In trying times like these, it is no surprise so many are troubled, tried and tested beyond the max. Many seem to be folding. Many are in the process of thinking about giving up and even giving up on the Lord, Whom they surmised has “abandoned” them. Some find comfort in medicating themselves. The number one selling drug in America are anti-depressants. Some find comfort, after walking away from the one True God in “spirituality”, which is a wide-ranging word for “ I believe in nothing and ….everything”.
The principles and facts of Faith are hard things. The walk of faith is just as difficult and it is called Faith for a reason. It requires an evaluation of evidence presented. It requires acknowledgement of certain facts: from creation to salvation and how one gets there from here. It requires critical thinking, if you’re a westerner and sheer belief in a better way, if you’re persecuted by the religions of Asia and the Middle East, where grace and love are non-existent.
This is why God presents Himself to humanity as the confirmed God of the intellect and as One simple in Grace and Truth. When He says "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)”, He has offering men, women and children a free way out of their troubles and the pit of despair. This way is still available free and open to all – everywhere….in every part of the world.
Today's problem is multi-fold, just from this statement alone (i.e. Isaiah 1:18). God, in His Loving manner of Grace, Mercy and Compassion is opening Himself up to be questioned, quizzed and even doubted, when He confronted by a potential believer. Here is the ONLY one of any so-called religions which offers both relationship and love. Yet, even this is not acceptable to mortal mankind who is basically unreasonable in both word and deed.
Today's problem is multi-fold, just from this statement alone (i.e. Isaiah 1:18). God, in His Loving manner of Grace, Mercy and Compassion is opening Himself up to be questioned, quizzed and even doubted, when He confronted by a potential believer. Here is the ONLY one of any so-called religions which offers both relationship and love. Yet, even this is not acceptable to mortal mankind who is basically unreasonable in both word and deed.
We think we are good even though, there is nothing good in us except the sin with which we were born. However, we deny we are sinners, because we are “good” people. This statement could only be true in the horizontal sense. Some of us are most definitely and obviously better human beings than not just bad guys here and abroad but even those sitting in pews next to us, who are Sunday “Christians” only. So how, does one handle horizontal relationships with not so good people, compared to what God demands in the “Love Chapter” of 1 Corinthians chapter 13? Well, Psalm 119:78 gives us the answer here:
Psalm 119:73-80
Yodh.
73 Your hands made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 May those who fear You see me and be glad, because I wait for Your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 O may Your loving-kindness comfort me, according to Your word to Your servant.
77 May Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie; but I shall meditate on Your precepts.
79 May those who fear You turn to me, even those who know Your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, so that I will not be ashamed.
Yodh.
73 Your hands made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 May those who fear You see me and be glad, because I wait for Your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 O may Your loving-kindness comfort me, according to Your word to Your servant.
77 May Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie; but I shall meditate on Your precepts.
79 May those who fear You turn to me, even those who know Your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, so that I will not be ashamed.
This answer can only emerge from the heart, mind, body and soul of the believer who has the correct view of God and a dynamic fluid vertical relationship. The complete man, woman and child of God are the ones who can maintain both vertical and horizontal relationships, in the proper order. This is what we see in Verses 73-77! We see the following in rapid fire:
- Acknowledgement that God is our Creator, Sustainer and Provider
- Because He is all this and more, He can also give us wisdom (Verse 73 and James 1:5)
- Because of this ability to right ask and receive wisdom from the God Who made unknown galaxies and more, the sheer JOY leads to the burning urge to share with everyone who will listen! (verses 73-74)
- God’s Word/Commands/Statutes are perfect so we need to accept and learn from them, even if it hurts (verse 75)
- The natural flow of KNOWING from Whom all life, wisdom and joy flows births the ensuing knowledge that only God Himself can comfort us! (Verse 76). Therefore we need no other man-made placebo or substitute, when we, who are His, possess something which is SO real!
- Because we know there is no fake replacement for Abba Father, the loving God of heaven, and He surrounds us with His goodness, we can rest COMPLETELY in this and “let God be God”! (verses 77-78).
- The proof that God is built us for relationship and fellowship with like-minded believers, with whom we will spend eternity is the inspired plea for us to be around only those who will inspire us to greater heights in the Faith.
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