Emmanuel

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:14; 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. Matthew 1:23

There is no one in history that has been given more names or titles than Jesus Christ. Throughout the pages of Holy Bible over 100 names and titles are given to Jesus. And whether He is called "Bright morning star, Wonderful Counselor, the Root of Jesse, the Alpha and the Omega, or the Lamb of God", each of these names and titles is rich with meaning. They all say something significant about who Jesus is. However, the name "Emmanuel" is more significant than the other names of our Lord. This name, which Matthew refers to in his Gospel (Matthew 1:23), was first given to Jesus by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before His birth (Isaiah 7:14).

To know the purpose why Matthew used this name of our Lord in his Gospel we need to go back to the Old Testament book of Isaiah. The word “Emmanuel” which Matthew interprets to mean “God with us” appears three times in two Old Testament passages; both in Isaiah. Both are set in the context of God’s promised deliverance of the Kingdom of Judah at time of great national peril. Isaiah was sent by God and gave assurance that God would deliver the people, not for Ahaz’s sake the king of Judah, but for the sake of the Lord’s own faithfulness to his people.

So, when Isaiah was sent to Ahaz, God offered the king a “sign” that the message was authentic. Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel. Isa 7:13-14 (NIV). So, the enemies of God were told, “Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us (Emmanuel!) (8:10)

My dear friends this morning, are you going through the storms of life? Are you going through the storms of sickness or bereavement or pain? Are you going through the storms of loneliness or desertion? Whatever storms you're going through, listen today: God is with us! He has come to dwell, He has come to reside with us! God is with you! For the parentless: He is the everlasting Father. For the lonely one: He is the omnipotent Companion that is with us wherever we go, whatever we do. For the sick, for the lonely, for the deserted, for those going through the valley of death “Emmanuel” is with us.

London’s Bunshill cemetery is one of the famous cemeteries in the world. It's a place where many famous people are buried - Charles Wesley is buried there, Isaac Watts the great hymn writer, Daniel Defoe the author of Robinson Crusoe - but opposite that great graveyard is the chapel of John Wesley and a monument erected to him. Also across that road is John Wesley's house, where on March 2nd 1791 Wesley opened his eyes and exclaimed for the very last time, upon his deathbed, these words: 'The best of all is this: God is with us'. He could have said various things, but he said that the best of all is this: God is with us. Yes He is with us to save us and to protect us. 

OUR MATCHLESS SAVIOR

In Washington, DC, in the Museum of Natural History, there is a diamond called the Hope Diamond. It is a vivid, dark-blue diamond that weighs 45.52 carats. According to geologists, it is a diamond without equal in all the world. It was found in the 1600's and weighed over 112 carats when it was dug from the earth in India. It is considered to be priceless. It is said to be a matchless diamond. However, there may be another, larger, more valuable stone lying buried in the ground. To say the Hope Diamond is matchless is to presume on the unknown.

Michael Jordan is called the greatest basketball player of all time. It is said that there will never be another as great as he is. He is declared to be matchless in his sport. However, somewhere on some playground, or in some school gymnasium there may be a youngster who will shatter all the records Jordan has ever amassed. To say that he is matchless is also a stretch of the imagination. Albert Einstein is said to be the greatest thinker the world has ever known. He pondered concepts so deep that we could never begin to grasp. His has been called a matchless intellect. However, who is to say that somewhere in this world today there isn't a child whose mind is so sharp and whose brilliance will dwarf even that of Einstein?

The truth is, nothing in this world is matchless. Everything can be equaled or bettered by mankind. However, there is One who will never be equaled or bettered. His name is Jesus! In Mark 4:35-41, the disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee when a storm arises. Jesus is asleep in the boat and the Disciples feel that they are going to die. They awake Jesus and He spoke to the storm the waves and the winds surrendered at His feet as if they were docile lambs. His Disciples saw this great miracle and asked a question that declares His greatness. They acclaimed, what manner of man is this?

Throughout His life, the story is the same. Everywhere Jesus went, men marveled and stood amazed at His greatness. When He was just an infant, Mary and Joseph "marveled" at what was spoken of Jesus, Luke 2:33; His enemies "marveled" at His wisdom and doctrine, John 7:15. His Disciples "marveled" at His compassion and love for sinners, John 4:27. The multitudes "marveled" at His power to heal, Mark 2:12; Matt. 9:8, 33. His enemies "marveled" at His word, John 7:46. His executioner "marveled" at the greatness of Jesus Christ. Things haven't changed! Jesus is still amazing all those who come to Him by faith. To say He can be equaled is an understatement. He will never be equaled! He will never be bettered! He will always remain the matchless One.

Whom do we trust?

Psalms 20: 6-7

Introduction

The people about whom Psalmist mentions in this Psalm have put their trust in their military equipment as the people of our world put their trust on their wealth or on the things they possess and earned. In contrast Psalmist’s unshakable trust in the Lord gave him a hope that he would have an overwhelming victory against his enemies. Furthermore On the basis of his faith he was greatly convinced that the Lord would answer and save him at the time of his trouble. Thus Psalmist was certain God would save those who trust in Him.  

Whom do we trust?

Verse 7 of this Psalm says, “Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.” Some translators translated the Hebrew word “zochrim” as “boast” which really means “remember”.  Some translations of the Bible actually say remember, and others use trust.  The point is, whom do we remember to call on in times of trouble? The word for “chariots” is “rechavot”.  Today, a similar word, “rechev”, is used to mean “vehicle”.  Horses are simply horses.  The use of these words here, symbolize power.  Chariots and horses invoke pictures of a mighty army.  The question posed in the Psalm, and its obvious answer, is “Who will save us?  Only the Lord can do so.”  Armies often fail, but the God of Hosts is our refuge and strength. Verse 6 tells us only the Lord has power to save His faithful and anointed ones. Whom do you put your trust in?  Remember what happened to Pharaoh’s chariots and horses, and indeed His whole army?  We need to be able to say, along with Moses and the children of Israel as they fled Egypt, “We will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.”

But I will trust in the name of the Lord

It is evident from Psalm 20:6-7 David trusted in God's "name" trusting in His name means putting our trust in His nature, His reputation and character.  A line in the song “Unseen Hand” goes like this, “There is an unseen hand for me that guides in ways I cannot see. And some sweet day I’ll take my stand, still holding to the unseen hand.” God’s power is like an unseen hand, we cannot exactly see the divine power, but we can experience its effect in our lives. A man went fishing on the River in the spring time. The water was raging, so rather than rowing, he tied his boat to a tree and let the rope out so the boat could get offshore. The line untied from the tree and the boat was swept away, only to be dashed to pieces on a rock. Clinging to the wreckage the fisherman cried for help as he was being swept along. A passerby saw his plight and raced ahead to a small bridge. Lying down, the rescuer hung his arm over the side of the bridge and yelled, “grab my hand.” The fisherman, both arms wrapped around the wreckage, did not know if he trusted the unseen rescuer enough to let go. Fortunately, he let go with one arm and clutched the rescuer’s hand and was pulled to safety.

Like the unseen rescuer in the story God is able and He is always available to rescue the faithful people who put their trust in Him. There are ample of evidences in the Scripture that portray God’s vastness of power. Above all His power was proved in the victory of His son Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Paul describes God’s saving power in this way “The Lord is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us” (Eph 3:20). His power is at work in us and allows us to have life, and to have it to the full (John 10:10). God is able to save us from the power of sins and from all the sufferings and difficulties we are facing right now. Yes He is able to do all - above all - abundantly above all - exceeding abundantly above all!

Conclusion

When we are being swept away in the torrents of sin and tribulation, do we trust enough in the power of God to reach for His unseen hand? So what will you choose? On whom we trust on Horses and chariots or in the saving Power of God? Remember a believing obedient trust in God and in His name is the surest way both to preferment and to establishment, to rise and to stand upright, and this will stand us instead when creature-confidences fail those that depend upon them.

The facts about the storms you face

MARK 6:45-51

Introduction

This text reminds us the fact that Jesus is the ultimate source of our peace. The storm, fear of death and despair greatly disturbed their peace and made their soul restless. The fear of disciples in this context parallels the fear we face in our lives at times. Though we may have never been in a ship during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, we all get into storms from time to time. When we do, first we can count on Jesus to come to our rescue as He did for those 12 men in that boat. Second the storms that we face are under His control, they are part of His plan and they are temporal. The disciple in the boat were afraid of fear and death Jesus appeared to them in the midst of their and said unto them "Be of good cheer", it was as if He were saying to every one of us, "Do not fear the storms of life!" That is a lot easier to say than it is to do, but there are several good reasons why we should refuse to fear the storms life brings our way.

I. V. 48; 51 Storms Are Under His Control

The disciples are terrified. They are struggling, and they are afraid that they are going to die. Jesus, however, uses the very thing they fear as a means to come to them. He demonstrated His control over their situation by walking on the water and later by calming the storm. We serve a mighty big God! Job describes His power like this, Job 9:5-13. There are times when life appears out of control, but let me remind every child of God today that Jesus is still in control of your life. He is still walking on the waves of your stormy life and has the power to calm those waves at His will. Therefore, He is absolutely worthy of our trust and of our faith. He is in control!

II. V. 45 Storms Are Part Of His Plan For Our Lives

The disciples were out there in that boat in the middle of that storm simply because they were in the will of God. They were in the storm because Jesus sent them there! Look out for these preachers who tell you that it is never God's will for the child of God to suffer or go through tough times. They are preaching a lie and are false prophets! The truth is, storms are to be expected, but not feared. They have been sent to us to help us grow more into the image of the Lord Jesus - 2 Cor. 4:17. There are 2 things to remember during any stormy time of life: 1. God knows where we are and what we are facing - Job 23:10 2. God allows what He does for our good and for His glory - Rom. 8:28

III. V. 51 Storms Are Always Of Limited Duration

I am sure the Disciples thought that they were finished. It probably appeared to them that this storm wasn't going to end before they themselves have perished in its fury. However, when Jesus came on the scene, He was able to show them that there is always an end to the storm. Never forget that this storm that you are in today, or the one you may face tomorrow did not come to stay, but they all just came to pass.

Conclusion

Dear friends fear takes a different shape for everyone some fear old age, others fear disease, some fear dying, others poverty. Whatever name we attach to it, the fact remains that we are all afflicted from time to time by fear. In all honesty, we would have to admit that most of the time our fears do not materialize. We worry over things that never come to pass in our lives. When the storms of life are raging, always remember that Jesus is there for you. He longs to comfort your heart and replace your fears with His perfect peace - Phil. 4:6-7; John 14:27. To do this, you must first be willing to cast you cares onto Him and to come to Him by faith, 1 Pet. 5:7; Matt. 11:28. As your life unfolds, do not make Jesus your last resort; rather make Him your first resort. God Bless you

Yours in His service

G. Paulraj

THE PRESERVATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

Introduction

Bible is neither the answer book to know our curiosity nor the book of suggestion for success rather it is an inspired Word of God which speaks with God’s authority.  God has given His word first of all to reveal Himself and His love to the fallen Human kind. It also reveals us the fact how God actively involved in human history to save us that we may live in His presence without any guilt forever and ever.   

Rick Warren says in this way “God gave us the Bible to transform us, not simply inform us. It should give us a bigger heart, not a bigger head”.  God makes his purpose for the Bible even more explicit in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (NLT) The purpose of Bible is more than just showing us what is wrong in our lives or how we should live; God gave us His Word to radically transform our lives. He further adds that The Bible describes itself in different ways. For example, it calls itself a hammer, a sword, and a scalpel. All of those are tools designed to make radical changes. God intends for the Bible to dramatically change our lives.

From the above two paragraphs we learned the purpose why the Lord has given us His word to us. The purpose of this article is not to know the purpose why God has given His word but to know how God preserved His precious words down through the centuries to make know His will to our generations and to the generations to come if He delays His Second coming. God has supernaturally protected His word through many reproductions and translations.  The idea of preservation holds that God has faithfully superintended His Word down through the ages, so that even today, some 3,500 years after portions of the Bible were written down, we can say that what we possess, what we love and what we read are the very words of God!

However here I would like to tell you another fact you can’t go anywhere in this world and find a scrap of paper containing the actual writings of Paul, John, Moses, Peter, James, Daniel, Isaiah or any of the other biblical writers. It doesn't give any base for anyone to doubt the integrity of the Bible. Because the inspired Word of God can be decisively proven by using both the internal evidence of the Bible itself and the external sources of historical and scientific evidence, it can also be proven that the Bible has been divinely preserved down to this very day.  With that in mind, let’s take some time to explore the way how God preserved His Word in History by His power.

God’s Miraculous Preservation

Various efforts were taken by the enemy to destroy God’s inspired word for example in Jeremiah 36:1-32 we read that God gave His word to prophet Jeremiah to write a portion of the Word of God. Jeremiah carefully wrote down the words as he was commanded by the Lord. He then took that to king Jehoiakim and asked him to listen God’s word.  King received illumination from the Lord but he not only deliberately rejected the message but also cut it into pieces and burned it Jeremiah 36:23. Jehoiakim apparently thought that he would destroy the written word and will erase what the Lord had said by the prophet. However, God’s word is settled, not on earth, but in Heaven, Psa. 119:89.  God merely sent His word again through the prophet Jeremiah, Jer. 36:28.  Despite the actions of Jehoiakim, God preserved His Word! That is just one small picture of what God has always done in regard to protecting and preserving His Word down through the ages.

Let us further explore how God preserved His word in the midst of several concerted efforts taken by pagan unbelievers to eradicate the Word of God down through the centuries.

• ·In A.D. 303, the Roman emperor Diocletion ordered the confiscation and destruction of all the Christian scriptures.  Thousands of early copies and possibly some original autographs were burned.  However, the Word of God was not eradicated!  Earnest believers protected the Word and hid it away in the catacombs, in caves and in graves.  Thus the Word of God survived that attack!
• The French humanist Voltaire once said, "Another century and there will not be a Bible on the earth." Two centuries have gone, and the circulation of the Bible is one of the marvels of the age. After he died, his old printing press and the very house where he lived was purchased by the Geneva Bible Society and made a depot for Bibles. On December 24, 1933, the British Government bought a book called Codex Sinaiticus from the Russians for half a million dollars. On the same day, a first edition of Voltaire's work sold for eleven cents in Paris bookshops.
• Joseph Stalin took over all of Russia upon the death of Lenin in the late twenties. From this point on until his death in the fifties, Stalin instituted a "ban the Bible" purge from the U.S.S.R. such as had never been witnessed before. The miserable man literally attempted to wipe the Word of God and the God of the Word from the Russian people’s minds. Did he succeed? A recent poll taken in Russia shows that today more people than ever believe in God and His Word.

In 1526, William Tyndale had produced the first English translation of the Bible to be printed on a printing press.  This new version was hated by the Roman Catholic Church and in particularly by the Bishop of London. A certain man named John Packington, who knew the Bishop and his hatred of the Tyndale translation, but who was also secretly a friend of Tyndale, went to the Bishop of London and told him he knew how to get all of Tyndale’s Bibles.  The Bishop told him to get them and that he would gladly pay whatever they cost.  The Bishop of London promised to buy them with the intention of burning them a Paul’s Cross Cathedral in London.  Packington when to Tyndale and told him of the deal he had made with the Bishop.  Tyndale responded by saying that he knew the Bishop would burn his Bibles.  However, printing the Bibles had left Tyndale deeply indebted.   Tyndale decided to sell the Bibles to the Bishop of London.  He saw several advantages in doing so.  First, he could use the money to pay his way out of debt and have even more Bibles printed.  Secondly, when the people of England saw the Bishop of London burning the Word of God they would become enraged.  So, the enemy of the Word of God actually allowed Tyndale to pay off his debts, correct the text of his translation and print three times the number of Bibles that had been destroyed! Later, when some of Tyndale’s associates were arrested and asked where they received the money to print their Bibles, they answered that the money came from the Bishop of London.  This one instance is proof that God is able to preserve His Word despite the attempts of all its enemies to destroy it.

Conclusion

For thousands of years the enemies of truth have sought to destroy the precious Word of God.  Every attempt to do so has failed miserably as the Bible continues to be read and loved by millions of people. Therefore dear friends we can trust God’s Word. All of it is faithful, righteous, and true (vv. 86, 138, 140, 151, 160). It doesn’t change with the times (vv. 89, 152). One of the amazing things about the Bible is that it speaks with practical relevance to every culture in every period of history. The answers to all the problems we face today are in the Bible, because it speaks God’s truth to our human condition, which has not changed over the centuries.

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS LAMENTATIONS 3:21-26

G. Paulraj

Introduction

In this text Prophet Jeremiah is talking about God’s faithfulness. The word “Faithfulness” in Lamentation 3:23 which means “firmness, fidelity, steadiness, steadfastness.” This word pictures God as One upon whom we can depend. Jeremiah’s realization and experience of God’s faithfulness was twofold on one hand he experienced God’s faithfulness against the backdrop of the Babylonian invasion and destruction of Jerusalem whereas on the other hand he also experienced God’s faithfulness from the sufferings he underwent for announcing the impending God’s judgment upon the hard heartened people.

After experiencing the horror of war, the brutality of the enemy and the pangs of hunger, Jeremiah was still able to stand forth amid the rubble of the city and the bodies of the dead and lift his voice in praise to God for His great, unfailing faithfulness to His people. Despite his personal trials and his troubles as such as rejection, mockery, and rigorous imprisonment for the sake of God’s word Jeremiah had gotten a good grasp on the reality of just “Who God is”! Jeremiah knew that whether things went well, or whether everything fell apart, God would still be God and that God would be eternally faithful to His people, and to His servant Jeremiah was still able to find hope in a hopeless situation because he believed in the faithfulness of His great God.

Like Jeremiah, we all go through times when life seems to fall apart at the seams. When these times come we also need the blessed assurance that God is faithful! Thankfully the Bible gives overwhelming evidence of the unchanging faithfulness of our great God. We can be sure that as we face the storms, trials and valleys of life, God will ever prove Himself to be steadfast and faithful to you and me. To put it very simply, you can count on the Lord and on His faithfulness in all the areas, situations and circumstances of your life!

I. V. 22a. GOD IS FAITHFUL IN HIS GRACE

In this verse prophet Jeremiah talks about God’s grace that brought Israel out of their slavery in Egypt. It was also the same grace that had kept them a redeemed people in spite of their failures and wanderings. The condition of Jeremiah and the condition of the people of Judah could be paralleled both were afflicted outwardly and experienced turmoil inwardly and pushed to the brim of despair (Lam 3: 1-4; 19a VV 5, 13, 15). However the words of Jeremiah remind us the fact though the hopelessness overwhelmed him and his people they were not consumed because of God’s loyal love and grace. Though Judah was down, but not out. God punished Judah for her sin, but did not reject her as His covenant people. Thus God was faithful in His grace therefore He extended His loyal love by preserving the remnant as His dear Children. They were punished for their sins but not removed from the status of being His covenant people. He chastened His people but he didn’t consume them He disciplined them but didn’t destroy them. This truth caused Jeremiah to call out in praise, “Great is Your faithfulness”.

Dear friends are you living in a hopeless condition? Remember God is faithful in His grace. When we commit sin against Him He will definitely punish us but He will not consume us. He will surely discipline us when we go out of His will but He will not destroy us if only we repent from our waywardness because He is faithful in His grace to secure us eternally.

II. V. 22b-23 GOD IS FAITHFUL IN HIS GIFTS

In these verses Jeremiah uses the word Mercies this word is translated “loving-kindness” over 30 times in the Old Testament. It is a very expressive word that conveys all the ideas of “love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, goodness and devotion.” This word pictures God as the Divine lover of men. It finds its New Testament equivalent in the idea of God’s love and grace. Therefore His loving-kindness, grace, mercy and His salvation can be described as His gifts to humankind.

Here in this text even in the midst of sufferings and in the hopeless condition Jeremiah still had the faith that God would never cease from His supply. Therefore he boldly said His compassions never fail and they are new every morning. God was still able to supply His fresh loyal love to His faithful people. It was like God’s supply of manna in the wilderness, the supply could not be exhausted. Jeremiah was taken back by the limitless supply of God's grace offered to him. He could trust God despite his circumstances because he now understood how inexhaustible the gifts of God or the supply of His loyal love.

God’s faithfulness in His gifts doesn't promise us an easier Christian life but it gives us strength of God to face battles and to bear up under times of difficulty. With this in mind, we should always remember that regardless of what life sends our way, we can be confident of the fact that the Lord will give us the necessary strength to face the trying times of life. You’ll never face a situation as a believer that God will not give grace to help you make it through. God is the same today as He has been forever, and the same as He will be forever. He was faithful in the beginning and He will be faithful in the end. He was steadfast in the lives of the Bible characters that placed their faith in Him and He will be steadfast in the life of every believer who will trust Him in these days. God is a steadfast and trustworthy God! He will never fail to supply His gifts as such as His love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, goodness and devotion to sustain His people.

III. V. 24-26 GOD IS FAITHFUL IN HIS GOODNESS

The word “good” has the idea of “pleasant, agreeable and excellent.” It refers to the character of God. This word reminds us that God is ever engaged in that which is best in the lives of His children. Jeremiah calls God as his “portion” “this word means “share or booty.” It refers to “the spoils of war.” Jeremiah is saying, “In the battle of life, God is my reward, my share, and my portion.” When the Lord is viewed in this light, He will be all that a person needs to be satisfied in their soul, Psa. 103:5; Psa. 107:9. God may not give you and me the things we desire in life; but He will always give us that which is best, and He will give us that which will satisfy the soul.

If the Lord is "our portion" (Ps 73:26; 142:5), then we are strengthened by that which cannot be used up or destroyed. God is our eternal source of strength, hope, and blessing (Ps 46:1). Our circumstances change, and so do our feelings about them, but God is always good, loving, merciful, and kind, and He never changes. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb 13:8. NKJV). To build life on that which is always changing is to invite constant unrest and disappointment, but to build on the changeless and the eternal is to have peace and confidence.

Therefore it is good for us to rely upon His unchanging goodness and to wait patiently and silently for the Lord to work and accomplish His will in His time (vv. 25-28). God is gracious. God is great in faithfulness, and God is good no matter how we feel or what we see. But it isn't enough just to sit and wait: we must also seek the Lord and draw closer to Him (vv. 25, 40).

Conclusion

Great is the faith that can stand amid the wreckage of life and declare the praises of God. Jeremiah was that kind of a believer. Are you? During the early years of missionary activity in China, four members of one family accepted Christ as Savior, but the youngest, a little boy, did not. Later he came to his father and said he wanted to confess publicly that he had received the Savior. The father felt he was not old enough, so he explained to the lad that he might fall back if he made a profession when he was so young. To his well-meaning, concerned father, the boy gave this touching reply: "Jesus has promised to carry the lambs in His arms. I am only a little boy. It will be easier for Jesus to carry me." The simplicity and genuineness of the boy's faith made a profound impression on the father, and he quickly sensed that his son knew what he was doing. Soon the youngster made known his faith in Christ and followed the Lord in believer's baptism.

As you and I face the battles, burdens, valleys, storms and trials of life, we must always remember that we are His little lambs and that He is well able to carry us safely through. So, what kind of battles are you fighting today? Bring them to the Father and trust in His unchanging, unfailing faithfulness. If you are lost and need to be saved, you can come to Jesus He will save your soul. If you are walking through a hard place in life and need help; God will provide the help you need. If you are struggling with the flesh and some besetting sin; there is help for that as well. I hope that you can say, like Jeremiah did, “Great is Thy faithfulness.” Do you need to experience that faithfulness today?

“What a God we have!” Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

(Selected)

During our life time, there are particular moments that stick with us forever. Be they … a onetime experience … or certain spoken words in a unique context … or perhaps an important event … somehow they become engrained in our head and heart and soul to the point that they affect the way we think or what we believe to be true. The 30 year old son of a pastor had undergone a 14 hour operation for a serious illness, as well as months of therapy. After passing this critical ordeal the Pastor told to one of his friends At times like this, I am glad I don’t have to go to God as a stranger.

The words of this God’s servant are the great witness of faith to everyone. His conviction that God is not a stranger, indeed, for him … his life of faith … a faith not self-generated … but a faith that was a response to God’s approach with an offer that he or me or you can either accept or refuse. We have faith because God has come near to us and gifted us with such faith. And unless our response to God’s grace withers from lack of nourishment or collapses under the weight of worldly pressures, the Lord remains near to us throughout the course of our life. God’s nearness is sometimes portrayed as a watching eye that sees all … knows all. This is what Psalm 139 attempts to communicate to us.

The 139th Psalm is one of the greatest poetic passages of scripture. Psalm 139 is a prayer that affirms and analyzes God’s perfect knowledge of the individual. Psalm 139 is a prayer that describes God’s constant presences and involvement with each created soul … a prayer that expresses the psalmist’s consequent impatience with those who distrust and disobey God. It is a prayer that renews the psalmist’s own submission to God’s searching and direction, and far-reaching conviction. God’s intimate knowledge of us, for example, is precisely that of a close friend and companion who deeply understands our emotions and motives … who knows the details of our routine and whereabouts … who reads our processes of thought … who sympathizes with our eager pursuits and all our habitual ways.

God’s intimacy with us is like a friend who anticipates what we are going to say … a friend who supports us from long-past loyalty, yet encourages us to move forward … God’s intimacy with us is like a friend who, at times lays their hands on our shoulders to either sustain us or to check us. Such companionship is too constant and too deep for superficial comprehension. Such a friend is --- GOD! The whole Bible contains no finer prayer or poem than Psalm 139’s thoughts on “walking with God.” God is present in all extremes: of height and of depth … of east and of west … of darkness and of light. The Psalmist experiences God everywhere, but this “everywhere relationship” is fully personal.

The Psalmist is “beset by God” … that is to say that the Psalmist senses that he surrounded by God is every aspect of his life … which inspires him to rejoice in this fact of grace.  Listen closely to this contemporary rendering of the Psalm: O God, You know me inside and out, through and through. Everything I do, every thought that flits through my mind, every step I take, every plan I make, every word I speak, You know, even before theses things happen. You know my past. You know my future. Your circumventing presence covers my every move. Your knowledge of me sometimes comforts me, sometimes frightens me; But always it is far beyond my comprehension. There is no way to escape You, no place to hide. If I ascend to the heights of joy, You are there before me. If I am plunged into the depths of despair, You are there to meet me. I could fly to the other side of our world and find You there to lead the way. I could walk into the darkest of nights, only to find You there to lighten its dismal hours … May, O God, Your all-knowing, everywhere-present Spirit continue to search out my feelings and thoughts. Deliver me from that which may hurt or destroy me, and guide me along the paths of love and truth.

God is present in our life … always waiting. God may be distant from our thoughts, but God is not distant from our life! By our lack of devotional discipline … we may fail to be awaken to God’s presence, but that does not negate the fact that God is near to us.  Verse 5 says so: “You hem or fence me in, behind and before.” That means that God surrounds us. Writes one commentator: There You are, Lord, in front of me and behind me in space, as well as before me in time, and after me also, after I experience this moment and then can look back upon it. I cannot put back the clock to escape You, or put it forward to an unthinkable future. But apart from `before’ and `after’, at this moment Your hand lies on my head in blessing. I have discovered that I am fenced in by You, fenced in by Your love.

 Wow! What a marvelous thought … to think that God’s presence is always with us … blessing us … even though we may not be aware! There is a story told about the famous preacher Charles Spurgeon, who noticed one day a weather vane on the roof of a farm building which bore the phrase “God is Love.” Spurgeon asked the farmer, “Do you think God’s love is as changeable as that weather vane?” Replied the farmer, “Sir, you miss the point! It is on the weather vane because no matter which way the wind is blowing, God is still love!”

This is a graphic illustration of God’s presence in your life. No matter where you are, physically, emotionally, spiritually, God is present in your life. For this reason you are able to turn to God anytime, in any situation, and God, like the father of the prodigal son, welcomes you with open arms … ah, even more … as you turn, God comes running to greet you! This is why you feel God’s presences during moments of reaching toward Him. Because … as you reach … God’s arms are already outstretched!

 There is a familiar story told about the author and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel … a story that affirms the wisdom of Psalm 139. Dr. Wiesel was speaking at a university about the Holocaust, when a student asked him: “Mr. Wiesel, ten years go you said you hated God; now you are saying that you love God. Isn’t that dishonest, or at least inconsistent?” Wiesel replied: “Ten years ago, I hated God. Now I love God. But I was never without God!”

When we come into a complete realization that we are “beset” by God, (beset means surround or hemmed in) then no longer are we consciously able to declare that we are the masters of our fate … the captain of our souls. When you have difficulty believing that God exists, or cares, or is present … read Psalm 139 and let it remind you that whether you believe or not … does not change the fact that God is near. You see, we are the ones who move away from God … not God from us! When we have difficulty seeing God’s active presence in this world amid the chaos and violence, and suffering remember the words of the Psalmist: “… if I make my bed in Sheol (hell), You are there.” Even though this world may sink to the utter depths of the darkest of dark … God is there!

God goes where His children go … and there … God waits patiently for them to turn and take His hand. God goes where you go … even though your life may sink deep into despair … even in the realms of darkness … the night is bright as the day … for darkness is as light with God. How can this be so? The answer is, of course, that God is light, and in God is no darkness at all. This is to say, God can make use of evil as His tool, and bring forth good even out of chaos. Consequently, the Psalmist can write this truth, because he lived in the hellishness of an exiled life in Babylon. But he is completely confident that 

God can make use of one’s own private hell at anytime to lead them out into God’s marvelous light. Today you may have a difficult time seeing, or believing, but it is your eye sight … your doubt that is the problem … not God’s. Always God surrounds you. Always you are “beset” by God. Always, you are hemmed in by God’s presence.  Another wonderful image that I like to think of is: “You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God.” God embraces you, always. God hugs you, because you are huggable. And so I implore you … allow yourself to be hugged by God … and in return, with your complete body, mind, heart, and soul … embrace God!

The Supremacy of Christ

Our Lord Jesus Christ is supreme over all creation and all re-creation. He reconciles all things. And so He should be supreme in our lives. Christ is not an object to analyze but a King to worship. He is key for the meaning of creation, the purpose of life today and the door to life beyond this one. Scientists continue their search for the “holy grail” of science, the “theory of everything,” the simple set of laws that explains every complex detail of our universe. This poem professes that, in a way, Christ is the theological “theory of everything.” He is the key who unlocks the meaning and purpose of the universe, and our lives.

Christ is supreme over all. He is the image of the invisible God. The First before all creation; the creator of all; first of all that is; and holds everything together. He is the head of the church; the first of all that will be; He is supreme over all; He is fully God; He reconciles all things by making peace through His bloody cross. How strange if He who is sufficient to sustain a universe, should be insufficient for our lives. How strange if He who is supreme over all that is, should not be supreme in our lives.

Furthermore, the ministry of Christ was accompanied by supernatural power. Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, restored eyesight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and speech to those who could not speak. He displayed power over all manner of sickness, demons obeyed His command, and dead people came to life through His word. On one occasion, when He and His disciples were in a boat on the lake, He was awakened out of sleep. Matthew 8:25-27 tells the rest of the story. It states, "The disciples went and woke Him, saying, `Lord, save us! We're going to drown!' He replied, `You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, `What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!'" Yes, the ministry of Jesus was accompanied by a display of supernatural power!

When John the Baptist was cast into prison, he sent two of his disciples unto Jesus. Matthew 11:3-6 tells us the conversation which took place with Jesus, "The two disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus, `Are you the One Who was to come, or should we expect someone else?' Jesus replied, `Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of Me.'"

Why did Jesus send back to John's prison this answer to his question? Jesus knew that John was acquainted with the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah to come. He was saying to John, "You know the credentials which the Old Testament required of Messiah. My miracles which accompany My ministry prove that I have these credentials." Isaiah 61:1 states, "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 35:4-6 states "Say to those with fearful hearts, `Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.' Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.'"

There was an old Frenchman named Lepaux who thought he would get up a new religion which he proposed to call "Theo-philanthropy." He had great difficulty in getting the people to accept it. One day he complained about his difficulty to Talleyrand, who said to him, "I am not surprised at the difficulty you find in your effort. It is no easy matter to introduce a new religion. But there is one thing I would advise you to do, and then, perhaps, you might succeed." "What is it? What is it?" cried Lepaux. Talleyrand answered, "Well, it is this, Go, and be crucified and  then be buried, and rise again on the third day...and then, if possible, you may accomplish your end." Is it any wonder the old philosopher went away silent? The final proof that the ministry of Christ was that of the divine Son of God was His miraculous resurrection from the dead after His cruel crucifixion. Who else could boast of such supernatural power accompanying his ministry?

Patience and Endurance

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)

Introduction

The English word patient is a weak translation of the original word. It is the compound Greek word long (makro) and temper, anger (thumia) or literally long-tempered. The idea is be self-restrained and not quick or easy to retaliate. It is reflected in the stamina to live without complaining, giving up or striking out. They should be ready to endure affliction without complaint and to remain committed in their obedience to God. The Bible is a great resource and reminder of the many that have gone before us with patience and endurance. Here are five examples from the Bible about patience that feature some great men of faith. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)

Abraham – The Father of Many Nations

God promised to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. But when the promise was first given (Genesis 12:1-3) Abraham and his wife Sarah did not have any children. God continued to restate His promise to Abraham through the years (Genesis 13:6; 15:1-6; 17:6-8; 18:10). Abraham, though known as a man of faith, took his wife’s suggestion and had a child with Sarah’s handmaid. The son’s name was Ishmael. But this was not the son God intended for Abraham. (Genesis 16) Finally when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 years old God gave them their son Isaac. Though it took years of patiently waiting, they received the promise of God. Hebrews 6:15 says of Abraham, “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”

Joseph – From Pit to Prison to Palace – A Picture of Patience

Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave (Genesis 37:27, 28). Though he did not understand all that was happening, he trusted God to work out His plan in His time. Joseph patiently worked faithfully in each situation he was in. He waited for God to fulfill His promise that Joseph would be a leader of his people (Genesis 37:5-11). He had to be patient as he believed God, but probably wondered why he was sitting in a prison cell. God did lift Joseph up to great power and responsibility. Not only was he a leader of his people, but he ruled over the people of Egypt too. Patience was needed to allow God to accomplish His purposes in the life of Joseph and his family.

Job – The Man of Patience

Probably the best known story of patience in the Bible is the life of Job. To prove Job’s faithfulness to the Lord, God allowed the devil to destroy everything Job owned (Job 1). Job was a wealthy man. He lost his crops, property, cattle and servants. But most devastating of all was when Job lost his children. However, Job did not blame God. He accepted that God had a plan and would be patient for God to reveal His plan.

Often people will talk about the patience of Job. He knew God had a plan and was willing to accept what God allowed in his life. In the end God restored to Job twice as much as he had in the beginning (Job 42:10). If there is nothing to endure you cannot learn endurance. You cannot persevere unless there are trials in your life. There can be no victories without battles; there can be no peaks without valleys, no joys without sorrows and no strength without trials and no blessings without sufferings. If you want the blessing, you must be prepared to carry the burden and fight life's battles. God first humbled righteous Job then He honored him with blessings. Once again Job learned God's heart after enduring the trial and in the end he realized God's mercy.

Simeon – Eagerly Awaited the Messiah

Luke 2 tells the story of the birth of Christ. The angels announced his birth to the shepherds who then went to see Jesus in the manger. Later, in the same chapter, Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple to give an offering to God for the birth of their child. The Holy Ghost had revealed to a man named Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the birth of the Messiah. The Bible does not indicate how long Simeon waited for the birth of Christ, but the fact that it says he would not die until he saw the Savior indicates that he waited some time. After Jesus arrived in the temple Simeon was led by the Spirit to visit Him there. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and thanked God that the promised child had arrived. Joseph and Mary were surprised by Simeon’s actions. Simeon knew that he could depart in peace.

Jesus – An Example of Patience

Hebrews 12 says of Jesus’ death on the cross that it was something He “endured.” While His crucifixion was for our salvation, the Bible says His death is also an example for our lives. When we are worn down during our daily tasks we are reminded in Hebrews 12:2, 3, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Before Jesus arrived at the cross He patiently trained the disciples. Even after His miracles and proclamations of being the Son of God, the disciples were often confused as to who Jesus was. Today we think of the disciples as being mature men of faith. But as we read through the gospel accounts, Jesus was still trying to teach them how to persevere in prayer up until the moment He was taken in the garden to be crucified.

Patience that we need

We are not to expect to have life easy and comfortable. Jesus told us that, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John. 16:33). Our great expectation is the blessed hope of Jesus' return. That event brings our eternal rewards. We must patiently endure hardships and heartaches until Jesus returns. This will be a day of reckoning for our oppressors and a day of glory for us. But while we wait there are things that need our patient and enduring attention.

The realization that things won't always be as they are now, that believers are headed for "the city…whose architect and builder is God" (Heb. 11:10), provides great hope for those undergoing persecution. For that reason, the more persecuted a church is the more eagerly it anticipates the return of Jesus Christ; conversely, an affluent, indulgent, worldly church has little interest in the Lord's return." [MacArthur, James,]

Therefore we must not allow events to dull our hope in Jesus' return. We must not reduce our hope for Jesus' return to something like the transformation of society by Christian values. Jesus will come personally!  The hope of Jesus' return gave the early Christians strength as they faced hardship (Heb. 9:28). We must look at time from the viewpoint of the God for whom a thousand years is only a day (2 Pet. 3:8; 2 Cor. 4:16-18). Though centuries have passed since Jesus promised to return, we serve a God for whom the length of time does not imply a failed promise. Our hope in Christ's return and its nearness are encouragements for us to serve and obey Him.

Hudson Taylor founded the China Inland Mission in the 1860's. He believed fervently in the impending return of Christ. His belief influenced him to make the evangelism of unreached areas of China His primary aim. His beliefs about Christ's return gave him direction and urgency in the establishment of the mission. "Our belief in the return of Christ can provide us courage to face difficulty. It can give us stamina to endure persecution. It can deepen our hope that God will provide us reward and recognition to vindicate our actions." (Lea, Holman NT Com. James. pg. 344)

Conclusion

Now by all this we can see that patience is a very important key to living the Christian life. Many times we don’t understand why we have to go through things. But it is here that we must be patient. It is here that we must, without murmuring or complaining, wait on the Lord. Even, when life is painful and hard, we can persevere because God is there. Quitting is easier than enduring, but it produces a pattern that's hard to break. So if you've been thinking, "This relationship's too hard, so I want out or, "This job isn't what I expected," remember, you develop resiliency by remaining faithful in situation you don't like and can't change. So, don't give up! God gives great honor to those who endure. Patience and endurance are twin virtues that eventually will bring God's blessing. In times of trial and hardship we must put aside the human tendency to grumble, complain or manipulate and commit ourselves to "God's will and continue to do good" (1 Peter 4:19).

The Sufferings of This Present Time

By David J. Stewart

Romans 8:17, 18, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Here in this passage Apostle Paul addresses the "sufferings of this present time." Everyone endures some degree of suffering in this earthly life, some much more than others. There is no pain like the pain caused when a spouse files for divorce and abandons. There is no sense of loss as that of losing one's children. It is difficult to continue in life when one's health is poor and pain is a constant companion. There is nothing more frustrating than jealous and malicious co-workers who enjoy harassing and making one's life more difficult on a daily basis. There is nothing more disappointing than to have one's plans for the future destroyed. Living can so easily turn into surviving in this frail world in which we dwell. There is no guarantee of success, happiness, or health in life. The only guarantee is problems and death.

The Apostle Paul had more than his share of problems, disappointments and frustrations in life. In 2nd Corinthians 11:23-27 the Apostle Paul shares with us some of the hardships of life he went through . . . "...in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."

But notice, secondly, what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:18 concerning our present sufferings . . . "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Amen! The born-again Christian, especially those who are serving God have much to look forward to in eternity! Paul set his heart upon Heaven and rejoiced, hoping for the day when he would forever be with the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,

And I look upon His face,

The One who saved me by His grace;

When He takes me by the hand

And leads me through the Promised Land,

What a day, glorious day that will be.

The richest person on earth won't have as much as the poorest saint in Heaven. The happiest person on earth won't be as happy as the saddest saint in Heaven. He that is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than the greatest man on earth. Matthew 11:11, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” God has many wonderful things planned for the believer in Heaven, especially for those who are soul winners. 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Daniel 12:3, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” Amen!

All of our present sufferings in this world cannot be compared to the glory (honor and dignity) which shall be revealed in us through Christ Jesus. Whereas this world hates, curses, despises and rejects us because we are God's children, the Bible promises in Romans 8:17 that we will be glorified with Christ in Heaven. We are joint-heirs together with Jesus Christ. Amen! Romans 8:7, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." We are not worthy of such honor, but God in His wondrous mercy has made us joint-heirs with Jesus by means of His blood sacrifice. The Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, assures us that all of our present sufferings cannot be compared to what God has in store for the believer in Heaven. What a day that will be!