The most exciting Promises in the Scriptures

Psalm 89

Ethan the Ezrahite is not a common name, so where can we find him in Scripture?  He was mentioned in 1 Chronicles 15:17,19, shall we begin in verse 16, “David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps, and cymbals.  So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph son of Berekiah; and from their relatives the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; and with them their relatives next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.  The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.”  I call that information, and it may be of some help now that we know who God used to pen this Psalm.  We need to know where to find it in the Scriptures.  I once more went to my study Bible and found on page 967 in notes the answer I was searching for.  You will find the account in 1 Chronicle 17 and 2 Samuel 7.  

As I read the account of God’s promises to David and how God blesses his kingship, have you thought of the promises God has made to all who are in Christ?

If we begin at the moment you asked Jesus to come into your life and set you free from bondage, you entered into His family, your Father is now God, and you are free from the control of the evil one; Satan or the devil.  Where can I find that written in Scripture?  It is found in Romans 6:12-14, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.  Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”  You’re free, but let’s not miss that it is all about your choice.  Never forget religion is rules, law, and it is easy to forget what happened to you, not because you were good at rule-keeping, but God extended His grace and set you free from the bondage of sin.

Do you still entertain sinful thoughts, that‘s called the flesh and you can experience victory over it by understanding who you are in Christ?  “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

The promise took place the moment you ask Christ into your life, as the Commander and Chief.  That is why if I am not having victory over my thoughts, and in the same way, I often lean on my own understanding and allow the worldly thoughts to rob me of my dependence on the Spirit that lives in me.

So you now should be living in the assurance of being a child of the Lord’s because of this promise in John 6:37, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

Of all the many promises in Scripture, I find that I can have friendship with Christ one of the most exciting.  You will find the words in John 15:14-15, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.  No longer do I call you servants for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”

I know many of you are living a blessed life, and I also am experiencing such, but that does not mean we are not affected by the acts of sin in our fallen world.  You will find this promise of trials and even persecution in 2 Timothy 3:12-13, ^“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”  If you had kept reading, you would see you are to be the hand and feet of Jesus in a fallen world.

  

I’m going to end with a great promise found in John 15:9-11 on Joy.  ^“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Living by Feeling and not by Truth

Psalm 88

 The first three verses set the theme of the chapter, and I’m confident it’s the cry of many in the Church today.  “O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you.   Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!  For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.”

As you read this Psalm, we are looking at a man who has been rejected by his wife and friends; he feels shunned.  He never asks am I the problem?  He sees himself as above reproach and his blame is directed at the Holy One.  If you do not see this reread verse 18, “You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.”

You want to have one great pity party.  I believe this man who lived in the day of King Solomon can be a great example.  He could not grasp how God would allow his life to have misfortune.  How would you like living with this guy, he always saw the glass half-empty, everywhere he looked terrible things were happening to him, and he was feeling sorry for himself, not a fun person to live with, much less be around.

Does God love us, and if so, why is he quiet when our lives turn to misery?  A wise person who is a follower of Christ will acknowledge who God is and that He has total authority.  It may be helpful to visit Hebrews 13:5-6, Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

If one does not understand that feelings are not the truth, but God is the truth, for Jesus has told us He is Truth, you can find that in John 14:6.  Once we acknowledge this truth, we need to search our hearts and soul by doing as we are told in 2 Corinthians 13:5, by examining ourselves to see if we are living by faith in God’s promises.  A great prayer to pray for yourself; “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”  

If in the examination, you find sin in your life, be quick to run to the Father and confess.  For He has promised that if we confess with a broken heart, He will forgive, but He does not always remove the damage our sins have brought into our lives and others, you will find that promise in 1 John 1:9.

It is so important to understand that in the world we will have troubles and to recall these words from Jesus in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  It is essential that one understand who they are in Christ, you will find that in 1 John 4:13, “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.”  

From the Back Porch, 

Bob Rice

It is all about the Heart

Psalm 86:11 -17  

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.  I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.  For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.  O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.  But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.  Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.”

Our Church body has been led in a study on the book of James, the writer is the Holy Spirit and the person He used to pen it is the half-brother of Jesus.  It’s been an excellent study, for James is challenging us to put our faith into action.  Have you been guilty of just volunteering to teach or lead out because you believe it was the right thing to do, but not by faith in God but in self?  Jan and I have, and it was one tough year, my prayer is we get direction and permission before ever doing that again.

God tells us often in the Scriptures that He looks at the heart and not our acts of what we believe are a good thing.  It is the attitude of the heart, not the action of our hands that please our Father.  Verse eleven is I think the true desire of the heart for any believer, and a prayer I’m praying for my two grandsons, and myself.  “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”   Often, I find my ways are far from Jesus in attitude and actions.  My fear derives not from people who live around me; no, it comes from evil men and women in the Congress and Senate of our Government.  People who have no fear of the Lord’s will; not having wisdom or knowledge.  You will find that in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”  Pray for me that my ways will be pleasing to the Lord, and my life will be centered on God’s truth, and His hand will guide my actions.  My heart desires to learn my Lord’s way and to walk in integrity before God and man.  

We did not touch on God’s love for me, but my life has often been a life of rebellion, wanting the Father’s blessing but on my terms.  And even in my defiance that brought about His discipline, He has desired to restore fellowship with this son.  What love He has shown to me, for what son does the Father not discipline the son He loves.  My life on planet earth is a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes, but not into the grave forever.   No, we have a promise from God and it comes with two choices, to accept with all our hearts and minds the love of the Father who sent His Son to pay for your sins and mine, or to reject Jesus and by doing make a decision to spend eternity in total darkness and pain.  The life on planet earth is just a vapor, it has a time limit, but the life you choose for eternity never ends.  My prayer is you ponder on Psalm 86:11 and make the right choice.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

David states he is faithful

Psalm 86:2-10

“Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.  Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.  You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.  Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.  When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.  Among the gods, there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.  All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.  For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.”

Did you get what king David said; not what many of us often say; Lord my heart's desire is to be faithful, no, David states he is faithful?  This morning I met with a man who walks with the Lord, and in our conversation, Paul said, without the fear of the Lord, there is no wisdom.  He told me where God’s Word states that in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  It is so right that King David had a healthy fear of the Lord.  I have shared with you, I have weak faith in a massive God,  and I have a great fear of His holiness and power.  I understand that He alone is God, Creator, Maker of all that has been made, and I, like all mankind, is His creation, my heart's desire is for our leaders to have wisdom.

A person with wisdom understands what David is praying is absolute; “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”  What the world calls a wise man, without the fear of God has no understanding of God’s goodness and love.  Many a foolish person will ask where was God when a mass shooting happened?  Let me be very clear, He is not shocked by man’s evil, and He was the same place as He was when they put His Son, His only Son on a cross.

David was not only a King He was often a prophet, in that he talked about things that will happen is what you and I refer to as future.  This is a prophetic statement; “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.  For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.”  If you want to do a study on what is being said by David, go to these Scriptures; Philippians 2:10-11, Romans 14:11, Isaiah 45:23, Revelation 1:7, 5:13.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Breaking Fellowship with the Father

Psalm 85

“Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.  You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. (Selah)
You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.  Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!  Will you be angry with us forever?  Will you prolong your anger to all generations?   Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.  Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.  Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.  Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.  Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.  Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps away.”

We the Church need to acknowledge and confess that like Israel, God has shown favor to us as a nation and as a people.  We that put our hope in Christ are forgiven of our iniquity, and the blood of Jesus Christ has covered our sins.  The Church is grafted into a good vine, we are the source of the plant, and the lower part of the rootstock is God.  We were of wild stock, our vine had no value to anyone, we could not produce good fruit, and that’s how we became a member of the family of God.

We, like Israel, can break fellowship with the Father by sinning and not being willing to confess and agree with the Lord that we have sinned.  God’s anger is against sin, all sin was taken out on Jesus as He hung on a cross and paid the full penalty for our sins.  Sin does cause the loss of fellowship, but never our relationship, just as it did with Israel, but they will always be the Chosen People of God.

A warning is needed: If you can sin, that is living life under your desires, with no regard for worship or the things of God.  You need to examine yourself to see if you're in the faith, it's my understanding from Scripture, that you are not.  Do you see the hand of God in your daily life?  That’s what Israel desired, but they were not willing to submit to God’s authority, and often the Church has that same issue. 

Romans 13:11, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”  The insight from my Study Bible; “The old age is passing, and the new is dawning.  We long for the new age to fully come, and we recognize that our Salvation will soon be completed.”

We the Church may find the answer hidden in verse 8, ^“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.”  Turn off the noise, be still and listen, for He is speaking to His people.  We the Church must turn back from our folly, but maybe that is not a word we understand.  Defining the word folly: “lack of good sense; foolishness: an act of sheer folly. • a foolish act, idea, or practice: the follies of youth.”  I’ve often been guilty of folly, and as a member of the body, I’m sure I’m not alone!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Poor & Needy

Psalm 86:1

A prayer of David, and listen to what David the King is confessing to the Lord; “Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.”  Since it is only you and me that are going to see this, let me be honest, I’m a long way from having anyone envy me for the material stuff I have, but I also do not see myself as weak and needy.  King David saw himself in that way before God, could that be a big problem in my life and the life of many others who are like me?

Was David rich by the world’s standards, the answer has to be yes, very rich, and powerful, not only over Judea and Israel but many people and lands that his army had conquered.  He had riches one can only dream about, and yet he was aware that his riches and power were only for a season and his soul was poor and needy.  

As we awaken to that truth, we like David are the only manager of what has been given to us, in stuff, talents, family, and friends, and the boss, the owner of all that has been or will be created, is the one our souls long for.  Could it be said of the Church today, you and I and many others are closer to the church at Laodicea than we want to admit?  These are the words of Jesus talking about the church at Laodicea,  ^“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.”

I believe the world culture and especially in what I call the up and outers, those who have used the skills and talents God has given them, yes, most have worked long hours and been diligent in how they have managed their resources, and now enjoy the fruits of their labor.  The Church is full of them, I am one of them, and yet many in and out of the church buy into this attitude; I’ve worked hard, and now I’m going to enjoy the fruits of my labor, and there is nothing wrong with doing so if you get permission from the One who is your life.  There is a danger of allowing the culture to give you an attitude, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.”

Now you will never admit that to yourself or to your friends, and never in a Bible study, is there not some truth found in these words?  Let me ask some questions that I’ve been asking myself; do you ask God before buying what you want, or do you go and get it?  Are you looking to the needs of others, and are you just concerned about number one?  Are you a good manager of what God has entrusted to you?  Now that’s very personal and yet it’s a conversation for you to have with the Lord, not one like myself that often muddles up my life on planet earth.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Is todays Church engaging in Folly?

Psalm 85

“Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.  You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. (Selah)
You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.  Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!  Will you be angry with us forever?  Will you prolong your anger to all generations?   Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.  Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.  Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.  Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.  Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.  Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps away.”

We the Church need to acknowledge and confess that like Israel, God has shown favor to us as a nation and as a people.  We that put our hope in Christ are forgiven of our iniquity, and the blood of Jesus Christ has covered our sins.  The Church is grafted into a good vine, we are the source of the plant, and the lower part of the rootstock is God.  We were of wild stock, our vine had no value to anyone, we could not produce good fruit, and that’s how we became a member of the family of God.

We, like Israel, can break fellowship with the Father by sinning and not being willing to confess and agree with the Lord that we have sinned.  God’s anger is against sin, all sin was taken out on Jesus as He hung on a cross and paid the full penalty for our sins.  Sin does cause the loss of fellowship, but never our relationship, just as it did with Israel, but they will always be the Chosen People of God.

A warning is needed: If you can sin, that is living life under your desires, with no regard for worship or the things of God.  You need to examine yourself to see if you're in the faith, it's my understanding from Scripture, that you are not.  Do you see the hand of God in your daily life?  That’s what Israel desired, but they were not willing to submit to God’s authority, and often the Church has that same issue. 

Romans 13:11, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”  The insight from my Study Bible; “The old age is passing, and the new is dawning.  We long for the new age to fully come, and we recognize that our Salvation will soon be completed.”

We the Church may find the answer hidden in verse 8, ^“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.”  Turn off the noise, be still and listen, for He is speaking to His people.  We the Church must turn back from our folly, but maybe that is not a word we understand.  Defining the word folly: “lack of good sense; foolishness: an act of sheer folly. • a foolish act, idea, or practice: the follies of youth.”  I’ve often been guilty of folly, and as a member of the body, I’m sure I’m not alone!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A Diverse group of people

Psalm 84

Psalm 84 may have been a song they sang in the grape harvest, as you read it give thought to what the Psalmist is telling you.  The Psalmist is talking about the Temple where worshipers have gathered.  Verses 1-4, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!  My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.  Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.  Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!”

He is referring to a building made of stone and a place much like what we now call a Temple or Church building.  For a follower of Christ, many call us Christians, our day of assembling is most often on a Sunday, at a place we refer to as a Church.  Once more that is not true, it’s a building where Church happens, only when two or more come together for worship.  When the body of Christ assembles, the Church is in session, for praise, prayer, singing and a word from God.

When the Church meets, it is very diverse in its members, some have the gift of singing and others just praise the Lord off-key, but one hopes all do it with a grateful heart.  Others come with the gift of teaching, giving, wisdom, knowledge, and we could keep listing, but it’s important to understand no one is excluded because of race, color, rich or poor, it only requires one thing, as Jesus replied to  Nicodemus in John 3:1-3, “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

What happens when one is born again, and how can a person be born a second time?  Shall we deal with the second question first, you and I must come to the understanding that we have sinned and all our acts of goodness or as filthy rags in the sight of a Holy God.  Then it is time to look at Romans 10:8-9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  

What happens when one is born again, God comes to live in you, and you are alive in Him.  You will find that in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”  Also 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. ^vTest yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

Key Scripture to the question; “What happens when one is born again?”  It is found in John 14:19-20,  ^“Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

So as we conclude, if Christ lives in you and you live in Christ, you are His Church, you have been given a gift or gifts, and Jesus never leaves us in the dark, John 14:15,16,17a, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of Truth.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Looking for God's hand

Psalm 83:1-9

“O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!  For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads.  They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones.  They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”  For they conspire with one accord; against you, they make a covenant— the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal, and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot.”

Have you been a member of this group that begs God not to be silent, often when things are upside down in our lives, we desire to see the hand of God taking action on our behalf?  Often, we see Israel as a nation chasing after what their neighbors have, and God sending His spokesman to warn them, but they, like us would not listen.  God was their King, but they wanted one like all the other nations, so He gave them Saul and David and many others.  Most were not good kings, a few were.  What do we find in history, they all did what God had said they would do?  When will we understand that God always tells the truth, and humankind as a whole,100% are sinners, they lie, steal, and even kill to have power and wealth?  It is only when a person is reborn by the Spirit of God that we see a person who seeks the face of God more than His hand in times of trouble.

Israel’s strength has never been in its military but in God, and when they have forgotten God and chased after other gods, it matters not what we name them, God seems to become silent, but He is always working, it may be the withdrawing of His hand of protection, it may be letting us chase after the wind, but do not error and say God is not watching or that He does not care.  God has shown this to both Israel and us in the life of Gideon.  He was made strong out of weakness.  (Hebrews 11:32-34)  The USA was founded by men who were seeking God’s approval, they like the man talked about in Hebrews 11:32-34, were a long way from perfect, they, like you and I make mistakes, but they were seekers of a better way, and I believe God's hand was with them.

The old is forever new, we learn nothing from our history, and is that not true when it comes to the nation of Israel?  The Nation of Israel has the same enemies as anyone who follows the commands of the Bible, and they are chosen people, it was God’s doings, not theirs.  We have been born again, not by flesh and blood, but by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and we are chosen.  What does that mean, born again to a living hope; it is found in 1 Peter 1:3-12?  If you are not a seeker of truth, if your apathetic, lazy, or even too arrogant to explore what has been promised by God, the Creator, you will not take the time to sit in a quiet place and ask God, after reading the above verses to open your eyes to what is real and what is false.  If you are not willing to do so you’re only harming yourself. 

Jesus is talking to some religious Jews who claimed Abraham is our father, Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.”  (John 8:39-40)  Skipping down to verse 44, “You are of your father, the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  

Some who serve in the Congress of the United States are children of their father, the devil; they lie and steal; they have no desire for the truth.  They made the foolish believe that free medical care is a God-given right.  That is a lie from the pit, free College, and the list keeps going, not one thing has ever been free.  

The Church is also guilty of its claim that Salvation is a free gift; it cost God the Father, His only Son, yes, our Salvation came at a very high cost!  A young girl named Carol, ask God how much He loves her; this is what she heard God say to her.  “I love you so much Carol that I did not let my emotions and feelings for my Son get in the way of everything that had to happen to Him for your sake.  I didn’t give in to the terrible hurt and anguish I felt as they rejected and beat my Son.  I never lost sight of what was best for you as I watched them mutilate and tear my son’s body apart.  Your life is more important to me than preserving any dignity or thought for myself.”

Let me close by stating a thirteen-year-old girl theology may be off a little, but her understanding the cost to the Father is on the spot!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

God is the True Judge

Psalm 82

“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods, he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.  Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”  They have neither knowledge nor understanding; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.  I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men, you shall die, and fall like any prince.”  Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!”

First, shall we give the writer Asaph credit for this Psalm?  He tells us that God the Father has taken His place, indicating a judgment is about to take place.  The lesser gods, not sure unless it’s the false gods that many have put trust in like governments and wealth and power.  Who is and has shown partiality to the wicked in 2019?  It looks to this writer that it is often happening, with the Clinton’s, a past leader in the FBI and many who hold seats in our government, and also those with Hollywood fame and sports heroes.  But God has appointed judges and government leaders as His appointed to judge faithful and fairly.  It looks as if these are the ones that are in for judgment for not doing the job they were selected for.

Not only are the wicked being judged, but also those who take advantage of the weak, the needy, the destitute and the fatherless.  How often do we see that taking place in political parties, the law being passed to promise what is equal to slavery for a small hand-out at the trough of government?  In that government prints money, but do not work or make money; it must always take from someone to give a small amount to another party, just enough to steal their dignity.  

One party that has gone full-blown in doing so has promised to give you what others have worked for so that if you do not want to work, they will take care of you; it's called the new green deal.  Let me be  clear, that’s not from God, you will not find that in the Bible, but you will find the following; “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

You will also not find abortion, and I’m not talking about the late-term, and now some even want to kill a child after it is born.  The psalmist tells us they, referring to the leader and judges have “neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness.”  This is what we find in the Bible; Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”  Many have told me that to look more in-depth, has God spoken on this subject elsewhere, and He has?  Look at Psalms 139:13-16, and Isaiah 44:24, and tell me how you could vote for anyone who wants to kill a child, born or unborn.  Let me be obvious, I’m not your judge, but God is and as your brother in Christ, do as I often do; and that is going back to the counsel of 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A Nation that has lost it way

Psalm 81:11-6

What a paradox Israel is in the timeline of King David and the United States today.  I'm not referring to technology or wealth, but at that time they were very wealthy because of the blessings of the Lord.  No, the paradox is found in verses 11-12, “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.  So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices."

Will you be honest, and I'm not writing to the non-follower of Christ, but to those who are His followers?  Do you watch TV, read the newspaper, listen to talk radio if so, you understand that we as a people and nation have lost our way?  

I also believe many teachers and pastors have forsaken their first love to chase the empty promise of wealth and what it provides.  If so your not the first, Paul tells us about Demas, and in the book of Philemon 1:24, he is referred to as a fellow-worker.  In Colossians 4:14, we find Demas sending a greeting to the Church along with Paul and Luke, but in 2 Timothy 4:10, "For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica."  What happened to Demas?  The same thing that has happened to many of us, we buy into "Channel One" that voice that sounds like us, and it tells us some truth, the Christian life is impossible.  Yes, that is true, it is impossible if you are doing it, you understand it's Christ's life living in you, and you listen, pray and obey.

When the Lord gives us over to our stubborn hearts, fear enters our hearts, greed and all kinds of ungodliness in thoughts and deeds.  That’s bad news, but we also find good news, no one has to live in that way, a child of the Father will find joy and peace.  You are bought with a price, by the blood of Jesus Christ, you're a member of God's family, living outside of your privilege as His child.  You have a promise in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 

Come back, the family misses you, you are needed to fill your place, and we love you and miss you.

What are you missing, the best life on planet earth, you must read the rest of the Chapter, verses 13-16, and those promises are for you?  “If my people would only listen to me.  if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!  Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.  But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Victorious Living

Psalm 81:6-10

“I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!  O Israel, if you would but listen to me! There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.  I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.  Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”

If I asked what the key to living a victorious Christian life is, I believe these four verses hold the answer.  If there is a keyword, it is “Listen,” and maybe we as a culture have forgotten it’s meaning.  Listen: to make a conscious effort to hear; attend closely, so as to hear.  How about to give heed; take advice.

Buddy Neubauer introduced me to the writing of Blaise Pascal an amazing man who lived in 1600.  Ponder on this quote; “One-half of the ills of life come because men are unwilling to sit down quietly for thirty minutes to think through all the possible consequences of their acts.”  

God has spoken to mankind from the beginning in the Garden, and He is still speaking, but the noise is so loud we do not hear from Him.  What is God telling the people of Israel, and what is God telling you and me, “to Listen to?”  Any good salesperson knows the key to selling is the ability to listen to the buyer, and more sales are lost because they would rather talk than listen.  In sales, we must know the F.A.B., which stands for features, advantages, and benefits of the product we are selling.  What is the benefit of listening to God?

First and very important, we will be admonished, yes, the Lord will make us aware of the sin in our lives that have broken fellowship with a God who is Holy.  The second part is His counsel to guide us into a life of blessing and peace.  Most important is if we “Listen” to God we will not be open to the little gods of this world.  We will not walk in a world that is driven by fear, hate, and all the things they produce.  To know the peace, joy, and hope that is ours in Christ, we will love our God and the people He has made!

In closing one last quote from Pascal; “Not only do we know God by Jesus Christ alone, but we know ourselves only by Jesus Christ. We know life and death only through Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus Christ, we do not know what is our life, nor our death, nor God, nor ourselves.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

History of God's Chosen

Psalm 80:8-19

“You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.
You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.  The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.  Its branches reached as far as the Sea,^[a] its shoots as far as the River.^[b]  Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes?  Boars from the forest ravage it, and insects from the fields feed on it. Return to us, God Almighty!  Look down from heaven and see!  Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted, the son^[c] you have raised up for yourself.  Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke, your people perish.  Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.  Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.  Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”

Often we find that a metaphor used in the Scriptures to tell the story of an event or happening, such as the people of Israel coming out of slavery characterized as a fruitful vine.  That is what the writer of this Psalm is doing, but make sure you do not miss who was the planter of the vine.

The author was telling the history of what God did with His chosen people.  Both in territorial, political influence through the reign of both Saul and David, but primarily through the Davidic Empire we read the history of Israel.  

They, much like people today forgot who was the source of their protection and began to chase after the little gods of this world.  Those gods often require us to leave the worship of God to fit into the desires of the world.  When we do that we find as they did the protective hedge of God's right hand removed from our lives, much like what happened to Israel.

How are they different than us?  Your 100% correct, not one iota difference between them and us.  We all come into this world with what the Bible calls flesh and, it wants to rule.  You will find that in Galatians 5:17, "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

When things go wrong, it is never our sins, no it is always someone else, and I've found that God is often the one blamed.  For it was the Lord that planted the root (Israel) and the shoot always in Scripture is referring to a living person.  And the foolishness of man is that no matter his action, God to be good must protect him.  That lie is from the evil one, the one that knows his time is short and wants to deceive the masses. 

And like them, when your world turns into cow manure, you are looking to cut a deal with a Holy God, who is not in the deal business, no He in the obedience business.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice