Posts

That’s My King! Do You Know Him?

/in /by

Jer. 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

The depths of God’s mercy, love and humility often catch me off guard astounding me. Consider the following: He writes our names in the palms of His hand (Isa. 49:16); He collects our tears in a bottle (Ps. 56:8); He numbers the hair on our head (Lk. 12:7); and records every conversation we have about Him in a book (Mal. 3:16). If this weren’t enough He sent His Son in the form of an infant to take our punishment in order that we might live with Him forever.

This familiar picture lives on through history illustrated so well in John 8:6-8: This they said to try (test) Him, hoping they might find a charge on which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger.7 However, when they persisted with their question, He raised Himself up and said, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.8 Then He bent down and went on writing on the ground with His finger.

Jesus, God in the flesh, stoops down to write in the dust. You see a similar image in God blesses us. Hebraically, this means He bends the knee to convey His blessings upon us. Can you imagine any human king bending down to touch, let alone bless, a pauper from the street? Isaiah 40:12 in the New Living Translation and the Message communicate the awesomeness of Who He is: Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?

Who has scooped up the ocean in his two hands, or measured the sky between his thumb and little finger, Who has put all the earth’s dirt in one of his baskets, weighed each mountain and hill?

In the immensity that He is – He reaches down to connect with you; to know you; for you to know Him. It’s too much for my small brain to fathom. But the smallness of my brain doesn’t limit the awesomeness of Who He is. I recall a message preached by Pastor S.M.Lockridge, entitled, That’s My King! Do You Know Him? in 1976. There are powerful recorded versions of it on the internet that I would encourage you to listen to. Here’s an excerpt: Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, and He is irresistible. I’m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King. He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King!

Now with all that in mind return to Jeremiah’s revelation from God: Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you;….That’s my KING! Do you know Him?

Significance of Sukkot (Tabernacles)

/in /by

Deuteronomy 16:16 states: Three times a year shall all your males appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread,(Passover) at the Feast of Weeks, (Pentecost) and at the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.

Exodus 23:14–17 Three times in the year you shall keep a feast to Me.15 You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. None shall appear before Me empty-handed.16 Also you shall keep the Feast of Harvest [Pentecost], [acknowledging] the first fruits of your toil, of what you sow in the field. And [third] you shall keep the Feast of Ingathering [Booths or Tabernacles] at the end of the year, when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field.17 Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God. 

Significant events occurred during two of the three mandatory feast days – of God’s Biblical Calendar: Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover = Jesus was crucified, and resurrected. Feast of Firstfruits, Feast of Weeks or Pentecost = Jesus Baptized His Followers in the Holy Spirit and Birthed the Church.

What significant event could happen around the Feast of Tabernacles-Sukkot? Like Passover and Pentecost, Sukkot has a dual significance: historical and agricultural. The holiday commemorates the 40 year period the children of Israel wandered in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Sukkot also celebrates the harvest, and is sometimes referred to as Chag Ha-Asif, the Festival of Ingathering. During the days of Jesus’ ministry on earth, Sukkot, was celebrated through sacrificing 70 oxen, corresponding to the 70 nations, and praying for peace and harmony among all the nations of the world. As a religious Holy Day – it follows the Feast of Trumpets, 10 Days of Awe, and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The time of judging yourself, confession of sin and repentance becomes a time of celebration at Sukkot. Lev. 23:42-43 You shall dwell in Sukkot for seven days…So that your future generations shall know that I had the children of Israel live in Sukkot when I brought them out of Egypt. Today the Jewish people around the world build temporary shelters to participate in this Holy Day. During this 7-day event – families will eat and sleep in their sukkah.

Hebrews 11:13-16 states: 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. NKJV

Sukkot or Tabernacles reminds us we are only passing through this life. This earth is not our home – Jesus is. All followers of Jesus, are strangers and pilgrims in this land. We are looking forward to a Heavenly City – actually seeking it out, desiring, and longing for it. And why shouldn’t we? Have you ever stopped to think that most of us will be forgotten after just three generations. No one will really know who we were. My Dad has done extensive genealogical research on our family. He has traced our roots all the way back to the highlands of Scotland. He has the names of ancestors going back all the way to the 1600’s. I know many of their names. But guess what? In reality I have no idea who they were. Nobody does – but Jesus. Jesus has our names written in the Palm of His Hand (Isa. 49:16); He has the hairs of our head numbered (Mt. 10:30); He saves our tears in a bottle and records them in a book (Ps. 56:8); He saves our prayers in a bowl (Rev. 5:8); He records in a book when we have conversations about Him (Mal. 3:16) He knew us before we were born (Jer. 1:5). I’ve said it often: What gift do you give a rich man who owns everything in the world? The one thing He doesn’t have: you. You are God’s Treasure, His pearl of great price, and His lost coin. My Mom still has my baby book. If my Mom thinks I am that special to save a scrap book of memories about me – how precious is it that we have a God Who hasn’t just saved our baby footprints and handprints? He has saved every trace of who we are – from beginning to new beginning. Remind yourself of these things during these seven days.

Confession & Declaration 28

/in /by

Psalm 56:8 You number and record my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle—are they not in Your book?

It is believed by scholars that this Psalm was written by David when he was fleeing from King Saul. After gathering up the sword of Goliath he flees to the Philistines. But his flight resembled the proverbial jumping from the fire into the frying pan. 1 Samuel 21:10-15 records the events: David arose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath.11 The servants of Achish said to him, Is not this David, the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another of him in their dances: Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?12 David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish king of Gath.13 And he changed his behavior before them, and pretended to be insane in their [Philistine] hands, and scribbled on the gate doors, and drooled on his beard. 14 Then said Achish to his servants, You see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me? 15 Have I need of madmen, that you bring this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?

Things had gotten so hopeless, and dark that David pretended to be a crazy man in order to keep from being killed by the Philistines. He records his troubles in Psalm 56:1-2, 5-6: Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, for man would trample me or devour me; all the day long the adversary oppresses me. 2 They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up or trample me all day long, for they are many who fight against me, O Most High!…. 5 All day long they twist my words and trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil and my hurt. 6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they watch my steps, even as they have [expectantly] waited for my life.

Note that David says: all the day long the adversary oppresses me. The book of Revelation records that David’s adversary is not man, but satan himself. What did David do to combat the oppression of his adversary, satan? What did David do with the oppression and the fear of death? he trusted and he praised: Psalm 56:3-4 What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You. 4 By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?

David then proceeds into victory after processing the Truths of Who God is. Psalm 56:9-13 declares his triumphant words: Then shall my enemies turn back in the day that I cry out; this I know, for God is for me. 10 In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise, 11 In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render praise to You and give You thank offerings. 13 For You have delivered my life from death, yes, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life and of the living.

Thus David is declaring that because his confidence is in the Lord – not man; because his confidence is in God’s Word, his wanderings recorded – and his tears saved in a bottle – he can rise in victory. Why? Davids recollection of God putting his tears in a bottle is not some sentimental fancy to comfort David while he felt sorry for himself. No not all. He is reminding himself that he belongs to God. That he is precious to God. He is reminding himself that God’s prophetic promise had yet to be fulfilled. He had yet to see the realization of his being crowned king of Israel. He knew, and was persuaded, that though men were plotting to kill him no man could kill God’s Promise. He would rise from it all.

The take away for you is that you are God’s promise. Even your tears are precious to Him. No man can destroy God’s Promise. Why? Because God’s Promised One lives in you. So rise up and praise Him with David. Rise up in spite of your circumstances and praise Him with the angels and saints gone before you. The Promised One Rises within you.

Declaration 28: Holy Father I join my voice, with David in declaring Your Truth – Your Promise. By the Blood of Jesus I am His promise. By the Blood of Jesus the Promised One lives and abides in me. What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You. 4 By the help of God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me? … This I know, for God is for me. 10 In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise, 11 In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?…I will render praise to You and give You thanks. 13 For You have delivered my life from death, yes, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before You in the light of life and of the living. Thank you Jesus I am alive by the Resurrection Power of Your Spirit! I am alive by the Precious Blood of the Lamb. I am alive because the Author of Life dwells in me. Thank You Jesus for breaking me free from the oppression of my adversary putting him under my feet! Thank You Jesus, satan is under my feet! Hallelujah!

Who’ Your One? Day 25 – Thursday, February 6