Restore My Soul

Psalm 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. ³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

The word “restoreth” in the Hebrew here, means to turn back, not necessarily to the starting point, but it could mean to go all the way back to the starting point.

If we could turn back to before the fall we could truly be free to rest. Adam walked with God and worked from a place of rest. It was only after sin entered in that fear, anxiety, shame, etc. entered into the soul of man.  Those things keep our hearts from true rest in God. We may not be able to go back to before the fall of mankind, but in Jesus Christ our soul can be restored to the point of being free from those things that keep us from rest. 

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

TIGHTROPE

Sometimes in our Christian walk we may feel like we are walking a tightrope and each step feels precarious.  We may feel like any misstep could lead to a fall that will mean our death.  It can be stressful, even fearful. Sometimes that fear will keep us from taking the next step.  But we can be assured that our loving Father is with us every step of the way.  “The steps of the good man are ordered by the Lord” and should we fall God is the safety net underneath to catch us and put us back on the path.  As we walk, the Word of God is the balancing rod in our hands.  It is also a “lamp to our feet and light unto our path” giving light for the next step. 

Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. ²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Proverbs 24:16  ESV for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

 
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

What Great Restraint!

Luke 22:63-65 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. ⁶⁴ And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? ⁶⁵ And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

They did not know they were beating and mocking the very one who had created them. They did not know that within a few short hours this man would hang on the cross taking their sin upon Him.  This man would be bearing on that cross the very sin they were committing against Him at that moment, in addition to every sin they had committed and every sin they ever would commit.

Jesus received this beating and mockery knowing full well that He had created them and the very earth on which they stood.  Jesus could have called legions of angels to come to His rescue.  He could have called legions of angels to annihilate these men. (In the Old Testament many enemies were wiped out by angels of God.)  But Jesus knew this was part of what He came to earth for. Jesus had come to partake of such suffering and go to the cross on the behalf of mankind, on behalf of the men that were administering this cruelty to Him.

Jesus knew what He was about to do.  Jesus knew He was about to take their sin upon Himself and yet He stood there and said not a word.  Out of love for those men and all mankind Jesus willingly received this.  Out of love for you and me Jesus submitted Himself to such suffering. What great love!!  What great restraint!!

HOLINESS MOVEMENT

Recently I was reading one person’s account of the prayer movement over the past couple of decades. It was rather amazing, yet we have not seen revival. There are little stirrings here and there, but not what you would expect in light of the prayer movement as it was chronicled.  I asked God, “Why?” The immediate answer I heard was, “there is a need for a holiness movement.” Jesus is coming back for a church that is “holy and without blemish.”

Leading up to the 2012 election I was glad to hear of so many prayer initiatives across the country.  But I began to be grieved because I had a sense there was prayer going on, but little true repentance or humbling of hearts before the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:14 does not only say, “if my people pray.”  It says we need to also, humble ourselves, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways.

Ephesians 5:24-27 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish

1 Peter 1:15 ESV “ but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

 

Leviticus 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

 

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

The Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:25 ESV “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

The three Hebrew young men refused to bow to the idol set up by King Nebuchadnezzar, knowing that it may cost them their lives.  They loved not their lives even unto death. 

Revelation 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

When they were brought before the king for refusing and he threatened them with being thrown into the fiery furnace they did not flinch they confidently declared, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17, 18)

 I remember someone saying, “You can’t threaten me with going to heaven. What kind of threat is that?” In many parts of the world that threat is faced daily.  The reports of Christian martyrs doubled in 2013 from what it was in 2012.  There is a possibility that we will eventually face it here in the USA. How will we respond?

http://www.persecution.org/2014/01/08/reported-christian-martyr-deaths-double-in-2013/

At their response the king became quite angry and ordered the furnace to be stoked up to burn seven times hotter.  The men who threw the Hebrews into the fire were instantly killed by just being that close to it.  Once they were in the fire whatever they were bound with was burned off of them and they were not harmed by the fire.  A fourth person walked with them in the fire. They were not alone.  When they were brought forth from the fire they did not even smell of smoke. (Daniel 3:19-27)

I know this story is familiar, but a reminder once in a while of the victory they had in the fire is always good.  The fire that was supposed to kill them set them free of the enemy bonds and killed the enemy forces that put them in the fire. They were not alone in the fire, Jesus walked with them through the fire. 

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. ² When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

 As a result the Babylonian king blessed their God, acknowledged that no other God could deliver like that, and made a decree in favor of their God in the land.  In addition Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were promoted. (Daniel 3:28-30)

Name Change

In the Bible on many occasions we see God change the name of a person.  This indicates a change in identity.  It often indicated a change in character.  Names are important.  The Babylonians understood that.  So when they took in captives, such as the Hebrews, they often changed their names to try to change their identity.  If you call someone a name long enough they will begin to take on that identity.

Three Hebrew friends of Daniel were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We know them better as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  When taken into captivity their names were changed. Daniel’s was changed too.  But for some reason we refer to Daniel by his Hebrew name but not his friends.  Maybe it is because they are referred to by their Babylonian names in the account of them being thrown into the furnace, which we look at next time. 

Recently I decided to do my best to only use their Hebrew names instead of their Babylonian names.  I do not want to give honor to the Babylonian gods any more.

Here are the meanings of their Hebrew and Babylonian names:

Hananiah-beloved of the Lord

Shadrach-illumined by the sun god

Mishael-who is as God

Meshach-who is like the moon god

Azariah-the Lord is my help

Abednego-servant of nego or nebo (nebo/nego was a Babylonian god)

Daniel 1:6-7 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ⁷ Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

( As a little aside…. I like the irony of Nebuchadnezzar’s name which means “may Nebo protect the crown or Nebo is the protector against misfortune.”  Nebo was a well known Babylonian deity..  Chapter 4 of Daniel is record of how Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by the Lord God Jehovah by a time of insanity. He was not protected very well by his god. He came forth from that experience acknowledging Jehovah as God.)

REFINED IN THE FIRE

Do you feel like you are going through the fire? That is not a bad thing.  Job realized that the fiery trial he was in would cause him to come forth as gold.  Jesus admonished the Laodicean church to buy of Him, “gold tried in the fire.”  In his first letter, Peter admonished the people not to think of the fiery trial as something strange, but something to rejoice about.  So rejoice, as you are refined, you shall come forth as fine gold manifesting the glory of God.  (I know it is easy for me to say rejoice, I am not going through your trial.  But try it anyway, I think you will feel better. J)

Job 23.10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: ¹³ But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy

SUSTAINED BY LOVE

I believe we are heading into a season when things are going to get much more difficult.  On Sunday our pastor quoted Dickens, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.”  For those walking with the Lord it will be the best of times and those not walking with the Lord it will be the worst of times. 

It will not be a time to lose heart.  It will not be a time to lose focus.  It will not be a time to let our love grow cold.  It will be a time to burn hot with the love for God and the love of God for our neighbor.

Matthew 24:12-13 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. ¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Jude 17-21 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; ¹⁸ How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. ¹⁹ These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. ²⁰ But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, ²¹ Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

As things unfold there will be ungodly people that could be distractions for us, even amongst those who call themselves “Christians,” but are Christians in name only.  We must continue to build ourselves up, praying in the Holy Ghost and keeping ourselves in the love of God.

The fierce love I shared about in my blog titled Banner of Love in October 2013, is going to be necessary in the days ahead.  Our fierce love for God and each other will sustain us in the days ahead. 

MISSING INGREDIENT

Revelation 2:1-3 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; ² I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: ³ And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

 After reading the above passage about the church at Ephesus, you would think they were doing really good.  They were doing good, except there was one missing ingredient…..

Revelation 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The following passage from Paul’s letter the Corinthians has a very similar message.

1Corinthians 13:1-3  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

We can do all the right things, but if love is missing, the most important ingredient is missing.

LITTLE THINGS

At the beginning of 2013, God gave me one instruction for the year: “Be faithful in the little things.”  Yesterday as I sat before the Lord reflecting on 2013, I was reminded of times when I was faithful to His Word to me and times when I was not.  It is truly “the little foxes that spoil the vine.” (Song of Songs 2:15) It is often the little things that no one sees but me and God that make the difference.  Sometimes it is not even what was done, but it is the heart attitude in which it was done.  It is the heart of the matter that matters.  (1 Samuel 16:7 …..for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.)

I feel like my grade on this for the year was a “C”.  So there is much room for improvement in the coming year.  At least I did not fail for the year.  J

I am thankful that God is a loving, merciful, and longsuffering Father. So I can start with a fresh clean slate for 2014.  Each day I can start with a clean slate as I come to Him for a fresh cleansing.  Great is His faithfulness!!!!

Psalm 130:3-4 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? ⁴ But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Lamentations 3:21-25 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. ²² It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. ²⁴ The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. ²⁵ The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.