PSALM 27

 

PSALM 27 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread? Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.   One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.  For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call; be merciful and answer me. My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek. Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation. Even if my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors. Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. But I know I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

 

MY SERVANT NEBUCHADNEZZAR

 

MY SERVANT NEBUCHADNEZZAR So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him. Jeremiah 27:6 The first time I read this Bible verse, I was surprised. Nebuchadnezzar served the god Marduk and didn't know anything about the Hebrew God. How could he be a servant of the LORD? He was a warrior and a cruel leader who terrorized the nations he captured: he wasn't a good man, and yet God said Nebuchadnezzar was his servant! Nebuchadnezzar stirred up the entire Middle East and reshaped countries, hierarchy, education and financial systems, architecture, leadership concepts and entire cultures. God used Nebuchadnezzar II to shake up the known world and initiate a new future. Samson is another Bible personality with sketchy character. He was a womanizer. He had a bad temper. He was vengeful. He was cruel to animals. And yet, the Bible tells us that Samson was chosen by God before he was ever conceived in his mother's womb, to become a great deliverer for the Jewish people. Both of these men had outsized egos. They were exceedingly proud of their abilities, and believed their strength came from their own power. But God is able to humble those who walk in pride. Nebuchadnezzar and Samson both acknowledged the LORD God before they died, and bowed to His sovereignty. They acknowledged where their extraordinary gifts came from. God used Nebuchadnezzar and Samson to accomplish His purposes, even though they weren't good men. Even when we don't like the leaders that God puts over us, there is no misstep on His part. God raises up leaders, and God takes them down. It is even possible that God gives us what we deserve because of our disobedience. If we want improvement in our country's leaders, then improvement must begin with us. When we turn our hearts toward God, and pray: He can change our country and its leaders. This is one of His promises: If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

 

HIDDEN WORKERS

 

HIDDEN WORKERS John did no miracle: but all things that John spoke of this man were true. — John 10:41 You may be very discontented with yourself. Maybe you think you’re no genius, have no brilliant gifts, nor any special ministry. Mediocrity seems to be the law of your existence. Your days are remarkably the same, day in and day out. Yet you may live a great life in the midst of all that! John did no miracle, but Jesus said that among those born of women there was no one greater than John. John’s main business was to bear witness to the Light, and we can do the same. John was content to be only a voice, if men would think of Christ. Be willing to be only a voice, heard but not seen; a mirror whose surface is lost to view, because it reflects the dazzling glory of the sun; a breeze that springs up just before daylight, and says, “The dawn! the dawn!” and then dies away. Do the small, everyday things as if God Himself were watching; because He is! If you must live with uncongenial people, determine to love them anyway. If you have made a great mistake in your life, do not let it cloud your future; God will help you turn your weakness into strength and sweetness. We are doing more good than we know: sowing seeds, starting streamlets, giving people true thoughts of Christ. One day they will tell you it was those very things you said or did, that got them seriously thinking about Jesus.   As for me, I shall be satisfied if no great monument is raised over my grave, if people will say, “He was a good man; he spoke words about Christ, which led me to know Him for myself.” —George Matheson God calls many of His most valued workers from the unknown multitude. Luke 14:23

 

THE FIFTH TRUMPET

 

THE FIFTH TRUMPET Continuing a study of Revelation REVELATION 9.1 The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. 9.2 He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a great burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit. 9.3 Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 9.4 They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads. 9.5 They were given power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person. 9.6 In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 9.7 The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war. On their heads were something like golden crowns, and their faces were like people’s faces. 9.8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions. 9.9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war. 9.10 They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months. 9.11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon” (or destruction), but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”, which means “Destroyer”. 9.12 The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.  -WEB Bible. John describes something that was difficult for ancient illustrators to imagine. The top illustration (above) is from 1320 A.D. and the artist tried his best to imagine the vision. But we know more than that artist did. John seems to describe modern airplanes and air warfare in his vision. And the torment caused by the locusts might be chemical warfare. The hair could be exhaust from warplanes, streaming across the sky. Even 100 years ago it would have been hard for the readers of Revelation to understand. It wasn't until World War II that fighter planes were used extensively in warfare. (We did use some fighter planes in World War I, but planes were still very new.) Or, St. John may have seen drones in flight. Armed drones are being used extensively in the current war in the Middle East, as well as Ukraine. The star that falls from heaven is Lucifer, the rebellious angel (Satan) who is also depicted as the great dragon in Revelation. This event is described in a later chapter of Revelation. The 5th Trumpet is the “first Woe” predicted by the Eagle in last week’s lesson. The study of Revelation will continue on Thursdays. IMAGE CREDIT: The ancient manuscript illustration is from the Welles Apocalypse, by English artist Peter of Peckham, circa 1320 A.D, depicting his interpretation of the locusts.  The photo beneath it shows the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy, public domain image.

 

TRUTH ESTABLISHED

 

TRUTH ESTABLISHED Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:19 Truth endures. Though time may test it, truth withstands the trial. If I have spoken the truth and must suffer for it at present, I must be content to wait. If I believe the truth of God and endeavor to share it, I may face much opposition: but I need not fear, for in the end, the truth will prevail. How fleeting is the temporary triumph of falsehood! “A lying tongue is but for a moment!” It is like a plant that springs up overnight and withers just as quickly; the more it grows, the more obvious its decay becomes. On the other hand, how noble is defense of THE TRUTH: the Holy Word which never changes—the everlasting Gospel, grounded in the unchanging Truth of our Holy God who does not change, cannot change and has no need to change! Dearest friends, be sure that you are always on the side of God's Truth, both in small matters and in great ones, but especially on the side of Him through whom grace and truth have come to humanity! Mankind fusses and frets over many things but those who focus on Christ will have peace that rises above the affairs of this world. Do not neglect reading the Word of God because it was given to us for this purpose: You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 By Charles H. Spurgeon, updated.