and are members one of another, in the same church-state; all which are a reason why they should love as brethren, and endeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, Matt. 23:8; Ephes. 4:3, 6; 1 Pet. 2:17 and 3:8; Heb. 13:1 and to dwell together in unity; even as one man, as if one soul actuated them all; it is not only to dwell and abide in the house of God, where they have all a name and a place; but to associate together there, to go up to the house of God in company, and with delight to join together in acts of religious worship; to serve the Lord with one consent, with one mind and mouth to glorify God, and to be of one accord, having the same love; and to do all kind and good offices one to another in the most hearty and cordial manner; serving each other in love, bearing one another’s burdens, sympathizing with each other in all circumstances, forgiving each other offences committed, praying with one another, and building up each other in their most holy faith, stirring up one another to love and to good works: now this is both good and pleasant; it is good, as being according to the will of God, the new command of Christ; what evidences the truth of regeneration, and of being the disciples of Christ; what makes the communion of saints comfortable and edifying, and without which a profession of religion is good for nothing: and it is pleasant to God and Christ, to angels and men, to the ministers of the Gospel, and to all about them and in a connexion with them; and it is this which makes any particular dispensation in time delightful and agreeable; as the first times of the Gospel, and the latter-day glory, the Philadelphian church-state, which has its name from brotherly love; yea, it will be the glory and delight of heaven. Now this is ushered in with a note of attention and admiration, behold, and with a note of exclamation, how; the psalmist pointing at some instance or instances of this kind, which were very amiable, and worthy of imitation; and suggesting that such a case is rare and wonderful, and inexpressibly good, profitable, and pleasant. Gussetius renders it, how good is the sabbatism of brethren, even gathered together; for the exercise of religion, prayer, praise, &c.
Ver. 2. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, &c.] The composition which Moses was ordered to make of the principal spices, and therefore called precious; and which was poured on the heads of kings and priests, when they were anointed with it, Exod. 30:23–25. That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard; this was put upon the head of Aaron when he was anointed, and so on any other high-priest, and trickled down to his beard; see Exod. 29:7. The reasons Kimchi and Ben Melech give, why the anointing of Aaron and other priests is mentioned, and not the anointing of a king, or of David himself, are, because the anointing of Aaron was first, and also more public and better known by the people. That went down to the skirts of his garments; or, the mouth or opening of his garments; not the extremity of them, as our version inclines to; for not so great a quantity of oil was poured upon him; nor would it have been decent to have his clothes thus greased from top to bottom: but the upper part of his garment, the top of the coat, on which the beard lay, as Jarchi; the neck or collar of it, as Kimchi and Ben Melech; the hole in which the head went through when it was put on, about which there was a band, that it might not be rent, Exod. 28:32 and 39:23 where the Septuagint use the same word as here. Suidas says, David means the superior aperture of the garment, that which we call the neck or collar-band; and so Theodoret: and the Arabic version renders it, the aperture, or opening of it; and hitherto the ointment came. This was typical of the grace of the spirit, the unction from the holy One; which has been poured on Christ, the head of the church, without measure; and with which he has been anointed above his fellows; and from him it is communicated to all his members; to every one of which is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ; and who from his fulness receive, and grace for grace: and particularly brotherly love is compared to this ointment; because of the preciousness of it, which is true of every grace; and because of the extensiveness of it, reaching to head and members, to Christ and all his saints, the meanest and lowest of them; and because of its fragrancy and sweet odour to all that are sensible of it; and because of its delightful, cheering, and refreshing nature; like ointment and perfume it rejoices the heart; yea, the worst things said, or reproofs given, in brotherly love, are like oil, pleasant and useful, Prov. 27:9; Psalm 141:5 and is as necessary for the saints, who are all priests unto God, to offer up their spiritual sacrifices; particularly that of prayer, which should be without wrath, as well as without doubting; and to do all other duties of religion, which should spring from charity or love; as the anointing-oil was to Aaron and his sons, in order to their officiating in the priest’s office.
Ver. 3. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, &c.] Herman was a very high hill beyond Jordan; the Sidonians called it Sirion, and the Amorites Shenir, Deut. 3:8 hence Shenir and Hermon are mentioned together, Cant. 4:8 and sometimes Sion or Seon, Deut. 4:48 and is the Zion here intended; for the dew of Hermon could never descend on the mountain of Zion near Jerusalem, which was a hundred miles distant; besides Zion was but one mountain, these many. Hermon was remarkable for its dew, which still continues: a traveller, one of our own country, and whose fidelity is to be depended on, lying in tents near this hill one night, says, “we were sufficiently instructed by experience what the holy psalmist means by the dew of Hermon; our tents being as wet with it as if it had rained all night.” The mountains of Zion were those that were near to Zion, and not the mountain itself, those that were round about Jerusalem, on which the dew also fell in great plenty; and to which unity among brethren is here compared, because it comes from God in heaven, as the dew does, Saints are taught of God to love one another; contentions and quarrels come from lusts within, but this comes from above, from the Father of lights; and, because of its gentle nature, this makes men pure, and peaceable, and gentle, and easy to be entreated; as the dew falls gently in a temperate and moderate air, not in stormy and blustering weather: and because of its cooling nature; it allays the heats and animosities in the minds of men; and because it makes the saints fruitful, and to grow and increase in good works. For there the Lord commanded the blessing; either in the mountains of Zion; so Kimchi: and if Mount Zion is meant by it, the church, often signified thereby, is the dwelling-place of the Lord; here he records his name and blesses; here his word is preached, which is full of blessings; and here ordinances are administered, which are blessed of God to his people. Theodoret thinks some respect is had to the pouring down of the spirit on the apostles in Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost: but rather the sense is, where brethren dwell together in unity, there the God of love and peace is; the Gospel of the grace of God is continued; and the ordinances of it made beneficial to the souls of men, they meeting together in peace and concord; see 2 Cor. 13:11. God is said to command the blessing when he promises it, and makes it known to his people, or bestows it on them, Psal. 105:8 and 44:4. Even life for evermore; the great blessing of all, which includes all others, and in which they issue, the promise of the covenant, the blessing of the Gospel; which is in the hands of Christ, and comes through him to all his people; to the peacemakers particularly, that live in love and peace; these shall live forever in a happy eternity, and never die, or be hurt of the second death. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 4, pp. 269–270). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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!!)
Daily Hope
Today’s Scripture
Numbers 5-6
Many people in our country appear to be desiring a culture and lifestyle that promotes mediocrity. Instead of a strong legal system and clear limits declaring right and wrong, there is a movement to blur traditional standards so that each person has the right to determine their own moral values.
Moses and the children of Israel had very clear commands from the Lord of acceptable and unacceptable actions and lifestyles. Anyone who did not meet the established standards were to be placed outside the camp and declared as unclean until restitution and purification was accomplished. This was done because the holiness of the Lord was present in the camp and everyone around the tabernacle was to be cleansed and purified.
It was also true in the interpersonal relationships of the nation. The husband and wife were to have a relationship of trust and fidelity. To determine the purity of the home, the Lord had established a test for the faithfulness of a wife. One truth that was evident through this chapter is the Lord was cognizant of both public and hidden sins which He made clear would hinder the nation’s relationship with Him. Purity of the people were of primary concern to the Lord!
Making purity even more personal, the Lord now devotes a chapter to individuals making a special vow of separation to the Lord. Often referred to as Nazarite vow, any man or woman could consecrate themselves for a designated time to the Lord. This time was to be marked by the individual refraining from certain things and devoting themselves to the Lord. They were to abstain from the grapevine, cutting of hair, and refrain from being near the dead (even family members). At the conclusion of the vow, the individual was to bring a series of offerings to the priest, shave his hair, and be restored to normal activities.
Purity and correct interaction between the people of God, proved vital for the Lord’s presence to remain in the camp. Purity continues to be important for the church to have the testimony of God’s abiding presence and power in today’s culture. May we be sensitive to the words we speak and the actions we do so people can see Christ in our midst. May Moses’ benediction be ours as well, “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace” Number 6: 24-26). With an Expectant Hope, Pastor Miller
Ephesians 1
Christians have forgiveness of sin–an eternal inheritance.
INSIGHT
Most Christians need to re-identify who they are. We still see ourselves as mere human beings, children of the age with the albatross of the world hanging around our necks. That is who we once were, but are no longer. We have been adopted by God and are now His children. We are newly created in Him in holiness and righteousness. We have been given an inheritance in heaven that includes wealth and power. We have been changed; we are no longer what we were. When that truth “sinks in,” we begin to act like who we really are rather than who we were. ( Quiet Walk)
EVANGELISM AND SANCTIFICATION
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
John 17:18
Our Lord’s disciples are to be sent to evangelize the world. How are they to do it? What is the first thing to consider? You notice what our Lord puts first: It is sanctification: “Sanctify them, for the work needs to be done in them before it can ever be done in the world.”
There is nothing that appalls me so much as the almost incredible way in which Christian people seem to ignore entirely the teaching of the Scriptures with regard to methods of evangelism. In the Scriptures from beginning to end, the emphasis is on the messenger, not his external methods. It is on his character and his being and on his relationship to God.
Take the case of Gideon. A mighty enemy army was facing the children of Israel, and at first Gideon collected an army of thirty-two thousand people. Then God began to reduce them until in the end there were only three hundred. God in effect said to Gideon, “I am not going to do this through the great army of thirty-two thousand, but in My way.” So He sent them out, not with great armaments, but with pitchers with lamps inside them, along with trumpets to blow. And with that ridiculous equipment they conquered the army of the enemy.
That is God’s way. God has always done His greatest works through remnants. If there is one doctrine that runs through the Scriptures more prominently than any other, it is the doctrine of the remnant. How often God has done everything with just one man. Do you remember the story in 1 Samuel 14 of Jonathan and his armor-bearer? They did not spend their time arguing about the condition of the enemy. One man, with his armor-bearer, trusting in the living God, could conquer an entire army!
A Thought to Ponder: God has always done His greatest works through remnants.
(From Sanctified Through the Truth, p. 22-23, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
The dark stream of evil is flowing apace,
And man is still walking a stranger to grace,
While daring rebellion is on the increase
Which mar not my joy, which disturb not my peace,
For my heart is engaged with its own happy song;
The Lord who has loved me will come before long;
It may be tomorrow, or even tonight,
That I shall behold Him in unclouded light! (H.A. Ironside)
2 Corinthians 1
The Lord comforts us in our affliction so we may comfort others.
INSIGHT
There is a fellowship of suffering. Someone who has suffered the same things we have suffered is better able to minister to us. And if we have been comforted in our suffering, we are better able to comfort someone else who experiences the same difficulties. Suffering can make us compassionate toward others. As the sufferings of Christ overflow into our lives, so can the compassion of Christ overflow from our lives into the lives of others. (Quiet Walk)
ALL THINGS
…the same anointing teacheth you of all things… 1 John 2:27
John does not teach here that a Christian knows everything. “But surely,” says someone, “when it says, ye know all things! (verse 20), doesn’t all things mean just that? But if you think that, then you must mean that every Christian knows everything astronomy, geometry, the classics, and everything else that is in the realm of knowledge, which is patently and obviously ridiculous! No; we must take these statements within their context. John obviously does not mean secular knowledge.
Does he then mean spiritual knowledge? No, he does not mean spiritual knowledge in every sense either, for this good reason: If John is here saying that every man or woman who receives the Holy Spirit automatically knows the whole of spiritual truth, how can you apply the New Testament teaching about growing in grace and in knowledge? How can there then be any development in our knowledge and understanding? Not only that, I think we can say that if that were true, then there would be no need for the New Testament epistles. Clearly that is not the case. John’s reference to “all things” here is a reference to the particular subject with which he is dealing. It is not an all-inclusive, all-comprehensive statement.
John does not teach here that because of this knowledge every Christian is infallible. For if the unction of the Holy Spirit means that every Christian knows everything, it would follow that every Christian would have to agree with every other Christian about every aspect of Christian doctrine. But that is not the case. There are divergences and differences among Christians who manifest the Holy Spirit in their lives about the question of baptism, about the prophetic teaching, about church order, and many other subjects. Added to that, Christians good Christians have from time to time fallen into error.
A Thought to Ponder: John does not teach here that because of this knowledge every Christian is infallible. (From Walking with God, p. 125, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Teaching Universe
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)
This familiar psalm, extolling God’s creation (vv. 1-6) and God’s Word (vv. 7-14), begins with a beautiful summary of the testimony of the physical universe. “The heavens” and the “firmament” are synonymous (Genesis 1:8), both being equivalent to our modern scientific concept of space. The “glory of God” refers to His infinite power, or energy, and “his handywork” implies the infinite variety and complexity of physical systems, or matter, in the universe. This interaction of matter and energy occurs everywhere throughout space, but also has to operate and be understood in the context of time, “day unto day” and “night unto night.”
The entire marvelous complex of space/time/matter/energy is continually “uttering speech” and “showing knowledge,” teaching men and women of all times and places that there is a great Creator God who made it all. “The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen” (Romans 1:20).
The boundless space, the endless time, the infinite energies, and the innumerable complexities of the matter of the universe all unite in irrefutable testimony to the God of creation. The most fundamental principle of science, as well as the most universal rule of human experience, is the Law of Cause and Effect, stating that no effect can transcend its cause. Thus, the great cause of the universe must be infinite, eternal, omnipotent, and omniscient. And since we as living, feeling persons are able to think about all this, that cause must also be a living, feeling, thinking person. This is the great lesson engraved on the textbook of the universe for all to read and learn. The whole creation, indeed, declares the glory of God. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Believe God, Not the Deceiver
Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. JOHN 8:44
A Long Island businessman in the 1930s bought an expensive brass barometer to mount in his home. However, when the man pulled the instrument out of the box and started to hang it, the arrow that indicated current weather conditions was pointing hard to “Hurricane.”
Angrily, he pounded his palm on the glass face of the barometer. The arrow didn’t move. He shook it and then banged it on the table. The arrow still didn’t move. This thing was obviously defective. So the next morning he fired off a nasty letter to the manufacturer and dropped it in a mailbox on his way to work in Manhattan.
But sure enough, a storm did roar through Long Island that day. And when he drove home in the afternoon, his house was destroyed . . . in a hurricane.
You see, there is absolute truth and there is deception.
Non-negotiable Number Four: Believe God, Not the Deceiver
All of life is a choice of who you will believe. Life is a battle between believing the truth or swallowing lies. And because the nature of our hearts—like that of the man in this story—is to doubt the truth and believe deceptions, it takes a deliberate effort to embrace God’s truth as non-negotiable. If we don’t keep our minds in the truth of the Scriptures on a daily basis, we become easy marks for our constant foe, the devil, who is both “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14) and “the father of lies.”
So even when the Scriptures teach something you don’t like, it’s always the right choice to believe God anyway. It’s better to know the truth that a hurricane is coming than to mistakenly think you’re in the clear.
DISCUSS
What deceptions have you fallen prey to in the past? How have they burned you? What is God asking you to believe today?
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