Confidence, God has Triumphed Over Evil

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 10

 

Psalm 10:12

Arise, O Lord!
O God, lift up Your hand!
Do not forget the humble.

(NKJV)

 

We live in a fallen world with trouble coming to all whether we believe in Jesus as our Savior or not. The advantage of one being a believer in Jesus as their savior is faith in Jesus the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5) who has overcome the world (John 16:33). The author of Psalm 10 is unknown and begins with a lament at the apparent prosperity of the wicked but finds resolution in confidence that God has triumphed over evil.  

 

The psalm begins with the questions of why the Lord stands afar off and appears to hide in times of trouble (Psalm 10:1). The psalmist then states the problem of the wicked pridefully persecuting the poor, asking the Lord to let them be caught in the plots they have devised (Psalm 10:2). The desire of the wicked is to bless the greedy and renounce the Lord whom he does not seek or even think about (Psalm 10:3-4). The wicked is always prospering and sneering at his enemies but God’s judgments are far above and out of his sight (Psalm 10:5). In his heart he says he shall not be moved or find himself in adversity (Psalm 10:6). The mouth of the wicked curses, is deceitful, oppressive, and full of trouble and iniquity (Psalm 10:7).

 

The eyes of the wicked are fixed on the helpless while he sits in lurking places in the villages, murdering the innocent in secret places (Psalm 10:8). He secretly crouches like a lion in his den, waiting to catch the poor, with the helpless falling by his strength (Psalm 10:9-10). In his heart, the wicked believes God has forgotten him, believing God has hidden His face and will never see what he has done (Psalm 10:11).

 

The psalmist then makes his request to the Lord by asking Him to rise and lift up His hand. He asks the Lord not to forget the humble (Psalm 10:12). He then asks why the wicked renounce God and say in their hearts they will not be required to give an account of their actions (Psalm 10:13).

 

The psalmist finally finds resolution in knowing the Lord sees his trouble and grief with the Lord repaying the wicked by His hand. The helpless can commit himself to the Lord with the Lord the helper of the fatherless (Psalm 10:14). He asks the Lord to break the arm of the wicked and evil man and seek out his wickedness till none remains (Psalm 10:15). The psalmist declares the Lord is King forever and ever with the nations perishing out of His land (Psalm 10:16). The Lord has heard the desires of the humble with the Lord preparing their hearts and causing His ear to hear (Psalm 10:17). The Lord will bring justice to the fatherless and the oppressed so the men of the earth can no longer oppress (Psalm 10:18).

 

The psalmist can only see what is happening around him at present, and it seems the Lord is far off and hiding, with the wicked prospering. However, the psalm ends with the psalmist asking the Lord to arise, with the Lord hearing the desire of the humble and bringing justice. The psalm has three parts, the first of which is a lament at the seeming prosperity of the wicked, with God appearing uninterested in the plight of the humble (Psalm 10:1-11). The psalmist then begins to shift gears from his lament to requesting the intervention of the Lord in aiding the humble and innocent (Psalm 10:12-13). In the third section of the Psalm, the psalmist acknowledges the Lord is not far off but aware of their troubles and intends to bring justice, ending the oppression against the poor and humble (Psalm 10:14-18).

 

Trouble in the world should not come as a surprise to a believer because it is something Jesus warned us about (John 16:33). The application of Psalm 10 in our lives is the provision of a pattern for praying when it appears the wicked are prospering in the world by first acknowledging our situation (Psalm 10:1-11). Although this may seem like a wasted step since God knows all and is aware of our situation, God wants us to open the lines of communication with Him by sharing our feelings about our situation with Him. After making our request to God, God also wants to hear us offer Him praise and thanks for what He is about to do. Granted, He has not done anything yet, but He wants to hear our confidence in Him to triumph over the evil brought against us. This is a confession of faith which is needed to please God (Hebrews 11:6). This is a process of reflection, request, and resolution.

 

We can apply this process to one becoming a fully devoted disciple of Christ,

1)      Reflection that we are sinners and need to repent of our sin (Romans 3:23, 6:23).

2)      Request by asking God to forgive us for our sins and acknowledge our heartfelt belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9-10).

3)      Resolution by equipping ourselves with knowledge of God's Word (Psalm 119:105), allowing the Holy Spirit to empower our lives by living a spirit-led life (Acts 1:8), and encouragement through regular fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25)

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to pray now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Time is Near

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 12:20-36

 

John 12:23

But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.

(NKJV)

 

In His Olivet discourse, Jesus spoke of wars and rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places (Matthew 24:3-14). From our perspective today, it would appear Jesus was reading the headlines of the news. However, what this really means is that the time of Jesus’ return is near. For believers, this should create a sense of urgency to wrap up the mission of the Church to make disciples, but how well is the Church doing in wrapping up its mission?

 

A group of Greeks has come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and ask Philip if they could see Jesus (John 12:20-21). Philip tells Andrew, who goes with Philip to tell Jesus (John 12:22). Jesus answers Philip and Andrew by telling them the hour has come for Him to be glorified (John 12:23), Jesus then uses the illustration of a grain of wheat falling into the ground and dying so it can produce much grain (John 12:24). Jesus then teaches that one loving his life in this world will lose it with one hating his life in this world keeping it for eternal life (John 12:25). One choosing to serve the Lord must follow Him and will be found where He is, receiving honor from the Father (John 12:26).

 

Jesus’ soul is troubled and he could ask the Father to rescue Him from this hour, but Jesus also understands this is the reason the Father sent Him (John 12:27). Jesus then asks the Father to glorify His name, with a voice from heaven declaring, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again (John 12:28). Some around Jesus who heard the voice said it thundered with others saying an Angel had spoken to Jesus (John 12:29). Jesus clarifies what has occurred by telling them the voice was not for His benefit but theirs, letting them know judgment of the world has come with the ruler of this world being cast out (John 12:30-31). Jesus then signifies the type of death He will experience by saying, “I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:32-33),

 

Those listening to Jesus have some confusion because they have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever with Jesus saying the Son of Man must be lifted up in crucifixion. They then ask who the Son of Man is (John 12:34). Jesus then tells them the light will be with the for a little longer and to walk in the light so they do not walk in darkness and without knowing where they are going (John 12:35). Jesus then tells them to believe in the light while they have the light so they can become sons of light. After saying these things, Jesus departed and was hidden from them (John 12:36).

 

It is uncertain whether the group of Greeks came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover or to see Jesus, presuming He would be there. Jesus’ first words to these Greeks were that the time had come for the Son of Man to be glorified, but using the illustration of a grain of wheat lets them know the type of glorification he refers to. It is not a celebration of life but death, so that the grain of wheat becomes fruitful (John 12:23-24). Many would soon turn on Jesus because they believed He would come in and take the throne, booting out their Roman oppressors. Instead, Jesus would go to the Temple and boot out the money changers (John 2:14-15; Mark 11:15; Matthew 21:12). The cleansing needed was not a cleansing of corrupt and oppressive government but the cleansing of sin in the hearts of sinful men (John 3:17). The time of Jesus death is near, an event that will make a pathway for redemption of sin from people’s hearts, but it is a pathway one must choose to take. Jesus is the source of light from God that was still with them but would soon depart.

 

We have the benefit of knowing the full story that Jesus, the grain of wheat, died and was buried, with those who choose to believe in Jesus as their Savior, the grain produced. Jesus, the source of light ascended to be with the Father (Acts 1:9-10; Mark 16:19). However, those believing in Jesus as Savior are not powerless but have power through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Jesus gave the Church a mission, to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth and to make disciples (Acts 1:9; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). The evangelical outreach of the Church has been successful, with the Gospel message going out to most of the world. However, discipleship is more than evangelism and requires equipping believers with knowledge of God’s Word, empowering them in the Spirit to use their gifts and talents to glorify God, and to encourage them through struggles that will come (John 16:33). The root of the word disciple is discipline which requires the regular practice of the spiritual disciplines of prayer, study of God’s Word, fasting, and regular fellowship with each other. Disciplined believers regularly practicing these disciplines will become fully devoted disciples of Christ and become instruments of revival that bring Christ to a lost world. These fully devoted disciples will be the salt and light Jesus spoke of in Matthew 5:13-16. I encourage everyone reading this to join me in becoming fully devoted disciples of Christ, the salt and light a fallen world needs, because the time of the return of Christ draws near.

 

If you are reading this and need to take the first step of becoming a disciple of Christ by making Him your savior, please pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I invite you to let someone know of your decision, especially anyone who has been praying for you, or to comment on this post about your decision. I also encourage you to become involved in a Church that teaches the Bible and following through with baptism so you can become a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Pause to admire God’s creation and meditate on His righteous Judgments.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 8-9

 

Psalm 9:19-20

Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the ^[m]nations be judged in Your sight.
²⁰ Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the ^[n]nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah

(NKJV)

 

There is a pause button on most of the devices we use to listen to music or watch television. If we need to step away from our device for a moment, we can pause the music or program and resume it when we return. Life and the busyness of the world can be like a soundtrack continually playing in our head, leading to one being too busy for time with God in prayer, Bible study, or going to Church. As believers, we must take time to hit the pause button on the world and spend time with God.

 

In Psalm 8, David takes time to praise the glory of the Lord’s creation. He begins with praising the excellency of the name of the Lord and His glory above the heavens (Psalm 8:1). David then says that the Lord ordains strength out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants so the Lord’s enemies are silenced and avenged (Psalm 8:2). David then compares the majesty of God’s creation with man and wonders why the God of creation would be mindful of him (Psalm 8:3-5). However, God has given man dominion over His creation (Psalm 8:6-8). David concludes by declaring how excellent the Lord’s name is in all the earth (Psalm 8:9).

 

David begins Psalm 9 where he left off in Psalm 8 by praising the Lord with his whole heart, telling of the Lord’s marvelous works and praising the name of the Lord most high (Psalm 9:1-2). David then reflects on how his enemies have fallen and perished in the presence of the Lord and how the Lord has maintained his right and cause (Psalm 9:3-4). In the Lord’s righteous judgments, the nations are rebuked, the wicked destroyed, and their name is blotted out forever and ever (Psalm 9:5). The memory of David’s enemies has perished, but the Lord shall endure forever and judge with righteousness and uprightness (Psalm 9:6-8). The Lord is also a refuge for those who know him and place their trust in Him (Psalm 9:9-10).

 

David encourages us to sing praise to the Lord who dwells in Zion and declare His deeds that avenge their shed blood because the Lord does not forget the humble (Psalm 9:11-12). David pleads for the Lord’s mercy and for Him to consider his trouble from those who hate him so he can tell of all the Lord’s praise and rejoice in His salvation (Psalm 9:13-14). The nations that have forgotten God are caught in the snare of their own wickedness, but God does not forget the needy and the expectations of the poor (Psalm 9:15-18). David concludes by asking the Lord to arise and not let man prevail, judging the nations and putting them in fear so they know they are but men (Psalm 9:19-20).

 

We live in a fallen world of wickedness, evil, and chaos, like David experienced, with David showing us the importance of taking time to praise the glory of God’s creation and His righteous judgments. In Psalm 8, David offers praise for the excellent name of the Lord and His glory above the heavens (Psalm 8:1). He praises the majestic creation of God and wonders why the God of this creation would even consider sinful man. Yet, God has given man dominion over God’s creation. Considering this, all David can do is praise the excellent name of the Lord over all the earth.

 

In Psalm 9, David prays and offers thanksgiving for the Lord’s righteous judgments. These righteous judgments have led to the perishing of David’s enemies, the rebuking of nations, and the destruction of the wicked. The Lord, the righteous judge, will endure forever and judge with righteousness and uprightness. The righteous judge is a refuge for those placing their trust in him, something David experienced when escaping death by Saul before becoming king (1 Samuel 19). The righteous judgments of the Lord show that the Lord reigns with those judged by God as men in the sight of God.

 

Like David, we must take time to hit the pause button of life and admire God’s glorious creation, meditating on the day when Jesus returns to administer righteous judgment on the earth. This seems like something simple to do, but in our busy world, we can become easily distracted and forget to take time each day in prayer and study of scripture. We need to prioritize the practice of spiritual disciplines as disciples of Christ and ensure this time is part of our daily routine. In the parable of the sower, Jesus used the illustration of seed sown among thorns with the thorns springing up and choking the word (Matthew 13:7). In His explanation of the parable to the disciples, Jesus explains the thorns as the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches that make the word unfruitful (Matthew 13:22). This applies to our lives and is a caution not to allow the busyness of this world to choke off daily time spent with the Lord in prayer and Bible study or time in Church. We must make sure to take time to pause each day to spend time with God in prayer and in His word, and make gathering together in Church a priority (Hebrews 10:25).

 

If you are reading this and have not made a commitment to making the Lord Jesus your Savior, I encourage you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I invite you to let someone know of your decision or to comment on this post about your decision. I also encourage you to become involved in a Church that teaches the Bible and following through with baptism. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Anointing and Triumphal Entry of the King

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 12:1-19

 

John 12:12-13

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, ¹³ took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!”

(NKJV)

 

Jesus escaped death many times because His time had not yet come; however, now as He prepares to enter Jerusalem for the Passover, His time is about to come. The only disciple of Jesus who appears to understand what is coming is Mary who takes expensive oil and anoints Jesus for his coming burial (John 12:7). The crowds throng to Jesus as He enters Jerusalem but believe He is coming as a conquering king not as the suffering servant who will die for their sins. When Jesus moves in our churches and lives, will we recognize Him and that this is part of His plan, or reject Him?

 

Six days before the Passover, Jesus goes to Bethany, where a supper is prepared in His honor with Martha serving and Lazarus at the table (John 12:1-2). At the supper, Mary takes a pint of very expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet, wiping His feet with her hair with the whole house filled with the fragrance of the perfume (John 12:3). Judas complained asking why the expensive perfume was not sold and the money given to the poor (John 12:4-5). Judas was not concerned for the poor but as the one in charge of the money, he wanted more money from which to steal (John 12:6). Jesus tells Judas to leave Mary alone telling him that Mary used the perfume to prepare Jesus for His burial (John 12:7). Jesus tells Judas they will always have the poor but they will not always have Him (John 12:8).

 

When word went out that Jesus was in Bethany, a great many of the Jews came to see Him as well as Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 12:9). Beside Jesus, the chief priests now devised a plan to kill Lazarus as well (John 12:10). This is because many Jews were coming to believe in Jesus because of Lazarus being raised from the dead (John 12:11).

 

The next day, many who had come to the feast of Passover who heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem took palm branches and went out to meet Jesus, shouting Hosana (John 12:12-13). Jesus found a young donkey and rode into Jerusalem, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9, which foretells the King coming on the back of a donkey’s colt (John 12:14-15). Jesus’ disciples did not understand what was happening until Jesus was glorified (John 12:16). However, the people present who had witnessed Lazarus coming out of the grave bore witness to this miracle (John 12:17). This caused even more people to come out to meet Jesus causing the Pharisees to believe they were accomplishing nothing with the world coming out to meet Jesus (John 12:18-19).  

 

The time of Jesus’ crucifixion nears, which corresponds to the time of the Passover. While Jesus has told them three times what will happen to Him in Jerusalem (Matthew 16:21-23, 17:22-23; 20:17-19), one disciple, Mary, must have understood and anointed Jesus for His burial (John 12:7).  Money hungry and greedy Judas did not understand and wanted the oil sold so there was more money for him to steal. The multitude praising Jesus as He entered Jerusalem believed their king was entering the city to throw out the Romans, only to be disappointed and call for His crucifixion a few days later (John 19:5-16). The Pharisees really missed it by not seeing the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 fulfilled before their eyes, instead viewing Jesus as a threat to their religious power over the people (John 12:15, 19).

 

Will we recognize Jesus when he enters our lives, or be like the Pharisees who failed to recognize Jesus as the one fulfilling prophecy before their eyes (Zechariah 9:9), with them instead feeling threatened. A move of God within our lives or the Church may not come as we would expect, but may come like Jesus riding the colt of a donkey instead of coming as a conquering king on a white horse. Revival in the Church may not come with great fanfare or publicity but may come as people are drawn to Jesus as He is lifted up in our churches (John 12:32). Will we as a church praise God for these new disciples or feel threatened because their turning to Christ does not bring praise to a celebrity pastor or some great Church program. We must remember that true revival is not about us or our programs but about people coming to Christ for forgiveness and salvation.

 

If you are reading this and understand you have sinned (Romans 3:23) and need a savior to rescue you from the death penalty of sin (Romans 6:23), I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I invite you to let someone know of your decision, especially anyone who has been praying for you, or to comment on this post about your decision. I also encourage you to become involved in a Church that teaches the Bible and following through with baptism. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Prayers of Faith in a Time of Distress

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 6-7

 

Psalm 7:1

O Lord my God, in You I put my trust;
Save me from all those who persecute me;
And deliver me

(NKJV)

 

A believer in Jesus Christ as their Savior is not exempt from problems and distress in life. One of the interesting discoveries in studying the Psalms is the discovery of the raw emotion expressed by the psalmist as they experience trials in life. Some may see this as a lack of faith but since the Lord knows our innermost thoughts and feelings it is one being honest with the Lord, something even Jesus did (Matthew 26:39). What would be a lack of faith is to wallow in our emotions when in distress without expressing our belief the Lord will be with us through it since He promised to be with us (Isaiah 41:10).

 

David begins Psalm 6 with a plea for God not to rebuke or chasten him in anger but to have mercy on him because he is weak and in need of healing and because his bones are troubled (Psalm 6:1-2). David’s soul is troubled, and he asks how long before he receives relief from his distress (Psalm 6:3). David asks the Lord to return for mercies’ sake because in death there is no remembrance of God and no one gives thanks to God from the grave (Psalm 6:4-5). David is weary from his groaning with his bed and couch drenched in tears with his eye wasting away from grief and growing old because of his enemies (Psalm 6:6-7). David then acknowledges that the Lord has heard his voice of weeping and tells all workers of iniquity to depart from him (Psalm 6:8). The Lord has also heard David’s supplication and will receive his prayer (Psalm 6:9). David concludes this psalm by asking the Lord to let all his enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled and to turn back suddenly (Psalm 6:10).   

 

David begins Psalm 7 with a declaration of his trust in God to deliver him from enemies that persecute him before they tear him apart like a lion (Psalm 7:1-2). David tells the Lord to let the enemy pursue and overtake him if there is iniquity in him (Psalm 7:3-5). After repenting of any iniquity in his life, David asks the Lord to arise in His anger because of the rage of his enemies and to rise up to the judgment He has commanded (Psalm 7:6). The congregation of the peoples shall arise with David telling the Lord to return on high (Psalm 7:7). The Lord shall judge the peoples with David asking Him to judge him according to his righteousness and the integrity within him (Psalm 7:8).

 

David now asks for the wicked to come to an end and for the establishment of the just who have God as their defense, saving the upright in heart (Psalm 7:9-10). David knows God is a just judge who is angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11). If the Lord does not turn back, his sword is sharpened, His bow is ready, and he makes his arrows into fiery shafts (Psalm 7:12-13). The wicked brings forth iniquity, conceives trouble, and brings forth falsehood (Psalm 7:14). The wicked will fall into the pit he dug with his trouble returning to him and his violent dealings coming down on his crown (Psalm 7:15-16). David will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, singing praises to the Lord Most High (Psalm 7:17).

 

David had many enemies who sought to destroy him, but he remained faithful in the Lord, trusting Him to deliver him. These two prayers are David honestly sharing his feelings with the Lord, but are also a declaration of his faith in the Lord to deliver Him from his enemies. In Psalm 6:1-7 we observe David honestly letting the Lord know what he is experiencing when in distress from his enemies. Like many of the psalms, this is one where the psalmist emotionally pours out his heart to God. Why not? Doesn’t God know the emotions we are experiencing for even Jesus poured out his emotions to God in the garden (Matthew 26:39). However, David does not continue to wallow in his distress but ends with faith, knowing God has heard his prayer and that his enemies will suffer defeat.

 

In Psalm 7, David begins by declaring his trust is in the Lord his God, crying out for God to save him from those seeking to persecute and destroy him. He then repents for any iniquity he may have committed that has led to the distress he is in from his enemies. However, this psalm concludes with David praising the Lord Most High according to His righteousness and not his own righteousness. Even though the prophecy of Isaiah, who said our righteousness was like a filthy rag had not been written yet, David knew his righteousness was useless for providing salvation (Isaiah 64:6). 

 

All believers in Jesus Christ as their Savior are in a spiritual battle and have an enemy, Satan. These prayers are an example of how we can freely express our feelings of distress to the Lord and declare our faith in the Lord to bring deliverance from our enemies. This spiritual battle can manifest in our battle with the flesh, requiring repentance, something even the Apostle Paul dealt with (Romans 7:13-25). Thankfully, we have the lifeboat of 1 John 1:9 and can confess our sins to the Lord and receive forgiveness. I thank you, Lord, that salvation is a gift from God and not dependent on my good works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23).

 

One learning to trust in God for help, safety, and guidance in times of trouble begins with trusting in God to take care of their greatest problem, sin in their lives. If you have never taken this first step, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I invite you to let someone know of your decision or to comment on this post about your decision. I also encourage you to become involved in a Church that teaches the Bible and following through with baptism. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Plot to Kill Jesus

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 11:45-57

 

John 11:53-54

Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. ⁵⁴ Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.

(NKJV)

 

I urge everyone reading this post to continue praying both for Israel and the United States regarding the conflict between Israel and Iran. A nuclear-armed Iran not only represents a threat to Israel but to every other country in the world because it will not hesitate to use these weapons against anyone threatening it. Pray for God’s protection of Israel and other nations threatened by Iran, and that those in power in Iran, who would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons, are removed from power.

 

Jesus has just performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the grave which has caused many Jews to believe in Him (John 11:45). However, not all the Jews seeing what Jesus did believe and instead go to the chief priests and Pharisees with the news (John 11:46). This news disturbs the chief priests and Pharisees with them convening a council out of fear that left unchecked, everyone would believe in Jesus, with the Romans intervening (John 11:47-48).

 

At the council, Caiaphas, the high priest, stood up and told those at the council they knew nothing at all (John 11:49). Caiaphas continued, saying it was expedient for one man to die for the people and not that the whole nation perish (John 11:50). Caiaphas did not say this of his authority as high priest, but it was a prophesy as high priest that Jesus would die for Israel, but not just Israel, all the children of God scattered abroad (John 11:51-52).

 

From this time forward, those in the council conspired to put Jesus to death, with Jesus no longer walking openly among the Jews but staying with His disciples in Ephraim (John 11:53-54). The time of the Passover was coming near and many Jews made the journey to Jerusalem to purify themselves (John 11:55). Those seeking to kill Jesus spoke among themselves, wondering if Jesus would even show up for the feast (John 11:56). Just in case Jesus did not show up, the chief priests and Pharisees issued a command that anyone knowing where Jesus was should report it so they could seize Him (John 11:57).

 

The signs and wonders performed by Jesus are causing many Jews to believe in Him, threatening the positions of the chief priests and Pharisees (John 11:47-48). The miracle that has brought this to the forefront was the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44). This threat was so serious to the chief priests and Pharisees that they felt it necessary to convene a council. However, an interesting thing happened at this council. a word of prophecy from Caiaphas that Jesus would die for Israel and the people of God in other nations (John 11:49-52). While this may seem out of place in a Biblical account of the plot to kill Jesus, it is here to remind us of what is really occurring here. Based upon Caiaphas’ later handing Jesus over to the Romans for crucifixion, it is safe to presume he had no idea what he was saying or even that it was a prophecy, but God did use him to speak truth. The stage is now set for a confrontation at Passover.

 

Jesus commanded those in the Church to love one another and that this love for each other is what separates the Church from the world (John 13:34-35). However, a look at Church history with its splits and divisions over non-essential doctrine reveals the failure of the Church to heed this commandment from the Lord. Non-believers, seeing these divisions, see nothing different from what they experience in the world and thus have no reason to be attracted to becoming part of the Church by accepting Jesus as their savior. This is why many Churches feel the need to attract people through glitzy worship that more resembles a rock concert than worship of the Lord, or even worse, watering down the message of truth. This is precisely what Paul warned Timothy about in 2 Timothy 4:1-5. The attraction of people to the Gospel must remain in lifting up Jesus (John 12:32), and boldly declaring the truth of the Gospel. While it is unrealistic to believe a group of people like the Church will agree on everything, we must unite behind the mission of declaring the Gospel and making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Working in this unity of purpose, the members of the Church can have love for one another and show the world what they need, a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed for the forgiveness of your sins and believe that Jesus came to die for your sins and give you a personal relationship with God, I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I invite you to let someone know of your decision, especially anyone who has been praying for you, or to comment on this post about your decision. I also encourage you to become involved in a Church that teaches the Bible and following through with baptism. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Help, Safety, and Guidance

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 3-5

 

Psalm 4:7-8

You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
⁸ I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

(NKJV)

 

We live in a troubled world full of war, natural disasters, ungodly behavior, violence in the street, and persecution of Christians who dare take a stand on God’s Word against such things. However, these are also great times to live for Christ because the harvest fields are ripe with people seeking answers, answers that are found in Christ and the truth of his word (Matthew 9:37-38). In Psalm 3-5 David provides guidance on how we can find help, safety, and guidance from God in these troubled times.

 

David wrote Psalm 3 during the time he fled from Absalom, his son. The psalm begins with a lament from David of how those troubling him have increased, with many saying there is no help for David in God (Psalm 3:1-2). David tells the Lord that He is a shield for him, his glory and the one lifting up his head (Psalm 3:3). David cried out to the Lord with his voice and the Lord heard him from His holy hill (Psalm 3:4). Because the Lord heard him, David could lay down to sleep and awaken with the Lord sustaining him (Psalm 3:5). David has no fear of the ten thousands of people who are against him, knowing the Lord will arise to save him and strike down his enemies (Psalm 3:6-7). Salvation belongs to the Lord, and His blessing is upon His people (Psalm 3:8).

 

Theologians also believe Psalm 4 to have been written during the time of Absalom’s rebellion. It begins with a plea from David for the Lord to hear him when he calls knowing God has relieved him in his distress, asking God to have mercy on him and hear his prayer (Psalm 4:1). He then asks those opposing him how long they will turn David’s glory into shame, loving worthlessness, and seeking falsehood (Psalm 4:2). David knows the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly with the Lord hearing him when he calls (Psalm 4:3). David then offers the instruction to be angry and not to sin and to be still while meditating within their hearts on their bed, offering the sacrifices of righteousness while putting their trust in the Lord (Psalm 4:4-5). Many are asking who will show them any good with David asking the Lord to show the light of His countenance upon them (Psalm 4:6). The Lord has put gladness in the heart of David that is greater than when their grain and wine increased so he will lie down in peace and sleep knowing the Lord will make him dwell in safety (Psalm 4:7-8).

 

In Psalm 5, David offers a prayer for guidance that could apply to any time when he was in trouble. It begins with David asking the Lord to hear his words and meditation for it is to the Lord, his King and God, who will direct his prayers in the morning (Psalm 5:1-3). David knows the Lord God takes no pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil live with Him. The boastful shall not stand in His sight, nor shall the workers of iniquity. The Lord will also destroy those speaking falsehood, and He abhors bloodthirsty and deceitful men (Psalm 5:4-6). David comes to the house of the Lord because of His mercy and in fear worships Him, asking the Lord to lead him in righteousness (Psalm 5:7-8). David says there is no faithfulness in the mouth of his enemies and asks the Lord to pronounce them guilty because of their rebellion (Psalm 5:9-10). May all those placing their trust in God rejoice and shout for joy because the Lord defends them with the Lord blessing the righteous and surrounding them as a shield (Psalm 5:11-12).

 

These are all psalms of David, which he wrote at various times in his life. Psalm 3 was written during a time in David’s life when he fled from Absalom, his son (2 Samuel 15). It is a Psalm of one crying out to God during a time of great trouble in his life. This psalm concludes with David finding peace and even sleeping in peace (Psalm 3:5).

 

Theologians believe the same circumstances surround the writing of Psalms 3 and 4, with Psalm 4 a lament expressing trust in God amid distress. Whereas Psalm 3 expresses the Lord’s help in times of trouble that result in one having God’s peace in troubled times (Psalm 3:5), Psalm 4 is a declaration by David of trust in God. This trust in God has resulted in David having gladness in his heart that even exceeds the gladness of when their grain and wine increased. Again, David declares that this trust has resulted in peace and the ability to sleep in safety (Psalm 4:7-8).

 

Psalm 5 is a prayer of David for guidance in the face of attacks by his enemies (Psalm 5:8). This psalm could have had application to the time when David battled the rebellion of His son Absalom (2 Samuel 15). It also has an application for other times of distress for David. The takeaway from this Psalm is David’s willingness to seek guidance from God and not to lean on his own understanding, something his son Solomon might have observed (Proverbs 3:5). The question we should ask in reading this Psalm is Whom I go to for guidance during times of trouble in my life.

 

Troubling times are not something unique for David and are something Jesus warned us about, but with the reminder, Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33). Psalms 3-5 serve to remind us that the Lord is there to help us in troubled time as the overcomer of sin and death through His death, burial, and resurrection. We can also trust the Lord to guide us in troubled times as a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105). Know that the Lord provides help, safety, and guidance through life as our good shepherd (Psalm 23).

 

One learning to trust in God for help, safety, and guidance in times of trouble begins with trusting in God to take care of their greatest problem, sin in their lives. If you have never taken this first step, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I invite you to let someone know of your decision or to comment on this post about your decision. I also encourage you to become involved in a Church that teaches the Bible and following through with baptism. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.