Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 86:11
Our hymn takes an interesting turn in this verse. So far, we've basically seen God's power at work in miracles - Abraham gets a son in his old age, water comes from a rock, a young boy beats a giant, a whale swallows a disobedient prophet then coughs him back up. We don't see a miracle in our story today - if you think about it in those terms. But we're getting ready to see God's power at work as we have never seen it before. As the story continues to unfold, it points increasingly to a Redeemer who will deliver God's people once and for all.
God sent Malachi to the Israelites to call them to repentance. The people and the priests had forgotten the reason God had given them rules for the temple and for their behavior.
"Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.'" Leviticus 19:2
They had become mechanical in their observances (not unlike a lot of people today!).
So God calls Malachi to reach the people and shake them from their complacency. Malachi uses questions to make the people think about their behavior and why God was unhappy with them. (If you've never read Malachi, please stop here and go read it! It's only 4 chapters, so it won't take long!)
Malachi first reminds the people that God loves them, and questions why they don't respect Him. Of course, they respond "how have we not respected you?" Malachi reminds them that their sacrifices have been defiled. They have been instructed to offer clean, spotless animals without defect but instead they are bringing animals that are blind, crippled and diseased. The Lord points out that even the governor wouldn't be happy with that kind of sacrifice, if it was offered to him. They want God's favor, but they are not treating Him with respect and honor.
“Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the LORD of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from you. For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts. “But you are profaning it, in that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.’ You also say, ‘My, how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says the LORD of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?” says the LORD. “But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King,” says the LORD of hosts, “and My name is feared among the nations.” Malachi 1:10-14
The Lord is worthy of honor and the people and priests, by their actions, are saying "It's too hard to serve the Lord."
Malachi gives a warning to the priests (the ones who make the sacrifices for the people). The Lord will curse the Levites (the priests) and curse their blessing and punish their descendants if they continue in their wicked ways. He reminds them that God made a covenant with the Levites to bring life and peace, and that they are to pass on to the people God's instructions and truth. They once did revere Him, and lived lives of righteousness, even turning others from their sin. But not anymore.
"For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of hosts. So I also have made you despised and abased before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in the instruction." Malachi 2:7-9
Next Malachi calls the people to faithfulness. He reminds them that they are all children of one Father, and because of that, they should not be betraying the covenant made with their ancestors. The people weep because God does not accept their offerings, but they are living contrary to His commands. They think that those who are doing evil should be blessed by the Lord, and then wonder "where is the God of justice?" (I don't know about you, but this is looking more and more like the time we live in!)
And then God tells them of His plan to send a Deliverer.
“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:1
Oh, this must have given the Israelites such hope! He is coming! But look what happens when He comes...
“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:2-5
And then God offers a reminder of His covenant to the people and why He hasn't already destroyed them, and what they can do to be restored.
“For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:6-7
Return to Me! Of course, the people ask how do they return. And Malachi tells them to stop cheating God - to bring all the tithes and offerings in to the storehouse as they were commanded. He tells them to stop talking arrogantly against God, thinking they know better than Him how they should behave.
Well, the people listened. And those that repented wrote their names in a book of remembrance.
Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. Malachi 3:16-18
The Lord reminds the people that the judgment day is coming, but that there is hope for those who fear His name.
"But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall." Malachi 4:2
God has called us to live lives of holiness, because He is holy. And we can only do it through Jesus Christ, our righteousness. Through Malachi, God has prepared the people for their Deliverer who will reconcile people to God through His death on a cross.
We're living under a New Covenant now, but that doesn't change the fact that God has still called us to obedience and reverence of His Holy Name. The story of Malachi and the Israelites and their cheating of God and neglecting true worship calls me to a closer obedience and to pray that God would send a revival among His followers today; that we might be called to holier living in our sinful generation so that others would see His power and fear His name.
The Power of God
Words by Frederick A. Graves
When Abraham and Sarah had been promised a son,
They were surprised and knew not what to say;
But they knew what God had promised He was able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Refrain
The pow’r of God is just the same today,
It doesn’t matter what the people say;
Whatever God has promised
He’s able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses wanted water to quench the people’s thirst,
He knew that God would then provide a way;
Although his rod was useful he had the power first:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses made a serpent and placed it on a pole,
The bitten ones were told to look that way,
And then while they were looking Jehovah-rophi made them whole:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Joshua was commander, he spoke—the sun stood still,
The moon its onward course was made to stay;
Thus he won a mighty battle, for he did his Father’s will:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Naaman, the leper, before Elisha stood,
He thought he knew just what the seer would say,
But he had to wash in Jordan, though he thought it wasn’t good:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When David met Goliath he meant to have a fight,
The leaders put the battle in array;
Of course he killed the giant, for he was in the right:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Jonah went to Tarshish to flee away from God,
A mighty fish was waiting for its prey;
It quickly swallowed Jonah, then threw him on the sod:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Malachi, the prophet, was preaching all abroad,
And cutting like sickle and the scythe;
The people were accursed, for they were robbing God,
They failed to bring the offering and the tithe.
Then came the blessed Savior, with power to cleanse and heal,
To bear my sin and sickness all away;
My burdens, too, He carries, and doth my sorrows feel:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Through Paul and Silas singing and praying in the jail,
For Paul and Silas knew the way to pray;
The prison doors were opened, for locks could not avail,
And the power of God is just the same today.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
The Power of God, verse 7
Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments. Psalm 112:1
In our story today, the power of God is on display in a way probably none of us could ever imagine if it weren't written down for us in the Bible. Most of us have heard this story time and time again as we grew up in Sunday School, and I think it has a special appeal to children because of the drama of it all - a big fish swallows a man! But even for adults, there's a lot to learn from this story of a man who didn't obey God and instead did what he wanted to do. Let's take a closer look at Jonah.
Jonah was a prophet from a land near Nazareth. As our story opens, God tells Jonah to go to Ninevah. He wants Jonah to tell the Ninevites about His coming judgment because the people are evil and engaged in wicked practices.
But Jonah had another idea. Instead of obeying God, he did what he wanted to do.
But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. Jonah 1:3
When I read this now, it's almost comical! Jonah was hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to the southern part of Spain, near Gibraltar. Escape from the Lord? We know what the Bible tells us about that...
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,” even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. Psalm 139:7-12
Well, the Lord knew exactly where Jonah was, and He reminded Jonah who was in charge. He sent a big storm, and violent winds, so that the ship that Jonah got on, headed to Tarshish, was in danger of breaking apart. The men who were on the ship were frantic; they were crying out, each to his own god, and they were even throwing the cargo over the side to lighten the load. And where was Jonah in all of this? He was down in the ship's hold, taking a nap.
The captain thought Jonah should be awakened so he could call on his god. (Obviously the other tactics have not worked!)
So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.” Jonah 1:6
The sailors had an idea of how to assign blame - they would cast lots to find out whose fault this was. Well they did, and Jonah lost.
Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.” Jonah 1:8-9
I don't know about you, but I'm sort of surprised at Jonah's honesty to the sailors. He says he fears the Lord God of heaven but yet he didn't obey Him and go to Ninevah. The sailors now know exactly why their ship is in peril and they are furious!
Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. Jonah 1:10
Even though these men weren't followers of the Lord, they had a healthy appreciation for Him - they knew His power because they had experienced it out there on the sea! Now they needed to know how to please God so that the storm would stop and they would be safe.
So they said to him, “What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?”—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” Jonah 1:11-12
Well, the sailors didn't like that idea so they tried to fix it themselves by rowing back to land. But the sea became even stormier. So they cried out to God, and then threw Jonah overboard.
Then they called on the LORD and said, “We earnestly pray, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, O LORD, have done as You have pleased.” So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. Jonah 1:14-15
The sea stopped raging. Raging one minute, quiet the next. That is the power of God. The sailors knew that it was nothing but the power of God, and they were awestruck by it. They offered the Lord a sacrifice and vowed to serve Him only.
And what happened to Jonah, who they threw overboard?
And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:17
The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah! His power continues to be on display. God kept Jonah inside that fish for three days and three nights. For me, it's extremely hard to imagine what that would be like - besides the tossing around in the sea as the animal moves, there's the disgust of being inside a fish's stomach! Eww! But God used this experience to move Jonah and to teach him. And it worked. Jonah cried out to God from the belly of the fish, and prayed:
“I called out of my distress to the LORD, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice. For You had cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current engulfed me. All Your breakers and billows passed over me. So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight. Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me, weeds were wrapped around my head. I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, but You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. Those who regard vain idols forsake their faithfulness, but I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the LORD.” Jonah 2:2-9
We see that Jonah is truly repentant, and God heard him. God's power is on display again: He commands the fish, and it vomits Jonah up onto the dry land. (Don't even get me started about what that would be like...)
Jonah's back on dry land, and the Lord tells him again to go to Ninevah. This time Jonah listens, and starts walking. He gets to Ninevah and starts preaching in the streets that God will destroy them in 40 days if they don't repent.
The people believed Jonah, and responded.
Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.
Jonah 3:5
Even the king repented, and called his people to repentance.
When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.” Jonah 3:6-9
God's power is on display again; He turned he heart of the king and brought Him to repentance.
The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. Proverbs 21:1
God was pleased with the people of Ninevah for their repentance. So He did not destroy them as He said He would.
When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it. Jonah 3:10
God saved the people, because they listened to Jonah and turned away from their wickedness. But He wasn't done with Jonah. Jonah still had some learning to do about God and His power.
The Ninevites were Israel's enemy, and Jonah was not pleased that God spared their lives. These were wicked people, and Jonah was angry - he even told God, "I knew this would happen!"
He prayed to the LORD and said, “Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.” Jonah 4:2-3
Jonah was angry because as a prophet, he had predicted Ninevah's destruction, and told them so. God called the people to Himself, and spared them, so Jonah has a pity party. God still has something to teach Jonah.
Jonah went to the outskirts of the city to watch what would happen. He built a little shelter but it was still very hot. So God made a plant to instantly grow up out of the ground and provide shade and comfort for Jonah. (Power!) The Bible tells us that Jonah was happy about the plant. And here comes God's power to teach Jonah about God's lovingkindness...
But God appointed a worm when dawn came the next day and it attacked the plant and it withered. When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life.” Jonah 4:7-8
God uses this opportunity to show Jonah what he's missing.
Then God said to Jonah, “Do you have good reason to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “I have good reason to be angry, even to death.” Then the LORD said, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?” Jonah 4:9-11
God used this plant as an object lesson for Jonah. Jonah didn't put the plant there, yet he feels sorry for it and has compassion for it. God, the creator of heaven and earth, and the creator of the people of Ninevah, sees a great city living in spiritual darkness. He has compassion on them and sends them a prophet to call them to repentance.
The story ends right there, so we don't know Jonah's response! What we do know is that God's power was manifest in Jonah and in the people of Ninevah. We learn that there are consequences for our disobedience. You and I probably won't be swallowed by a fish when we disobey, but God uses other things in our life to show us our error, so that we will call out with Jonah, "Salvation is from the Lord!"
The Power of God
Words by Frederick A. Graves
When Abraham and Sarah had been promised a son,
They were surprised and knew not what to say;
But they knew what God had promised He was able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Refrain
The pow’r of God is just the same today,
It doesn’t matter what the people say;
Whatever God has promised
He’s able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses wanted water to quench the people’s thirst,
He knew that God would then provide a way;
Although his rod was useful he had the power first:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses made a serpent and placed it on a pole,
The bitten ones were told to look that way,
And then while they were looking Jehovah-rophi made them whole:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Joshua was commander, he spoke—the sun stood still,
The moon its onward course was made to stay;
Thus he won a mighty battle, for he did his Father’s will:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Naaman, the leper, before Elisha stood,
He thought he knew just what the seer would say,
But he had to wash in Jordan, though he thought it wasn’t good:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When David met Goliath he meant to have a fight,
The leaders put the battle in array;
Of course he killed the giant, for he was in the right:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Jonah went to Tarshish to flee away from God,
A mighty fish was waiting for its prey;
It quickly swallowed Jonah, then threw him on the sod:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Malachi, the prophet, was preaching all abroad,
And cutting like sickle and the scythe;
The people were accursed, for they were robbing God,
They filled to bring the offering and the tithe.
Then came the blessed Savior, with power to cleanse and heal,
To bear my sin and sickness all away;
My burdens, too, He carries, and doth my sorrows feel:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Through Paul and Silas singing and praying in the jail,
For Paul and Silas knew the way to pray;
The prison doors were opened, for locks could not avail,
And the power of God is just the same today.
In our story today, the power of God is on display in a way probably none of us could ever imagine if it weren't written down for us in the Bible. Most of us have heard this story time and time again as we grew up in Sunday School, and I think it has a special appeal to children because of the drama of it all - a big fish swallows a man! But even for adults, there's a lot to learn from this story of a man who didn't obey God and instead did what he wanted to do. Let's take a closer look at Jonah.
Jonah was a prophet from a land near Nazareth. As our story opens, God tells Jonah to go to Ninevah. He wants Jonah to tell the Ninevites about His coming judgment because the people are evil and engaged in wicked practices.
But Jonah had another idea. Instead of obeying God, he did what he wanted to do.
But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. Jonah 1:3
When I read this now, it's almost comical! Jonah was hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to the southern part of Spain, near Gibraltar. Escape from the Lord? We know what the Bible tells us about that...
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,” even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. Psalm 139:7-12
Well, the Lord knew exactly where Jonah was, and He reminded Jonah who was in charge. He sent a big storm, and violent winds, so that the ship that Jonah got on, headed to Tarshish, was in danger of breaking apart. The men who were on the ship were frantic; they were crying out, each to his own god, and they were even throwing the cargo over the side to lighten the load. And where was Jonah in all of this? He was down in the ship's hold, taking a nap.
The captain thought Jonah should be awakened so he could call on his god. (Obviously the other tactics have not worked!)
So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.” Jonah 1:6
The sailors had an idea of how to assign blame - they would cast lots to find out whose fault this was. Well they did, and Jonah lost.
Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.” Jonah 1:8-9
I don't know about you, but I'm sort of surprised at Jonah's honesty to the sailors. He says he fears the Lord God of heaven but yet he didn't obey Him and go to Ninevah. The sailors now know exactly why their ship is in peril and they are furious!
Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. Jonah 1:10
Even though these men weren't followers of the Lord, they had a healthy appreciation for Him - they knew His power because they had experienced it out there on the sea! Now they needed to know how to please God so that the storm would stop and they would be safe.
So they said to him, “What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?”—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” Jonah 1:11-12
Well, the sailors didn't like that idea so they tried to fix it themselves by rowing back to land. But the sea became even stormier. So they cried out to God, and then threw Jonah overboard.
Then they called on the LORD and said, “We earnestly pray, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, O LORD, have done as You have pleased.” So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. Jonah 1:14-15
The sea stopped raging. Raging one minute, quiet the next. That is the power of God. The sailors knew that it was nothing but the power of God, and they were awestruck by it. They offered the Lord a sacrifice and vowed to serve Him only.
And what happened to Jonah, who they threw overboard?
And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:17
The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah! His power continues to be on display. God kept Jonah inside that fish for three days and three nights. For me, it's extremely hard to imagine what that would be like - besides the tossing around in the sea as the animal moves, there's the disgust of being inside a fish's stomach! Eww! But God used this experience to move Jonah and to teach him. And it worked. Jonah cried out to God from the belly of the fish, and prayed:
“I called out of my distress to the LORD, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice. For You had cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current engulfed me. All Your breakers and billows passed over me. So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight. Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me, weeds were wrapped around my head. I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, but You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. Those who regard vain idols forsake their faithfulness, but I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the LORD.” Jonah 2:2-9
We see that Jonah is truly repentant, and God heard him. God's power is on display again: He commands the fish, and it vomits Jonah up onto the dry land. (Don't even get me started about what that would be like...)
Jonah's back on dry land, and the Lord tells him again to go to Ninevah. This time Jonah listens, and starts walking. He gets to Ninevah and starts preaching in the streets that God will destroy them in 40 days if they don't repent.
The people believed Jonah, and responded.
Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.
Jonah 3:5
Even the king repented, and called his people to repentance.
When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.” Jonah 3:6-9
God's power is on display again; He turned he heart of the king and brought Him to repentance.
The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. Proverbs 21:1
God was pleased with the people of Ninevah for their repentance. So He did not destroy them as He said He would.
When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it. Jonah 3:10
God saved the people, because they listened to Jonah and turned away from their wickedness. But He wasn't done with Jonah. Jonah still had some learning to do about God and His power.
The Ninevites were Israel's enemy, and Jonah was not pleased that God spared their lives. These were wicked people, and Jonah was angry - he even told God, "I knew this would happen!"
He prayed to the LORD and said, “Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.” Jonah 4:2-3
Jonah was angry because as a prophet, he had predicted Ninevah's destruction, and told them so. God called the people to Himself, and spared them, so Jonah has a pity party. God still has something to teach Jonah.
Jonah went to the outskirts of the city to watch what would happen. He built a little shelter but it was still very hot. So God made a plant to instantly grow up out of the ground and provide shade and comfort for Jonah. (Power!) The Bible tells us that Jonah was happy about the plant. And here comes God's power to teach Jonah about God's lovingkindness...
But God appointed a worm when dawn came the next day and it attacked the plant and it withered. When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life.” Jonah 4:7-8
God uses this opportunity to show Jonah what he's missing.
Then God said to Jonah, “Do you have good reason to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “I have good reason to be angry, even to death.” Then the LORD said, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?” Jonah 4:9-11
God used this plant as an object lesson for Jonah. Jonah didn't put the plant there, yet he feels sorry for it and has compassion for it. God, the creator of heaven and earth, and the creator of the people of Ninevah, sees a great city living in spiritual darkness. He has compassion on them and sends them a prophet to call them to repentance.
The story ends right there, so we don't know Jonah's response! What we do know is that God's power was manifest in Jonah and in the people of Ninevah. We learn that there are consequences for our disobedience. You and I probably won't be swallowed by a fish when we disobey, but God uses other things in our life to show us our error, so that we will call out with Jonah, "Salvation is from the Lord!"
The Power of God
Words by Frederick A. Graves
When Abraham and Sarah had been promised a son,
They were surprised and knew not what to say;
But they knew what God had promised He was able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Refrain
The pow’r of God is just the same today,
It doesn’t matter what the people say;
Whatever God has promised
He’s able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses wanted water to quench the people’s thirst,
He knew that God would then provide a way;
Although his rod was useful he had the power first:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses made a serpent and placed it on a pole,
The bitten ones were told to look that way,
And then while they were looking Jehovah-rophi made them whole:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Joshua was commander, he spoke—the sun stood still,
The moon its onward course was made to stay;
Thus he won a mighty battle, for he did his Father’s will:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Naaman, the leper, before Elisha stood,
He thought he knew just what the seer would say,
But he had to wash in Jordan, though he thought it wasn’t good:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When David met Goliath he meant to have a fight,
The leaders put the battle in array;
Of course he killed the giant, for he was in the right:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Jonah went to Tarshish to flee away from God,
A mighty fish was waiting for its prey;
It quickly swallowed Jonah, then threw him on the sod:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Malachi, the prophet, was preaching all abroad,
And cutting like sickle and the scythe;
The people were accursed, for they were robbing God,
They filled to bring the offering and the tithe.
Then came the blessed Savior, with power to cleanse and heal,
To bear my sin and sickness all away;
My burdens, too, He carries, and doth my sorrows feel:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Through Paul and Silas singing and praying in the jail,
For Paul and Silas knew the way to pray;
The prison doors were opened, for locks could not avail,
And the power of God is just the same today.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Power of God, verse 6
O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side. Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked! Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people. Psalm 3
You might not have been familiar with the story of Namaan, but I bet you know this one! The Israelites are at war with the Philistines and they are facing each other on opposite hills with a valley in between. One day, Goliath comes out of the ranks of the Philistines to challenge Israel.
Goliath was no ordinary man.
Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him. I Samuel 17:4-7
Goliath was a champion from the region of Gath and he was over nine feet tall! In addition to his imposing height, he was all decked out in heavy armor. He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. As if that wasn't enough, he had an armor bearer who walked ahead of him carrying a shield!
Goliath didn't come out of the ranks just to stand there. He had something to say. He had a challenge for the Israelites.
He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.” Again the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together.” I Samuel 17:8-10
Goliath didn't just come out and challenge the Israelites once. He did this same routine, every morning and every evening, for 40 days!
It appears that Goliath's ego is as big as his armor. He obviously doesn't think there's a worthy opponent among Saul's army. They don't think so either! Look at their response:
When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. I Samuel 17:11
Clearly, they couldn't see the plan that God had for them, to rescue them and save them from their enemy. His power is like that sometimes - even though we don't see it, He is at work, putting all the pieces in place so that His will is accomplished and He is glorified. We see part of that plan being hatched in the next part of the story. The Bible tells us about David, the son of Jesse. He was the youngest of Jesse's eight sons, and the three oldest sons were with Saul's camp, fighting against the Philistines. David used to go between the camp and back to his father's in Bethlehem, because he was in charge of tending the flock - he was a shepherd.
David's father was about to send him on an important errand. Jesse knew that the men would need good food, and he also wanted a report on how they were doing. So he sends David out.
Then Jesse said to David his son, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves and run to the camp to your brothers. Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them. For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.”
I Samuel 17:17-19
David obeyed his father and left early in the morning, taking the supplies as Jesse had requested. When he got to the camp, the army was in battle array shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines were ready to fight, army against army.
David ran to the battle line to greet his brothers. (That wouldn't have been my first response! We already see that David is a brave young man!) As David talks with his brothers, Goliath again comes out of the Philistine ranks and challenges the Israelites, just like he had done the previous 40 days. This time, David heard it.
And the Israelites have the same old response. They flee.
When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid. The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” I Samuel 17:24-25
But David has a very different reaction. He already knows who Goliath would be fighting against - not man, but the living God!
Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, “Thus it will be done for the man who kills him.” I Samuel 17:26-27
David's brothers thought he was being arrogant and told him he should get back to the sheep and quit trying to barge in on the battle. But David had other plans. He tells Saul not to worry, that he will fight the Philistine.
Saul tells David that he's being ridiculous! Saul tells him that he is just a boy, and Goliath has been a warrior since his youth. This is not an even match! But David knows his capabilities, and more importantly, knows God's power.
But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
I Samuel 17:34-37
David, even though just a boy, clearly has an unshakable faith in his God. And God had been faithful to deliver David before when he was in trouble, so David knew God would do the same thing again.
Saul was persuaded and told David to go ahead. But he made sure David was clothed in armor (Saul's own, in fact) and a bronze helmet. Saul was much bigger than David, so the armor didn't really fit well. David took a few steps and told Saul that he couldn't possible wear the armor since he hadn't tested it. So he took it off! David has another plan.
He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine. I Samuel 17:40
He went down to the valley to approach Goliath with a slingshot and FIVE stones. When Goliath saw David approaching, I think he thought this was some kind of joke. David was a good looking young boy, not protected for battle (at least not with armor) coming to face a giant. Goliath's ego is hard at work again as he taunts David.
The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field." I Samuel 17:43-44
David knows that WHO is fighting for him is much more important than what he is fighting WITH. And so he tells Goliath as much.
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.” I Samuel 17:45-47
Get ready to see some of God's awesome power on display so that all the earth will know that He is God!
Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground. I Samuel 17:48-49
ONE STONE! Slung by a boy into the giant's head. Goliath tumbles to the ground and the Philistines run for cover! "If Israel's God can do this to Goliath, what must He be able to do to us?", they must be thinking.
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. I Samuel 17:50-51
David was right, God gave the Philistines into Israel's hands - the Philistines couldn't get away fast enough and they lay slain in the hills and valleys for miles and miles.
The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron. The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps. Then David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.
I Samuel 17:52-54
David knew there was no enemy capable of overpowering the living God. He knew that God's power would deliver him and the Israelites from this bully who had taunted them. He put his trust in God and walked by faith, knowing that God's power would give them victory over the whole Philistine army.
One stone. That's all it took to defeat an egotistical giant who didn't know the power of God. David put his trust and faith in God and relied on His strength, putting himself, a young boy, out on the battle line, alone and without armor.
God delivered David and the Israelistes and He will deliver you too. Trust in His power to defeat the enemies you are facing today. Your enemy may not be a physical giant. Maybe it's Satan taunting you to sin. Call on the living God and trust in His power to deliver you. And when He does, give Him the glory that all the earth may know that He is Lord!
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. Deut. 20:4
The Power of God
Words by Frederick A. Graves
When Abraham and Sarah had been promised a son,
They were surprised and knew not what to say;
But they knew what God had promised He was able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Refrain
The pow’r of God is just the same today,
It doesn’t matter what the people say;
Whatever God has promised
He’s able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses wanted water to quench the people’s thirst,
He knew that God would then provide a way;
Although his rod was useful he had the power first:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses made a serpent and placed it on a pole,
The bitten ones were told to look that way,
And then while they were looking Jehovah-rophi made them whole:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Joshua was commander, he spoke—the sun stood still,
The moon its onward course was made to stay;
Thus he won a mighty battle, for he did his Father’s will:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Naaman, the leper, before Elisha stood,
He thought he knew just what the seer would say,
But he had to wash in Jordan, though he thought it wasn’t good:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When David met Goliath he meant to have a fight,
The leaders put the battle in array;
Of course he killed the giant, for he was in the right:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Jonah went to Tarshish to flee away from God,
A mighty fish was waiting for its prey;
It quickly swallowed Jonah, then threw him on the sod:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Malachi, the prophet, was preaching all abroad,
And cutting like sickle and the scythe;
The people were accursed, for they were robbing God,
They filled to bring the offering and the tithe.
Then came the blessed Savior, with power to cleanse and heal,
To bear my sin and sickness all away;
My burdens, too, He carries, and doth my sorrows feel:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Through Paul and Silas singing and praying in the jail,
For Paul and Silas knew the way to pray;
The prison doors were opened, for locks could not avail,
And the power of God is just the same today.
You might not have been familiar with the story of Namaan, but I bet you know this one! The Israelites are at war with the Philistines and they are facing each other on opposite hills with a valley in between. One day, Goliath comes out of the ranks of the Philistines to challenge Israel.
Goliath was no ordinary man.
Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him. I Samuel 17:4-7
Goliath was a champion from the region of Gath and he was over nine feet tall! In addition to his imposing height, he was all decked out in heavy armor. He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. As if that wasn't enough, he had an armor bearer who walked ahead of him carrying a shield!
Goliath didn't come out of the ranks just to stand there. He had something to say. He had a challenge for the Israelites.
He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.” Again the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together.” I Samuel 17:8-10
Goliath didn't just come out and challenge the Israelites once. He did this same routine, every morning and every evening, for 40 days!
It appears that Goliath's ego is as big as his armor. He obviously doesn't think there's a worthy opponent among Saul's army. They don't think so either! Look at their response:
When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. I Samuel 17:11
Clearly, they couldn't see the plan that God had for them, to rescue them and save them from their enemy. His power is like that sometimes - even though we don't see it, He is at work, putting all the pieces in place so that His will is accomplished and He is glorified. We see part of that plan being hatched in the next part of the story. The Bible tells us about David, the son of Jesse. He was the youngest of Jesse's eight sons, and the three oldest sons were with Saul's camp, fighting against the Philistines. David used to go between the camp and back to his father's in Bethlehem, because he was in charge of tending the flock - he was a shepherd.
David's father was about to send him on an important errand. Jesse knew that the men would need good food, and he also wanted a report on how they were doing. So he sends David out.
Then Jesse said to David his son, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves and run to the camp to your brothers. Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them. For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.”
I Samuel 17:17-19
David obeyed his father and left early in the morning, taking the supplies as Jesse had requested. When he got to the camp, the army was in battle array shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines were ready to fight, army against army.
David ran to the battle line to greet his brothers. (That wouldn't have been my first response! We already see that David is a brave young man!) As David talks with his brothers, Goliath again comes out of the Philistine ranks and challenges the Israelites, just like he had done the previous 40 days. This time, David heard it.
And the Israelites have the same old response. They flee.
When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid. The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” I Samuel 17:24-25
But David has a very different reaction. He already knows who Goliath would be fighting against - not man, but the living God!
Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, “Thus it will be done for the man who kills him.” I Samuel 17:26-27
David's brothers thought he was being arrogant and told him he should get back to the sheep and quit trying to barge in on the battle. But David had other plans. He tells Saul not to worry, that he will fight the Philistine.
Saul tells David that he's being ridiculous! Saul tells him that he is just a boy, and Goliath has been a warrior since his youth. This is not an even match! But David knows his capabilities, and more importantly, knows God's power.
But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
I Samuel 17:34-37
David, even though just a boy, clearly has an unshakable faith in his God. And God had been faithful to deliver David before when he was in trouble, so David knew God would do the same thing again.
Saul was persuaded and told David to go ahead. But he made sure David was clothed in armor (Saul's own, in fact) and a bronze helmet. Saul was much bigger than David, so the armor didn't really fit well. David took a few steps and told Saul that he couldn't possible wear the armor since he hadn't tested it. So he took it off! David has another plan.
He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine. I Samuel 17:40
He went down to the valley to approach Goliath with a slingshot and FIVE stones. When Goliath saw David approaching, I think he thought this was some kind of joke. David was a good looking young boy, not protected for battle (at least not with armor) coming to face a giant. Goliath's ego is hard at work again as he taunts David.
The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field." I Samuel 17:43-44
David knows that WHO is fighting for him is much more important than what he is fighting WITH. And so he tells Goliath as much.
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.” I Samuel 17:45-47
Get ready to see some of God's awesome power on display so that all the earth will know that He is God!
Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground. I Samuel 17:48-49
ONE STONE! Slung by a boy into the giant's head. Goliath tumbles to the ground and the Philistines run for cover! "If Israel's God can do this to Goliath, what must He be able to do to us?", they must be thinking.
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. I Samuel 17:50-51
David was right, God gave the Philistines into Israel's hands - the Philistines couldn't get away fast enough and they lay slain in the hills and valleys for miles and miles.
The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron. The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps. Then David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.
I Samuel 17:52-54
David knew there was no enemy capable of overpowering the living God. He knew that God's power would deliver him and the Israelites from this bully who had taunted them. He put his trust in God and walked by faith, knowing that God's power would give them victory over the whole Philistine army.
One stone. That's all it took to defeat an egotistical giant who didn't know the power of God. David put his trust and faith in God and relied on His strength, putting himself, a young boy, out on the battle line, alone and without armor.
God delivered David and the Israelistes and He will deliver you too. Trust in His power to defeat the enemies you are facing today. Your enemy may not be a physical giant. Maybe it's Satan taunting you to sin. Call on the living God and trust in His power to deliver you. And when He does, give Him the glory that all the earth may know that He is Lord!
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. Deut. 20:4
The Power of God
Words by Frederick A. Graves
When Abraham and Sarah had been promised a son,
They were surprised and knew not what to say;
But they knew what God had promised He was able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Refrain
The pow’r of God is just the same today,
It doesn’t matter what the people say;
Whatever God has promised
He’s able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses wanted water to quench the people’s thirst,
He knew that God would then provide a way;
Although his rod was useful he had the power first:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses made a serpent and placed it on a pole,
The bitten ones were told to look that way,
And then while they were looking Jehovah-rophi made them whole:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Joshua was commander, he spoke—the sun stood still,
The moon its onward course was made to stay;
Thus he won a mighty battle, for he did his Father’s will:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Naaman, the leper, before Elisha stood,
He thought he knew just what the seer would say,
But he had to wash in Jordan, though he thought it wasn’t good:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When David met Goliath he meant to have a fight,
The leaders put the battle in array;
Of course he killed the giant, for he was in the right:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Jonah went to Tarshish to flee away from God,
A mighty fish was waiting for its prey;
It quickly swallowed Jonah, then threw him on the sod:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Malachi, the prophet, was preaching all abroad,
And cutting like sickle and the scythe;
The people were accursed, for they were robbing God,
They filled to bring the offering and the tithe.
Then came the blessed Savior, with power to cleanse and heal,
To bear my sin and sickness all away;
My burdens, too, He carries, and doth my sorrows feel:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Through Paul and Silas singing and praying in the jail,
For Paul and Silas knew the way to pray;
The prison doors were opened, for locks could not avail,
And the power of God is just the same today.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Power of God, verse 5
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7
In our story of God's power today, we meet Naaman. Namaan worked for the King of Aram; he was captain of the king's army. The king admired Naaman very much, because through him, the Lord had given Aram victory, time and time again. But even in his great warrior-state, Naaman was a leper.
At the time of today's story, the Aramean warriors had raided Israel, and one of their captives was a young girl who was given to Naaman's wife as a maid. She knew her master had leprosy, and she knew of someone who could help. So she spoke up.
She said to her mistress, “I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy.” II Kings 5:3
Well, Naaman was quick to take action on this recommendation, and he went to the king and relayed what the girl said. The king advised him to go, and said he would even send a letter to the king of Israel on Naaman's behalf.
So Namaan went. And he presented the letter from his king to the king of Israel.
He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, “And now as this letter comes to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man is sending word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? But consider now, and see how he is seeking a quarrel against me.” II Kings 5:6-7
Whoa. I am sure that is not the response that Naaman expected. The king knew he couldn't cure Naaman - that power belongs to God. The king thought Naaman had been sent to pick a fight!
When Elisha, God's prophet, heard what happened, he sent word to the king urging him to send Naaman, so that he would know there is a prophet in Israel.
It happened when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent word to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Now let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” II Kings 5:9
Naaman went to Elisha's house but Elisha didn't even come out! He sent a messenger who told Naaman to wash in the Jordan in order to be cured.
So Naaman came with his horses and his chariots and stood at the doorway of the house of Elisha. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.” II Kings 5:10
Well that's not what Naaman expected. (Hmmm, recurring theme?)
But Naaman was furious and went away and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.’ Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. II Kings 5:11-12
Naaman thought Elisha should just wave his hands over him while he called on the name of his God. And furthermore, Naaman didn't think the Jordan river had anything special in it. He went away in a rage - and I can just hear him thinking "Who is this Elisha and why did I make this trip for nothing?"
Luckily, Naaman's servants were a little more open to what Elisha had said via his messenger, and they persuaded their master with good logic.
Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, “My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” II Kings 5:14
And now, Naaman's heart and mind were open and he was receptive to what his servants said. He actually listened and then did what they suggested!
So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean. II Kings 5:14
His flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child! Wow! That was a big change from leprosy. And that's the power of God at work.
Naaman thought he knew what the prophet would tell him, so he was surprised when he was told to go wash in the Jordan. Although he originally resisted, he did finally obey and God made him clean.
Isn't that a lot like you and me? We think we know what God wants for us, so we expect something to happen a certain way. When it doesn't, are we like Naaman who went off "in a rage?" When I am "caught off guard" by a message from God, I am thankful for people, like Naaman's servants, who bring a voice of reason back into my thinking and point me back to Jesus.
When we are obedient, God's power is displayed! Today I am asking God to open my mind and my heart to be receptive for His instruction to me and for the guidance and grace to obey the first time!
The Power of God
Words by Frederick A. Graves
When Abraham and Sarah had been promised a son,
They were surprised and knew not what to say;
But they knew what God had promised He was able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Refrain
The pow’r of God is just the same today,
It doesn’t matter what the people say;
Whatever God has promised
He’s able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses wanted water to quench the people’s thirst,
He knew that God would then provide a way;
Although his rod was useful he had the power first:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses made a serpent and placed it on a pole,
The bitten ones were told to look that way,
And then while they were looking Jehovah-rophi made them whole:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Joshua was commander, he spoke—the sun stood still,
The moon its onward course was made to stay;
Thus he won a mighty battle, for he did his Father’s will:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Naaman, the leper, before Elisha stood,
He thought he knew just what the seer would say,
But he had to wash in Jordan, though he thought it wasn’t good:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When David met Goliath he meant to have a fight,
The leaders put the battle in array;
Of course he killed the giant, for he was in the right:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Jonah went to Tarshish to flee away from God,
A mighty fish was waiting for its prey;
It quickly swallowed Jonah, then threw him on the sod:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Malachi, the prophet, was preaching all abroad,
And cutting like sickle and the scythe;
The people were accursed, for they were robbing God,
They filled to bring the offering and the tithe.
Then came the blessed Savior, with power to cleanse and heal,
To bear my sin and sickness all away;
My burdens, too, He carries, and doth my sorrows feel:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Through Paul and Silas singing and praying in the jail,
For Paul and Silas knew the way to pray;
The prison doors were opened, for locks could not avail,
And the power of God is just the same today.
In our story of God's power today, we meet Naaman. Namaan worked for the King of Aram; he was captain of the king's army. The king admired Naaman very much, because through him, the Lord had given Aram victory, time and time again. But even in his great warrior-state, Naaman was a leper.
At the time of today's story, the Aramean warriors had raided Israel, and one of their captives was a young girl who was given to Naaman's wife as a maid. She knew her master had leprosy, and she knew of someone who could help. So she spoke up.
She said to her mistress, “I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy.” II Kings 5:3
Well, Naaman was quick to take action on this recommendation, and he went to the king and relayed what the girl said. The king advised him to go, and said he would even send a letter to the king of Israel on Naaman's behalf.
So Namaan went. And he presented the letter from his king to the king of Israel.
He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, “And now as this letter comes to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man is sending word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? But consider now, and see how he is seeking a quarrel against me.” II Kings 5:6-7
Whoa. I am sure that is not the response that Naaman expected. The king knew he couldn't cure Naaman - that power belongs to God. The king thought Naaman had been sent to pick a fight!
When Elisha, God's prophet, heard what happened, he sent word to the king urging him to send Naaman, so that he would know there is a prophet in Israel.
It happened when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent word to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Now let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” II Kings 5:9
Naaman went to Elisha's house but Elisha didn't even come out! He sent a messenger who told Naaman to wash in the Jordan in order to be cured.
So Naaman came with his horses and his chariots and stood at the doorway of the house of Elisha. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.” II Kings 5:10
Well that's not what Naaman expected. (Hmmm, recurring theme?)
But Naaman was furious and went away and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.’ Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. II Kings 5:11-12
Naaman thought Elisha should just wave his hands over him while he called on the name of his God. And furthermore, Naaman didn't think the Jordan river had anything special in it. He went away in a rage - and I can just hear him thinking "Who is this Elisha and why did I make this trip for nothing?"
Luckily, Naaman's servants were a little more open to what Elisha had said via his messenger, and they persuaded their master with good logic.
Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, “My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” II Kings 5:14
And now, Naaman's heart and mind were open and he was receptive to what his servants said. He actually listened and then did what they suggested!
So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean. II Kings 5:14
His flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child! Wow! That was a big change from leprosy. And that's the power of God at work.
Naaman thought he knew what the prophet would tell him, so he was surprised when he was told to go wash in the Jordan. Although he originally resisted, he did finally obey and God made him clean.
Isn't that a lot like you and me? We think we know what God wants for us, so we expect something to happen a certain way. When it doesn't, are we like Naaman who went off "in a rage?" When I am "caught off guard" by a message from God, I am thankful for people, like Naaman's servants, who bring a voice of reason back into my thinking and point me back to Jesus.
When we are obedient, God's power is displayed! Today I am asking God to open my mind and my heart to be receptive for His instruction to me and for the guidance and grace to obey the first time!
The Power of God
Words by Frederick A. Graves
When Abraham and Sarah had been promised a son,
They were surprised and knew not what to say;
But they knew what God had promised He was able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Refrain
The pow’r of God is just the same today,
It doesn’t matter what the people say;
Whatever God has promised
He’s able to perform:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses wanted water to quench the people’s thirst,
He knew that God would then provide a way;
Although his rod was useful he had the power first:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Moses made a serpent and placed it on a pole,
The bitten ones were told to look that way,
And then while they were looking Jehovah-rophi made them whole:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Joshua was commander, he spoke—the sun stood still,
The moon its onward course was made to stay;
Thus he won a mighty battle, for he did his Father’s will:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Naaman, the leper, before Elisha stood,
He thought he knew just what the seer would say,
But he had to wash in Jordan, though he thought it wasn’t good:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When David met Goliath he meant to have a fight,
The leaders put the battle in array;
Of course he killed the giant, for he was in the right:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Jonah went to Tarshish to flee away from God,
A mighty fish was waiting for its prey;
It quickly swallowed Jonah, then threw him on the sod:
And the power of God is just the same today.
When Malachi, the prophet, was preaching all abroad,
And cutting like sickle and the scythe;
The people were accursed, for they were robbing God,
They filled to bring the offering and the tithe.
Then came the blessed Savior, with power to cleanse and heal,
To bear my sin and sickness all away;
My burdens, too, He carries, and doth my sorrows feel:
And the power of God is just the same today.
Through Paul and Silas singing and praying in the jail,
For Paul and Silas knew the way to pray;
The prison doors were opened, for locks could not avail,
And the power of God is just the same today.
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