God Gives Victory to the Righteous

God Destroys those who Tell Lies

Psalm 5: 1-12 NIV

Listen to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.
Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.

Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make your way straight before me.
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they tell lies.
Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Truth vs. Lie

Yesterday, [September 3], the case of my daughter against her husband went on trial, the first and last. I saw it as a straightforward she said/he said type case. The testimony of each of the protagonists, which were given under the questioning of the defense and crown lawyers, were heard. The judge saw it as a simple case of who is telling the truth between the two and rendered judgment accordingly.

The case began February 20th of this year, when my daughter and her husband had an argument, one of so many. In the middle of it the husband threatened to kill the wife. I, my wife, two grandsons and my son were in the house at that time but we were not aware of the fight. The threat was given in these colorful words: "If you leave me you'll be dead before you can get out of the door." [not the exact words]. The argument proved to be the last one they will have in their home.

Police officers were called. They got the statement of my daughter and they arrested the husband, who did not offer resistance. Up to the time of the trial and termination of the case he was not able to come dwell in their matrimonial home - a long period of six months.

My daughter in court testified that he threatened to kill her; that she was frightened by it. She elaborated that during the argument she told the husband she might leave their home and leave him for good. [This probably elicited the threat]. In addition, she testified that the same kind of threat and almost of the same words were given twice before.

The husband denied categorically he gave the threat only after playing with words and under the cajoling of the cross examiner. At the same time, under the scalpel of the cross examination by the crown lawyer, he got caught inconsistent a few times. He stated vehemently that the wife was lying about the threat. I was there and I felt he was altogether lying about it all.

The judge saw that my daughter's testimony was credible while the husband's was a lie. As being normally done, he went through the testimonies of both and stated his reactions and belief of what really happened.
At the end he pronounced his verdict: the husband is guilty as charged.

Epilogue
The Riches of the Glory of God

My daughter didn't want the trouble that befall her husband. In fact, she called him a day before the trial that she will drop the case if it's possible.

Before the trial began, the husband was told the case will be dropped if he says he is sorry about the incident. But he refused the offer.

My daughter cannot believe what the husband was doing to himself. She asked me to talk to him if given the chance. I told her this: God has hardened the husband's heart. As a result he fought the charge against him. And the unfortunate thing happened - judgment of guilt and jail time is possible. [read Exodus 14:1-4]

The ultimate purpose of God in this is to show the riches of his glory. And what is the glory of God? In this particular case, he showed his power over anyone, i.e., he destroys the wicked in order to protect and preserve his children's lives. [read: Romans 9: 22-25]

Can anyone question God's compassion on the husband? I ask in return: Can any man be more compassionate than God? Didn't he sacrifice his Son for anyone who believes? He did. His Son was crucified for everyone's sake. But one must accept the pardon, resolve not to sin no more and walk the straight path.

Related story: Two Stories, One Message No. 3

Busy with Everything else but God?

Solomon was a Man of the World and More

Ecclesiastes 1: 12-18 NIV

I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

What is crooked cannot be straightened;
what is lacking cannot be counted.

I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
the more knowledge, the more grief.

Continue reading Ch 2: 1-11

Martha's Too Busy to Listen to Christ

Luke 10: 38-42

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Marthaopened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Christ Mediates for Us in Heaven

Moses' a Type of Christ

Numbers 12: 1-9 NIV

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.

(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, he said, “Listen to my words:

“When there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams.
But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?”

The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.
Continue reading: 10-16

Christ Reconciles Us with God

Galatians 3: 18-20

   For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
   Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

1 Timothy 2: 4-6

...who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

Epilogue
Christ's the Sacrifice, High Priest and Mediator

Hebrews 8: 6

But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. 

Hebrews 12: 22-25

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn,whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 4: 14

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Are You Too Proud to Ask for Forgiveness?

David is Exceedingly Contrite

Psalm 51: 1-6 NIV

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.


For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Continue reading: verses 7-19

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke 18: 9-14

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The Enemy Roars into Action

Satan Wickedly Eyes Job

Job 1: 1-12 NIV

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

     Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
     “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has,and he will surely curse you to your face.”
     The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
     Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. Continue reading: verses 13-22

 

Satan Malevolently Deals with the Disciples

Luke 22: 24-34

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

Luke 22: 3-6

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Comment:

Today, man's experience with the enemy, i. e., Satan, is no different. As Job, Peter and Judas failed to protect themselves from the enemy's misrepresentations, men in any age can't either.

However, Jesus showed the way. His armor is of God.

Expect Not Another Sacrifice for Sin

Absalom's a Type of Christ

Curse is the one Hanging on a Tree

2 Samuel 18: 9-17 NIV

Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.
     When one of the men saw what had happened, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.”
     Joab said to the man who had told him this, “What! You saw him? Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels^[b] of silver and a warrior’s belt.”
     But the man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels^[c] were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the king’s son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.^[d]’ And if I had put my life in jeopardy^[e]—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have kept your distance from me.”
     Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. And ten of Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.
     Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and the troops stopped pursuing Israel, for Joab halted them. They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest and piled up a large heap of rocks over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled to their homes.

Christ was Sin for Us

Galatians 3: 13

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

Epilogue
One and only Sacrifice

Hebrews 10: 11-14    

     Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers
     the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for
     all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time
     he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made
     perfect forever those who are being made holy.
    
Now, sinning brings a curse to anyone. Christ has already done the one and only sacrifice. So, when one continues to sin, he or she has no longer any sacrifice to cover for his or her sins. One must not expect God to provide another sacrifice of his Son.

Is one Responsible for his Salvation?

Indeed, one is responsible for his/her salvation. One will not lack anything needed for righteous living, the requisite of receiving God's mercy at Judgment Day. God will give a new heart, a new spirit to be joined with Christ's spirit to anyone that's willing.   

      The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. Deuteronomy 2: 7

The opposite is true for the unrighteous. Learn a lesson from the Israelites of old.

Numbers 32: 13 NIV

The Lord’s anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.

Joshua 5: 6 NIV

The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

One's Lifetime is "Forty Years"

"Forty years" represents the time one adult is given God's reprieve. Either one shapes up or not. Each choice has a consequence.

Will you forsake sinning and receive God's promise of salvation? Will you waste the work of God and his Son for your sake?