Whatsoever Things Are True
by Dan Coburn
Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church
pastordan@mtida.net
"But they're winning!!"   Not. 
Isaiah 49:13... "Sing O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her  womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee." Here we see praise for God's providence interrupted by situation or circumstance. Zion, though sometimes a literal place, is always a metaphor for the dwelling place of God's people - past, present and future.  And what do His people say?  "You've left us Lord.  You've abandoned us, and evil is winning!!!".  God's response?  Can a woman forget her child?  I will never forget you. "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;"  We'll get back to that.
Application:  If we were to walk by sight and not by faith, we might cry out as did the martyrs in Rev. 6:9 and following.  The saints slain for the "Word of God" (vs 9) and the "testimony which they held:" cried out: "How long, O Lord holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?"  God's remedy?  Does He rush down and slay the bad folk, the enemies of God, His work and His people with a celestial bug zapper? No, His remedy is this - "And white robes were given unto every one of them...." Nugget:  This isn't a consolation gift, It is the ultimate gift which if understood, would not be sacrificed for anything in all creation. 
Let's turn the Spiritual Switch.  The "you" from God's perspective. If you are "in Christ", this is how He sees you. You are His "workmanship" - Eph. 2:10.  This comes from the Greek word poema and is better translated - masterpiece.  "But preacher, I don't walk around feeling much like a masterpiece." Perhaps not, but if your feelings contradict God's word, one of them is lying.  Which one is it?  You are the "apple" (focus) of His eye.  You are a love gift from God the Father to God the Son. Do you think God capable of giving junk to His Son?   "But I'm not worthy". Correct.  But that's how - "in the ages to come he might show (put on display) the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" Eph. 2:7.  If you could be worthy, this verse would mean nothing.  So How does God respond when you are hurt, threatened or wronged?  "Blessed" (happy) is he who is persecuted for righteousness sake" Matt. 5.   Result:  God will intervene on our behalf. Not in the sweet by n by, but immediately If------ we get out of the way. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:19. I have witnessed Him acting on behalf of His children in varying degrees from mild chastisement even unto death. Did that make you gasp? Here's another way to look at it. When you are legitimately wronged, we are told to do what? Pray for your enemies.  That used to be difficult. Not any more, knowing therefore the terror of the Lord. "How can this be?"  Jesus said, "In as much as you've done this to the least of these my brethren, you've done it unto me".  Let that sink in, then ask your question again.  When Saul (Paul) was on his way to Damascus to round up Christians for persecution even unto death, Jesus drove him to his knees and asked what?  "Saul Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Jesus takes your situation or circumstance very personally. I know, many will die today for the cause of Christ, and maybe you or me someday, but the only real issue is ---- Have you washed your robes white in the Blood of The Lamb?  P.S.   He hath graven thee on the palm of His hands. Might that look like a nail scar?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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