Zechariah 10
Promise of the LORD: Harvest verse 1
Ask you of the LORD
rain in the time of the latter rain
SO the LORD shall make bright clouds
and give them showers of rain
to every one grass in the field
Promise of the LORD: True Shepherds verse 2
FOR the idols have spoken vanity
and the diviners have seen a lie
and have told false dreams
they comfort in vain
THEREFORE they went their way as a flock
they were troubled
BECAUSE there was NO SHEPHERD
Promise of the LORD: Victory verse 3- 5
MINE anger was kindled against the SHEPHERDS
and I will punish the goats
FOR the LORD of hosts has visited
HIS flock the house of Judah
and made them as
HIS goodly horse in the battle
Out of him came forth the corner – out of him the nail
out of him the battle bow
out of him every oppressor together
AND they shall be as mighty men
which tread down their enemies
in the mire of the streets in the battle
and they shall fight – BECAUSE the LORD is with them
and the riders on horses shall be confounded
Promise of the LORD: Answer to prayer verse 6
AND I will strengthen the house of Judah
and I will save the house of Joseph
and I will bring them again to place them
FOR I have mercy upon them
and they shall be
as though I had not cast them off
FOR I am the LORD their God
and will hear them
Promise of the LORD: Joy verse 7
AND they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man
and their heart shall rejoice as through wine
YEA their children shall see it – and be glad
their heart shall rejoice in the LORD
Promise of the LORD: Redemption verse 8- 9
I will hiss for them
and gather them
FOR I have redeemed them
and they shall increase as they have increased
AND I will sow them among the people
and they shall remember ME in far countries
AND they shall live with their children – and turn again
Promise of the LORD: Restoration verse 10- 12
I will bring them
again also out of the land of Egypt
and gather them out of Assyria
and I will bring them into
the land of Gilead and Lebanon
and place shall not be found for them
AND he shall pass through the sea with affliction
and shall smite the waves in the sea
and all the deeps of the river shall dry up
and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down
and the scepter of Egypt shall depart away
AND I will strengthen them in the LORD
and THEY shall walk up and down in HIS name
says the LORD
COMMENTARYDAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 Ask you of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so that LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. (7592 “ask” [sha’al] means consult, beg for, to make a request, to seek, or find out.)
DEVOTION: Control is the name of the game in our world. We think we are in control. We think that we can solve all the problems of the world. Some think there is no need for the LORD in the life of the people of our world.
Weather is a hot topic today in Alaska. There are those who state that we are facing global warming because of all the carbons we are putting into the air. Our world is going to be destroyed. Some are making a lot of money going around with this theory. The facts seem to be missing. Research seems to be mismanaged. Is our world really going to be destroyed? The answer is yes. It is going to be purged of sin in the future. At present we are feeling some of the effects of sin on our world. Should believers be concerned about the environment? YES. That should not be our main concern. Our main concern should be people and their relationship to the LORD.
Throughout Scripture we see that the LORD is in control of the weather. HE is the one who sends rain or withholds rain. HE is the one who gives good harvests or poor harvests. HE is the one who causes crop failure because of sin in the lives of HIS people.
Again we read about what is going to happen in the future. The future for the world is good after a time of judgment by the LORD. HE is going to provide great harvests and rich blessings.
Remember our main concern is not elections or global warming these are traps of the enemy.
CHALLENGE: The real concern is our lives giving glory to the LORD through our witness.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. (7462 “shepherd” [ra’ah] means to nourish, to enable, edify figurative for teacher, or figurative of ruler.)
DEVOTION: Zechariah states out this chapter with a statement of fact. The fact is that the children of Israel can pray to the LORD and HE can send rain. They had been depending on their idols to provide them rain. They had been depending on their diviners to provide them rain. They had been depending on false dreams to bring them rain. All these sources were vain!!!
What happened to the people who were depending on idols, diviners and false dreams? They wandered around in a desert without any direction. They were in trouble with no place to turn. Why? They didn’t have leaders who were following the LORD. They didn’t have leaders who taught them correctly. They didn’t have leaders who nourished them correctly. The had leaders who were like rain clouds but without the rain. There was no blessing. There was no HOPE.
The LORD was against these false leaders. HE was going to punish them. Why? It is because they not only were going in the wrong direction but were leading HIS people in that direction. They were the Pharisees of the Old Testament. They had a form of godliness but no power. They were leading people into the lake of fire.
Today we have such leaders. The problem is that some of them use the Bible each Sunday to teach falsehood. They are leading their people right into the lake of fire with a smile on their face. They are reinterpreting the Bible to call sin righteousness. They are saying that God’s people can eat, drink and be merry because they are going to heaven no matter what they do. Some of those who were Biblical to begin with are now saying that all ways lead to heaven. It doesn’t matter what religion they follow. With or without Christ people can still get into heaven. It is a great lie from our enemy the devil. However, many who say they are followers of the LORD want to believe it because they want to have what they want when they want it.
Those who claim Christ are still very selfish individuals. Those who claim Christ are still very lazy people. Those who claim Christ are still very greedy people. The only way we can fight this in our life is to depend on the LORD. HIS Holy Spirit can guide us to truth. The Holy Spirit wants to teach us truth.
The purpose of those who lead sheep to pasture is to give them true comfort. The teacher is supposed to give the sheep food each day to keep them going. The teacher was to give them help in times of trouble.
Why do God’s people listen to these false teachers? The reason was because the true teachers were nowhere to be found. If they were around they were not feeding the flock or tending to their needs. They needed true teachers to teach them truth. It was not happening.
Is it happening in our churches today? Are there teachers and preachers who are not tending to the needs of the flock? Are there teachers and preachers who are not feeding the flock? The next verse tells us that the LORD was angry with these shepherds. Is HE angry at the shepherds that are tending to HIS flock now? Pastors tend to the flock the LORD has given you.
CHALLENGE: Pastors and church leaders feed the flock. Don’t let them leave a service without some food for the soul. The LORD will bless all those who do. Praise HIS name.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them. (1396 “strengthen” [gabar] means to cause to prevail, robust, to make strong, to make superior, be greater, or to make an object mighty and forceful.
DEVOTION: Have you ever faced a time period in your life when it seems that everything was going wrong? Did it seem at the time period that the LORD was not answering your prayers? Did it seem like all your friends were running the other way instead of helping you?
The children of Israel had many time periods like that in their history. They were guilty of sin and a lack of repentance when the LORD sent prophets to them for that purpose. They were rebellious. They were stubborn.
Do these characteristics describe many believers today? It seems that we want to act the way we want to act and when trouble comes we want God to rescue us from all the messes we have made in our life. HE doesn’t work that way. HE wants us to realize that we are accountable for our sins. HE wants us to repent and change our ways. Sometimes it seems like we don’t have control over our situation but we can still continue to turn to HIM for help.
One of the themes throughout the Word of God is that this life is only temporary but the life after death is eternal. We would like everything fixed NOW in this life but there are many Christians who are suffering for their faith and dying for their faith because during this time period HE is still instructing us.
The future for Judah and Israel is bright. It is not going to happen during the time period when Zechariah prophesied. It is still future to this day. We continue to see hope manifested. Let us live in that hope for what we are presently going through is still only temporary.
CHALLENGE: Separate what is eternal from what is temporary in our life and we can see the LORD working. If we don’t, we face discouragement rather than a willingness to prevail with the LORD in our present circumstance.
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: 12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in HIS name, says the LORD. (1396 “strengthen” [gabar] means to make superior, prevail, mighty, to achieve, or to make strong.)
DEVOTION: This is the second time in this chapter that the LORD promises to strengthen HIS people. Why do they need strength? They are living their daily lives in this world. They face trouble. They face people. They face decisions that need to be made every second.
HE wants them to walk in HIS strength each day. HE wants them to be totally dependent on HIM. HE wants to be the Shepherd that they presently don’t have. They were presently following false shepherds who HE likens to goats. They were leading them away instead of toward.
We need to be walking in the strength of the LORD each day to make wise decisions. HE has made the promise. Do we hold HIM to HIS promise with confidence? HE wants us to be confident that HE is going to lead us in the right direction with the right strength to face anything HE allows in our path on a daily basis. Don’t walk alone. Let HIM lead!!!
CHALLENGE: I can do all things through Christ who makes me strong both physically and mentally. Are we using the power the LORD gave to us?
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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)
Pray for rain verse 1
LORD promises to hear prayer verse 6
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 1, 3, 5- 7, 12
Control of weather verse 1
Anger of the LORD verse 3
LORD of hosts verse 3
HIS flock the house of Judah verse 3
LORD their God verse 6
Rejoice in the LORD verse 7
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)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign, Plural name) verse 6
LORD their God verse 6
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Enemies verse 5
Land of Egypt verse 10, 11
Assyria verse 10, 11
Land of Gilead verse 10
Land of Lebanon verse 10
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Idols verse 2
Vanity verse 2
Diviners verse 2
Lie verse 2
False dreams verse 2
Comfort in vain verse 2
Troubled verse 2
No shepherd verse 2
False shepherds verse 3
Punished verse 3
Confounded verse 5
Pride verse 11
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Ask verse 1
Shepherd verse 2
Presence of the LORD verse 5
Strength verse 6, 12
Save verse 6
Mercy verse 6
Not cast off verse 6
Heard verse 6
Rejoice verse 7
Glad verse 7
Redeemed verse 8
Increase verse 8
Remember verse 9
Affliction verse 11
Walk up and down in LORD verse 12
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
House of Judah verse 3, 6
Goodly horse verse 3
House of Joseph verse 6
Ephraim verse 7
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
10:1 This verse probably contains a veiled polemic against Baal and Baalism, as do Jeremiah 14:22 and Amos 5:8 (see further Barker, “Value of Ugaritic,” pp. 120–23). Yahweh, not Baal, is the one who controls the weather and the rain, giving life and fertility to the land. Therefore the people of God are to pray to him and trust in him. Some scholars regard the spring rains as literal; others understand them as spiritual and typical. Perhaps both are in view, the literal rains being also typical of spiritual refreshment. Certainly in the grand consummation of the Messianic Era, both the physical and spiritual realms will flourish (cf. Isa 55:10–12; Hos 6:3; Joel 2:21–32). (Barker, K. L. (1986). Zechariah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (Vol. 7, pp. 667–668). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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1. Ask … rain—on which the abundance of “corn” promised by the Lord (Zec 9:17) depends. Jehovah alone can give it, and will give it on being asked (Je 10:13; 14:22). rain in … time of … latter rain—that is, the latter rain in its due time, namely, in spring, about February or March (Job 29:23; Joe 2:23). The latter rain ripened the grain, as the former rain in October tended to fructify the seed. Including all temporal blessings; these again being types of spiritual ones. Though God has begun to bless us, we are not to relax our prayers. The former rain of conversion may have been given, but we must also ask for the latter rain of ripened sanctification. Though at Pentecost there was a former rain on the Jewish Church, a latter rain is still to be looked for, when the full harvest of the nation’s conversion shall be gathered in to God. The spirit of prayer in the Church is an index at once of her piety, and of the spiritual blessings she may expect from God. When the Church is full of prayer, God pours out a full blessing.
bright clouds—rather, “lightnings,” the precursors of rain [Maurer].
showers of rain—literally, “rain of heavy rain.” In Job 37:6 the same words occur in inverted order [Henderson].
grass—a general term, including both corn for men and grass for cattle. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 728–729). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
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10:1–5. The exhortation in verse 1 is transitional, indicating that the source of natural blessings (rain and plants of the field) is the Lord, not idolatrous and deceptive false shepherds (vv. 2–3). As a result of the deception by the false (and apparently foreign) prophets and diviners, God’s people wander like sheep. Therefore God announced that He would bring wrath and judgment on the false shepherds and victory to His flock (cf. Micah 5:4). The remedy for the nation’s deception focuses on the coming of the Messiah who is described in a fourfold way as the Cornerstone (cf. Isa. 28:16), the Tent Peg … the Battle Bow (cf. Ps. 45:5), and the Ruler (cf. Gen. 49:10; Micah 5:2). These terms emphasize the strong, stable, victorious, and trustworthy nature of Messiah’s rule. The Lord will not do all the fighting but will empower His people to conquer like mighty men. His presence (He will be with them) will enable them to be victorious. (Lindsey, F. D. (1985). Zechariah. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1564). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Again, the image changes (Zech. 9:16–10:1) and the army is pictured as a flock of sheep which the Messiah saves by His power. Sheep are the last animals you would take to a war, but Israel has always been God’s special flock (Ps. 100:3) and God “the Shepherd of Israel” (80:1). Zechariah will use the “flock” and “shepherd” images again in his prophecy (Zech. 10:2–3; 11:4–16; 13:7). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Be heroic (p. 134). Colorado Springs, CO: ChariotVictor Pub.)
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10:1 Ask rain from the Lord. In light of the promised blessings of 9:17, the prophet encourages the people to request these blessings from the Lord, with confidence. There will be literal rain and spring rain (Apr./May) in the kingdom (cf. Is 35:1–7) making the land flourish, but the promise here extends to refer to spiritual blessings (cf Hos 6:1–3). The “spring rain” of spiritual grace and goodness from God will bring refreshment to people’s souls (cf. Is 44:3). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Zec 10:1). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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Ver. 1. Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain, &c.] There was the former and the latter rain, of which see Hos. 6:3; Joel 2:23. The former rain was in autumn, a little before or about seedtime; the latter was in the spring, and a little before harvest, which is here referred to. So Hesiod calls those rains the autumnal and vernal rains; and between these two rains there was seldom any more. Jerom saysh that he never saw in the eastern countries, especially in Judea, any rain at the end of the month of June, or in July; and now, at Aleppo, a little more northerly, for three or four months after May, they have scarce so much as any dew upon the ground, as Pemble on the place observes. So Dr. Shaw says, little or no rain falls in this climate (of Algiers and Tunis), during the summer-season; and in most parts of the Sahara, particularly in the Jereede, they have seldom any rain at all. It was likewise the same in the holy land, Prov. 26:1. where rain is accounted an unusual thing in harvest, 2 Sam. 21:10. where it is also mentioned, from harvest till rain dropped on them; i.e. their rainy season fell out, as in Barbary, in the autumnal and winter months.—The first rains (he observes) fall here some years in September, in others a month later; after which the Arabs break up their ground, in order to sow wheat, and plant beans: this commonly falls out about the middle of October.—If the latter rains fall as usual in the middle of April, (in the holy land we find they were a month sooner, Joel 2:23,) the crop is reckoned secure; the harvest coming on in the latter end of May, or in the beginning of June, according to the heat and quality of the preceding seasons: wherefore, since there was so little rain fell in these countries, and particularly in Judea; if these former and latter rains failed, a scarcity followed; for, for want of the former rain, the earth was hard, and not easily ploughed up; and for want of the latter the corn withered away in the blade, and did not ear, at least did not produce ears plump and good; so that these rains were great temporal blessings, and to be asked for, as they were by the Jews, when they were wanted; and for which they appointed fasts, and were emblems of spiritual blessings here designed; for rain here is not to be literally understood, but mystically and spiritually; and designs either the love and favour of God, and the comfortable discoveries of it; see Prov. 16:15 and 19:12. which may be compared to rain in its original; it is from above, from on high, it comes from heaven; it is not owing to anything in man, but to the will of God; and is distinguishing, as rain falls on one city, and not on another; in its objects, undeserving persons, as rain is sent on the just and unjust; in its manner of communication, it tarries not for the will and works of men; it comes at times in great abundance, and the discoveries of it are to be asked for; in its effects, it softens and melts the heart into evangelical repentance; it cools and extinguishes the flaming wrath of a fiery law in the conscience; it refreshes and revives the drooping spirit, and makes the barren soul fruitful: or the blessings of grace in general may be meant; these are from above, depend on the will of God; are to be sought after, and asked for; are free-grace gifts; are given largely and plentifully, and make fruitful: or the coming of Christ in the flesh in particular is intended; see Hos. 6:3. who came down from heaven; is a free gift of God to men, was sought after, and greatly desired, and to be desired, by the Old-Testament saints, and very grateful to such when he came. This may also be applied to his spiritual coming in his power and kingdom in the latter day, which is to be earnestly wished and prayed for, Psal. 72:7, 8, 16. or else the Gospel may be designed; see Deut. 32:2; Isa. 55:10, 11. this is of God, and from above; comes and falls upon the sons of men, according to divine direction; softens hard hearts, when it becomes effectual; comforts the souls of God’s people; is a blessing to be desired, and asked for; and will be enjoyed in great plenty in the latter day: so the Lord shall make bright clouds; by which may be meant the ministers of the Gospel, who are of God’s making, and not man’s: these may be compared to cleads for their number, especially as they will be in the latter day; and for their moving to and fro, to communicate spiritual knowledge; and to bright ones, such as from whence lightning springs, thunderclouds, full of water; (the same word is used for lightning, Job 38:25;) because full of Gospel truths, and because of that clear light they diffuse to others: and give them showers of rain productive, under a divine influence, of large conversions among Jews and Gentiles: to every one grass in the field: on whom these showers fall with efficacy, and a divine blessing; every one of these have a spiritual knowledge of Christ, faith in him, repentance towards God, food and fulness of it; and are filled with the fruits of righteousness, or good works, to the glory of God; see Isa. 55:10. The Targum is, “that he may give to them (the children of men) corn to eat, and grass to the beasts in the field;” taking the words literally. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, pp. 726–727). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
Do we engage with lukewarmness in private devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer. For if this fire should be smothered beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim the fire on the family altar, and lessen our influence both in the Church and in the world. (Spurgeon)
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Acts 7
Stephen is arrested for preaching the Gospel.
INSIGHTThe New Testament was written in times that, in many ways, seem barbaric to us. That respectable people would clamor for a crucifixion or incite a mob to riot or pick up stones and kill another man is difficult for us to imagine. Yet culture was different then. Today we do not kill a person to get rid of an unwanted message. Instead, we use other tactics. We can kill the message by making it look foolish or by discrediting the messenger. We even attack God Himself, declaring that He is dead or that He has no relevance to our era. But unless we accept the message of salvation that Stephen preached, we are as guilty before God as the ones who threw the stones. (Quiet Walk)
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OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES FULFILLED
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20
What does the Old Testament tell about Christ as it focuses attention upon Him and compels us to consider Him? First, it says that He is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies and promises. The great central statement of that is in 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” They come to a focus, to a point, in Him.
He is the fulfillment of the promise that was given in the Garden of Eden when God said that the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). There is also the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 17 about the seed. Paul refers to this in Galatians 3:16: “He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
Take, for instance, the promise given in Genesis 49:10: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” That is a tremendous promise and a most vital statement, and it was literally fulfilled in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a fact of history that the scepter and lawgiver did remain with Judah until A.D. 70, and since then, with the destruction of Jerusalem and the casting out of the Jewish nation among the
nations, that has no longer been the case. The scepter and the lawgiver remained there until Christ came, and then it departed, in that external sense. And likewise the statement “and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” obviously has been fulfilled and only fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.
A Thought to Ponder: Christ is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies and promises. (From God the Father, God the Son, p. 24, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The Power of the Saints
“The exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe.” (Ephesians 1:19)
The power of the triune Creator, as displayed in the resurrection of Christ, is directed toward us! We will never fully comprehend that, but the Scriptures provide several clear statements that will help us gain a small grasp on this magnificent resource.
We receive power when the Holy Spirit indwells us (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit takes up residence in everyone who is twice-born (John 14:17) and is therefore readily accessible to all believers (Ephesians 3:20).
- We use the power of God every time we preach the gospel (Romans 1:16), whether to one person or to thousands (1 Corinthians 1:18).
- We learn of the power of God through “great and precious promises.” Indeed, those promises involve “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3-4).
- We see the results of God’s power in our lives when we are “strengthened with all might” so we demonstrate “all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11).
The Lord desires “that [we] might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:19) and “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (v. 16). The purpose of this empowering is to be “rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith” (Colossians 2:7), “able to comprehend . . . the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know [!] the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18-19).
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (vv. 20-21). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Daily Hope
Today’s Scripture Weekend Scripture: Psalm 135
Prince Phillip, Husband to Queen Elizabeth, passed away today. Over the next several days we will see some of solemn pomp and pageantry of royalty as the British people say goodbye to a representative of their heads of state. This solemn process of grieving will remind us of how protocol and tradition is preserved.
Psalms 135-150 are almost all praise psalms that have been used by both Jewish and Christian congregations through the centuries. Only recently, have these psalms been replaced by the popular hymns, songs, and choruses of our current worship culture. Psalm 135 is marked by the statement, “Praise the Lord”, at the beginning and end of this psalm. It is translated from the Hebrew words hallelu jah, which we contract into the single word “hallelujah. This word is often used in the final psalms and in psalms 145-150 it begins and ends each of these psalms. This summons, “Praise the Lord”, in these psalms have resulted in these psalms being called the Hallel (or Praise) Psalms.
As we go through these final psalms, worshipping the Lord a recurring theme. A good place to begin that worship is to determine to be with God’s people in God’s house on the Lord’s day. Worship occurs best with a group of people who are united in mind and heart, focusing together to honor our Savior. May we “Praise the Lord” in worship this Sunday!
With an Expectant hope,
Pastor Miller
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