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And he said, “Open the east window”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.”
[2 Kings 13:17 NKJV]
[2 Kings 13:17 NKJV]
This is another of these Bible phrases that grabs my attention — the arrow of the Lord’s deliverance. This whole passage in 2 Kings is about the death of Elisha and his final message to the King of Israel.
An arrow is an instrument of conflict which pierces the body and wounds or kills. It requires a skilled archer to wield it effectively. Elisha in his last moments proclaims that it brings deliverance — salvation. The Lord’s deliverance — in this case — from Syria, which from its name represents an exalted place, and furthermore, at Aphek, meaning a self-contained fortress.
This would suggest that in his final pronouncement, Elisha was raging (for he was angry) against pride and arrogance — self-exaltation.
Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped.
And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times.”
[2 Kings 13:18-19 NKJV]
Elisha knew that our pride is likely the last thing in us to go — if at all! We must persevere in our dedication work to ensure that we destroy pride completely. We cannot stop until the job is done — without being half-hearted about it.
This leaves us with Elisha’s command to “Open the east window.” A window is an opening in a wall that lets in the light — and a window to the east reveals the sunrise; the light of a new day dawning. Only when the light of The Lord shines can we see salvation.
An arrow is an instrument of conflict which pierces the body and wounds or kills. It requires a skilled archer to wield it effectively. Elisha in his last moments proclaims that it brings deliverance — salvation. The Lord’s deliverance — in this case — from Syria, which from its name represents an exalted place, and furthermore, at Aphek, meaning a self-contained fortress.
This would suggest that in his final pronouncement, Elisha was raging (for he was angry) against pride and arrogance — self-exaltation.
Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped.
And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times.”
[2 Kings 13:18-19 NKJV]
Elisha knew that our pride is likely the last thing in us to go — if at all! We must persevere in our dedication work to ensure that we destroy pride completely. We cannot stop until the job is done — without being half-hearted about it.
This leaves us with Elisha’s command to “Open the east window.” A window is an opening in a wall that lets in the light — and a window to the east reveals the sunrise; the light of a new day dawning. Only when the light of The Lord shines can we see salvation.
The greatest note of triumph that ever sounded in the ears of a startled universe was that sounded on the cross of Christ — “It is finished.” That is the last word in the redemption of man.
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Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
[Titus 3:1-6 NKJV]
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
[Titus 3:1-6 NKJV]
A demonstration of a pure Christian life and heart is humility. What is that exactly? Titus links it with a peaceable gentle and obedient spirit. And such it is, and no doubt it is obvious to mention that it is the Christlike spirit which fills that description exactly.
Humility has no vestige of pride or arrogance in it; it is ‘without self’, if I can put it that way. The dictionary describes it as low self regard and a sense of unworthiness, but I have known of arrogant people who have been puffed up with pride and yet have such a deep feeling of unworthiness that it has become worthlessness; thus the actuality is not clear cut. It never is where the human heart is concerned, which is why it has to be Christ who gives the answer.
And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. [Hebrews 3:18-19 NKJV]
The book of Hebrews has in Chapter 4, a magnificent treatise on entering His rest — and what is gentleness and peace if it is not rest? And as we see, entering His rest is a matter for our obedience.
Humility has no vestige of pride or arrogance in it; it is ‘without self’, if I can put it that way. The dictionary describes it as low self regard and a sense of unworthiness, but I have known of arrogant people who have been puffed up with pride and yet have such a deep feeling of unworthiness that it has become worthlessness; thus the actuality is not clear cut. It never is where the human heart is concerned, which is why it has to be Christ who gives the answer.
And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. [Hebrews 3:18-19 NKJV]
The book of Hebrews has in Chapter 4, a magnificent treatise on entering His rest — and what is gentleness and peace if it is not rest? And as we see, entering His rest is a matter for our obedience.
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And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said:
“Stand up and bless the LORD your God forever and ever!
‘Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You.
[Nehemiah 9:5-6 NKJV]
“Stand up and bless the LORD your God forever and ever!
‘Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You.
[Nehemiah 9:5-6 NKJV]
What’s in a name? Our names are very important for each of us. We can become upset when others get the name wrong. That old expression “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me”, is an attempt to divert something we all understand to be true — calling someone by a derogatory name hurts.
Businesses, individuals, families, all set great store by their names, because they say something about who we are. Our Fellowship name was chosen because it clearly states to those who believe, whose we are.
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. [1 Peter 2:6 NKJV]
Jesus is the name above all names, and the concept of names is a very important one to recognise, for when we come to know Him, we are each given a new name.
You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. [Isaiah 62:2b-3 NKJV]
The new name is Jesus Christ, for His Spirit resides within us. This is no mere philosophical point, but an actuality experienced by all who know Him by His name. Praying “in Jesus’ name” is the most powerful prayer there is, because His name is known and understood in the Underworlds.
Just look at the eight names mentioned in the book of Nehemiah and included above. How does knowing the meaning of the names inform your understanding of the scripture quoted?
Each name is relevant and appropriate, magnifying God’s name ... and 8 signifies a new beginning ...
Businesses, individuals, families, all set great store by their names, because they say something about who we are. Our Fellowship name was chosen because it clearly states to those who believe, whose we are.
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. [1 Peter 2:6 NKJV]
Jesus is the name above all names, and the concept of names is a very important one to recognise, for when we come to know Him, we are each given a new name.
You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. [Isaiah 62:2b-3 NKJV]
The new name is Jesus Christ, for His Spirit resides within us. This is no mere philosophical point, but an actuality experienced by all who know Him by His name. Praying “in Jesus’ name” is the most powerful prayer there is, because His name is known and understood in the Underworlds.
Just look at the eight names mentioned in the book of Nehemiah and included above. How does knowing the meaning of the names inform your understanding of the scripture quoted?
- Jeshua = Jehovah is salvation
- Kadmiel = God is the ancient one
- Bani = build, establish
- Hashabniah = whom Jehovah regards
- Sherebiah = Jehovah has scorched
- Hodijah = my majesty is Jehovah
- Shebaniah = increased by Jehovah
- Pethahiah = freed by Jehovah
Each name is relevant and appropriate, magnifying God’s name ... and 8 signifies a new beginning ...
God does not give us overcoming life: He gives life to the man who overcomes. In every case of tribulation, from gnats to the cruelty of the sword, we take the step as though there were no God to assist us, and we find He is there.
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And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said:
“Stand up and bless the LORD your God forever and ever!
‘Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You.
[Nehemiah 9:5-6 NKJV]
“Stand up and bless the LORD your God forever and ever!
‘Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You.
[Nehemiah 9:5-6 NKJV]
His name is blessed indeed; but what is it in His name that blesses us? We know that in Biblical terms, a name represents the nature, the character of an individual, and often a change of name indicates and confirms a God-given change of nature. Thus Abram becomes Abraham and Saul becomes Paul.
So what is His ‘glorious name’? As befits the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He has many names, one might say limitless names, as befits the one true God. Many refer to the Lord Jesus Christ specifically, but as He and the Father and The Holy Spirit are one, then many of the names apply to all.
Ultimately, what we learn from this is that He is the name above all names, and that He is in many ways incomprehensible to us, so far beyond our understanding is He. We cannot contain Him for He is illimitable; He is without beginning or end — He is infinity.
So what is His ‘glorious name’? As befits the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He has many names, one might say limitless names, as befits the one true God. Many refer to the Lord Jesus Christ specifically, but as He and the Father and The Holy Spirit are one, then many of the names apply to all.
Ultimately, what we learn from this is that He is the name above all names, and that He is in many ways incomprehensible to us, so far beyond our understanding is He. We cannot contain Him for He is illimitable; He is without beginning or end — He is infinity.
Jesus Christ can put into the man, whose energy has been sapped by sin and wrong until he is all but in hell, a life so strong and full that Satan has to flee whenever he meets him. Jesus Christ can make any life more than conqueror as they draw on His Resurrection life.
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Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Saviour, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
[Jude 1:24-25 NKJV]
[Jude 1:24-25 NKJV]
There are times when the Lord reveals something to us — it seems like a great revelation — but on reflection and in consideration, it is something which we already know, but in that twist of the kaleidoscope of His heavenly purpose, we see an old thing anew and we are blessed with a spiritual refreshing.
So it was the other day, when a friend shared the thought that The Lord sees us, not as we were, not as we are, but as we shall be ... and you just know that is true. He sees the end from the beginning and knows the perfected outcome of His work in us. How could He not admire Himself realised in His creation?
The reality is that we shall all be changed if our daily walk is paced out in the acceptance of His Spirit governing every moment.
What is so wonderful is the realisation that we have come to the place of knowing that to be true, but that our walk is so in tune with His Spirit that the knowing is never questioned or disputed; it is merely His presence; ever present.
PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for your comforting presence in my life. The fact that You are there with me in every moment; guiding; keeping; Your thoughts over-riding my thoughts to convict me of the power of Your ways. Bring me to that unquestioning knowledge of Your life within me, O Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
So it was the other day, when a friend shared the thought that The Lord sees us, not as we were, not as we are, but as we shall be ... and you just know that is true. He sees the end from the beginning and knows the perfected outcome of His work in us. How could He not admire Himself realised in His creation?
The reality is that we shall all be changed if our daily walk is paced out in the acceptance of His Spirit governing every moment.
What is so wonderful is the realisation that we have come to the place of knowing that to be true, but that our walk is so in tune with His Spirit that the knowing is never questioned or disputed; it is merely His presence; ever present.
PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for your comforting presence in my life. The fact that You are there with me in every moment; guiding; keeping; Your thoughts over-riding my thoughts to convict me of the power of Your ways. Bring me to that unquestioning knowledge of Your life within me, O Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Always remain alert to the fact that where one man has gone back is exactly where anyone may go back (1 Corinthians 10:13). You have gone through the big crisis, now be alert over the least things. . . . Do not forecast where the temptation will come; it is the least likely thing that is the peril.
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But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank.
[Exodus 2:3 NKJV]
[Exodus 2:3 NKJV]
Following on from Moses in a basket, we can ask ourselves — or at least I ask myself — why bulrushes; because it seems that bulrushes left to themselves let in water, in which case, young Moses would surely have sunk into the river and been lost?
The bulrushes will only work as an ark if daubed ... with asphalt and pitch. Noah and his ark needed pitch to cover the hull to keep it afloat. Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. [Genesis 6:14] And see also that the pitch had to be applied both outside and inside the ark.
This covering represents our Lord’s protective hand over ‘His precious cargo’ — He will not allow us to sink into the depths of the sea from which we have already been saved — even though the waves of adversity and trouble continue to strike.
Nowadays we use asphalt and pitch in just the same way — as a protective covering — but also in roadmaking, as a way for making our travel through the countryside easier, protecting us from rough ground. Sadly, as we know, many roads become difficult again as the covering deteriorates with potholes and cracks appearing unless the asphalt and pitch is kept under repair.
We can keep our spiritual way under repair by turning to the Lord for His help. Pray without ceasing.
The bulrushes will only work as an ark if daubed ... with asphalt and pitch. Noah and his ark needed pitch to cover the hull to keep it afloat. Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. [Genesis 6:14] And see also that the pitch had to be applied both outside and inside the ark.
This covering represents our Lord’s protective hand over ‘His precious cargo’ — He will not allow us to sink into the depths of the sea from which we have already been saved — even though the waves of adversity and trouble continue to strike.
Nowadays we use asphalt and pitch in just the same way — as a protective covering — but also in roadmaking, as a way for making our travel through the countryside easier, protecting us from rough ground. Sadly, as we know, many roads become difficult again as the covering deteriorates with potholes and cracks appearing unless the asphalt and pitch is kept under repair.
We can keep our spiritual way under repair by turning to the Lord for His help. Pray without ceasing.
Our attitude to the Bible is a stupid one, we come to the Bible for proof of God’s existence: the Bible has no meaning for us unless we know that God does exist.
The Bible states and affirms facts for the benefit of those who believe in God, those who don’t believe in God can tear it to bits if they like.
The Bible states and affirms facts for the benefit of those who believe in God, those who don’t believe in God can tear it to bits if they like.
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So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months.
But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank.
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.
[Exodus 2:2-4 NKJV]
But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank.
And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.
[Exodus 2:2-4 NKJV]
There are many arks in the Bible, and many types of ark; but all are used to contain something of great importance. We can go further and say that they all hold the Holy Spirit — they are vessels of honour, as we have seen.
Noah built an ark because God told him it was needed to shelter ‘a remnant’ of God’s chosen through the Flood.
There is The Ark of The Covenant which was the dwelling place of God amongst His people.
Paul was rescued from pursuers by being let down through the wall of Damascus in a basket.
And Jesus was laid in a manger, something very similar to Moses’ bulrush ark. All these pictures point us to Jesus. He is our ark — a place of safety and shelter from the storms. We, in turn are His ark in the world, carrying His Holy Spirit, that His work and God’s will may be accomplished.
Noah built an ark because God told him it was needed to shelter ‘a remnant’ of God’s chosen through the Flood.
There is The Ark of The Covenant which was the dwelling place of God amongst His people.
Paul was rescued from pursuers by being let down through the wall of Damascus in a basket.
And Jesus was laid in a manger, something very similar to Moses’ bulrush ark. All these pictures point us to Jesus. He is our ark — a place of safety and shelter from the storms. We, in turn are His ark in the world, carrying His Holy Spirit, that His work and God’s will may be accomplished.
We say, “Seeing is believing,” but it isn’t true. Belief is necessary before we can interpret what we see; we will explain things away if we don’t believe them possible. “. . . because thou hast seen Me, hast thou believed?” (John 20:29 RV mg).
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Then David inquired of the LORD once again.
And the LORD answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
[1Samuel 23:4 NKJV]
And the LORD answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
[1Samuel 23:4 NKJV]
Matt Redman, in his song “Once Again” says “And once again I look upon the cross where you died. I'm humbled by your mercy and I'm broken inside.” The chorus concludes with a repeated “Thank You for the cross.”
Indeed, when we are given a revelation of The Cross it is a defining moment in our lives, because we recognise just how momentous His death was for mankind and for each one of us individually — because His word is undoubtedly a personal relationship experience.
The song is entitled “Once Again”, and with good reason. The revelation of Jesus on the cross is a life changing experience, but it must be revisited — it is definitely not a ‘once is enough’ moment; it is a ‘once again’ requirement, a returning to the essential point of Jesus’ time on earth — His death and resurrection.
In the verse above, David asks God for help ‘once again’, and He answers the call — He reveals what David must do and He ‘will deliver’ on the promise. David had to keep asking and this is where we must follow the example — keep asking; keep interceding, keep yourself before the Lord — pray without ceasing — and He will bring us through. He will answer and be a present help in time of trouble -- and He longs to hear from us 'once again'.
In our verse today, “Keilah” means ‘fortress’, or ‘stronghold’, and “Philistine” is to ‘roll in dust; wallow in self’; in other words ‘to wallow in self-pity’. But when we “look upon the cross” and receive again from Him, then that stronghold of self-pity is swiftly eliminated and “we are humbled by [His] mercy and [we’re] broken inside”
We should never resist the impulse to come before Him ‘once again’.
Indeed, when we are given a revelation of The Cross it is a defining moment in our lives, because we recognise just how momentous His death was for mankind and for each one of us individually — because His word is undoubtedly a personal relationship experience.
The song is entitled “Once Again”, and with good reason. The revelation of Jesus on the cross is a life changing experience, but it must be revisited — it is definitely not a ‘once is enough’ moment; it is a ‘once again’ requirement, a returning to the essential point of Jesus’ time on earth — His death and resurrection.
In the verse above, David asks God for help ‘once again’, and He answers the call — He reveals what David must do and He ‘will deliver’ on the promise. David had to keep asking and this is where we must follow the example — keep asking; keep interceding, keep yourself before the Lord — pray without ceasing — and He will bring us through. He will answer and be a present help in time of trouble -- and He longs to hear from us 'once again'.
In our verse today, “Keilah” means ‘fortress’, or ‘stronghold’, and “Philistine” is to ‘roll in dust; wallow in self’; in other words ‘to wallow in self-pity’. But when we “look upon the cross” and receive again from Him, then that stronghold of self-pity is swiftly eliminated and “we are humbled by [His] mercy and [we’re] broken inside”
We should never resist the impulse to come before Him ‘once again’.
God will put you through many mills that are not meant for you, mills you would not be put through but that He wants to make you good bread for His little ones to eat. You can see now the meaning of that hard place you have been in.
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But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour.
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
[2 Timothy 2:20-21 NKJV]
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
[2 Timothy 2:20-21 NKJV]
Many sing or talk about being a vessel of honour, but scripture is quite specific; it is a vessel for honour. You could say that I am splitting hairs here, but in looking at several different translations, we see ‘to’, ‘unto’ and ‘for’ honour.
The difference is a subtle one, but significant nonetheless. A vessel is merely a container; it may look beautiful or badly fashioned, but it is defined by what it contains. A teapot is just a jug unless it holds tea; but you may also use it for coffee, in which case it becomes a coffee-pot. To re-use the pot for tea, it must be thoroughly cleaned out.
To become cleansed to become a vessel for honour, we must first Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [James 4:8 NKJV] The Lord does the cleansing but we must “draw near to” Him to let that happen.
Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honour and another for dishonour? [Romans 9:21 NKJV]
The honour contained in our vessel must be Christ and Him alone. Anything else is dishonour. Jesus is the name we honour.
The difference is a subtle one, but significant nonetheless. A vessel is merely a container; it may look beautiful or badly fashioned, but it is defined by what it contains. A teapot is just a jug unless it holds tea; but you may also use it for coffee, in which case it becomes a coffee-pot. To re-use the pot for tea, it must be thoroughly cleaned out.
To become cleansed to become a vessel for honour, we must first Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [James 4:8 NKJV] The Lord does the cleansing but we must “draw near to” Him to let that happen.
Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honour and another for dishonour? [Romans 9:21 NKJV]
The honour contained in our vessel must be Christ and Him alone. Anything else is dishonour. Jesus is the name we honour.
If we do only what we are inclined to do, some of us would do nothing for ever and ever! There are unemployables in the spiritual domain, spiritually decrepit people, who refuse to do anything unless they are supernaturally inspired. The proof that we are rightly related to God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.
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Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
[Matthew 5:12 NKJV]
[Matthew 5:12 NKJV]
My mother used to say — after my having performed some minor effort of right-thinking — “You’ll get your reward in heaven.” As a child, this seemed a singularly useless gift and an excuse for refusing me something more tangible, like chocolate, or a toy, or being allowed up later than usual to watch television.
As a grown-up, I soon realised that such temporal rewards are fleeting and of no real value. As children of God, we are assured of our eternal reward, but our Heavenly Father provides us with a foretaste of things to come in the here and now.
The natural world often reveals aspects of our, and looking out on Loch Gilp last Saturday my heart was lifted and my spirit inspired by the beauty before me. I have been so thankful to the Lord that everywhere He has led us to live has brought magnificent landscapes and sea vistas; rich and deep with historical and spiritual life.
That sense of place, and of being placed by Him is important, maybe essential in our walk — and He knows where we will blossom and bear fruit for Him.
Although we have visited the United States and parts of Europe, we are not regular travellers, Milady and I — foreign holidays have been few and far between, and yet we have been hugely blessed in where He has taken us — from the great Scottish cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to wild Argyll; from Kintyre to County Wicklow in Ireland and back to Kilmartin — all amazing and uplifting in natural beauty and turning our thoughts to our Saviour in the everyday.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honour.
(Psalm 8:3-5 NKJV)
So we can rejoice and be glad and thankful for His presence, not only in the world around us, but within us also. And yes, we should give thanks to Him for the many who have gone before us and suffered so that we might enjoy the freedom in Him that we have today. A precious gift to be cherished and shared, so that we may indeed make our calling and election to our heavenly reward sure.
As a grown-up, I soon realised that such temporal rewards are fleeting and of no real value. As children of God, we are assured of our eternal reward, but our Heavenly Father provides us with a foretaste of things to come in the here and now.
The natural world often reveals aspects of our, and looking out on Loch Gilp last Saturday my heart was lifted and my spirit inspired by the beauty before me. I have been so thankful to the Lord that everywhere He has led us to live has brought magnificent landscapes and sea vistas; rich and deep with historical and spiritual life.
That sense of place, and of being placed by Him is important, maybe essential in our walk — and He knows where we will blossom and bear fruit for Him.
Although we have visited the United States and parts of Europe, we are not regular travellers, Milady and I — foreign holidays have been few and far between, and yet we have been hugely blessed in where He has taken us — from the great Scottish cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to wild Argyll; from Kintyre to County Wicklow in Ireland and back to Kilmartin — all amazing and uplifting in natural beauty and turning our thoughts to our Saviour in the everyday.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honour.
(Psalm 8:3-5 NKJV)
So we can rejoice and be glad and thankful for His presence, not only in the world around us, but within us also. And yes, we should give thanks to Him for the many who have gone before us and suffered so that we might enjoy the freedom in Him that we have today. A precious gift to be cherished and shared, so that we may indeed make our calling and election to our heavenly reward sure.
Experiences of what God has done for me are only stepping-stones; the one great note is—I trust in the Lord Jesus, God’s providence can do with me what it likes, make the heavens like brass, earth like hell, my body loathsome (as Job’s was), but the soul that is trusting in Jesus gets where Job got, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”