MEAT FOR MATURITY – DISCIPLESHIP

No one who hopes in youwill ever be put to shame.(Psalms 25:3, NIV)It is interesting how fear unconsciously and semi-consciously influences our lives. Is it not true that one of the reasons we do not trust God for difficult things is that we fear it will not turn out well? We fear he doesn’t hear us, or that he won’t act, or that we won’t like the way he acts. We fear letting go of our attachment to something in order to trust God in that area. We even fear that he won’t keep his promise to reward us in the next age for our sacrifices now. Yet God promises in his word that if we put our trust and hope in God, then we will not be put to shame. In the Old Testament, to hope in God meant that God will give faithful believers material blessings, prosperity or Continue Reading →

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?Who may stand in his holy place?The one who has clean hands and a pure heart. (Psalms 24:3-4, NIV)The Psalmist here speaks of hiking up Mount Zion to visit the temple, which is the “holy place” of God. This reminds me of Hebrews 10:22 which directs us to “draw near to God with a sincere heart” (NIV) just after mentioning that we have the privilege of entering the holy of holies (the innermost room of the temple where the presence of God dwelt) through the blood of Jesus. Also, remember Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God” (NIV). These passages lead us to the value of holy viewing. God promises that those who come to him in sincerity and holiness will have the privilege of “standing” in his presence. We will see God better; we will have Continue Reading →

“The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him.” (Psalms 22:26, NIV). In the later Old Testament writings, the “poor” were people who not only lacked physical resources but also depended on Yahweh. Knowing that food and housing were limited, they turned to God for help. So the Psalmist of this psalm declares that the poor are blessed, and the Lord’s intention is to give to the poor the food they need. And those who “seek the Lord” live in dependence on Yahweh will praise him because of his provision. So, if we are “poor,” we can remember that the poor are blessed. In general, the physical things we need, God will provide (Matt. 6:33), and his indwelling comforts our hearts. Under the new covenant the poor are blessed even more than under the old covenant. Jesus promised: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for Continue Reading →

David’s eternal blessings: “He asked life of you; you gave it to him,length of days forever and ever.5 His glory is great through your salvation;splendor and majesty you bestow on him.6 For you make him most blessed forever;you make him glad with the joy of your presence. (Psalms 21:-4-6, ESV) In this Psalm, the king of Israel, presumably David, is thanking God for the blessings he has given to him. The king asked for life and God gave him a long life. God brought glory to the king by saving him and clothed the king in splendor. God became present to him and gave him joy and eternal blessings. What does this have to do with us? Remember that God gave us eternal life; he made us immortal. And, we are a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9) and that God repeatedly promises in the New Testament that we will rule with Jesus. Continue Reading →