Wait upon the Lord

  The Isaiah 40 song "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles..." came into my mind this morning, and then in reading Billy Wilson's book, "Gen Z: Born for the Storm," that same theme was repeated. It was the Holy Spirit's way of reminding me that clearly God honors those who receive the Word with meekness, who humble themselves to receive from Him.  

Part of the fall was yielding to Satan's temptation, "you shall be like God."  The great deception is that fallen man now pridefully thinks he is God, and that his opinion is all that matters.  However, God in Isaiah 55 is strong to declare that "HIs thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways."  Therefore, realizing that we need to humble ourselves and let His truth renew our mind and heart in taking time to "wait upon the Lord" is the attitude that God honors with strength, power, and understanding (Isaiah 40:29-31).  

Paul reinforces this principle in Romans 12, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  As we humbly present ourselves to God, the key to surrender is letting the Word of God transform our thinking from the arrogance of man's thoughts to the simple truth of God which stands forever.  In short, according to Romans 3:4, let God be true and every man a liar.

It is difficult to "walk through the valley of death" where man's pride thinks he can alter God's plan for male and female, His statute for marriage, His command not to kill babies, and even the arrogance of man to change what the Word reveals about the nature of God.  So many issues and divisions are directly stemmed to man's pride in thinking his thoughts are always right.  However, God is not mocked, and foolish man will never overcome Him whose truth abides forever. Psalm 119:78 states, "Let the proud be put to shame; for they have overthrown me wrongfully."  

One translation of Isaiah 40 states they that "hope" in the Lord.  Hope and wait have the same root and source, depending upon God to confirm His Word.  Therefore, choose to depend upon God as you cast your cares upon Him, seek Him for wisdom, and let His Word dwell in you richly.  Those who choose to let His "being Lord" go beyond just words but also to be truly yielding will give Him permission and wait on Him to direct their thoughts and ways. 

Keep Peace in the Storm

In Psalm 112:7 the Lord explains one of the benefits of believing in Him, "He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast trusting the Lord."  

God's call today is to receive His peace and not let the world overcome us by taking His peace from our hearts.  Before His trial and death, Jesus spoke to the disciples, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27  God hasn't changed and His Word is eternal; therefore, hear Him speak His peace to you.

Jesus was able to still the raging storm at sea because there was no storm in Him.  "Peace, be still."  Jesus said "the evil one has nothing in Me."  Now we also have been given His righteousness and authority to overcome.  God has given us the weapons of our warfare, which have divine power.  Receive and speak the Word, acknowledge the blood of Jesus, and put on the armor of God.  We overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony, and we love not our lives unto death.  Even Psalm 23 declares, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because You are with me."

 However, the challenge in the spiritual battle (2 Corinthians 10:4) is to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Philippians 4:6-8 even tells us how by committing trouble to the Lord and letting His peace guard our hearts and minds.  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Then He tells us to change the channel by focusing on His qualities and faithfulness. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

Jesus even went a step further. In the beatitudes found in Luke, He tells us to "rejoice in that day and leap for joy!"  In John, He reminds us of His victory, "In the world you will have tribulation.  Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."   

The strongest way to maintain the peace and joy He gives, is to give thanks in all circumstances.  Because we trust Him we know He works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Therefore, what the world and devil mean for evil, God uses to grow us and to reveal His transforming power for good. 

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23) Take thoughts captive. Give situations to God with thanksgiving, and walk in His peace.  Choose to trust God in all situations. Jesus says, "Peace, be still" to the storms of your life.   

Prudent Man Sees Trouble Coming

"A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished." Proverbs 22:3 

Are you prudent? Do you see evil coming?  Let's examine a few facts.  Violence and shootings in schools and public places has become common place.  Gas prices have reached over $5 a gallon, food prices have risen another 20% and shortages and supply problems plague most industries.  The number of car thefts and catalytic converters being stolen has risen ten times greater than a year ago. 

Godly standards of life, sex, and marriage are considered evil.  Isaiah 5 says woe to those who call evil, good, and good, evil.  Companies and the media celebrate pride month or homosexuality like if sin was a good thing and it is freedom to violate the boundaries God has established in creating men and women.  Supreme Court justices are being threatened for stopping the murder of 63 million babies! Obviously, there are many more incidents which show the depravity of man, and what Revelation reports, that evil will increase. 

Therefore, it is vital to obey this truth of Proverbs 22:3.   A quick look at John 14-16 also shows how Jesus told His disciples what was going to happen, so that they would have peace and they would know He came from the Father. In other words, God knows and gives you peace in the storm because He is with you.

Being prudent, consider how to "hide yourself."  First, Ephesians 6 reminds us that we are not fighting flesh and blood, but the powers of darkness and need the armor God has provided.  Rather than let this just be one more nice Scripture, we need to apply each part by giving thanks for and declaring the truth.  For example, "I put on the belt of truth, thank you Jesus, You and Your Word are Truth."  Likewise, "Thank you Jesus for giving me Your righteousness.  I put on the breastplate of righteousness."  It is even helpful for many to physically touch your body as you "dress" in the armor.  Having done all, stand.

Second, Jesus overcame the devil's attacks in the desert by speaking the Word of God.  The Word of God is powerful, alive, and accomplishes God's purpose.  Jesus was not impressed with the Pharisees who could quote the Word, because He knew that fruit only comes when "out of the heart the mouth speaks."  Jesus, in His analogy of the vine and the branches, points out, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you..." you will bear fruit.  The more we allow the Word of God to penetrate our heart and mind, the more we can speak and stand on the truth against the lies and wiles of the enemy.  We have been called to rule (see June 1 post, Rule on Your Knees with Lifted Hands) and speaking the Word with faith is one of the primary ways.  Note the role of speaking in Revelation 12:11, "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." 

Third, another key to overcoming is found in John 14, when Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled." In short, rest in His peace, be still, rather than pick up the offense.  Philippians 4 likewise reminds us to "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  David says it this way in Psalm 16:8, "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved."  If we believe God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, (Romans 8:28) we can deliberately give thanks in all circumstances and not give the enemy place in our hearts with frustration, anger, and bitterness.

When Jesus was at His greatest time of trial, the Holy Spirit ministered to Him.  To reassure the disciples who were troubled by His leaving them, He promised to send the Holy Spirit and peace.  The battle has not changed and the need for the power and peace of the Holy Spirit, God in us, is critical.  The Spirit gives peace which the world cannot take away.  We now see the times of trial are upon us, and as prudent believers, we are called to put on the armor, speak the Word of God, and keep mindful of the Lord's presence in you by giving thanks rather than complaining.  Choose to let every attack of the enemy be the motivation that pushes you deeper into "hide yourself in the Lord." 

Rejoice at Judgment?

   May God's peace fill your heart and soul because of what the Lord has done for you, when you consider this amazing truth found in Psalm 96.  It declares that the heavens will be glad, the earth will rejoice, the sea will roar, the field will exult, the trees of the forest will sing for joy at a coming event.  What could possibly be the reason why?  

 God is coming to judge the earth!  

 Do you remember being called to the principal's office? (or to your boss' office)  Was there a sudden drop in your heart, an instant panic? In our natural response the first thought is "uh oh, what did I do wrong?"  So this Scripture is totally contrary to our feelings where an immediate red flag goes up.  How can this be?

 Deep in our hearts we long for good to be honored and evil to be dealt with; in short, justice.  We know the good tree has good fruit, and the bad tree bears bad fruit.  Of course, God is all just and every sin will receive its consequence.  But, what if there is evil or sin in us?  

That is the point.  Jesus promised to send the Spirit (John 16:7-11) to convict of sin and righteousness and judgment, which is His provision to reconcile and give His peace to us.  Paul said he couldn't even judge himself, but called on God to judge him before taking communion.  When we are judged and repent of what the Lord exposes, then we can stand righteous before God. Jesus who knew no sin, became sin so that we could become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)  His righteousness and His perfect love cast out all fear. 

We can rejoice that God is coming to judge the earth.  We know in our hearts that Jesus has taken our sin and given us His righteousness.  So rather than instill fear, the coming of the Lord to judge brings peace and joy because we are already judged and the Jesus' righteousness we now have is perfect.  You don't have to panic if you are being followed by a police car when you know you are going the speed limit.  Obviously part of Jesus reigning is removing all sin and setting up a holy kingdom on earth. Romans 14:17 declares this kingdom is "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."   We rejoice that this kingdom that is in us, will also be established on earth as it is in heaven! 

You Rule on your Knees with Lifted Hands

Hear the Word of the Lord: "Rule in the midst of Your enemies!" 

Yes, we rule.  According to 1 Peter 2:9 and Revelation 1:5 we have been made a royal priesthood (or kings and priests) in the Kingdom of God.  Believers have been given authority "to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy" by Jesus (Luke 10:19). This truth is amplified in Romans 5:17, "For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."   

One look at the news today shouts the truth that death reigns in the world, but the Good News is that "much more" do the ones who receive the abundance of grace (I suggest salvation, being transferred from Satan's domain into the Lord Jesus' kingdom) and the gift of righteousness (notice it has nothing to do with how good we are, but rather "He became sin that we might become the righteousness of God") reign in life.  Jesus desires us to reign with Him "in life."  As Psalm 110:2 declares "The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.  Rule in the midst of Your enemies!"  

How do we rule?  We have been given the keys to the kingdom, the tools to walk in and release the power of God.   In the New Testament, 1 Peter 2:5 states it this way, "as living stones, [we] are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."  The key work of priests is offer sacrifices.  Therefore, the way we rule with the Lord Jesus is through our royal priesthood of spiritual sacrifices.  Hebrews 13:15-16 further explains this call, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.  But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."  The sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise is powerful for ruling in every situation by acknowledging all He has done.  He has overcome, and by our faith we overcome with Him.  

Whether you realize it or not, you rule through the praises and thanks you give.  We are seated with the Lord Jesus in heavenly places and rule with Him by the declaration of our mouth and the agreement of our hearts.  God entrusted the earth to Adam, who unfortunately gave this authority to Satan, but through Jesus' death and resurrection, man's authority to rule the earth has been restored.  Therefore. as Proverbs 18:21 declares, "death and life are in the power of the tongue" and God calls us to choose life.  Speaking words of life out of the overflow of our hearts, releases the life of God.  Prayer, praise, thanksgiving, worship, and prophetic declaration are keys and tools to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth, or as Jesus taught us to pray, "Come, Thy Kingdom, be done, Thy will, on earth as it is in heaven." 

Rule today.  Utilize the authority and position God has given you through worship, praise, and thanksgiving.  Know that God's Word will not return void, but He will surely establish the purpose for which He sent it. He who calls you (to rule in His name and authority) is faithful, and He will do it!