The function of the sanctuary.
Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
God said-- let them make me a sanctuary and then He told them why… that I may dwell among them.
Catching the whole picture we have to put this into perspective a bit.
The people of Israel were enslaved to the Pharoah of Egypt for hundreds of years. These were God's chosen people descendents of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob…Joseph and they were slaves. God didn't want them to remain slaves, being slaves kept them from freely being able to worship Him. The people of Egypt worshipped false gods not the one true God. God's chosen people were being contaminated by association with the Egyptians and after hundreds of years it was time to separate them so that God's people would have a chance to worship their one true God, their deliverer, their redeemer. The power of God was fully realized in all He did for them to free them from the tyrannical gripe of their captor.
After their miraculous deliverance they were led out of Egypt and God wasn't going to leave them to their own devices. These were His people, He'd saved them, He loved them and He wanted them to live for Him because He knew this would be best for them. Intent on helping them as never before, God wanted to dwell among them in a very visible manner.
God wanted His people to have a hand in building Him a Sanctuary, a place where He could dwell among them. This was going to be a portable Sanctuary because God's people were going to be traveling to the land promised to them by God and every step of the way God wanted them to realize He was with them, guiding them.
God with us. This brings us to another reference to that particular idea--
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
'God with us'
Exo 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
Dwell among them- God with us.
The connection is undeniable. God reconciling man to Himself. God offering a chance to restore the lost connection between Himself and mankind.
The amazing love God has for us is something we cannot comprehend. We can go into the Sanctuary, God wants us to go into the Sanctuary so we can understand. God wants to be with us.
May our hearts and eyes be opened to understand the unique relationship God offers to mankind, to all of us. By His grace we can be with Him, through His love and unending mercy. All in Christ's righteousness.
Amen.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Understanding their end...
Psa 73:1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
Psa 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Psa 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psa 73:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
Psa 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Psa 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Psa 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Psa 73:8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Psa 73:9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Psa 73:10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
Psa 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
Psa 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Psa 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
Psa 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
Psa 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
Psa 73:16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
Psa 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
People bemoan their fate all the time wondering why they're not prosperous, why fortune doesn't favor them but seemingly favors those who are wicked. The bad people having all the luck seems all too common. The ungodly rising in fortune and fame, we see it all the time and we don't understand. Throughout time it's been that way - the poor and honest man struggling to make ends meet, while the rich, liar wallows in prosperity. That's not to say that God's beloved haven't had fortune- Abraham had great fortune. David, Solomon had great, great wealth as well as Job, but those were the exceptions to the rule.
Reading this psalm reveals this in a special way. Here we have the bemoaning of this situation and then these words… 'Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.'
What does it mean to go into the sanctuary of God? What is the sanctuary of God? What happens in the sanctuary of God?
Psa 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
God's way is in the sanctuary and until we go into the sanctuary we can't understand the end of the wicked and in understanding that, we can understand the end of those who are not wicked, those who are God's.
The whole sanctuary set up was for mankind pointing the way of reconciling between God and man. Only those who understand their need of reconciliation, only those who go into the sanctuary of God can find the way of God. The understanding of the sanctuary service didn't stop when Christ died, in fact Christ was full revelation of the Sanctuary. In Christ we can understand the meaning of the Sanctuary.
I've studied the Sanctuary before, but I feel the need to study it again. We know that there is a Heavenly Sanctuary and it's a Sanctuary that unlike the earthly Sanctuary, it cannot be destroyed.
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man
May God bless us as we seek to understand the way of God in the sanctuary, as we seek to understand the life we live in surrounded by the prospering wicked, a world that is not our world, a world filled with evil. Let us go into the Sanctuary so we may understand.
By the grace of God, by the mercy of our Lord, through the Holy Spirit's enlightening may we understand.
Amen.
Psa 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Psa 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psa 73:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
Psa 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Psa 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Psa 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Psa 73:8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Psa 73:9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Psa 73:10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
Psa 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
Psa 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Psa 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
Psa 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
Psa 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
Psa 73:16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
Psa 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
People bemoan their fate all the time wondering why they're not prosperous, why fortune doesn't favor them but seemingly favors those who are wicked. The bad people having all the luck seems all too common. The ungodly rising in fortune and fame, we see it all the time and we don't understand. Throughout time it's been that way - the poor and honest man struggling to make ends meet, while the rich, liar wallows in prosperity. That's not to say that God's beloved haven't had fortune- Abraham had great fortune. David, Solomon had great, great wealth as well as Job, but those were the exceptions to the rule.
Reading this psalm reveals this in a special way. Here we have the bemoaning of this situation and then these words… 'Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.'
What does it mean to go into the sanctuary of God? What is the sanctuary of God? What happens in the sanctuary of God?
Psa 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
God's way is in the sanctuary and until we go into the sanctuary we can't understand the end of the wicked and in understanding that, we can understand the end of those who are not wicked, those who are God's.
The whole sanctuary set up was for mankind pointing the way of reconciling between God and man. Only those who understand their need of reconciliation, only those who go into the sanctuary of God can find the way of God. The understanding of the sanctuary service didn't stop when Christ died, in fact Christ was full revelation of the Sanctuary. In Christ we can understand the meaning of the Sanctuary.
I've studied the Sanctuary before, but I feel the need to study it again. We know that there is a Heavenly Sanctuary and it's a Sanctuary that unlike the earthly Sanctuary, it cannot be destroyed.
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man
May God bless us as we seek to understand the way of God in the sanctuary, as we seek to understand the life we live in surrounded by the prospering wicked, a world that is not our world, a world filled with evil. Let us go into the Sanctuary so we may understand.
By the grace of God, by the mercy of our Lord, through the Holy Spirit's enlightening may we understand.
Amen.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
In Well Doing
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life
Seek for glory
Seek for honor
Seek for immortality
Eternal life
We need to seek for glory- eternal life...
We need to seek for honor- eternal life...
We need to seek for immortality- eternal life…
This is a recipe if you will - for eternal life.
Not seeking glory for glory sake, not seeking glory for selfish reasons.
The only glory one should desire is eternal life.
Not seeking any honor at all for self in any way, but finding and wanting honor only in eternal life. People the world over seek immortality in many ways- but we need to seek it only through eternal life.
Eternal life is found only in Jesus.
To us, who by patient continuance.
To us who by perseverance in WELL DOING seek glory, honor and immortality - we will have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. If we don't patiently live our lives in WELL doing we will NOT have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
People get alarmed when they hear that sort of talk- no, no, no, it's not by works but by FAITH, they cry! Don't tell me I have to have patient continuance in well doing!
I'm not telling you that, the Bible is! God is! The Bible also says this...
Rom 2:8
But unto them that are contentious,
and do not obey the truth,
but obey unrighteousness,
indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9
Tribulation and anguish,
upon every soul of man that doeth evil,
of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 2:10
But glory, honour, and peace,
to every man that worketh good,
to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile
And these are the verses above all those we've just read-- it's important to put it all together--
Rom 2:1
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest
for wherein thou judgest another
thou condemnest thyself
for thou that judgest
doest the same things.
Rom 2:2
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
Rom 2:3
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things
and doest the same,
that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Rom 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering;
not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Rom 2:5
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God
Rom 2:6
Who will render to every man according to his deeds
God- WHO WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS
I didn't make that up! I didn't! We are told these things and for the people who think that they can act any way they want to and never have to account for their actions but simply say the words they accept Jesus as their Savior and have eternal life- well they are in for a rude eternal death awakening. Many will say to Jesus in that day that they knew Him, that they even did things in His name, but He won't know them. This is life! And Jesus came and led as our great example and if we think we can act contrary to how Jesus would have acted, how Jesus lived, then we are fools. He gave us a lot of instruction, a lot! We can't ignore it all and honestly believe we will be saved. We are accountable for the opportunities to learn and grow in Christ. We are accountable. God will render to EVERY man according to his deeds. Rather than trying to convince ourselves that it's okay to live worldly- in accordance and acceptance with the world- face the truth, we have to live in accordance with the will of God and it's not the will of God that we conform to the world, that we don't hold ourselves accountable for our own actions.
Salvation is found in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone! As a result of having Jesus Christ as our Savior we will …
In well doing--
Seek for glory
Seek for honor
Seek for immortality
Eternal life
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life
By the grace of our Lord! By His mercy may we live in Him now and always, our hope in His righteousness because no matter how good our deeds are we will fall far short in righteousness. Does this mean we shouldn't do good deeds? Or live a life of good deeds seeking to do well in all things? No. It is our hope the Lord can use us for His will now and always, in all things! It was no mistake that Christ said this…
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
What are fruits but the produce of our lives? Make no mistake what we do in our lives, who we are in our lives, the type of person we are is all a part of who we believe in, who we call our Savior. We are known by our actions by God and man.
In His amazing grace!!!! In His love always!
Amen.
Seek for glory
Seek for honor
Seek for immortality
Eternal life
We need to seek for glory- eternal life...
We need to seek for honor- eternal life...
We need to seek for immortality- eternal life…
This is a recipe if you will - for eternal life.
Not seeking glory for glory sake, not seeking glory for selfish reasons.
The only glory one should desire is eternal life.
Not seeking any honor at all for self in any way, but finding and wanting honor only in eternal life. People the world over seek immortality in many ways- but we need to seek it only through eternal life.
Eternal life is found only in Jesus.
To us, who by patient continuance.
To us who by perseverance in WELL DOING seek glory, honor and immortality - we will have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. If we don't patiently live our lives in WELL doing we will NOT have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
People get alarmed when they hear that sort of talk- no, no, no, it's not by works but by FAITH, they cry! Don't tell me I have to have patient continuance in well doing!
I'm not telling you that, the Bible is! God is! The Bible also says this...
Rom 2:8
But unto them that are contentious,
and do not obey the truth,
but obey unrighteousness,
indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9
Tribulation and anguish,
upon every soul of man that doeth evil,
of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 2:10
But glory, honour, and peace,
to every man that worketh good,
to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile
And these are the verses above all those we've just read-- it's important to put it all together--
Rom 2:1
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest
for wherein thou judgest another
thou condemnest thyself
for thou that judgest
doest the same things.
Rom 2:2
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
Rom 2:3
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things
and doest the same,
that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Rom 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering;
not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Rom 2:5
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God
Rom 2:6
Who will render to every man according to his deeds
God- WHO WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS
I didn't make that up! I didn't! We are told these things and for the people who think that they can act any way they want to and never have to account for their actions but simply say the words they accept Jesus as their Savior and have eternal life- well they are in for a rude eternal death awakening. Many will say to Jesus in that day that they knew Him, that they even did things in His name, but He won't know them. This is life! And Jesus came and led as our great example and if we think we can act contrary to how Jesus would have acted, how Jesus lived, then we are fools. He gave us a lot of instruction, a lot! We can't ignore it all and honestly believe we will be saved. We are accountable for the opportunities to learn and grow in Christ. We are accountable. God will render to EVERY man according to his deeds. Rather than trying to convince ourselves that it's okay to live worldly- in accordance and acceptance with the world- face the truth, we have to live in accordance with the will of God and it's not the will of God that we conform to the world, that we don't hold ourselves accountable for our own actions.
Salvation is found in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone! As a result of having Jesus Christ as our Savior we will …
In well doing--
Seek for glory
Seek for honor
Seek for immortality
Eternal life
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life
By the grace of our Lord! By His mercy may we live in Him now and always, our hope in His righteousness because no matter how good our deeds are we will fall far short in righteousness. Does this mean we shouldn't do good deeds? Or live a life of good deeds seeking to do well in all things? No. It is our hope the Lord can use us for His will now and always, in all things! It was no mistake that Christ said this…
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
What are fruits but the produce of our lives? Make no mistake what we do in our lives, who we are in our lives, the type of person we are is all a part of who we believe in, who we call our Savior. We are known by our actions by God and man.
In His amazing grace!!!! In His love always!
Amen.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
There is none holy as the LORD
After leaving her young son, Samuel, with the High Priest Eli at the Holy Temple, knowing she'd be leaving him there for the rest of His life never to have him in her home again, Hannah prayed this prayer…
1Sa 2:1 And Hannah prayed, and said,
My heart rejoiceth in the LORD,
mine horn is exalted in the LORD
my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies
because I rejoice in thy salvation.
Her heart rejoiced! There was NO sadness! Her heart rejoiced! Imagine it, your heart's desire was a child and you have that child and then have to give the child up, can you imagine rejoicing? The thing here is Hannah didn't *HAVE* to give up Samuel. Hannah chose to lend Him to the Lord. There was honor and the need of rejoicing in such a miraculous gift and being able to hold true to your vow to the Lord. This was a blessing. Hannah wasn't dooming Samuel to a life of horror, but gifting Him with the life of service to the Lord. The Lord who answered Hannah's prayer would surely be trustworthy and Hannah knew this, she was giving Samuel a gift by lending Him to the Lord. Hannah was rejoicing in the salvation of the Lord. She knew the power of the Lord firsthand, she understood that salvation was found in the Lord and no where else. Her life was exalted, she was able to praise God and give glory to Him and no one could take this from her, no enemy could destroy this bonding Hannah had with the Lord God. Her prayer continues...
1Sa 2:2 There is none holy as the LORD
for there is none beside thee:
neither is there any rock like our God.
Such amazing praise and truth! People might think there are things or others that are holy as the Lord but there is nothing and no one as Holy as our God. God is a surety beyond all sureties. Satan would have us believe God defaults on His promises, that all of life's heartaches are allowed by God to bring us pain and misery. Satan wants us to believe that all our suffering is from God, that there is no surety with the Lord, no goodness, nothing holy only that which is contemptible. God holds our eternal life in His hands as a precious gift He's proven to be more than willing to give to us, it's our eternal life which matters more than anything we suffer here on earth right now. Satan would have us only focus on this world and our short life that we are to live within it. As long as we only focus on this world Satan will have us lose the very thing he longs for and will never, ever have-- eternal life. Hannah spoke true… neither is there any rock like our God.
1Sa 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly
let not arrogancy come out of your mouth
for the LORD is a God of knowledge
and by him actions are weighed.
By the Lord our actions are weighed. We cannot profess to have all understanding. We cannot presume to place ourselves on the level God. God alone has all knowledge, God alone is worthy of being honored and glorified. Any pride, any arrogance we possess should be silenced. Hannah knew this, because Hannah was blessed by the Lord and the words she spoke in her prayer were from the Lord. The full circle that took at least four maybe six years -including the time Hannah became pregnant- brought Hannah to the culmination of a miracle granted to her. As Hannah fulfilled her vow God blessed her with amazing insight.
1Sa 2:4 The bows of the mighty men are broken
and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
1Sa 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread
and they that were hungry ceased
so that the barren hath born seven
and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
The mighty- broken
The stumbling- strengthened
The full- hungered
The hungry-filled
The barren- bares seven
The fruitful womb- feebled
1Sa 2:6
The LORD killeth,
and maketh alive:
he bringeth down to the grave,
and bringeth up.
1Sa 2:7
The LORD maketh poor,
and maketh rich:
he bringeth low,
and lifteth up.
1Sa 2:8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust,
and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill,
to set them among princes,
and to make them inherit the throne of glory:
for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S,
and he hath set the world upon them.
1Sa 2:9
He will keep the feet of his saints,
and the wicked shall be silent in darkness;
for by strength shall no man prevail.
FOR BY STRENGTH SHALL NO MAN PREVAIL! It's not be strength we gain eternal life, it's not by being strong on our own we can get through life and it's heartaches- only through the LORD do we prevail. It is the strength of the Lord that brings victory. Separated from the Lord we are NOTHING. We may think we are all that and then some, but we are but living dust without the Lord.
1Sa 2:10
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces
out of heaven shall he thunder upon them
the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth
and he shall give strength unto his king,
and exalt the horn of his anointed.
PRAISE and GLORY all HONOR to our LORD! Hannah prayed and prophesized of the Lord's king, the Lord's anointed, our Savior! So beautiful, so wondrous this prayer of Hannah's. There is such depth in this prayer that there is no doubt that the Lord gave Hannah a blessing for her kept vow.
Reading on...
Hannah went home and time passed--
1Sa 2:18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
1Sa 2:19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
Every year Hannah made her first born son a coat. Once a year Hannah would see Samuel. Imagine the joy of watching Him grow in knowledge and love of the Lord.
1Sa 2:20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
1Sa 2:21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
Eli was thankful for Hannah's and her husband's gift to the Lord, the loan of their son. How well behaved Samuel had to have been. How respectful, how subservient, and attentive he was because he had Eli, the High Priest blessing his parents. Samuel had been raised properly and was a blessing to his parents. The blessing Eli gave to Samuel's parents was the gift of more children. Hannah went from being barren to receiving a blessing in Samuel. She raised Samuel for three to five years then loaned him to the Lord and then she visited Him every year… let's suppose 3 years maybe more, maybe less, but let's just imagine it was a few years and during all this time from the time of Samuel's birth until 7-8 years later Hannah was barren once more but found no sadness in her barren state. She'd been blessed and rejoiced in that blessing, it was enough. No more sad countenance, no more despair, no more heart ache longing for a child, that was all gone even though she didn't have possession of her child any longer. The Lord blessed her and Hannah wasn't presumptuous in that blessing, she was grateful eternally so. Then she was bless by Eli who asked the Lord to continue to bless her with children. The LORD visited Hannah, not once but six times! The LORD visited her and she was able to conceive. Without the Lord's blessing, without having the favor of the Lord, without having been obedient to the Lord, the Lord would not have continued to bless Hannah's barren womb. Hannah didn't miraculously become fertile after having Samuel, she remained barren until she was blessed again, and again with five more children. While Hannah was blessed with these children Samuel was growing before the Lord.
Amazing, all of this is so incredibly amazing and it's good for us to study, to glean the miraculous wonders, the truths that God has for us in all He does. May God continue to bless us as we seek Him, may we have understanding in Him of all we need to understand so that we may serve Him, that we may love Him as He would have us do.
God's will be done now and forever.
In His miraculous mercy and grace!
Amen.
1Sa 2:1 And Hannah prayed, and said,
My heart rejoiceth in the LORD,
mine horn is exalted in the LORD
my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies
because I rejoice in thy salvation.
Her heart rejoiced! There was NO sadness! Her heart rejoiced! Imagine it, your heart's desire was a child and you have that child and then have to give the child up, can you imagine rejoicing? The thing here is Hannah didn't *HAVE* to give up Samuel. Hannah chose to lend Him to the Lord. There was honor and the need of rejoicing in such a miraculous gift and being able to hold true to your vow to the Lord. This was a blessing. Hannah wasn't dooming Samuel to a life of horror, but gifting Him with the life of service to the Lord. The Lord who answered Hannah's prayer would surely be trustworthy and Hannah knew this, she was giving Samuel a gift by lending Him to the Lord. Hannah was rejoicing in the salvation of the Lord. She knew the power of the Lord firsthand, she understood that salvation was found in the Lord and no where else. Her life was exalted, she was able to praise God and give glory to Him and no one could take this from her, no enemy could destroy this bonding Hannah had with the Lord God. Her prayer continues...
1Sa 2:2 There is none holy as the LORD
for there is none beside thee:
neither is there any rock like our God.
Such amazing praise and truth! People might think there are things or others that are holy as the Lord but there is nothing and no one as Holy as our God. God is a surety beyond all sureties. Satan would have us believe God defaults on His promises, that all of life's heartaches are allowed by God to bring us pain and misery. Satan wants us to believe that all our suffering is from God, that there is no surety with the Lord, no goodness, nothing holy only that which is contemptible. God holds our eternal life in His hands as a precious gift He's proven to be more than willing to give to us, it's our eternal life which matters more than anything we suffer here on earth right now. Satan would have us only focus on this world and our short life that we are to live within it. As long as we only focus on this world Satan will have us lose the very thing he longs for and will never, ever have-- eternal life. Hannah spoke true… neither is there any rock like our God.
1Sa 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly
let not arrogancy come out of your mouth
for the LORD is a God of knowledge
and by him actions are weighed.
By the Lord our actions are weighed. We cannot profess to have all understanding. We cannot presume to place ourselves on the level God. God alone has all knowledge, God alone is worthy of being honored and glorified. Any pride, any arrogance we possess should be silenced. Hannah knew this, because Hannah was blessed by the Lord and the words she spoke in her prayer were from the Lord. The full circle that took at least four maybe six years -including the time Hannah became pregnant- brought Hannah to the culmination of a miracle granted to her. As Hannah fulfilled her vow God blessed her with amazing insight.
1Sa 2:4 The bows of the mighty men are broken
and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
1Sa 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread
and they that were hungry ceased
so that the barren hath born seven
and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
The mighty- broken
The stumbling- strengthened
The full- hungered
The hungry-filled
The barren- bares seven
The fruitful womb- feebled
1Sa 2:6
The LORD killeth,
and maketh alive:
he bringeth down to the grave,
and bringeth up.
1Sa 2:7
The LORD maketh poor,
and maketh rich:
he bringeth low,
and lifteth up.
1Sa 2:8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust,
and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill,
to set them among princes,
and to make them inherit the throne of glory:
for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S,
and he hath set the world upon them.
1Sa 2:9
He will keep the feet of his saints,
and the wicked shall be silent in darkness;
for by strength shall no man prevail.
FOR BY STRENGTH SHALL NO MAN PREVAIL! It's not be strength we gain eternal life, it's not by being strong on our own we can get through life and it's heartaches- only through the LORD do we prevail. It is the strength of the Lord that brings victory. Separated from the Lord we are NOTHING. We may think we are all that and then some, but we are but living dust without the Lord.
1Sa 2:10
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces
out of heaven shall he thunder upon them
the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth
and he shall give strength unto his king,
and exalt the horn of his anointed.
PRAISE and GLORY all HONOR to our LORD! Hannah prayed and prophesized of the Lord's king, the Lord's anointed, our Savior! So beautiful, so wondrous this prayer of Hannah's. There is such depth in this prayer that there is no doubt that the Lord gave Hannah a blessing for her kept vow.
Reading on...
Hannah went home and time passed--
1Sa 2:18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
1Sa 2:19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
Every year Hannah made her first born son a coat. Once a year Hannah would see Samuel. Imagine the joy of watching Him grow in knowledge and love of the Lord.
1Sa 2:20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
1Sa 2:21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
Eli was thankful for Hannah's and her husband's gift to the Lord, the loan of their son. How well behaved Samuel had to have been. How respectful, how subservient, and attentive he was because he had Eli, the High Priest blessing his parents. Samuel had been raised properly and was a blessing to his parents. The blessing Eli gave to Samuel's parents was the gift of more children. Hannah went from being barren to receiving a blessing in Samuel. She raised Samuel for three to five years then loaned him to the Lord and then she visited Him every year… let's suppose 3 years maybe more, maybe less, but let's just imagine it was a few years and during all this time from the time of Samuel's birth until 7-8 years later Hannah was barren once more but found no sadness in her barren state. She'd been blessed and rejoiced in that blessing, it was enough. No more sad countenance, no more despair, no more heart ache longing for a child, that was all gone even though she didn't have possession of her child any longer. The Lord blessed her and Hannah wasn't presumptuous in that blessing, she was grateful eternally so. Then she was bless by Eli who asked the Lord to continue to bless her with children. The LORD visited Hannah, not once but six times! The LORD visited her and she was able to conceive. Without the Lord's blessing, without having the favor of the Lord, without having been obedient to the Lord, the Lord would not have continued to bless Hannah's barren womb. Hannah didn't miraculously become fertile after having Samuel, she remained barren until she was blessed again, and again with five more children. While Hannah was blessed with these children Samuel was growing before the Lord.
Amazing, all of this is so incredibly amazing and it's good for us to study, to glean the miraculous wonders, the truths that God has for us in all He does. May God continue to bless us as we seek Him, may we have understanding in Him of all we need to understand so that we may serve Him, that we may love Him as He would have us do.
God's will be done now and forever.
In His miraculous mercy and grace!
Amen.
Friday, August 6, 2010
...no more sad
Hannah prayed after she brought her very young son to live with the High Priest Eli. Biblical scholars estimate that Samuel- Hannah's son- was between 3 and 5 years old.
( 2Ch 31:16 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses)
Hannah did not bring a child who couldn't understand instruction and follow commands. Hannah did not bring a child who had to be cared for in every little thing. Hannah brought a child that was old enough to listen and obey, she brought a child that could tend to his own needs- feed himself, wash himself. It's not really a stretch to imagine Samuel 4 or 5 years old, the age we send most children to kindergarten. Samuel was to be molded by Eli- taught the ways of God because Hannah lent Him to God for the rest of His life.
1Sa 2:11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
Elkanah- Hannah's husband- returned to Ramah, Hannah with him, leaving Samuel at the temple and what did Samuel do? Samuel MINISTERED to the LORD before Eli the priest! Yes, Samuel definitely had to be out of his infant/toddler stage and right on up there into his childhood when Hannah brought Him to the temple and lent him to the Lord. I can just imagine the life Samuel had to have led with his mother. He had to have been taught daily about the Lord He was promised to. Hannah wouldn't have been cruel and kept Him in the dark as to his future. She knew from the moment she realized that she'd conceive that the child in her womb was only loaned to her by God. Upon his birth I can only imagine Hannah's thoughts of joy even knowing she would one day be without her son. Can you just picture her looking down into the little scrunched up newborn's face, his tiny fingers wrapped around one of hers as she told him right then and there that He was God's. Hannah laid no permanent claim to Samuel and he grew up knowing this. He was promised to God and he would go to the Temple when he was older and there he would serve God by serving the High Priest. He knew this from the moment he could comprehend Samuel understood that his life was spoken for. Samuel knew he would be leaving his mother and father as well as the only home he knew and he also knew it was an honor, a great thing that he would be doing-- something to be much desired. Hannah's love of God was instilled in her son. Going away to the temple wasn't something dread but a day to look forward to. Hannah left her son but not in tears of sadness. Was she going to miss him? Yes. Would he miss her? Of course he would. God's greater purpose was what ruled their lives and nothing else.
Some might argue that Hannah's desire for a child was pure selfishness, that her heart aching for a child of her own was wrong, that she should have just trusted that God would allow her to have a child or not as He wills. Others might say that God knowing Hannah's every need understood that she might need a child and Hannah lacked the trust she should have had in God by praying as she did. What matters most is God and His will, not ours, not even our understanding. We don't know all of what Hannah prayed--
1Sa 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
1Sa 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
1Sa 1:12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying
She continued praying, how long she prayed, what she prayed we do not know. We do know that she was being watched and Eli, the High Priest believed her to be drunk. Intervening he asked her how long she'd drink and told her she should put away the wine. Eli didn't know that Hannah's sorrowful prayer- of the sort that would cause her actions in prayer to be misinterpreted as a drunken woman's- was coming from the depths of her heart. Eli didn't know what Hannah prayed for, what her heart's affliction was. But when Hannah answered him with respect and explained herself as only one that wasn't drunk could, Eli said this…
1Sa 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Go in peace.
The God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Eli's response was one of genuine understanding. He wanted the very sorrowful Hannah to go in peace not in upset, he wanted her petition- the petition of such intensity- to be granted and he didn't even know what it was she'd prayed for.
Hannah's response was one of gratitude. Here the High Priest in God's Holy Temple was telling her that he was right there with her- wanting God to hear her and answer her as she desired. Faith, belief in God and trust in those God has called into His service- so amazing. Hannah left Eli…
1Sa 1:18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
…and was no longer sad. Amazing. The faith she revealed was wonderful. God rewards faith, time and time again we can read of how much God rewards those who truly believe in Him, even if the rewards aren't always immediate. We can believe in all God promises.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Hannah was no longer sad, she believed that God would indeed grant her petition and He did. Amazing.
No, even the most sincere, heartfelt prayer can go seemingly unheard, the petition not granted, but God has His plans, His ways and we need to belief, we need to have that faith that can make us turn away from our heart wrenching petitions and no longer be sad.
More on this study to come. : )
All glory to our Savior!
All praise to our Creator!
By His mercy!
By His grace!
Forever and always God's will be done!
Amen.
( 2Ch 31:16 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses)
Hannah did not bring a child who couldn't understand instruction and follow commands. Hannah did not bring a child who had to be cared for in every little thing. Hannah brought a child that was old enough to listen and obey, she brought a child that could tend to his own needs- feed himself, wash himself. It's not really a stretch to imagine Samuel 4 or 5 years old, the age we send most children to kindergarten. Samuel was to be molded by Eli- taught the ways of God because Hannah lent Him to God for the rest of His life.
1Sa 2:11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
Elkanah- Hannah's husband- returned to Ramah, Hannah with him, leaving Samuel at the temple and what did Samuel do? Samuel MINISTERED to the LORD before Eli the priest! Yes, Samuel definitely had to be out of his infant/toddler stage and right on up there into his childhood when Hannah brought Him to the temple and lent him to the Lord. I can just imagine the life Samuel had to have led with his mother. He had to have been taught daily about the Lord He was promised to. Hannah wouldn't have been cruel and kept Him in the dark as to his future. She knew from the moment she realized that she'd conceive that the child in her womb was only loaned to her by God. Upon his birth I can only imagine Hannah's thoughts of joy even knowing she would one day be without her son. Can you just picture her looking down into the little scrunched up newborn's face, his tiny fingers wrapped around one of hers as she told him right then and there that He was God's. Hannah laid no permanent claim to Samuel and he grew up knowing this. He was promised to God and he would go to the Temple when he was older and there he would serve God by serving the High Priest. He knew this from the moment he could comprehend Samuel understood that his life was spoken for. Samuel knew he would be leaving his mother and father as well as the only home he knew and he also knew it was an honor, a great thing that he would be doing-- something to be much desired. Hannah's love of God was instilled in her son. Going away to the temple wasn't something dread but a day to look forward to. Hannah left her son but not in tears of sadness. Was she going to miss him? Yes. Would he miss her? Of course he would. God's greater purpose was what ruled their lives and nothing else.
Some might argue that Hannah's desire for a child was pure selfishness, that her heart aching for a child of her own was wrong, that she should have just trusted that God would allow her to have a child or not as He wills. Others might say that God knowing Hannah's every need understood that she might need a child and Hannah lacked the trust she should have had in God by praying as she did. What matters most is God and His will, not ours, not even our understanding. We don't know all of what Hannah prayed--
1Sa 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
1Sa 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
1Sa 1:12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying
She continued praying, how long she prayed, what she prayed we do not know. We do know that she was being watched and Eli, the High Priest believed her to be drunk. Intervening he asked her how long she'd drink and told her she should put away the wine. Eli didn't know that Hannah's sorrowful prayer- of the sort that would cause her actions in prayer to be misinterpreted as a drunken woman's- was coming from the depths of her heart. Eli didn't know what Hannah prayed for, what her heart's affliction was. But when Hannah answered him with respect and explained herself as only one that wasn't drunk could, Eli said this…
1Sa 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Go in peace.
The God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Eli's response was one of genuine understanding. He wanted the very sorrowful Hannah to go in peace not in upset, he wanted her petition- the petition of such intensity- to be granted and he didn't even know what it was she'd prayed for.
Hannah's response was one of gratitude. Here the High Priest in God's Holy Temple was telling her that he was right there with her- wanting God to hear her and answer her as she desired. Faith, belief in God and trust in those God has called into His service- so amazing. Hannah left Eli…
1Sa 1:18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
…and was no longer sad. Amazing. The faith she revealed was wonderful. God rewards faith, time and time again we can read of how much God rewards those who truly believe in Him, even if the rewards aren't always immediate. We can believe in all God promises.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Hannah was no longer sad, she believed that God would indeed grant her petition and He did. Amazing.
No, even the most sincere, heartfelt prayer can go seemingly unheard, the petition not granted, but God has His plans, His ways and we need to belief, we need to have that faith that can make us turn away from our heart wrenching petitions and no longer be sad.
More on this study to come. : )
All glory to our Savior!
All praise to our Creator!
By His mercy!
By His grace!
Forever and always God's will be done!
Amen.
Lent to the Lord
Hannah- bring Samuel to Eli at the temple--
Sa 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
1Sa 1:25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
1Sa 1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
1Sa 1:27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
1Sa 1:28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
The LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.
Therefore also I have LENT him to the LORD.
As long as he liveth he shall be LENT to the LORD.
And he worshipped the LORD there.
Lent to the Lord.
When we think of lending something we don't think of it as a permanent lending or else we'd just say we are just giving that thing away, no lending involved. Hannah was giving Samuel- her longed for son- to God. Yet she didn't say she was giving him to the LORD she said she was lending him and then she clarified that. She was lending her son to the Lord for as long as he LIVED. So why the lending? Maybe there's some deeper meaning of all this I'm missing, something to explain the whole 'lent' thing, but in my simple thoughts it speaks volumes to me. The Lord granted Hannah a desire that she had in the depths of her heart and in response to that granting, Hannah promised to give back the very thing she longed for. The very answer to her prayer and she was offering to give it up if she received it. Doesn't that seem sort of strange? What if Hannah's lending Samuel was stated that way because Samuel would forever be part of her life. Part of Samuel would never leave Hannah. The wonderful miracle of the answered prayer, the fulfilling of a heart's desire, this would always be with Hannah, always. The miracle of carrying a child, or being part of that amazing act of bringing life into the world- this was Hannah's desire. Having that child to care for and raise was what she longed for. Her husband had children by another, and even though he treated her even better than his other wife and children she still wanted children. It didn't appear as if she want a child to make her husband happy. It didn't appear as if her husband thought less of Hannah for her lack of child bearing. This desire of Hannah's was something coming deep from within her and as a woman, I can relate to this particular desire. The fact that Hannah was going to give up the very thing she longed for is something I can't completely relate to. The idea of giving up my longed for child would have been unimaginable to me. Even now I want to have my hand in the lives of my children. This selfless act of Hannah's was amazing. Hannah really meant she was lending Samuel to the Lord, the Lord had lent Samuel to her and she was giving Him back to serve the Lord.
We all have desires in our hearts. We all know what it means to pray from the heart, crying out to the Lord for the thing we long for. Sometimes God answers us exactly as we expect, other times God answers us in what we might consider a roundabout way. God desires that we give Him thanks for the gifts He bestows on us, the prayers He answers. God also desires that we hold true to our word if we give it to Him. We have to be very careful what we pray don't we? It's easy to pray to God and promise Him this, that, and the other thing, people do it all the time. Do people always hold true to their promises? No. Does God expect them to ? Yes. Hannah promised God something if her prayer was answered and Hannah held true to that promise. In her heart she wasn't losing a son, she was lending Him back to the Lord, a promise made, a promise fulfilled.
There is much more here to study and I'm going to continue to do so but not tonight. The Lord is wonderful and He knows our heart's desires, He knows our everything there is to know about us. May He answer my prayer to know Him and for Him to know me, to bless me, to forgive me, to love me. May this be the prayer of us all.
By His Grace!
In His LOVE!
Amen.
Sa 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
1Sa 1:25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
1Sa 1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
1Sa 1:27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
1Sa 1:28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
The LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.
Therefore also I have LENT him to the LORD.
As long as he liveth he shall be LENT to the LORD.
And he worshipped the LORD there.
Lent to the Lord.
When we think of lending something we don't think of it as a permanent lending or else we'd just say we are just giving that thing away, no lending involved. Hannah was giving Samuel- her longed for son- to God. Yet she didn't say she was giving him to the LORD she said she was lending him and then she clarified that. She was lending her son to the Lord for as long as he LIVED. So why the lending? Maybe there's some deeper meaning of all this I'm missing, something to explain the whole 'lent' thing, but in my simple thoughts it speaks volumes to me. The Lord granted Hannah a desire that she had in the depths of her heart and in response to that granting, Hannah promised to give back the very thing she longed for. The very answer to her prayer and she was offering to give it up if she received it. Doesn't that seem sort of strange? What if Hannah's lending Samuel was stated that way because Samuel would forever be part of her life. Part of Samuel would never leave Hannah. The wonderful miracle of the answered prayer, the fulfilling of a heart's desire, this would always be with Hannah, always. The miracle of carrying a child, or being part of that amazing act of bringing life into the world- this was Hannah's desire. Having that child to care for and raise was what she longed for. Her husband had children by another, and even though he treated her even better than his other wife and children she still wanted children. It didn't appear as if she want a child to make her husband happy. It didn't appear as if her husband thought less of Hannah for her lack of child bearing. This desire of Hannah's was something coming deep from within her and as a woman, I can relate to this particular desire. The fact that Hannah was going to give up the very thing she longed for is something I can't completely relate to. The idea of giving up my longed for child would have been unimaginable to me. Even now I want to have my hand in the lives of my children. This selfless act of Hannah's was amazing. Hannah really meant she was lending Samuel to the Lord, the Lord had lent Samuel to her and she was giving Him back to serve the Lord.
We all have desires in our hearts. We all know what it means to pray from the heart, crying out to the Lord for the thing we long for. Sometimes God answers us exactly as we expect, other times God answers us in what we might consider a roundabout way. God desires that we give Him thanks for the gifts He bestows on us, the prayers He answers. God also desires that we hold true to our word if we give it to Him. We have to be very careful what we pray don't we? It's easy to pray to God and promise Him this, that, and the other thing, people do it all the time. Do people always hold true to their promises? No. Does God expect them to ? Yes. Hannah promised God something if her prayer was answered and Hannah held true to that promise. In her heart she wasn't losing a son, she was lending Him back to the Lord, a promise made, a promise fulfilled.
There is much more here to study and I'm going to continue to do so but not tonight. The Lord is wonderful and He knows our heart's desires, He knows our everything there is to know about us. May He answer my prayer to know Him and for Him to know me, to bless me, to forgive me, to love me. May this be the prayer of us all.
By His Grace!
In His LOVE!
Amen.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
You're Fighting for Your Eternal Life
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Greek Definitions--
Walk-- G4043 peripateo¯ per-ee-pat-eh'-o - figuratively to live, deport oneself
Spirit-- G4151 pneuma pnyoo'-mah - the Holy spirit, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind
Fulfil-- G5055 teleo¯ tel-eh'-o - accomplish, perform
Lust-- G1939 epithumia ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah - what is forbidden
Flesh-- G4561 sarx sarx - human nature, passions, carnal
If we live in the Holy Spirit, being spiritually minded, we will NOT perform what is forbidden in our human nature, our carnal passions.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Lusteth -- G1937 epithumeo¯ ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o -to set the heart upon
Our carnal human nature sets our heart AGAINST the Spirit.
The Spirit sets our hearts AGAINST our carnal human nature
Our carnal nature is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit contrary to our carnal nature. To live in the Spirit means NOT living in our carnal human nature. Likewise to live in our carnal human nature means NOT living in the Spirit. We cannot have it both ways! We try though, we really, really do try. We make excuse after excuse for our carnal desires. They are who we are and a leopard cannot change it's spots, right? We are human, born with a human nature subject to things carnal, things that aren't spiritual. It goes against what comes naturally to us, to walk in the Spirit which is unnatural to us. Our natural nature is carnal and we cannot change that. We make the mistake thinking we can change our nature.
We have to LIVE in the Holy Spirit, not just visit the Holy Spirit when it's convenient to us. People just don't get it, and people-- including me because I don't fully understand what it means to LIVE in the Spirit-- struggle with it all. When we are caught up with Christ in the air upon His return to go live with Him forever it will be a reunion, a blessed completion of what is started here and now. We will have been living in the Spirit that He's sent to live with us. We won't be suddenly inspired towards God in that moment, we will have been living in the God called the Holy Spirit. It's an agony for us to live with our human natures constantly at war with things Spiritual. Paul talked of how hard it was and it's so true. But it's a fight we cannot give up on, not for a moment! Satan would have us discouraged that is one of his biggest weapons in this spiritual warfare.
We must LIVE in the Spirit.
We must live so that the Spirit sets our hearts AGAINST our carnal nature.
We cannot let our carnal nature set our hearts against the Spirit.
Our carnal nature with the help of principalities and powers unseen will stop at nothing to set our hearts against God and all things spiritual. By the GRACE of our Lord we must call upon His mercy and His righteousness even when we are at our lowest point because we have to seek GOD first always, no matter what happens in our lives. We must throw ourselves at the feet of our Savior begging for forgiveness seventy-times seven times, endlessly realizing that our self without Him is nothing. We are only truly alive in Him. We are in a WAR! We are! WAKE UP EVERYONE YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR YOUR ETERNAL LIFE! Arm yourself with Spiritual armor! Too many are in this battle without any armor choosing to be defenseless and expecting to be on the winning side. Too many are being mortally wounded without ever realizing their eternal life blood is seeping away.
Please Lord! Please! Let us live so that the SPIRIT we live in sets our hearts constantly against our carnal nature and NOT let our carnal nature set us against the SPIRIT.
By your grace, your mercy, your love now and forever! Thank you! All glory, all praise, and all honor unto You our Savior, our King!
Amen!
Greek Definitions--
Walk-- G4043 peripateo¯ per-ee-pat-eh'-o - figuratively to live, deport oneself
Spirit-- G4151 pneuma pnyoo'-mah - the Holy spirit, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind
Fulfil-- G5055 teleo¯ tel-eh'-o - accomplish, perform
Lust-- G1939 epithumia ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah - what is forbidden
Flesh-- G4561 sarx sarx - human nature, passions, carnal
If we live in the Holy Spirit, being spiritually minded, we will NOT perform what is forbidden in our human nature, our carnal passions.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Lusteth -- G1937 epithumeo¯ ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o -to set the heart upon
Our carnal human nature sets our heart AGAINST the Spirit.
The Spirit sets our hearts AGAINST our carnal human nature
Our carnal nature is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit contrary to our carnal nature. To live in the Spirit means NOT living in our carnal human nature. Likewise to live in our carnal human nature means NOT living in the Spirit. We cannot have it both ways! We try though, we really, really do try. We make excuse after excuse for our carnal desires. They are who we are and a leopard cannot change it's spots, right? We are human, born with a human nature subject to things carnal, things that aren't spiritual. It goes against what comes naturally to us, to walk in the Spirit which is unnatural to us. Our natural nature is carnal and we cannot change that. We make the mistake thinking we can change our nature.
We have to LIVE in the Holy Spirit, not just visit the Holy Spirit when it's convenient to us. People just don't get it, and people-- including me because I don't fully understand what it means to LIVE in the Spirit-- struggle with it all. When we are caught up with Christ in the air upon His return to go live with Him forever it will be a reunion, a blessed completion of what is started here and now. We will have been living in the Spirit that He's sent to live with us. We won't be suddenly inspired towards God in that moment, we will have been living in the God called the Holy Spirit. It's an agony for us to live with our human natures constantly at war with things Spiritual. Paul talked of how hard it was and it's so true. But it's a fight we cannot give up on, not for a moment! Satan would have us discouraged that is one of his biggest weapons in this spiritual warfare.
We must LIVE in the Spirit.
We must live so that the Spirit sets our hearts AGAINST our carnal nature.
We cannot let our carnal nature set our hearts against the Spirit.
Our carnal nature with the help of principalities and powers unseen will stop at nothing to set our hearts against God and all things spiritual. By the GRACE of our Lord we must call upon His mercy and His righteousness even when we are at our lowest point because we have to seek GOD first always, no matter what happens in our lives. We must throw ourselves at the feet of our Savior begging for forgiveness seventy-times seven times, endlessly realizing that our self without Him is nothing. We are only truly alive in Him. We are in a WAR! We are! WAKE UP EVERYONE YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR YOUR ETERNAL LIFE! Arm yourself with Spiritual armor! Too many are in this battle without any armor choosing to be defenseless and expecting to be on the winning side. Too many are being mortally wounded without ever realizing their eternal life blood is seeping away.
Please Lord! Please! Let us live so that the SPIRIT we live in sets our hearts constantly against our carnal nature and NOT let our carnal nature set us against the SPIRIT.
By your grace, your mercy, your love now and forever! Thank you! All glory, all praise, and all honor unto You our Savior, our King!
Amen!
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