The Devotional – 1449 – That you may believe!

The Devotional – 1449 – That you may believe!

Proverbs 16:1-3 – The preparations (plans) of the heart belong to man (you and me), but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the LORD an your thoughts will (absolutely) be established.

Comments and challenges

While meditating over Proverbs 16 this morning I thought of just using verse one, but oh how I love the Living Word of God. His Word is more sufficient than any word that could fall from my mind to the protective screen in yours. While I am thinking of this we need to look at verse nine too. A man (you and me) plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

Do you take the time to meditate on these attributes of the Living God? The quality and character of God is far beyond His teachers and preachers to fully explain so there is a serious need for you and me to prayerfully meditate on Him. Personal study helps the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Example! The LORD has made all things for Himself (vs4). Do you believe this or just simply read it and move on, well if you do then be careful to pay attention to the rest of the verse, it just may be applicable for you. The rest of the verse: Yes even the wicked for the day of doom. The day of doom is the Hebrew word for EVIL.

Now this is important so pay attention, there was a day some two thousand years ago when God dealt with sin and death. The Living Word of God explains clearly that sin and death were defeated. We will read a few verses of scripture to confirm this.

Luke 2:29-32 – LORD, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of ALL peoples (the world). A light to bring revelation (KNOWLEDGE) to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.

Speaking of this same salvation John the Baptizer says this; John 1:29b –“behold” (LOOK) THE Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is Jesus who Simeon seen as a baby, who is now designated by John to be God’s Perfect Lamb. This was God’s choice to be our sacrifice for sin and death. Matthew 3:17.

What do the apostles say about this sacrifice? First; they agree with the gospels. Note: 2 Peter 1:17 but read the full context – 2 Peter 1:6-21. Thus there is no longer a sting in death when sin is removed, only victory… notice! 1 Corinthians 15:56 – The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law.

So in this small verse of scripture we see a few alarming things like, if sin is not dealt with through salvation then there will be a sting in accordance with the strength of law which was broken.

The message of salvation speaks of the Lamb of God this way. 1 Corinthians 15:57 – But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lamb who died for the sin of the world (the sin of the world, includes you and me, all of our past, present and prospective sin). His sacrifice as the Lamb also includes the sin of Adam and Eve and the sins of all of mankind of today, tomorrow and even to the end of time. This for all of us is difficult to fully understand, but it is believable, by faith.

The events of the ministry of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; were these to end with His death would not be “good news”. If the next event in scripture did not happen, the tomb where Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God would still contain His Body. But on the first day of the week after He died the tomb became EMPTY! Can you imagine that?

John 20:1 – On the first day of the week (Sunday) Mary Magdalene (the woman whom the LORD Jesus cast out demons) came to the tomb early while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. John 20:1-18, go ahead and read this on your own, take the moment and weep with joy as her tears of sorrow turn to joy when she seen HIM.

Jesus is risen, conquering sin and gaining victory over Death. HE LIVES, oh my friend, when you come to grips with this truth, your soul will leap with JOY! I have been saved for over thirty five years and my heart weeps with the same joy as when I first heard and sings “halleluiah” every time I meditate on His Living Word.

We will finish up with EVIL on Monday as this may be new to some.

 

Hebrews 9:28 - so Christ was offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear a second time without sin unto salvation.  Jesse <><