The Shout of Triumph

This post makes me laugh at the irony of me sharing about Shouting! It comes from our Brother Sam's Worship Manual with my personal response to the Shout. Let God Arise!

                           

                                                Lesson Ten-The Shout of Triumph

Psa_47:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

1. Why Shouting?

-Some Christians would question the need for shouting or noisy praise as a new covenant reality. In the Bible, God said in the last days that He was restoring the tabernacle of David.

·         Act_15:16  After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

·         Psa_5:11  But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

- We are to follow not the traditions of men when it comes to praise and worship, but rather what the Bible says. We have learned that we are to follow the biblical pattern for praise and worship as we saw that we are to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4). Worshipping in truth is worship according to the Bible.

2. Where do we find shouting in the scriptures?

-Let’s take a look at the word shout in the scriptures:

There are 36 references to the word, “shout” in the scriptures.

-The Shout of Joy:

rânan

raw-nan'

A primitive root; properly to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), that is, to shout (usually for joy): - aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful, (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout (for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph.

·         This type of praise is a response to what God has done for us, His presence, His goodness, and we can’t help but respond with joy! He makes us rejoice!

o   Isa_12:6  Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

o   Psa 92:4  For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

o   Isa 35:1:The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

o   Psa 32:11  Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

o   Psa 35:27  Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

This shout is one of joy and rejoicing! This is the way we are encouraged to respond to the goodness and wonder of our God. This word was also used in the Hebrew language as “sing” as a joyful response to the nature and works of our God as seen in the Psalms:

·         Psa 95:1-3  O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.  For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

·         Isa 44:23  Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout-ruwa, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

·         Isa 52:8-9  Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

Within the people of God is a joyful sound that must be released as a response the greatness of their God. Remembering His wonders and the glory of who He is creates this type of response!

We see David responding to the Lord in this manner. In the Psalms this word is also seen as the word, “rejoice”.

·         Psa 71:23  My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

·         Psa 98:1-4  O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

o   Make a loud noise, rejoice, and sing praise!

Here we are instructed to respond to the deliverance and mercy of God by making a joyful noise, a loud noise, rejoicing, and singing praise! When we have a revelation of what God has done and will do, we can’t help but respond accordingly.

·         Psa 115:17  The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

·         Luk 19:40  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

The Shout of Triumph

rûa‛

roo-ah'

A primitive root; to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively to split the ears (with sound), that is, shout (for alarm or joy): - blow an alarm, cry (alarm, aloud, out), destroy, make a joyful noise, smart, shout (for joy), sound an alarm, triumph.

When the children of Israel were to be or were delivered from their enemies, they shouted for the triumph or the victory! It is the same with us today, we shout in response to the deliverance from sin and death and the ongoing victory that God brings in our lives.

·         Isa 44:23-24:  Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.  Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abr     the victory in the book of Joshua.

o   Jos 6:5  And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. Josh 6:16:, “Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.”

Truwah-acclamation of joy-battle cry: The great shout from the Jericho story is this Hebrew word

·         This shout was seen when the ark of the covenant entered the camp of the Lord even the enemies of God heard it:

o   1Sa_4:5  And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.  And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp..

·         This is a response to the revelation the King of Kings is present!

o   Num_23:21  He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.

Truwah-his is the battle cry: This is when we shout unto the Lord until He comes and fights for us.

There is a great example of this truth in 2 Chronicles 20: when Jehoshaphat sought the Lord because a great multitude had arisen against them. A prophet from in the midst of the congregation prophesied the battle plan included praise!

·         2Ch 20:17  Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

·         The word, “sing” here refers to the word triumph, a sound of triumph! Praise is a great weapon in the spirit! As the King of the Earth is exalted He destroys the enemies and mountains that we face in our lives. Jesus has already done the work, He has overcome the world. We are to speak forth the victory in our own life and praise the Lord for what He has done! Rather than get in the trenches with the enemy, we praise the Lord for His greatness and mercy and the work has already be done!

4. The Bible gives us many reasons to shout!

·         Psa_5:11  But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

·         Zec_9:9  Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

o   Let not a rock cry in your place, you know how to respond to the King of Kings!

 5.  Biblically How Should our Worship Sound?

·         1Sa_4:5  And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.  And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp..

o   Even the enemy of God understood why His people were worshipping!

·         Act 16:25  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

·         Ps. 66:8:  O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:

·         Ezr 3:10  And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.  And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

6. We Shout in Response to His Presence:

·         2Sa 6:12  And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.  And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

o   Even with Michal glaring at him , David had stripped himself of his title and his honor and worshipped the King of all the Earth as a priest! This the worship He requires and it brings Him honor.

·         Lev 9:22-24  And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.  And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

·         Luk 19:37-40  And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;  Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

7. God Enjoys Shouting:

·         Psa 47:5  God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

·         1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

·         Exo 19:16  And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

Shouting is in response to the glory of God, the revelation of His majesty, His deliverance, a battle cry, a response of rejoicing to the goodness of God, a command to the believer, and an encouragement to the discouraged!

WHY NOT SHOUT! He is so worthy!

Jesus, Our Chief Example

As a teacher, I completely identified with this study and hope it is a blessing to you! I want to copy my Master's great and enduring example!

Jesus, Our Chief Example

As we talk about what it means to be a true disciple, we can look at the life our precious Savior as our Chief Example.


1.       Jesus Our Example, He left us a pattern to be followed.

 1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth .Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

·         An example (ὑπογραμμὸν) Only here in the New Testament. A graphic word, meaning a copy set by writing-masters for their pupils. Some explain it as a copy of characters over which the student is to trace the lines. here only in N.T. Clement of Alex. (Strom. V. 8. 49) uses it of the copy-head at the top of a child’s exercise book for the child to imitate, including all the letters of the alphabet. The papyri give many examples of hupographē and hupographō in the sense of copying a letter.

·         Follow (ἐπακολουθήσητε )Lit., follow upon. The compound verb implies close following. From writers and painters, the metaphor changes now to a guide. In His footsteps!

o   Joh_12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

2. Jesus is our example of perfection

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth .Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

o   2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

o   Mat_5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

o   Mat_19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

o   Luk_6:40  The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

o   Joh_17:23  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

3. Jesus is our example of Humility

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth .Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

·         Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

·         Isa 53:7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Jesus shows us the way and left us a pattern through His selfless passion for humanity. Love poured out. What a selfless Savior. 

o   Heb 2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

o   Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

o   Joh 13:11  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen:

4. Jesus our example of the Father’s Son

 1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth .Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

·         Luk 23:46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Jesus’ relationship with His Father is by far one my favorite aspects of the example Jesus left for us. I find it very interesting that we find insight into the relationship between Jesus and His Father in the book of John.  John always seemed to have insight into the revelation of Jesus. Intimacy brings revelation!

o   Jesus showed us His relationship of intimacy with the Father

Luk_11:2  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Joh_5:19  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

Joh_12:49  For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

Joh_16:32  Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

Joh_17:11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Joh_8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Joh_8:38  I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

Joh_5:20  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

Being a Christian is not just wearing a cross or attending a church service. If we truly are little Christs we are follow in His footsteps or in the pattern of our Master. A life of sacrifice and selflessness and humility, He loved first. Have a I really left all to follow Him or am I still holding on to my Plan B, my nets, my possessions, are there areas of my life that I hold on to. Am I selfless? Am I humble? This makes me hungry to change, hungry to become more like that Master.

There is so much to be said about Jesus as the pattern son

o   Rom 8:29: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Jesus is the firstborn among many! It is my heart’s desire to be just like Him. I desire to be a son of God, this is a genderless pursuit just as we say that the Bride is not just a female identity, this is a spiritual truth.

Joh_15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

If Thou Art A Son

      I was meditating on the title of this post as I boarded the plane for Jacksonville. More than ever my heart aches to be consider one of the many sons that God is training in these last days to show forth His glory on the earth! What a privilege it is to lay down our lives for our friends. Therein lies resurrection power!
I just want to honor my father in the Lord, Brother Sam, without I would have very little light on the subject and my husband Zach for his unending pursuit of the deeper things of God. I am humbled to express my take on what is just the tip of the iceberg :) His ways are in the sea!

If Thou Be a Son

It seems as if this is what defines us in this life, whether we are able to embrace and endure the Lord’s chastening as sons and walk in sonship. Jesus is our prime example, who learned obedience through the things that He suffered (Hebrews 5:8) . If there is a distinction between those that are as in type the multitude, the disciple, the three, and the one, let me be the one that is comfortable drawing close to the Lord. The one who Jesus makes Himself vulnerable to as He did on the Mountain of Transfiguration and in the garden as prayed.  I believe it takes a deeper level of commitment and intimacy to grow to such a close relationship. The Lord said Himself that he chastened whom He loves and sees as a son as we see in Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Clearly He also makes distinction between those who are sons and those who are bastards in Heb 12:-6-9, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.“  There is clear separation here between those who God can call a son and those which are “without chastisement” and they are not considered sons, but on the contrary they are bastards.

 When we speak of chastisement, many images or memories may come to mind, such as childhood discipline or scolding from instructors. In Hebrews, this word also means, “education, training, disciplinary instruction, and/or nuture.” How do we see God dealing with us in this way in our own lives, but by the Word of God. In Ps. 119:9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” In the psalms, we constantly see David looking to God to be taught and disciplined, “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. (Ps. 86:11).” In Psa 119:124, we see the dealings of God and the Word of God go hand in hand, ” Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.” This is what separates the sons from others, taking heed to the Word of God and allowing His Spirit to lead you into all things. The word “deal” in this passage means “to make, to finish, bruise, journey, perform, prepare, sacrifice, trim, yield, use, “ and many others. This really speaks of our journey on the highway of holiness and the Lord “making” us His Sons!

We see a picture of being set apart and being chastened in the life of David in 2 Samuel 7:8, “Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus said the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:” and in verse 14 “I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:”The word, “son” in this passage means, “builder of the family name”.  This is my heart I want to bear the name of the Lord as a son! Just as Paul did in his ministry, Act 9:15 “ But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:”  How are we going to do that? We need to start by overcoming in our lives through walking according to the teachings of our Father. This name is given to the overcomers in Rev 3:12, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

Let me be a Son that you are pleased with Lord, just as the Firstborn Son was pleasing. Here in Matthew 3:17, we see God the Father announcing to the world that He had a pleasing Son. This reference states, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus, who was without sin, humbled Himself and asked His cousin John to baptize Him. The Son of a Priest baptizing the Son of God, Jesus was a spotless sacrifice! What happens next is quite amazing, Jesus goes from being exalted by the Father right to the wilderness where He finds himself tested by the devil. And what does He use in His time of testing, the precious Word of God!  There are three tests that Jesus is able to overcome by the Word of God, “To despair of his Father's goodness, to presume upon his Father's power, and to alienate his Father's honour, by giving it to Satan.”

Let’s look at these tests and the language the enemy uses when confronting the Son of God. The enemy challenges His Sonship, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread (Matt 4:3)." When challenged with the ability to provide for His natural needs, Jesus proclaims that the only thing that satisfies, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

The enemy then challenges the relationship of trust and authority that Jesus has with the Father in Mat 4:6, “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Jesus proclaims a statement of absolute trust and commitment to the integrity of the character of God in Matthew 4:7, “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. “ Here Jesus is able to answer with the reference from the Old Testament in Exodus 17:7, “ And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? “ The character of the Father is to be trusted and not questioned.

The third accusation is found in Mat 4:8-9, “ Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” Jesus answers in Mat 4:10,  “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Jesus again quotes that same passage in Deuteronomy 6:13, “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.” 

If it is truly in our heart to press on past the norm of Christianity and take up our cross each day, we will find ourselves growing up! Jesus showed us the way as the firstborn among many, he was able to silence  the accuser by the truth that was apart of Him. As we allow the word of God to mold and make us, it becomes apart of us and we are able to face anything. We will overcome, just as our Savior did, and we will have His character. I will embrace the process that leads me to this end. I hope that you will see that God is asking you the same and that you will choose a road less traveled and find yourself drawing ever closer to Him. 

In The Midst...He is Mighty!

Only in the furnances of life will the world see our true source of help evident. As Nebuchadnezzar saw the fourth man in the fire, we approach the trials of our faith as a joy, "(1Pe 4:12-13) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." They serve to us a dual purpose. First,the dross of our own hearts is cleansed and second, that the world may know, "(Dan 3:28) Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God." We have to have the revelation in our hearts that our God is mighty to save! He is all powerful. Even we then the storms of this life seem overwhelming, Jesus is asleep in the boat and more than able to speak to the winds and waves of our circumstances. All dominion is under our Lord, we should not fear, but look to Him as our source of strength for He is mighty!

That word mighty is "Gibbor" in Hebrew. It means a powerful champion or warrior. We know that our Lord Jesus has triumphed over all, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33)." We have this same strength living within us,"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 Jn4:4)." These are truths that we must have settled in our hearts. Jesus is faifthful and He is mighy to save, "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (Zep. 3:17)."

Today's Theme Song

When we find ourselves in need of encouragement, we call a friend, a family member, or a loved one. We are walking in this life as a peculiar people really searching for a city whose maker is God! We will not always be rejoicing and sometimes find ourselves in need of rest. Trouble arises and we can become discouraged, but fear not there is joy in reminding your soul that you have a great hope! As David reprimanded his soul, "(Psa 42:5) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance." The Lord encourages us in His word to engage in, "speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Esphesians 5:19)." I call it your theme song for the day!!! Is your heart rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord? He is worthy of your heart song today :). Making melody in our hearts begins with a gratefulness, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you are also called in one body; and be ye thankful (Co. 3:15)." As we allow the Word of God to resound in our hearts we find ourselves unable to keep quiet; we must respond, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Col. 3:16)." When we have a song in our heart, we find ourselves sharing this overflow with others and it brings joy!

Swing Wide the Door!

One of my favorite worship leaders sings/wrote a song that contains this phrase, "Swing Wide the Door!" You know.. that door which going to open in heaven if we respond to all that God has for us! Each day we should be challenging ourselves to "Ask, seek, and knock" for more of Jesus in our lives. As it says it in His word, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened(Mat 7.7-8)." His presence, His precious presence is available to us and we many times overlook it and go about our way seeking worldly activities or entertainment. How hungry are we for Jesus to overtake us with His glory? Are we really pursuing Him or do we just stumble into the outer court on a weekly occasion? Once I heard a pastor talk about the reference I made mention of earlier. He said that we should not just stop at asking, but seek, and then also knock! Our hunger for God should be at whim or controlled by others. As one speaker once put it, "Be a thermostat, not a thermometer." Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Rev. 3:20)." Holy communion is waiting for those that press past just asking or seeking.. let our hearts begin to knock and the door will open! "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter(Rev. 4:1)."

God of all Comfort

Ever had that day when you feel lonely or afraid, maybe you just have alot on your mind. Well, that is just your trouble, you are allowing the cares of this life to rise up and overtake you. At this point in time is the perfect opportunity for the presence of God to breeze in by His precious Holy Spirit and bring COMFORT! Not many human beings, pets, or activities will afford you a commodity close to the sweetness of His comforting presence. Jesus promised us that we would never be alone and in fact purposed that the third part of the Godhead would be our companion, caretaker, and bring us into perfection until His return. "And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever (John 14:16)." Jesus would not leave us comfortless or ever leave us or forsake us. We are His children and He cares about our outcome. Romans tells us that Jesus is ever making intercession for us (Romans 8:34).

2 Corinthians beautifully describes the comforting aspect of our God, He is the "Father of mercies, and the God of all Comfort (2 Cor. 2:13)." If we lay our worries and cares at the feet of the Master where they belong, we find a growing strength in His presence. The trials of our faith are more precious than gold when we realize that this comfort He has imparted to our hearts can be dispersed to others, we realize we have a precious gift! Jesus is the one "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God (2 Cor. 2:14)." As He comforts us, we in turn become able to bring the comfort of God to others! Praise the Lord :D!