Emotional Extremes Found in the Psalms

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 87-88

 

Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

(NKJV)

 

As we read and study the psalms, we are exposed to raw emotion. The extremes of these emotions are joy and elation and fear and despondency. The psalms in this text are both psalms of Korah and give us a glimpse of a man having elation and joy regarding the city of God and despondency. As we study these psalms, most of us can relate to times in life when we experienced both extremes.

 

In Psalm 87, the sons of Korah offer up praise for the glories of the city of God, or Zion, the city of the foundation of God (Psalm 87:1). The Lord loves the gates of Zion even more than the dwellings of Jacob, or Israel, with glorious things spoken of Zion (Psalm 87:2-3). The psalmist makes mention of Rahab, or Egypt and Babylon, places of exile, and beholds Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia with him born there (Psalm 87:4). People will speak of those born in Zion, with the Lord recording that they were born there (Psalm 87:5-6). The singers and musicians will say all their springs are in Zion (Psalm 87:7).

 

In Psalm 88, the emotions of the sons of Korah shift from joy and elation to praying for help in despondency, with the psalmist crying out day and night to the God of his salvation (Psalm 88:1). He pleads with God to let his prayer come before Him and to incline his ear to listen (Psalm 88:2). He acknowledges his soul is full of troubles and his life drawing near to death, believing he is counted among those going down to the pit, and being like a man with no strength (Psalm 88:3-4). He feels adrift among the dead like the slain lying in the grave whom the Lord no longer remembers and who are cut off from His hand (Psalm 88:5).

 

The psalmist feels like a man laid in the lowest pit, in darkness, and in the depths, with the Lord’s wrath heavy upon him by affliction from the Lord's waves of wrath (Psalm 88:6-7). The Lord has put away his acquaintances far from him, making him an abomination to them, with him feeling shut up and unable to get out (Psalm 88:8). His eyes were wasting away from affliction, with him calling out and stretching out his hands daily to the Lord (Psalm 88:9).

 

He then asks if the Lord will work wonders for the dead and if the dead will arise to praise Him (Psalm 88:10). He continues asking if the Lord’s lovingkindness will be declared in the grave and his faithfulness in the place of destruction (Psalm 88:11). He continues asking if the Lord’s wonders will be known in the dark and His righteousness in the land of forgetfulness (Psalm 88:12). However, it is to the Lord that he cries out with his morning prayer coming before Him (Psalm 88:13).

 

The psalmist then asks if the Lord will cast off his soul, hiding His face from him, because he is afflicted and ready to die from his youth, suffering terrors and distraught (Psalm 88:14-15). The Lord’s fierce wrath has gone over him like water, with His terrors cutting him off, coming around him all day long like water, engulfing him altogether (Psalm 88:16-17). Loved ones and friends have been put far from him by the Lord, with his acquaintances thrown into darkness (Psalm 88:18).

 

The psalms record people crying out to the Lord in praise and in need of help. Psalm 87 is a short psalm of praise for the glories of the city of God, Zion, with Psalm 88 a prayer for help from one in despondency. Both are psalms of Korah, showing a man praising God for his presence in the city of Zion and yet a man who is distraught (Psalm 88:15). Such is the range of emotions felt by people following God, ranging from praise at the divine presence of God in their lives to the despondency of living in a fallen world. Thankfully, our time of trouble in a fallen world is temporary, with eternal life with God in our future (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

 

In John 16:33, Jesus told the disciples that in this world they would experience trouble, reminding them that He overcame the world through His resurrection. This warning from the Lord indicates that life will have times of need when we must cry out to the Lord for help, and times of praise as we remember Jesus overcame the world. This is why a disciple of Christ must be disciplined through practicing the spiritual disciplines of studying the Bible (Acts 17:11), prayer (Ephesians 6:18), and fellowshipping with other disciples of Christ (Hebrews 10:25). Studying the Bible equips us with the truth in all the situations of life. Prayer empowers us by letting us know God is there to help us. Fellowship with other disciples encourages us through struggles.

 

However, the first step of becoming a disciple of Christ is to pray for the forgiveness of your sins and to make Jesus the Lord of your life through a heartfelt belief in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 10:9-10). If you are reading this and have never taken this first step of becoming a disciple of Christ, 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.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know that God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.  

Paul in Corinth

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 18:1-17

 

Acts 18:9-10

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; ¹⁰ for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

(NKJV)

 

Paul's ministry has been in motion. He enters a city, speaks in the local synagogue, and persuades some of the Jews that Jesus is the Christ and their Messiah. However, other Jews accuse Paul of blasphemy, and he is forced to move on. In Corinth, the outcome is different, with him finding work to sustain himself there and receiving a vision promising protection. When in ministry, a disciple of Christ must follow the path directed by the Holy Spirit, whether it means staying somewhere for a short or longer time. Paul’s ministry is an example of both.

 

Paul leaves Athens and goes to Corinth, where he meets a Jew named Aquila who had recently come to Corinth from Italy (Acts 18:1-2). Since Paul and Aquila were both tentmakers, Paul stayed with him and his family, and they worked together (Acts 18:3). Paul also reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded both Jews and Greeks (Acts 18:4). After the arrival of Silas and Timothy, Paul was compelled by the Spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 18:5). However, after the Jews opposed and blasphemed him, he shook his garments, telling them their blood is on their own heads, and that from now on he will go to the Gentiles (Acts 18:6). Paul then departed and entered the house of Justus, a worshipper of God whose house was next door to the synagogue (Acts 18:7). Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with many of the Corinthians also hearing, believing, and being baptized (Acts 18:8).

 

Then the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision by night, telling him not to fear, but to speak and not keep silent, because the Lord is with him and no one will attack or hurt him because He has many people in the city (Acts 18:9-10). Paul continued teaching the word of God in Corinth for a year and a half (Acts 18:11). As a test of this word from the Lord, the Jews revolt against Paul, accusing him of persuading men to worship God in a manner contrary to the law (Acts 18:12-13).

 

When Paul was about to open his mouth in his defense, Gallio, the proconsul, speaks up, telling the Jews that if these accusations were of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, he would judge the matter (Acts 18:14). However, the accusations against Paul are a question of words, names, and the Jewish law, so he tells them to investigate the matter themselves, driving them from the judgment seat (Acts 18:15-16). The Greeks then took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat, with Gallio taking no notice (Acts 18:17).

 

After being run out of Thessalonica and spending time in Athens, Paul arrives in Corinth where he finds work to sustain him financially (Acts 18:3) and divine protection so he can teach (Acts 18:9-10). However, even though Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth, after leaving the city, the Church drifted from the truths of his teachings. Instead of unity in the church, there were divisions (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). There was also immorality in the church with no effort made to correct it (1 Corinthians 5:1-8). In addition, the honoring of the Lord’s Supper had turned into a drunken, gluttonous feast (1 Corinthians 11:17-22). The church in Corinth did not have the complete canon of Scripture as we do, which includes the letters to the Corinthians, but they did have Paul’s teachings for a year and a half and forgot them when he was gone.  

 

Being a disciple of Christ who stands firm on the truths declared in the Bible will bring persecution, but we can depend on God’s provision and protection. However, when we lose sight of this, we can, like the Corinthians, become detached from Biblical teaching, resulting in divisions, immorality, drunkenness, and gluttony. This is why disciples of Christ must be like the Bereans and daily study the Bible (Acts 17:11). Disciples of Christ must also put on the whole armor of God and pray without ceasing (Ephesians 6:10-18). Failure to follow these spiritual disciplines opens us up to deception, something rampant in the Church today.

 

If you belong to a church that does not teach biblical truth or does not practice prayer as a foundation, you should leave and find one that does so you do not fall for deception. If you are a church leader and have drifted from Biblical truth, I ask you to repent and return to it before the church you lead falls into deception.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed for forgiveness for your sins and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite 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.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Hearts Seeking Restoration and Mercy from God

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalms 85-86

 

Psalm 85:13

Righteousness will go before Him,
And shall make His footsteps our pathway.

(NKJV)

 

The Psalms are the songbook of the Bible and represent an emotional seeking of God with one’s whole heart. The authors of the Psalms are being real and honest with God, opening their hearts to Him, seeking His restoration, mercy, and salvation. The Psalms of this text should challenge us to search our hearts to see if they are hearts that seek God and his restoration, mercy, and salvation through grace.

 

Psalm 85 begins with praise to God for His favorability to the land, bringing Jacob back from captivity, forgiving the iniquity of His people, and covering their sin (Psalm 85:1-2). God has also taken away His wrath and turned from His fierce anger (Psalm 85:3). The psalmist then asks for God’s restoration and for his anger to cease, asking if the Lord will be angry forever, with His anger prolonging to all generations (Psalm 85:4-5). He then asks if the Lord will not revive them again so they can rejoice in the Lord, showing them His mercy and granting them His salvation (Psalm 85:6-7).

 

The psalmist vows to hear what God will speak because God will speak peace to His people and to His saints, but does not want the people to turn back to their folly (Psalm 85:8). Salvation is near to those who fear God, so that His glory may dwell in their land (Psalm 85:9). God’s mercy and truth have met together, and righteousness and peace have kissed with truth springing out of the earth and righteousness looking down from heaven (Psalm 85:10-11). The Lord will give what is good, and the land will yield its increase, with righteousness going before Him, making His footsteps the people’s pathway (Psalm 85:12-13).

 

Psalm 86, a psalm of David, begins with David asking the Lord to hear him because he is poor and needy, asking Him to preserve his life because he is holy and He is God, saving his servant trusting in Him (Psalm 86:1-2). He cries all day long for the Lord to be merciful to him, asking Him to rejoice his soul, for it is to God that he lifts his soul, knowing the Lord is good and ready to forgive, with abundant mercy to all calling upon Him (Psalm 86:3-5). He asks the Lord to hear his prayer and attend to his supplications, for on the day of trouble he calls upon the Lord, knowing He will answer (Psalm 86:6-7). There is no god like the Lord and no works like His works (Psalm 86:8). Because the Lord alone is God and great, doing wondrous things, all the nations He has made will come and worship Him, giving glory to His name (Psalm 86:9-10).

 

David asks the Lord to teach him His way so he can walk in truth, uniting his heart to fear the name of the Lord (Psalm 86:11). David vows to praise the Lord with all his heart and to glorify His name forevermore, for the Lord is great in mercy toward him and has delivered his soul from the depths of Sheol (Psalm 86:12-13). The proud have risen against David with a mob of violent men seeking his life who have not set the Lord before them, but the Lord God is full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in mercy and truth (Psalm 86:14-15). David asks the Lord to turn to him and have mercy on him, giving him his strength and saving him (Psalm 86:16). David asks the Lord for a sign for good so that those hating him may see it and be ashamed, because the Lord has helped and comforted him (Psalm 86:17).

 

Psalm 85 and Psalm 86 give us a glimpse into the hearts of the sons of Korah and David. The hearts of the sons of Korah seek restoration, while the heart of David seeks mercy. David was the one spoken of by Samual to Saul as a man after God’s own heart, who would be king and command His people. The sons of Korah were among the gatekeepers who saw how Israel had fallen from the Lord's favor, seeking with all their hearts to see the nation restored (1 Chronicles 26:19). Both men knew the answer to the problems in Israel was God and seeking Him.

 

These psalms challenge us to search our hearts, seeking whether our hearts seek restoration from the Lord, His mercy, and to meditate on the excellencies of the Lord. How will we respond to this challenge? Will we cower in fear and remain silent about the evil in our world, or worse yet, will we compromise with the evil in our world? An evil world in chaos that is full of vile hatred needs disciples of Christ to boldly declare truth, boldly like the Samaritan woman, who did not lead a righteous life, but upon meeting her Messiah could not remain silent, going and telling everyone (John 4:1-42). Will we have transformed hearts that transform from opponents to God and into the proponents of God like Paul (Acts 9:1-9)? Romans 12:2 tells us to lose conformity with the world and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. I pray those reading this post will search their hearts and allow the Lord to transform them into hearts that are zealous for the Lord.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to have the Lord forgive you of your sins and to make Him the Lord of your life, 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.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know that God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Paul in Athens

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 17:16-34

 

Acts 17:22-23

Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; ²³ for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.

(NKJV)

 

The Apostle Paul was once the greatest persecutor of the church, even holding the coats of those stoning Stephen (Acts 7:57-58). However, on the road to Damascus, Saul, who would later be called Paul, had a supernatural encounter with Jesus that changed him from the greatest persecutor of the church to its greatest proponent (Acts 9:1-9). The zeal Saul once had to persecute disciples of Christ is now replaced with a zeal to share Christ wherever he goes, something on display in Athens in this text.

 

Paul is waiting for the arrival of Silas and Timothy in Athens and while there he observes the city is given over to the worship of idols (Acts 17:16). As was his normal custom, Paul goes to the synagogue, reasoning with the Jews and Gentile worshippers there along with those in the marketplace daily (Acts 17:17). It is there that Paul encounters certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, some of which want to know what Paul is babbling about, and others claiming he proclaims foreign gods since he preached about Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 17:18). They then brought Paul to the Areopagus, asking to know more about the new doctrine of which he spoke, because what they were hearing was strange to them, with them wanting to know what those things meant (Acts 17:19-20). All the Athenians and the foreigners with them spent their time wanting to hear some new thing (Acts 17:21).

 

Paul is then brought to the Areopagus and has an opportunity to address the men of Athens there, beginning with telling them they seem to be very religious, having seen their many temples, including one to the unknown god (Acts 17:22-23). Paul begins by telling them that the God he proclaims is the creator of all that is in the world and as Lord of heaven and earth does not dwell in temples made with the hands of men (Acts 17:24). The God Paul serves also does not need to be worshipped by the hands of men since He gives life, breath, and provision for all (Acts 17:25). The God Paul worships has made men dwelling on the face of the earth from one blood, determining their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings (Acts 17:26). Since God is the provider of life for all, He wants all to seek him, telling them God is not far from any of us (Acts 17:27-28). Paul then reasons with them, asking: if we are all offspring of God, why would we believe God can be confined by something of gold and silver, fashioned by the hands of men (Acts 17:29)?

 

Paul then tells them that God formerly overlooked their ignorance but now commands all men to repent (Acts 17:30). He continues by telling them that there is an appointed time when God will judge the world in righteousness by the Man, Jesus, whom He ordained, confirming it by raising Him from the dead (Acts 17:31). This mention of the resurrection caused some to mock Paul, with others wanting to hear more (Acts 17:32) Paul then departed from them with some, including Dionysius and Damaris, along with others following him (Acts 17:33-34).

 

Paul is waiting in Athens for Silas and Timothy, and observes the Athenians worship many gods, including an unknown God. Paul, who knows the unknown God as Jesus, his Savior, takes this opportunity to share Christ with men who spend their time searching for some new doctrine. When these men invite Paul to the Areopagus or Mars Hill, he does not hesitate but goes along with them. As Paul would later tell Timothy, he is ready in season, like when he is addressing people in the synagogue, and out of season, like when addressing men gathered at a temple to a foreign god (2 Timothy 4:2). Paul is eager to share Christ, even though some will mock and rebuke him, knowing some will accept Christ.

 

People who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior have a God-shaped void in their hearts. They attempt to fill this void with idols of this world like alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, and even good things like hard work, career, education, and even religion. The question each of us who are disciples of Christ must ask is: Will we be ready to share Christ when someone wants to hear the doctrine we believe? Jesus does not want anyone to perish without knowing Him as their savior (2 Peter 3:9), but will we engage and share the gospel, not fearing being mocked or ridiculed? I pray the answer to both questions is yes. If it is not, I invite you to search your heart to determine what is holding you back and repent of it. I want to invite anyone reading this who has a God-shaped hole in his or her heart to pray with me and have God fill the void.

 

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.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Frustrating Conspiracy and Blessing God’s Dwelling Place

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 83-84

 

Psalm 84:12

O Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

(NKJV)

 

In the psalms of this text, we see a prayer for God to frustrate the conspiracies of Israel’s enemies against them, and praise for the blessing of dwelling in the House of God. Disciples of Christ can learn from these psalms, with Psalm 83 providing an example of praying for deliverance from the attacks of Satan. However, Psalm 84 reminds us of the blessing of dwelling in the presence of the Lord.

 

Asaph begins Psalm 83 by asking God not to be silent, hold His peace, or be still, because the enemies of Israel have caused an uproar, and those hating Israel have lifted their heads (Psalm 83:1-2). The enemies of Israel have taken crafty counsel against them, consulting together to cut them off from being a nation so the name of Israel is remembered no more (Psalm 83:3-4). These enemies have formed a confederacy against Israel from many fronts (Psalm 83:5-8). Asaph then asks that the Lord deal with these enemies just as He has done in the past, so Israel can take possession of the pastures of God (Psalm 83:9-12).

 

Asaph asks God to make the enemies of Israel like the whirling dust and chaff that blows before the wind (Psalm 83:13). Asaph continues by asking the Lord to pursue Israel’s enemies with His tempest like a fire burns the woods or as a flame sets the mountains on fire, frightening them with His storm (Psalm 83:14-15). Asaph asks that the faces of Israel’s enemies be filled with shame, leading them to seek the name of the Lord (Psalm 83:16). Asaph concludes this Psalm by asking the Lord to confound and dismay the enemies of Israel, so they are put to shame and perish (Psalm 83:17). Asaph asks this so that these enemies may know that the God of Israel alone is the Lord, and the Most High over all the earth (Psalm 83:18).

 

The author of Psalm 84 is unidentified, and the psalm begins with a declaration of the loveliness of the tabernacle of the Lord of hosts and that his soul longs and even faints to be there, crying out to the living God (Psalm 84:1-2). The psalmist declares that the sparrow and swallow have a home with even the altars having a place in the tabernacle of his King and his God (Psalm 84:3). Those dwelling in the House of the Lord are blessed and will still be praising God (Psalm 84:4). A man whose strength is in the Lord is blessed, with his heart set on a pilgrimage (Psalm 84:5). As these people pass through the Valley of Baca, or weeping, and make it a spring with rain covering it with pools (Psalm 84:6). God’s people go from strength to strength, with each one appearing before the God of Zion (Psalm 84:7).

 

The psalmist asks the God of hosts to hear and give ear to his prayer, asking God to behold their shield and to look upon the face of His anointed (Psalm 84:8-9). The psalmist declares that one day in the courts of God is better than a thousand elsewhere and that he would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of his God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (Psalm 84:10). The Lord is a sun and shield, giving grace and glory to those who walk uprightly, not withholding any good thing (Psalm 84:11). Someone placing their trust in God is blessed (Psalm 84:12).

 

No historical context for the writing of these two psalms is given, but with Israel’s history of confrontations with their enemies, Psalm 83 could apply to much of Israel’s history. Psalm 84 is praise for dwelling in the House of God, something that should be part of the life of any disciple of Christ. For the children of Israel, the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, were where God dwelt, so being in those places would be a huge blessing. This is why the psalmist would consider it an honor to be the doorkeeper of the House of God over anything else. Dwelling in the presence of the Lord gives us blessing and strength from our enemies.

 

Under the New Covenant, disciples of Christ have the Holy Spirit within them and are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). This means that everywhere we go, the presence of God is with us. In Acts 1:8, we are reminded that this presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives means we can have protection from the enemy, the strength to do all things God has for us to do (Philippians 4:13). Instead of dwelling in the Valley of Baca, or weeping, a disciple of Christ has the joy of the Lord as his or her strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

 

I want to invite anyone reading this who does not have a personal relationship with God through belief in Jesus as their Savior to pray with me now. When you do, you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10), and the Holy Spirit will dwell in your heart, giving you joy and strength in a world full of wickedness, sadness, weakness, and fear. Please take a moment 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.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know that God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.  

Opposition in Thessalonica and Berea

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 17:1-15

 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you ^[a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

(NKJV)

 

While it would be nice if everyone hearing the gospel received it with joy, this is not in line with what Jesus said in John 16:33. In the passage of this post, we see Paul and those with him experiencing opposition to declaring the gospel, with them even being run out of town for preaching this message. This did not stop them because they knew Jesus had overcome the world, something all of us must remember when we encounter opposition when sharing the gospel with someone.

 

Paul and those with him arrive in Thessalonica, and as was his custom, Paul goes into the synagogue to reason with them from the Scriptures for three Sabbaths (Acts 17:1-2). His reasoning with them is an explanation and demonstration that the Christ needed to suffer and rise from the dead, and that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 17:3). Paul’s teaching was very persuasive, with a great multitude of devout Greeks and many leading women joining Paul and Silas (Acts 17:4).

 

However, this great multitude of followers caused envy among the Jews who were not persuaded by Paul’s teaching, leading to them assembling a mob of evil men. These men attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the people (Acts 17:5). However, when they did not find Paul, Silas, or Timothy among them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, saying that those who had turned the world upside down were in the city (Acts 17:6). They accused Jason of harboring them, with them acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar by claiming there was another king, Jesus (Acts 17:7). This troubled the crowd and rulers of the city with them taking security from Jason and the rest and letting them go (Acts 17:8-9).

 

This prompted the brethren in Thessalonica to send Paul and Silas away by night to Berea immediately, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews there (Acts 17:10). Those in Berea were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica because they received the word with all readiness and daily searched the Scriptures to determine whether what they heard was true (Acts 17:11). Many in Berea also believed including Greeks, prominent women, as well as men (Acts 17:12). However, when the Jews in Thessalonica heard about what happened in Berea, they went there to stir up the crowds (Acts 17:13). The brethren in Berea immediately sent Paul away to the sea with both Silas and Timothy remaining in Berea (Acts 17:14). Those with Paul brought him to Athens and sent a command to Silas and Timothy to come to Athens, which they did (Acts 17:15).

 

Paul was a Pharisee who changed sides from persecuting disciples of Christ to becoming one after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). This change of religious sides has created envy among Jews in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5), possibly Pharisees and those siding with them. Just as they did with Jesus in Jerusalem, these religious leaders stir up an angry mob in an attempt to silence the message of the Gospel from going forth in Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17:5-13). Fortunately, an angry mob could not silence Jesus by crucifying Him on a cross, with many coming to believe in Thessalonica and Berea because of the preaching of Paul.

 

The word of God does not return void when it is declared (Isaiah 55:11), but this does not mean there will not be opposition to the preaching of the Word of God. This is because the preaching of the Word of God stands in opposition to the things promoted in today's woke culture. All life is sacred to God, including the life of an unborn child being formed by God in its mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). God ordained marriage as between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-6), with gay marriage proclaimed as a vile passion in Romans 1:24-27. Also, when God formed us in the womb, we were assigned a gender, and since God does not make mistakes, this is the gender we are to have throughout our lives. Just as in this passage in Acts, we too should expect opposition when we declare the Gospel and proclaim these truths

 

If you are reading this and are tired of the lies being spread through media, the internet, and social media, I want to invite you to know more about the one who said He was the truth, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). The key to knowing more about Jesus is study of the Bible and having a relationship with him. Anyone can have a relationship with Jesus no matter what we have done in our lives because we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). While the penalty for sin is death, anyone can be saved from this death penalty through the gift of salvation provided by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23, 10:9-10). If you want to have a personal relationship with the one who is the truth, 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.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Repentance and Justice

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 81-82

 

Psalm 82:8

Arise, O God, judge the earth;
For You shall inherit all nations.

(NKJV)

 

While the invention of the internet makes it easy to access information, it is also easy for anyone to post something that may not be true or even an outright lie. This includes something posted to a blog such as this one. This is why postings to this blog include a link to the scripture referenced, making it possible for readers to verify the source is the Bible and not just my opinion. In this text, Asaph criticizes the children of Israel for not listening to the voice of God (Psalm 81:11-12). I pray everyone reading this will be diligent in verifying the truth of what they read against the standard of the word of God.

 

Asaph begins Psalm 81 with a plea for the people of God to sing aloud and make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob (Psalm 81:1). Along with singing and shouting, the people are to raise a song by striking the timbrel and with the lute (Psalm 81:2). As a statute for Israel, they are also to blow the trumpet at the New Moon and at the full moon, along with on the solemn feast days (Psalm 81:3-4). This singing, shouting, and music is a testimony of how God freed Israel from their burden and trouble when in Egypt (Psalm 81:5-7). The Lord then makes a plea for the children of Israel to listen to Him, not having or worshipping any foreign god (Psalm 81:8-9). They are to remember that the Lord God is their God, the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt (Psalm 81:10).

 

Asaph then laments that Israel is not listening to the voice of the Lord and has nothing to do with the Lord, giving them over to their own stubborn hearts and to walk in their own counsels (Psalm 81:11-12). The Lord desires that His people would listen to Him and walk in His ways so He can subdue their enemies and turn His hand against their adversaries (Psalm 81:13-14). The haters of the Lord pretend to submit to Him, but their fate endures forever (Psalm 81:15). If Israel would repent and listen to the Lord, He would feed them the finest of wheat and satisfy them with honey from the rock (Psalm 81:16).

 

Asaph begins Psalm 82 with a declaration that God stands in the congregation of the mighty, judging among the gods (Psalm 82:1). Asaph then wonders how long their judges will judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked (Psalm 81:2). Asaph pleads with them to judge the poor and fatherless, to do justice to the afflicted and needy, delivering them from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 82:3-4). Those judging do not know or understand that they walk about in darkness and that all the foundations of the earth are unstable (Psalm 82:5). These judges are mighty ones of God and children of the Most High, but they shall die like men and fall like one of the princes (Psalm 82:6-7). Asaph concludes this Psalm by asking God to arise and judge the earth, because it is He who shall inherit the nations (Psalm 82:8).

 

In Psalm 81, Asaph calls for the children of Israel to offer praise to God, remembering how He delivered them from Egyptian bondage, but they do not heed the voice of the Lord. Despite God sparing the firstborn of Israel under the covering of the blood of a spotless lamb, and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea to escape the advancing Egyptian army, God’s people turn a deaf ear to the Lord (Psalm 81:5-12). Because of this, Israel is oppressed by its enemies and adversaries, something that breaks the heart of Asaph.

 

In Psalm 82, Asaph makes a plea to the Lord for justice, especially for the afflicted and needy. Asaph observes that those judging the people seem to show partiality to the wicked, ignoring the poor, fatherless, afflicted, and needy. These individuals are the most vulnerable in society and the ones Jesus told us to care for as if we are caring for the Lord Himself (Matthew 25:31-46).

 

Disciples of Christ today have the completed canon of Scripture and have no excuse for not hearing the voice of God. Despite this, people still do not listen to the voice of God, or they fall for deceptive teaching that claims to be from the word of God (2 Timothy 4:3). We also live in a world that gives lip service to the needs of the afflicted and needy, without truly addressing their needs. Granted, Jesus said we will always have the poor with us, but we must not use that as an excuse not to address their needs, pointing them to Jesus to meet their greatest need: a relationship with Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:11).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to have a personal relationship with God through the sacrifice of grace offered by Jesus on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9), I invite 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.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know that God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.