in life. He also definitely understood its source. In his letter to the Roman's he raises his pen to a crescendo of praise with the words: "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight" (Romans 4:7). So how far out of sight are they? David answers that question for us. "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west" (Psa 103:12). Since east and west will never meet, when God forgives our sins, they are lost in infinity.
However, to experience a true joy the forgiveness of sins must be beneficial to the one who has been made right with God. That benefit is grounded in the truth that God is the "source of hope" (Roman 15:13). And what is that expectation — it is "our confident hope of salvation" (Romans 5:4). It is important to note that when we talk about "hope" in a biblical sense it does not carry the connotation of "wishing" something will happen. Hope in relation to God is a guaranteed reality.
For the Apostle Paul his primary source of joy, that is beyond the knowledge of his salvation, was directly related to those to whom he was a spiritual father. He told the Thessalonian church that "you are our pride and joy" (1 Thes 2:20). Their response to the message of the good news of Jesus Christ gave him so much joy that it influenced the attitude he had when he came into God's presence for worship and prayer (see 1 Thes 3:9, 10).
Paul spent considerable time in prayer for the churches and his co-workers. He told the church at Rome "Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God" (Romans 1:9). When encouraging his colleague Timothy he told him "Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers" (2 Tim 1:3). Although this particular spiritual activity was demanding he confidently stated "Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy" (Phil 1:4).
Life was difficult for Paul. In his service for Christ he had been among other things beaten with rods, stoned by angry mobs and thrown into prison. However, he had learned that the true source of delight was "living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Because of the trials of his missionary experiences it is evident his joy did not come from external factors. At one point he described the situation that he and his fellow travellers endured as follows: "Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything" (2 Cor. 6:10).
The Christians joy is produced by the workings of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22) within our inner most being. Are there currently some events in your life that are sapping you of your joy? Remember, true joy does not depend upon being happy. Happiness is a fickle emotion that relies totally upon a continuing set of positive and pleasurable experiences. Joy, on the other hand, requires an abiding relationship with the Lord of lords and King of kings. The result is a joy that nothing in the world can take away when we are walking hand in hand with our Lord.
Copyright. Bruce March 2006
Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.
Friday, March 31, 2006
The Apostle Paul Experienced True Joy
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Joy As Seen Through The Eyes
of the psalmist David was a gift given by God because of personal obedience and devotion to him. This response is motivated by what the Lord has done for us. David exclaimed "You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine" (Psa. 4:7). He realized that the joy of the Lord did not depend on material prosperity or earthly success.
Let's consider some of the ways that God brought joy to the life of King David. They should have the same effect upon us.
First, there is the realization that the Lord provides refuge and protection. The Psalmist states "But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them that...(they) may be filled with joy" (Psa 5:11). Experiencing God’s arms around us gives an eternal reason for joyful thanksgiving.
The Lord's care for us does not infer that we will slip through life without difficulty. David spent many years in the wilderness fleeing from his enemies. In Psalm 59 he describes his enemies as vicious dogs (v. 14) yet two verses later he is proclaiming "But as for me, I will sing about your power... I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge...when I am in distress" (Psa 59:16). What was his joy based upon? Not that everything was going well, but because of the Lord's continual presence and unfailing love in life’s situations.
He also experienced great joy because of the hope of "of living with you (God) forever" (Psa 16:17). Here David goes beyond the joy we experience in the Lord’s presence in the here-and-now and introduces an eternal perspective. Joy for the follower of the Lord is not rooted to life on this earth. He promises to be with us when "we walk through the darkest valley (alternative translation: "the dark valley of death" Psa 23:4). The Lord may go with us through many dark experiences during a lifetime. However, he will also be with us in the darkest valley, which is death, at which time he will usher us into his magnificent residence so that we may dwell "in the house of the Lord forever" (Psa 23:6).
Did David always experience this intense happiness in the Lord? The answer is no. When he committed adultery with Bathsheba his joy was taken from him. Sin had made him miserable. David described it this way. "...I recognize my rebellion it haunts me day and night" (Psa 51:3). The only way he could deal with his sin was to ask for God's forgiveness so that he would be made "whiter than snow" (Psa 51:7) in the Lord's eyes.
One further step was still required to bring full restoration. David had to ask God to "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you" (Psa 51:12). Joy comes from God. It is his gift to those who are his followers.
We all long for joy. However, for many it is elusive. Disobedience can crush and stifle joy. However, it can be restored as we strive by the power of the Holy Spirit walk in close fellowship and obedience to God.
Copyright. Bruce March 2006
Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Friday, March 10, 2006
Enoch Was In A Number of Ways
a rather unique man. According to Jude 14 he lived in the seventh generation after Adam and that he was a prophet of the Lord. Let's now consider several things that made this man special. First, the Scriptures tell us that "Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God" (Gen 5:21). By any ones standard walking consistently with God for so many years would be quite an accomplishment. Then all of a sudden, something quite remarkable happened, "one day he disappeared, because God took him" (Gen 5:24).
Secondly he was the father of Methuselah who lived for 969 years. He is the oldest person ever to live on the earth. The name Enoch gave Methuselah is unusual, in that it means "when he dies judgment" or "when he dies it will be sent." Since Enoch was a prophet we need to ask the question: Does this name have any particular significance? The answer is: Yes it does! To discover its importance we need to do some mathematics.
The calculation is as follows:
Methuselah became the father of Lamech at 187 years of age (Gen 5:25)
Lamech became the father of Noah at 182 years of age (Gen 5:28)
The flood came when Noah was 600 years of age (Gen 7:11)
Now add 187 + 182 + 600 = 969 the exact age at which Methuselah died. God apparently gave Enoch a revelation concerning the timing of the world wide judgment which was coming upon the earth --- the flood of Noah's day.
A third unique thing about him is a prophecy he made that is recorded in the New Testament. It states "Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on the people of the world" (Jude 14,15). Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Enoch prophesied concerning the still future "day of the Lord" when all wicked humanity will stand condemned before God.
The final event in Enoch's life has yet to take place. In Hebrews 9:27 the following statement is made "each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment." Enoch did not die, he was taken to heaven by God. Therefore, the truth of this statement has yet to become applicable to him.
However, the book of Revelation has what appears to be the conclusion to Enoch's life story. During the period of the Great Tribulation two witness' "will prophesy during (a period of) 1,260 days" (Rev 11:3). Their message will be hated by the world's heathen population. At the end of this time "the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit...will conquer them and kill them" (Rev 11:7). After three and a half days God will raise these two men back to life. Then a loud voice from heaven will command them to "Come up here!" (Rev 11:12) and they rise to heaven in a cloud. Enoch is most likely one of the two prophets placed by God on the earth to predict judgment against an apostate world.
Few would question the statement that Enoch is a unique biblical character. Yet, it is important for us to realize that in God's eyes we are all special --- in fact one of kind. May we constantly seek to express this uniqueness through living in constant obedience to him.
Copyright Bruce March 2006
Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.
Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Saturday, March 04, 2006
To Some It May Come as a Shock
but there are a number of things that God cannot do! At least four of them are mentioned directly in the Scriptures and several others can be legitimately inferred.
The first thing the Bible states is that we cannot say "God is tempting me" (James 1:13). Therefore, we must not claim that God is guilty of tempting us. It is Satan who is 'a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44) who is out to tempt us and lead us into sin. God will allow temptation to come our way so he can see how we will react to it. Temptation in and of itself is not evil it is the giving into the allurements of the forces of evil that is wrong.
A second thing is that God himself cannot be tempted. "God is never tempted to do wrong" (James 1:13). From the vantage point of our fallen nature it is hard to grasp the fact that wrong or evil has absolutely no allurement to God. His holiness and righteousness totally prevents him from having even the slightest inclination to do anything wrong.
Thirdly, as the writer to the Hebrews states "it is impossible for God to lie." (Heb 6:18). God is perfect and complete truth. Because of this we can fully trust the Lord to follow through on everything he has promised to do. The Bible is full of GodÂ’s promises to the human race.
The fourth thing the Bible states is that "he cannot deny who he is" (2 Tim. 3:13). This verse teaches in an all inclusive way that God cannot go against any of his characteristics that make up his divine nature. God must remain totally true to himself. He is totally and completely consistent. Jesus, who is the second person of the God-head" is described this way "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb 13:8).
As we consider the nature of God several other things become evident which God is incapable of doing. Some examples would be: he cannot cease to be God; he cannot stop existing; he cannot sin; and he cannot learn anything new. All of these things relate to his eternal nature and character.
Some people like to take delight in asking questions such as: Can God make a circle so big he cannot walk around it or can God make a rock so big he could not move it. We must remember that God is not God of the absurd or ridiculous. God governs himself by his divine nature not by the ludicrous thoughts of those who want to discredit him. For those who trust in Christ there is the great assurance that there are actually some things of which he is totally incapable!
Copyright. Bruce March 2006
Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
