Daniel The Intercessor — Part Two

“I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments. . .” (Daniel 9:4 ESV)

In the last column, I listed the following as points found in reading Daniel five:

Point 1: Daniel understood something distinct from his reading of the Word;

Point 2: Daniel sought the LORD in prayer, sackcloth, and ashes (v2,3);

Point 3: Daniel put it this way, “speaking, praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people. . .” (v20);

Point 4: Daniel presented petitions to the LORD (v20);

Point 5: G-d answered Daniel.

Point two states that Daniel sought the LORD in prayer, sackcloth, and ashes. Daniel opened his prayer in worship: “Ah, Lord—the great and awe-inspiring G-d who keeps His gracious covenant. . .” (v4) Flattery, yes. But it seems to me it is far more than words out of Daniel’s mouth; it is very much a cry from deep within Daniel, a groan from his heart. Daniel echoes words he’s read over and over and over in the Psalms. Daniel is steeped in the Word of G-d. He hears in his reading of Jeremiah, and begins to seek the LORD by beginning in worship. I suggest he was overcome in worship from his reading of the Word through Jeremiah.

There then follows this: Daniel acknowledged the sin of his people as his own, taking upon himself the sin of his people. Daniel outlined to the Lord how they’d brought upon themselves a curse for turning away for G-d. Daniel didn’t offer an excuse. Daniel accepted responsibility for the way his people turned away from G-d. Perhaps most importantly, Daniel acknowledge G-d as righteous though He poured out upon His people the promised curse. This then is Daniel doing penance for his people’s sin against a righteous G-d. It is wearing sackcloth and covering himself in ashes. Humility. Daniel is no better than his people.

Hummmm. There’s a familiar story told by about the prayers of two men. One is so very thankful that he isn’t like others, for he observes the laws. The other man comes before G-d remorseful of his sins. After telling the story, Y’shuaJesus says that the repentant man is justified. And we’ve heard the call for humility and prayer from many modern Church leaders. They echo the cry of G-d Himself, “. . .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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

To think another way about point two, Daniel discerned something from his reading. This understanding tore open his heart. From out of him came a deep groan, “Ah, LORD.” He worshiped G-d. He worshiped G-d! And from the worship came forth his seeking the LORD in sackcloth and ashes. When I think about it, Daniel’s heart wasn’t just torn, it was ripped apart by what he read, by his understanding of the Word of G-d. It was a personal Word to Daniel. It was as if G-d had spoken directly to Daniel. And Daniel’s response was, “Ah, LORD, great and awesome. . .”

May we hear the Word of G-d, and have our hearts ripped apart, so that we may cry out in unison, “Ah, LORD, great and awesome. . .” Then we can seek Him in all humility.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Daniel The Intercessor — Point One

“. . . I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.” (Daniel 9:2 ESV)

A small segment of the life of an intercessor is displayed in Daniel nine. Daniel casually tells us he understood something in his reading of Jeremiah.

There are at least five points to be made from Daniel’s experience as he tells it to us in chapter nine:

Point 1: Daniel understood something distinct from his reading of the Word;

Point 2: Daniel sought the LORD in prayer, sackcloth, and ashes (v2,3);

Point 3: Daniel put it this way, “speaking, praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people. . .” (v20);

Point 4: Daniel presented petitions to the LORD (v20);

Point 5: G-d answered Daniel.

Let’s take a look at the first point. In the English Standard Version quoted above, the word is “perceived.” The word in Hebrew is bîyn, and is defined as follows: “to separate mentally (or distinguish), that is, (generally) understand: – attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill (-ful), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand (-ing), view, (deal) wise (-ly, man).”

Distinguish. Interesting. I have the sense that Daniel might have begun his day like any of us: reading the Word. As he read he began to dwell on something he might have read before. Unlike earlier times, something began to click within him, and he perceived something different. The passage became distinct, causing him to look well into it and understand something important, something that affected him, something and his people. Daniel took hold of it and didn’t let go.

Perhaps it’s a bit like a walk along a river or a pond of water. The path is one we’ve walked before and is familiar to us. We understand the seasonal changes, the way the vines and trees grow and change, the way the sun strikes the earth at different angles at different times. But today, as we walk, something attracts our attention beneath the water. Perhaps the sun is reflecting upon it in just the right way. We must step off the path, closer to the water, to get a closer look. But why bother? We could simply ignore the object. It’s probably just an old can or piece of junk metal. On the other hand it might be something of value. We must step closer to the water. In fact, we must wade into the water and reach beneath it to grasp the object.

Perhaps that’s all a bit to difficult. Why get wet. It’s probably an old bottle any way, and is useless to us. There are bugs around the water, too. Who wants to get bite and spend the day itching. We’ve got important things to do today, after all. And that water isn’t moving quite fast enough to carry away all the foam lining the bank. We’d have to wade through that yucky stuff, get dirty. Why bother?

Daniel bothered. Daniel was hooked. Daniel cared. Daniel wanted an answer to a question that formed in his mind. Daniel sought the LORD.

Let’s think about Daniel nine a bit. Let’s mull it over. I believe it sets the stage for an understanding of what it takes to be an intercessor.

LORD G-d, gracious and merciful, shine upon us, bless us, that we may bless others. In the glorious Name of Y’shuaJesus our MessiahSavior. AMEN and AMEN!

Noblesse Oblige

“Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.” (Luke 12:48 HCSB)

For years I’ve heard truckers complain about the way four-wheelers (car drivers) drive. I’ve heard truckers lament, too, that so many problems occur because these four-wheelers just don’t have enough road experience. Truck drivers receive special training and after a few years of driving are considered professional drivers. In one year truckers drive more that most car drivers do in a lifetime. Truckers are required to take special written and driving tests in order to receive commercial driver licenses. A car driver, on the other hand, can buy a large motor home yet isn’t required to have additional training or licensing. When the motor home crosses a white line while turning a corner, the driver is excused for he isn’t a professional; he’s not expected to be able to handle the motor home with that high degree of skill. A truck driver, however, is required to maintain his/her truck within the marked lane, even when it is five-times longer than a motor home.

The trucker is a professional. The trucker is held to a higher standard than other drivers on the road. But this doesn’t mean the trucker a better person than the four-wheeler. It simply means a trucker has a skill and that he/she is expected and required to perform at a significantly higher level of expertise.

Y’shuaJesus said, “Much will be required of everyone who has been given much.” John Gill, in his expository of the Bible, says concerning Luke 12:48, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall, much be required: the more knowledge a man has, the more practice is expected from him; and the greater his gifts are, the more useful he ought to be, and diligent in the improvement of them: and to whom men have committed much, or to whom much is committed, of him they will ask the more; not more than what was committed to him, but more than from him, who has less committed to him; in proportion to what a man is entrusted with, the greater increase and improvement it is expected he should make.”

We are sinners saved by grace, are we not? How do we differ from those we call “unsaved”? We recognize Y’shuaJesus as our savior. We recognize that we are the children of G-d. We are not better, just knowledgeable. And we are accountable for that knowledge. Peter tells us we ‘are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 HCSB)

We are nobility. Much has been given to us. Much is required of us. This brings us to Noblesse Oblige. I found the following explanations in Wikipedia, an information source on the internet. Noblesse Oblige essentially means that nobility performs a service. Whoever claims to be noble must conduct himself/herself nobly, must act in a fashion “that conformes with one’s position, and with the reputation that one has earned.” It suggests noble ancestry constrained to honorable behavior. A privilege entails a responsibility. In the days of of monarchy, being a noble meant that you had responsibilities to lead and to manage, and were not to simply spend your time in idle pursuits. Noblesse Oblige is also belief that the wealthy and privileged are obliged to help those less fortunate.

Today I’m impressed that it is a time for refining. Perhaps a place to begin is to look into the noblesse oblige concerning a child of G-d. We can take a look at other teachings of our Master, Y’shuaJesus, in which He gives guidance on our behavior as Children of G-d. We can look at the apostles’ writings, too. We can discuss the various and differing roles in which we are to be noble, such as father, mother, son, daughter, employer, employee, land owner, business owner, and even the role of a country’s citizen. We can discuss rights, privileges, and obligations; the similarities and the differences; and how scripture guides us.

You are needed in this discussion! I’d like this to be a two-way discussion. Take a look at situations as they occur this coming week and look at ways in which you think–or perhaps could have thought–differently based on your status as a noble child of G-d. Examine events from your past, also. Comment! Share your thoughts. I’d like include some of them into this column in future weeks.

Thank You, LORD for You have granted us the right to enter You Kingdom. Help us live today as nobles upon Earth. In the Name of Y’shuaJesus. Amen

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. CloudWarmer.

Navigating a Fork in the Way Part Three

“Now to Him who has power to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ. . .” (Romans 16:25-26 HCSB)

For a bit of study, I suggested, in part one, solving the riddle of navigating the fork in the road. Assignment two suggested an exploration of times in which you’ve come to a physical or emotional or intellectual fork in the road. How did you navigate? Go easy on yourself, though. It’s okay to spiritualize taking directions from someone such as, “In this or that decision, G-d brought so and so into my path to guide me.” See that was easy. G-d spoke through someone. And if you are courageous, ask the hard questions, like: “Did I want someone to ask?” and “Did I ask G-d for some person to help me?” “Am I avoiding G-d in search for a person to tell me what to do?” As a challenge assignment, take some time to think about how you really determine what to do each and every moment of the day. When you have a choice, with what do you fill your spare hours?

Let’s do some exploring and thinking together, making some notes along the way.

Exploring Scripture. On his way to Jerusalem, Paul was heading into trouble. He knew it. A man prophesied that Paul would be bound while in Jerusalem. Those who were with Paul then knew it would be trouble for him. They implored Paul not to go. Paul said he must go. Once in Jerusalem, trouble was not far behind Paul. Eventually Paul was arrested. Paul, in a split-second decision appealed to Caesar. Now he set himself upon a course in which there was no return?literally. What does this tell us about the decision-making process? Any fear of choosing the ‘wrong’ Path?

Interesting Thought. Up the stakes on the riddle about navigating the fork in the road, make it that one of the forks leads through danger, the other through a peaceful valley. Now which path is correct? How will you know? And really, does it make a difference which path you choose? Where are we really going, that we are determined to walk a path through either a peaceful valley or a dangerous canyon?

Which Way to the Big Door? What’s beyond the door and through the path? There’s several paths that lead to the Big Door, our ultimate destination. Which path is the easiest? That’s what we’re really looking for, isn’t it an easy path?

Another View. There is a view of life that says there are no peaceful valleys on the road to our ultimate destination. What appears to be peaceful, is simply a mirage, and disappears like a whiff of fog, or a puff of smoke. So with this as a vantage point, looking down at the indecisive traveler, we are able to see that the choice of which path to take isn’t so very important as the traveler thinks.

Thinking. This is the existentialist viewpoint. If we look at the world through it, we see all paths as leading to some sort of trouble, danger. Y’shuaJesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the road is broad that leads to perdition, and many are the ones who go through it. “For the gate is small, and the road is narrow that leads to life, and few are the ones who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 MRC) This says there is a path that appears wide, and one that appears narrow. The wide path is well traveled; the narrow path is not. We are to choose to walk the narrow path. So choosing the right path is important, then.

Complicating Things. In this light, then, how do we interpret Y’shuaJesus’s words in John 10:10? “A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10 HCSB) Does that mean there is abundant life at the end of the journey, on the other side of The Big Door, and not during our travels?

Concluding Thoughts. Decisions shouldn’t be hard. We aren’t really facing two paths, neither of which offer glimpses as to their destination. Actually, if we are faced with a fork, we can somewhat know the potential for each one to lead us to our duty, our work that is G-d’s will for our lives. Of course, there is one small problem for some of us that sort of haven’t a clue what our life’s work is suppose to be. And for those of us that don’t even know who we are, we really do have a problem deciding the proper, the best path. But then perhaps that’s exploring to be done another day.

What I really want when faced with a fork in the path, is a clear, calm, reassuring voice from the Holy Spirit saying to me, “Go this way,” and then to be pointed into The Way, and reassured as I walk along.

Lord help us that we “don’t turn to the right or to the left; [but] keep [our] feet away from evil,” (Proverbs 4:27 HCSB) that we might be ushered through the Big Door and feast with You at that Great Wedding Banquet You planned.
Lord G-d, Creator, Almighty, teach us, lead us, make us know You, and Your ways. In the Name of Y’shuaJesus. Amen.
Lord Bless, Keep, and Shine upon and through you all! Terry

Navigating a Fork in the Way Part Two

“Now to Him who has power to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ. . .” (Romans 16:25-26 HCSB)

Okay, in the riddle from part one, you could ask one question of either man, not knowing which would tell the truth to you concerning which fork in the journey to take. Which man would you ask? What would you ask? Did you think about the riddle at all? Did you try out various questions, and see various answers would yield?

Well, the conventionally correct answer is interesting–the answer that is suppose to be correct. Ready? Okay, you ask either man, regardless of which one you THINK tells the truth. The question you ask is this: “Which way would the other man tell me is the right way”? And whatever the answer is, you do the opposite. Think about it! Run the scenario through to it’s natural conclusion. Say you ask the liar what the other guy would say is the correct path. His answer is either left or right, and you are to go the opposite way. If he says “right,” that is because the other guy, the truthful one, would have said “left.” He lied, and said “right.” You do the opposite and go left, which is correct. Run the question as if it was asked of the truthful one. He’ll tell you exactly, and truthfully, what the liar will say. And doing the opposite, gets at the truth. Confused? Yeah, it’s a bit convoluted.

Now let’s take a look at what I called another riddle, the experience of my friend sailing down the river to the ocean. In this story, each gets to the Gulf of Mexico. Each follows a particular pattern of finding directions. For one, it’s charts (maps of waterways), and the other follows a much more serendipitous route. There wasn’t a question associated with this riddle. It’s just a true story, right? It’s not really a riddle, is it? Perhaps not. On the other hand, maybe it is.

Both the riddle and the story are about navigation, about finding the way at a fork in the road. Whether a chart or people we ask on the way, we really don’t if the way we are headed is correct. Is the chart really correct? Are the people we ask really telling us the truth or lying, either intentionally or not? Charts are wrong. People are wrong. We are depending upon an incorrect source for a very important decision. We can be deceived. Yet what else can we do? Can we be as the couple in the trawler who found their way to the Gulf of Mexico despite their lack of charts, wrong turns, misinformation, and such. Most of us are not like that, are we? Yet, I imagine that couple came away with a very interesting experience.

Now let’s consider Christian, we who are Believers in Messiah, who have sat in Church for some time, have heard a lot about knowing or discerning the “right” path. We conclude we are to find our directions through our dependence upon the Holy Spirit. He will guide us. This is our faith walk. In his devotional classic, “Morning to Evening,” Charles H. Spurgeon writes: “Thus it is with the Christian who has learned to live by faith. He is independent of man, even in temporal things; for his continued maintenance he looks to the Lord his God, and to him alone.” We are not to depend upon “man.”

So, then, when we approach the fork in the road, we navigate by listening to the Holy Spirit say, “Take the fork to the right,” Or “Take the fork to the left.” David Wilkerson does that. In his blog messages he says things like, I asked G-d and the Holy Spirit said to me. . . this or that. Is that your experience? Be honest with yourself. Do you, one hundred percent of the time, listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit for your directions? And if you listen, do you always hear His voice? Are there not some times, at least, when you walk and simply don’t know what to do? Aren’t there times when approaching a fork in the road, that you don’t hear His voice, and you don’t even see any truth-tellers or liars from whom to glean directions?

Okay, here’s assignment two (homework assignment one was to solve the first riddle, and should have implied solving why the story was also a riddle.) Take time to think, to explore, times in which you’ve come to a physical or emotional or intellectual fork in the road. How did you navigate? Go easy on yourself, though. It’s okay to spiritualize taking directions from someone such as, “In this or that decision, G-d brought so and so into my path to guide me.” See that was easy. G-d spoke through someone. And if you are courageous, ask the hard questions, like: “Did I want someone to ask?” and “Did I ask G-d for some person to help me?” “Am I avoiding G-d in search for a person to tell me what to do?” As a challenge assignment, take some time to think about how you really determine what to do each and every moment of the day. When you have a choice, with what do you fill your spare hours?

And let’s continue this exploration next time.

Lord G-d, Creator, Almighty, teach us, lead us, make us know You, and Your ways. In the Name of Y’shuaJesus. Amen.

Lord Bless, Keep, and Shine upon and through you all! Terry

A Fork in the Road

Now to Him who has power to strengthen you. . .
(Romans 16:25 HCSB)

There’s a riddle that goes something like this: While walking, you come to a fork in the road. At the fork are two men. There are no signs to tell you which way to go. You decide to ask one of the men. Here’s the catch: 1) you are allowed to ask only one man; 2) one of the men always lies, while the other always tells the truth; 3) you don’t know which man is the liar or the truth-teller.

Which man would you ask? What would be your question? Think about it for a while, and I’ll continue on with my own riddle.

Last summer I did some sailing with a fellow from whom I learned a lot about sailing as well as lots of other stuff, as he liked to talk and tell of his experiences. He told me about a trip he made down the river from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the ocean in the Gulf of Mexico. He ran across a couple in a trawler traveling the same way. They anchored one night together, and in the morning he said he’d anchor that evening at such and such a place, and suggested the couple may wish to do the same. He said he’d point out the anchorage on their charts. They told him they didn’t have charts. He asked how they were able to navigate the river system, that often divided and went differently than one might think. The couple said they depended upon people in other boats or people on the banks as they motored their boat along. My friend was shocked. He asked how it went. They responded that it went okay, though often they got wrong directions and had to turn around when the river branch they’d taken ended abruptly.

My friend is a true planner when it comes to trips. I think he enjoyed the preparations as much as the actual trip. He carries charts, which are maps for waterways. He plots his desired route, and faithfully plots his own position along the way. He always knows exactly where he is at any time; he always knew where he wants to go, and how to stay on route. He is never lost, never in doubt, and never takes the wrong path.

Both my friend and the couple in the trawler eventually got to the Gulf, their chosen destinations. My friend, I’m sure, took pride in his accomplishment of following the course set, and completing with the greatest efficiency. The couple, I’m just as sure, also took pride in their accomplishment of seeing things along the way, enjoying the people they met, and finding new experiences along the way.

Okay, so have you thought about the riddle of the fork in the journey? Which man do you ask? What do you ask of him?

Ah, you say you’d like more time to think about it. Okay. Just like the cliff-hanger series in the days of radio shows, “Stay tuned for our exciting conclusion. . . next time!”

Lord, help us to navigate the forks in our paths, to hope for, even long for you to be with us on our journey and at its end. May we be like the deer that pant for water, as we long for You. Thank You, Father, for Y’shuaJesus. AMEN.

Neither late nor early; we are on time

“If only You would tear the heavens open and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence. . . to make Your Name known to Your enemies. . .”
(Isaiah 64:1,2 hcsb)

At 7:29 p.m., we arrived at a 7:30 p.m. appointment. My son asked if we were late, as we’d been delayed in traffic. “No,” I said, “we’re right on time.” My son then quoted J.R.R. Tolken from his Lord of the Rings, saying, “The wizard is never late or early; he is always on time.”

But what if we’d arrived at 7:35 p.m. for our 7:30 appointment? Well, it’s a problem in America and Europe, where we would be considered late, and it’s rude and inconsiderate to be late. Now, certainly, it’s not that way in all countries, in all societies. While working in West Africa, we would schedule a conference to begin at say 9 a.m., and people would arrive slowly all the way into the 10 o’clock hour. We were on African time, we would say. Being punctual, being on time, is really relative, and a matter of perspective. Often, however, the expectation of people being on time covers our own impatience and feeling a lack of control over events that we really don’t have control over at all. We want time to be on our side, to go along with our plans, to follow our schedules.

Isaiah looked around and cried out to G-d to come down and His Name known now! Over and over we see examples of this impatience and lack of understanding of the Lord’s timetable. We read of the disciples asking Y’shuaJesus if they should call fire from Heaven at the unbelievers. Peter tells us in his second letter (3:3,4) that scoffers will come in the last days to scoff, following their own lusts, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”

These days in which we live may very well be The Last Days. Have we arrived at a point in which this present generation will not pass away before all is accomplished? I don’t know. Y’shuaJesus didn’t tell His closest disciples. He didn’t know. So, when will our risen, conquering Savior and Lord return to take back his kingdom and reign? Perhaps in a minute. Perhaps a millennium will pass. We don’t know. We don’t know the hour of His return. In the meantime, here in America and in Europe, we live under to pressure and struggle of schedules—being on time, not late, not early. And when we fall into this trap, we begin to despair and feel abandoned when things don’t go as we expected, as planned, despite the injunction to live a life in which we follow Y’shuaJesus, saying “If the Lord wills, we shall do this or that.” We must take to heart the words of Habakkuk, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines. . . yet I will triumph in the LORD; I will rejoice in the G-d of my salvation.” (3:17,18)

One final thought on this matter of being on time. We are called to flow in the Spirit. We are like the wind, coming and going. We are not contained. We are also under no condemnation. We must not fall into the trap of judgment by those who would say, “If you’re a Christian, you should. . .” Be on time. Act in this or that manner. Do this or that. The world will judge us late to an appointment if we follow the guidance of the Spirit to act in a manner the world doesn’t understand. We must not despair. We must continue to live in the Spirit, by the Spirit, for the Spirit, of the living holy Creator of the universe.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

An Agreement of Minds

“Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.”
(Nehemiah 9:38 ESV)

Consider what Charles H. Spurgeon wrote regarding renewal of covenants:

“There are many occasions in our experience when we may very rightly, and with benefit, renew our covenant with God. After recovery from sickness when, like Hezekiah, we have had a new term of years added to our life, we may fitly do it. After any deliverance from trouble, when our joys bud forth anew, let us again visit the foot of the cross, and renew our consecration. Especially, let us do this after any sin which has grieved the Holy Spirit, or brought dishonour upon the cause of God; let us then look to that blood which can make us whiter than snow, and again offer ourselves unto the Lord. We should not only let our troubles confirm our dedication to God, but our prosperity should do the same.

Now here’s the English definition of covenant for us to explore
COVENANT, n. [L, to come; a coming together; a meeting or agreement of minds.]

1. A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, to do or to forbear some act or thing; a contract; stipulation. A covenant is created by deed in writing, sealed and executed; or it may be implied in the contract.

2. A writing containing the terms of agreement or contract between parties; or the clause of agreement in a deed containing the covenant.

3. In theology, the covenant of works, is that implied in the commands, prohibitions, and promises of God; the promise of God to man, that mans perfect obedience should entitle him to happiness. This do, and live; that do, and die. The covenant of redemption, is the mutual agreement between the Father and Son, respecting the redemption of sinners by Christ. The covenant of grace, is that by which God engages to bestow salvation on man, upon the condition that man shall believe in Christ and yield obedience to the terms of the gospel.

4. In church affairs, a solemn agreement between the members of a church, that they will walk together according to the precepts of the gospel, in brotherly affection. To enter into a formal agreement; to stipulate; to bind ones self by contract. A covenants with B to convey to him a certain estate. When the terms are expressed ti has for before the thing or price. They covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. Mat 26. To grant or promise by covenant.

Let’s return to one key portion of the definition: “The covenant of grace, is that by which God engages to bestow salvation on man, upon the condition that man shall believe in Christ and yield obedience to the terms of the gospel.” Herein is the entire covenant: belief, and obedience to the terms of the gospel. What does it mean to believe? What are the terms of the gospel? We must now define belief. And it seems reasonable to also speak of faith, for they do not necessarily mean the same thing. Then we can discuss what we consider the Gospel.

You see, don’t you, that we begin with a scripture about covenant. From there we consider its application in the relationship of G-d to humans before the advent of our Lord and Messiah Y’shuaJesus. Then we consider what G-d did to fulfill that covenant, and write a new covenant for us based upon the this Good News that Y’shuaJesus preached. To fully embrace this scripture and the commentary by Mr. Spurgeon, we define the term covenant, which leads us to further thinking and defining and study.

Today, if you hear His voice, the voice of our Lord Y’shuaJesus calling to our hearts, rejoice and renew your commitment to Him who gave Himself that we might have live, and have it abundantly.

Lord Bless, Keep, and Shine upon you and yours this new day in Messiah’s love.