Daily Bible Blessing

[jeremiah7]

DBB-123

He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. (Ezra 7:6)

One of the special things about this man, Ezra, we read in Ezra 7:10..... For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Something that every child of God should do is devoting themselves to the study and observance of God’s word. Not only studying and doing the things that are written in the Word of God are important, but, we, as we gain adequate knowledge, must also teach others who are new to the faith, what we have learnt. God expects that from each of us. Of course, in the initial stages of our life as believers, we may not be able to do it, but as we grow in the faith, and as we devote ourselves to the study and meditation of the Word of God, we can start teaching receptive hearts, what God requires them of their lives.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" was what Jesus told his disciples, and they went out, to different parts of the world and that’s how countless people came to know that Jesus Christ is Saviour of the world and that salvation can be received by believing in his atoning sacrifice on the cross. Ezra devoted himself to the study of the law of the Lord. We must ask ourselves how much time we meditate on the Word of God because that’s very important in our life as a believer. The psalmist says, "I have hidden your teachings in my heart."
In Psalm 1, we also read of the blessedness of a person who continually meditates on the Word of God.....
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:3)
Have you been ignoring reading the Word and meditating on it? Take a decision this day to devote quality time to the study of the Word of God. Obey what the Word says, and as you mature in the Word, make it your duty to teach others also the same.

Regarding Ezra, the Bible says, "the hand of the Lord his God was on him.....so will it be in your life too, if you delight in God's Word, obey it and also teach others the same.

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-124

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. (Psalm 4 : 1)

David the psalmist, cries out to the Lord for deliverance from them who hate him; from them who want to turn his glory into shame. He cries out to God and tells Him that he needs an answer. He calls out to his righteous God and prays, “Give me relief from my distress, be merciful to me and hear my prayer.”

Our God is a prayer answering God and He is the one who brings relief in all our distresses. Every believer should, without fail, pray to the Lord, worship Him and meditate on His word, each day. This should be something we should never forget or ignore. If you seek deliverance, if you want a healing, if you want to feel God’s presence in your life continually, call out to him, cry to him for mercy and he will hear. Seek his face. He is a rewarder of those who seek him diligently. Find a time period in your daily schedule where you can spend quality quiet time with the Lord. For some it may be the early mornings, for some as they retire after a day's work. Of course we can pray and call out to him at any time of the day or night. And we can pray at all times, wherever we are; whether we are at home, whether we are at our workplace, or while travelling, We can pray and approach the throne of grace with confidence.

The Apostle Paul once said, "The Lord has delivered us from many perils, and He will deliver us again." Has not God answered your prayers in the past? He will do it again. Call out to him. He is a merciful God, a compassionate God; he will surely answer your prayers. Spend time in prayer, spend time in worship and spend time in meditation of the word and the Lord will bless you abundantly.

David was in several perilous situations and his righteous God delivered him. He is your righteous God too. He will give you relief from your distresses too. Praise his holy name.

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-125

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7)

There are many situations that bring anxiety into our lives, but Paul the Apostle, exhorts the believers in Philippi and also us, by saying......."in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made to God."
Every time we sit in the presence of the Lord, we can think about all the things (situations, problems, difficulties) that bring anxiety in to our hearts, and we can present all these in the presence of God, with prayer, petition and thanksgiving. And what happens when we do that?...The Apostle continues by writing........And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

In the Old Testament of the Bible, we read of a wonderful promise God gave his children....
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)

God has established a covenant of peace with you if you have accepted the gift of salvation that he has provided through his son Jesus Christ. His love for you is unfailing and his covenant of peace will never be removed from you because he is an unchanging God.

The Psalmist sang, "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. (Psalm 94:19)"

If you are distressed or anxious about any matter this day, remember that God's unfailing love and his covenant of peace will sustain you and bring consolation to your soul.

So......Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-126

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)

In several Psalms, David, the psalmist, affirms that God is his hiding place and that God hides him from the enemy. He, for one, knew that unless God protected him, all other protection was of little or no use. He was hunted by his enemies often and sought God as his hiding place.

In Psalm 17, he prays for protection in this manner.....
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings (v.8)
God is Almighty. He is able to protect his children at all times from all the attacks of the evil one. In the prophecy of Daniel, we read of how God closed the mouth of lions and protected his servant Daniel when he was thrown into a den of lions (Daniel Ch.6). Daniel testified...
My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." (Daniel 6:22)
God also protected the 3 Hebrew youths who were thrown in to the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar because they defied his orders of worshipping his idol (Daniel Ch.3). The king who had ordered that they be thrown in to the fiery furnace later testified....
"Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. (Daniel 3:28)

God has not changed. He will deliver you from the attacks of the enemy by sending his angel.
Confess aloud what the Psalmist said when confronted by troubles innumerable and gain victory over your situation this day...
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.(Psalm 27:5)

Yes...God will keep you safe in his dwelling, he will hide you in the shelter of his tabernacle and set you high upon a rock.

 

[aussieangel]

DBB-126

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)

In several Psalms, David, the psalmist, affirms that God is his hiding place and that God hides him from the enemy. He, for one, knew that unless God protected him, all other protection was of little or no use. He was hunted by his enemies often and sought God as his hiding place.

In Psalm 17, he prays for protection in this manner.....
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings (v.8)
God is Almighty. He is able to protect his children at all times from all the attacks of the evil one. In the prophecy of Daniel, we read of how God closed the mouth of lions and protected his servant Daniel when he was thrown into a den of lions (Daniel Ch.6). Daniel testified...
My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." (Daniel 6:22)
God also protected the 3 Hebrew youths who were thrown in to the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar because they defied his orders of worshipping his idol (Daniel Ch.3). The king who had ordered that they be thrown in to the fiery furnace later testified....
"Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. (Daniel 3:28)

God has not changed. He will deliver you from the attacks of the enemy by sending his angel.
Confess aloud what the Psalmist said when confronted by troubles innumerable and gain victory over your situation this day...
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.(Psalm 27:5)

Yes...God will keep you safe in his dwelling, he will hide you in the shelter of his tabernacle and set you high upon a rock.

Thank you so much for this message..I needed to hear it tonight..smiles..

 

[jeremiah7]

Thank you so much for this message..I needed to hear it tonight..smiles..

God bless you aussieangel.

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-127

O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. (Psalm 7:1, 2)

Ever seen a lion rip its prey to pieces? David, once a shepherd, knew all too well what a lion could do to it's prey and he sees himself in such a helpless situation and cries out for deliverance to the Lord. The title of the Psalm reads....of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite. Cush was one of the many many enemies that David had but not much details are found in the Word of God regarding this enemy of his. That he was a formidable enemy is for sure, because David compares him to a dangerous lion that was out to tear him apart.
David prays several prayers in this Psalm.....
..Save and deliver me (v.1)
..Arise, O Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. (v.6)
..Rule over your people from on high (v.7)
..Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. (v.9)

He then sings how God is going to deal with his enemies.....their defeat and utter destruction being the eventuality......and ends the Psalm on a high note by singing......I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 7:17)

Child of God, if you are being pursued by the enemy, who, you think, will tear you and rip you to pieces, trust in Almighty God, like David did and he will save and deliver you. Nothing is impossible for God. However strong the enemy be, God is stronger and he is able to deliver like no one can.
Remember...The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-124

Joshua 24:17 NIV
It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.

The antivirus that I use on my android mobile usually says, "You are fully protected." Great to hear that, but there may be viruses or other infections that it may fail to detect or control.

In the above verses that we read from the book of Joshua, the Israelites acknowledge the full protection that God Almighty provided them in their entire wilderness journey from Egypt to Canaan. He did not fail them; no, not for a single moment. 40 years of journeying; he was there always for them. Even when they sinned, he did not utterly forsake them. He punished them for their sins, yet had compassion on them.

In your wilderness journey to the Heavenly Canaan, remember that Jesus is always there with you and for you, no matter what your circumstances are.

Trust in him; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-129

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29)

The task that you think is difficult maybe easy after all. Just a few steps of learning and there you are. Another skill will be added to your life. But if you do not try or take a single step you become a failure. Failures are not them who try and fail, but them who fail to even try. David was willing to learn and he was transformed from shepherd to shepherd king. It took a while and several heartbreaks, but succeed he did.

Once he felled a giant with a sling and a stone, but then he learned to fight and war with sword and shield and he was victorious then too. For a Christian believer, the Holy Spirit is a good teacher; he not only teaches us the ways of God, but he is there as Counselor to guide us in our daily tasks too. God who sent his Spirit on men in the Old Testament to fight and win wars also anointed men then with special skills to achieve other purposes, like we read in the book of Exodus......Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. (Exodus 31:1-5)

God can empower you with the Holy Spirit in the daily work or job that you do. Do you think you are a failure when it comes to your job or the work that you do? Pray to the Father in heaven to pour out his Holy Spirit on you. He gives to them who ask. The Holy Spirit of God can empower you like no one else can. As you give yourself in the Spirit's hands, he will do great things through you. You will be a changed person. No more a failure, but a success. And the glory will be God's.

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11)

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-130

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. (Psalm 52:8)

With over a 100 benefits documented in literature regarding the olive, it's no surprise that David, the Psalmist here, compares himself to an olive tree. "The Sisters Olive Trees of Noah" located in Lebanon is said to be the world's oldest living olive tree, around 6000-8000 years old and the average life expectancy of an olive tree is 300-500 years. The olive tree thus serves it's innumerable beneficiaries quite well and similarly David too in his lifetime was one who was a blessing to many. Not only during his earthly life, but even after his death, through the many psalms that he sang and which are placed in the Word of God, he still serves and enriches believers through several generations in many ways. One can identify with the many problems that he faced and find comfort from the fact that, the God who saved and delivered David can do the same in other lives too.

David, the shepherd king of Israel, was indeed like a flourishing olive tree because he trusted in God's unfailing love. His fruitfulness is evident and we must ask ourselves how fruitful we are and how our fruitfulness benefits others.
God chose us to bear fruit and he expects the fruit that we bear to have lasting effects.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit; fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (John 15:16)

How wonderful it is that Jesus gives us a promise and a blessing for bearing fruit that will last.....Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Lasting fruit can be borne by a believer only by abiding or remaining in Jesus. He says,
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

So then, let's abide continually in Jesus, dear brothers and sisters, so that we bear much fruit and fruit that is lasting, for that will bring glory to our Father in heaven and he, according to Jesus' promise (John 15:16) will answer our prayers.

 

[misjudgedinall]

I feel quite blessed

 

[jeremiah7]

I feel quite blessed

May God bless you even more.......................

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-131

So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. (Exodus 12:34, 39)

Must have been quite a sight; some of them carrying their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. And the first stop to bake unleavened cakes must have been exciting. The excitement of freedom coupled with that must have been exhilarating.

None of them knew then that this was going to be a long journey; one that would last 40 years. Some of them must have dreamed of settling soon in the land flowing with milk and honey, but it was not to be so easy or so near.

Hunger was one thing that the Israelite's could not cope with in their wilderness journey and often they grumbled about it on their long trek. Another thing that equally troubled them was thirst and a lack of water.

Regarding this, Moses, who lead them had this to say before they entered the promised land.

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Also.....who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end. (Deuteronomy 8:15, 16)

God allowed them to hunger and thirst...what for....to humble them....to test them...and finally.....to do good to them in the end.

The question that haunted many in their walk through the wilderness was whether God would provide. Provide he did, but their doubts persisted, so they grumbled and were punished for it.

We, as believers, can learn much from the way that the Israelite's responded to their needs in the wilderness and also how God dealt with them and their needs.

Moses had to bear the brunt of their verbal attacks and sometimes he grew weary. But God did not let him down when he cried out on their behalf. He responded with miracle after miracle, though sometimes he punished them for their arrogance and lack of faith.

You, as a child of God, must know that the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself up on the cross for your sake will provide for you and your family in this wilderness journey of yours.
He promised,
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Paul the Apostle, wrote to the believers in Philippi,
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

To the believers in Rome, he wrote,
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

You must remember that,
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

Trust in him; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-132

Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Romans 6:16)

The question "Have you ever been a slave?" might bring about a smirk from the rich and a quizzical look from, others not so rich. The Bible though, is emphatic, in saying that we were and are slaves and we have masters.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Romans, explains how this happens to be. There are masters that we have all served and are serving. The masters here are sin and obedience. So now the question becomes easier to answer. Are we slaves to sin or to obedience?
Perhaps some of us were slaves to sin earlier but now have become slaves to obedience. There are others around us who are still slaves to sin. And there is a third category too. Them who are supposed to be slaves of obedience but are still serving as slaves to some sin that has caught hold of them.

The Apostle details what the ultimate results are of serving these 2 masters. Regarding being a slave to sin, he writes,
What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! (Romans 6:21)
If one is a slave to sin and does not repent and become a slave of obedience to the Word of God, his/her ultimate state is eternal death.

What about the one who is a slave to obedience? Paul writes thus,
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:17, 18)
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:22)

The matter then is clear...
Slave to Sin....Without Repentance=Eternal Death
Slave to Obedience.....Slave to Righteousness.....Holiness=Eternal Life

What about you? Can you confidently say that you are a slave to obedience/righteousness?
If yes, the Bible calls you "blessed".....
But if you are still a slave to sin, God calls you to repent and become a slave of righteousness. Will you heed his call?
Remember,
.....the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-133

Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelite's are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come. (Exodus 12:42)

How wonderful to read that the Lord kept vigil for his children. The Lord stayed alert to guard them, watching carefully and protecting them.
Do you believe that God is keeping vigil over you and your family each day?
The Psalmist says,
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. (Psalm 34:7)
Do you fear the Lord? meaning "do you honor him and his Word and have you committed yourself to lead a holy life?
If yes, the Lord is keeping vigil over you.
Moses once exhorted the Israelites in their wilderness journey in this manner.....
For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you. (Deuteronomy 23:14)

The faithfulness of God who delivered his people is evident in this testimony given by them..
It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.(Joshua 24:17)
Notice the words....He protected us on our entire journey.......

Wherever you are at this point in your journey to the Heavenly Canaan, as a child of God remember that God is keeping vigil over you and your family. You need to stay in close fellowship with him. He will speak to you with his still small voice as you meditate upon his Word and seek his face.
Pray and cover yourself, your family and all that God has given you with the blood of Jesus each day.

God is faithful. He will protect you on your entire journey.
For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever ............. (Psalm 37:28)

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-134

Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth." (1 Kings 17:24)

The woman in question here (1 Kings 17:8-24) had already experienced a great miracle in her life; yet she waited for another miracle to acknowledge the integrity of the prophet.

Elijah came to her home, sent by God, at a time when she thought that she was going to have her last meal and then die. The prophet prophesied blessings and they happened. When the land was gripped with famine, she and her son were provided for, miraculously by God. The promise prophesied by the prophet was this.....
"The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land." (1 Kings 17:14)
AND
The outcome of the promise, recorded in the Word of God, is this....
So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.(1 Kings 17:15, 16)

Was not this miracle enough for her to believe that Elijah was a man of God?

Later her son died and God raised him from the dead when Elijah interceded for him; that was when she exclaimed that...
"Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth."

How many miracles does it take for one to believe?
Did not the food that she and her son ate during the famine inspire her to believe? No, it did not, because when her son died, she accused Elijah and said, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?" (1 Kings 17:18)

Perhaps she spoke from the bitterness of the tragedy, yet there seemed to be ingratitude inside of her towards the prophet.

God loves a grateful heart.

We must meditate on the miracles God has already done for us, be grateful to God for them and God will bless us again.

God is good and his promise is that he will never leave us nor forsake us, if we have trusted in Jesus Christ's sacrificial work on the cross and are living a life obeying the Word of God.

Also, we must learn to respect them who pray and intercede for us.

As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. (Psalm 16:3)
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God..................... (1 Peter 2:17)

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-135

Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. (Isaiah 38:5)

Hezekiah, king of Judah, became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah went to him and said, "This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."

What does one do when dire tidings such as this comes? The verdict was given. No, it was not from the doctors, but from the Most High. Who could or what could challenge it?
Yet, Hezekiah made one last and desperate plea to the one who controlled all.

The Bible says,
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, "Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (Isaiah 38:2, 3)

God heard and he saw, and he changed his decision. He decided that the prayers and tears were worth another 15 years of productive life. Praise the Lord.

The Lord sent Isaiah the prophet back to the king to give him a brand new prophecy.
He would live...15 more years.
The equation looks wonderful..
Prayers heard+Tears seen=15 years of life.

The prescription for his illness also came from the prophet, as given from heaven...
Isaiah had said, "Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover." (Isaiah 38:21)

None can challenge the verdict of heaven, but heaven opens up to prayers and tears; that is for sure.

Miracles....
It has happened before, it can happen in your lives now.

Believe in the one who said,
"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-136

The Lord said to Moses on Mount Sinai, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the Lord. For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest. (Leviticus 25:1-5)

No sowing or pruning or reaping or harvesting for a whole year. That would have sounded preposterous to the Israelite's and many of them would have started calculating losses or imagining their families going hungry. The Lord knew the thoughts that would run through their minds; so he gave them the solution before they encountered the so called problem. God spoke to them and said,

You may ask, "What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?" I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in. (Leviticus 25:20-22)

Amazing, just amazing! They were going to have a yield in the sixth year that would last for 3 years i.e. till the harvest of the ninth year came in.

So what's that problem that you are worried about today? Some job opportunity that slipped through your hands? Some financial gain that you thought you would pocket but it didn't materialize. Relax; God has the solution in place. Not to worry, child of God. Carry on serving the Lord faithfully and you will see God provide all things needed at the right time. He is El Shaddai, God Almighty. He will do great miracles for you and satisfy your righteous desires.

The God who promised great blessings in the 6th year to the Israelite's still bestows wonderful blessings on his children. Trust in him.

Remember,
......God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
NEVER EVER DOUBT HIS FAITHFULNESS.

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-137

The man of God replied, "The Lord can give you much more than that." (2 Chronicles 25:9)

Amaziah, king of Judah, hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel, for a hundred talents of silver. This was to increase the size of his army. But a man of God came to him and said, "O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the Lord is not with Israel. Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow."

Amaziah was worried about the loss of money that he would be bearing, if he excluded these hired Israelite's from his army. He asked the man of God, "But what about the hundred talents I paid for these Israelite troops?" That's when the man of God gave the reply that we read in the title verse here.......The Lord can give you much more than that......

Amaziah obeyed the counsel of the Lord though he suffered a loss, but the Lord gave him victory when he went to war against the Edomites.

The Lord will give us victory when we are obedient to him. He is a good God and he honors faith and obedience.

But obedience to God has to be a continuous process and not a one time happening.

Look at Amaziah. God gave him a great victory in the war against the Edomites, but when he returned from war, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them. God was angry with him and he sent a prophet who asked him, "Why do you consult this people's gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?"

Amaziah was angry and he dealt badly with the prophet. His downfall started as a result of this. In his arrogance, he challenged the king of Israel to war and he lost and was captured and his treasures plundered.

His downfall came as a result of his disobedience.

We, as believer's have words of exhortation in this regard from the Apostles...

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do..(1 Peter 1:14, 15)

 

[jeremiah7]

DBB-138

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' (Luke 10:35)

How far can the hands of mercy be stretched? Actually, it depends on how far one is willing to stretch it. Jesus spoke about a Samaritan who was willing to stretch it all the way, perhaps till it hurt. He had found a wounded man, almost dying. He could have passed by and not bothered to do anything, like a priest and a levite who passed by earlier did. No, but he was different. Actually he had no status in society in that period of time and no one would have complained if he ignored the half dead man, but he chose to be different. He bandaged the man's wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him

His merciful act could have ended there, but no; he was willing to go further. That's clearly seen in the words that we read in the title verse above.

Jesus once said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

The question that we can ask ourselves is this...How far can we stretch our hands of mercy?
Sometimes, we hold ourselves back thinking of what others would think and sometimes, we limit ourselves in being merciful. Sometimes we put on our judgmental glasses when we see others suffering. Sometimes we look to see whether the suffering one is one of us, so that we may show mercy.

But here is what our Lord says,
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

We are not perfect, but the Lord Jesus urges us all believers this day to be like our Father in heaven. He says,
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36)
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(Matthew 5:48)

Perfection may take a lifetime, but we can start today and learn from our Savior Jesus Christ, who stretched forth his hands of mercy towards us that we would not perish in our sins but have eternal life by believing in his finished work on the cross.

Jesus Christ has shown us the path of being merciful; let us all follow in his footsteps.