Who Has Hardened Himself Against Him (God Almighty) and Prospered?

Job 9:4

"He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?"

Here is a wonderful description of God; He is wise in heart, He is in fact wisdom personified. We find a resume of wisdom in the Proverbs, especially in chapter one, eight and nine. He also is mighty in strength, His chief power is exercised through His word (Hebrews tells us with it He created the worlds and with it He destroys His enemies, Revelations reveals a sharp two edged sword proceeds from His mouth to destroy His enemies). And so this really is a wonderful description of God who is wise in heart and His mouth speaks from that wise heart (for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks; if the heart is full of wisdom then the lips are wise). We should add at this point other aspects to His nature that govern Him, if there is a being who is all knowing and all powerful then you certainly want Him to possess other qualities that would make Him temperate in the use of that wisdom and power.

God has those qualities and we see them identified for us in Exo 34:5-8 KJV "5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. 8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped." The mythical gods of antiquity possess wisdom and power but they are not temperate; they lack qualities such as mercy, graciousness, longsuffering, goodness, truth and above all the ability to forgive iniquity. These are very aspects of The Lord God's nature, He is more than wonderful and we are very fortunate to have Him as our God.

Who opposes Him and prospers? No one can stand toe to toe with God, although many make their boast while here on earth (It is just like a boaster to speak great words when they feel they are a safe distance from danger) but when they stand before the Almighty they will shake and quiver like a leaf before a fierce storm. No one can oppose Him and prosper; Psalm 2 says He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh at them; the Lord will have them in derision. There is another way men oppose Him and that is by living contrary to His commandments. Deuteronomy 28 governs the whole of life; if one keeps His commands then they prosper but if they turn their back on Him and walk contrary to His ways then they are cursed. We should seek Him diligently and walk fearfully before Him because none can oppose Him and prosper.

The Storm, The Darkness, The Fire Will End Then There Will Be Joy!

Job 8:21 - "Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing."

This is the result of those who please God; though they suffer, though they have valleys and dark trials they are going to be filled with laughter and rejoicing. This is reminiscent of Psa 126:1-6 "1 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

This is exactly why we should try not to be overly downcast when we suffer; suffering has its purpose and it has its work to do in our lives (God has not promised we would always have sunshine, He promised our end would be good if we please Him). For those who remember Him and strive to please Him (even in the midst of their weakness from their trial) they will always rise from the ashes and will worship Him again in strength and blessing. We should avoid forming harmful opinions and casting off restraint when it seems all is lost in a trial because everything eventually turns good for the righteous, everything rights itself again and God upholds them and turns again their captivity. This is going to be the way with Job as well; he will see better days, the sunshine and blessing of God will again rise upon this man.

Do you suffer yet again, are you again in a valley? Hold fast to your character, retain your integrity and God will bring you out! In despair you will be tempted to complain against the one who seeks to do you good, do not do it, resist the temptation because it will lead to casting off restraint and wicked works which will turn His favor permanently. The secret is to allow yourself the permission to say: "Come what may I know He does only wondrous things; blessed be His name" Lean on what we all know about the character of God, He is just, He is upright, he does not punish the righteous and He deeply loves humanity. At the end of every storm, when darkness comes to the end or the fire is finally extinguished the end of the righteous is always laughter and joy!

MY HEAVENLY FATHER WATCHES OVER ME

I trust in God wherever I may be,

Upon the land, or on the rolling sea,

For come what may, from day to day,

My heav’nly Father watches over me.

Refrain:

I trust in God, I know He cares for me;

On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;

Though billows roll, He keeps my soul;

My heav’nly Father watches over me.

He makes the rose an object of His care,

He guides the eagle through the pathless air,

And surely He remembers me;

My heav’nly Father watches over me.

I trust in God, for, in the lion’s den,

On battlefield, or in the prison pen,

Through praise or blame, through flood or flame,

My heav’nly Father watches over me.

The valley may be dark, the shadows deep,

But, oh, the Shepherd guards His lonely sheep;

And through the gloom He’ll lead me home,

My heav’nly Father watches over me.

Love Righteousness and Hate Iniquity

Thomas Walsh, a revivalist preacher in Ireland during the 1700's said this: "How can I consider myself one of His children and yet continue in sin (paraphrased)." Surely the greatest proof of our redemption and reclamation is a love for righteousness and a hatred for sin. At the end of the day it all boils down to this; some will strive against sin because at the core of their being, where the Godhead is seated, they love righteousness and hate iniquity. Perhaps they may struggle with the Adamic nature which is destined to rise up against holiness, however, their heart cleaves to what is right and therefore they will strive until holiness is achieved and the old man is put down. We can illustrate this using the law of the clean and unclean animal from Leviticus. The clean animal had a divided hoof which speaks of having a separated walk, being separated from this world and separated unto God. This very same truth is carried into the New Testament when Apostle Paul speak in Romans 12:2 to be separated from the world and "Transformed" by the renewing of our mind (this happens as we are separated unto God, when our affections turn to Him).

The problem that can exist at times is that for some their love for what is wrong exceeds what their conscience "KNOWs" is right; they are tormented when they do wrong because they recognize it is wrong but they still crave it. Even after their redemption it still remains important to them to be able to do those things that are wrong and yet they know it is wrong and they should not desire it. There can only be two possible outcomes in this instance, they will either meet with God have sin broken and emerge victorious or they will eventually be overcome by that thing they crave and be dragged out of the kingdom becoming twice dead. They do now participate in those things but suffer continually under a guilty conscience (Paul identifies this frustrating condition in Romans 7).

What every believer in this situation of torment really needs is a mighty meeting with God whereby they have a dramatic conversion in their heart where Christ becomes their true Lord and they turn their backs on sin. Certainly, they will still be tempted and yes they will still have an Adamic nature to struggle against but they will be more successful because now they are striving against sin and not seeking to protect it. The apostle Paul talked about with his mind wanting to serve the laws of God (obedience to Christ) and yet with his flesh wanting to serve sin; he said (paraphrased), if I want to serve God in my spirit and my flesh wants to do wrong then it is no longer me but sin working in me. He highlights for us and even personifies sin as a force that works within us to pull us in the wrong direction but if our spirit hates sin, is repulsed by it then we will resist. This is the meeting of God, an encounter whereby Christ is put within our hearts in His rightful place and sin is as a result put in its!

Some truths to contemplate in association with this theme to stir up our pure minds:

Psalm 45 - He loved righteousness and hated iniquity and it produced an anointing!
Isaiah 7 - Butter (abundance of the Word) and honey (Revelation) shall he eat that he may know how to choose the good and refuse the evil
1 Sam 5 - The death of Dagon in Philistine Temple (head and hands removed), destroying idols in the heart through a revelation of the Ark of God, the literal presence of God.

This thought occurred to me; do I need something broken in me to successfully strive against sin or do I need something built up in me. In other words, is it a decrease in one area (a love for sin) that I need or is it a increase in another (love for righteousness and the zeal to pursue it)? God only knows the measure of the two we all need. Let's begin to pray, "Oh, Lord, you know me, all of me, what is it that I really need?"

"Oh That I might Have My Request!"

Job 6:8  "Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!"

Job is about to make a request in the verses that follow this one that he thinks he means (that God would cut him off, basically he is asking God to take his life). It is a request that is borne from his present circumstances and even though it seems right now it is not the right prayer. We understand completely why he feels it is the right prayer (anguish and suffering birthed it) but it could not be more inappropriate in light of what God intends to do in him and through him. There are prayers we will pray throughout our lifetime that we should get down on our face before God and thank Him that He did not answer. I remember a pastor telling me once that when he was younger he prayed earnestly for God to take him down a certain course (before he was a pastor) and he began to get frustrated with God because it was not coming to pass; it was a path after his own hearts desire for his future. He confessed later that he thanked God earnestly that He did not answer those prayers because otherwise he would have never met his wife, never had the family he has and would have in all probability not been in the ministry today. It would have taken him on another course altogether.

I preached a message some time ago on "Jesus' Unanswered Prayer"; I think the title caused people to pause for a moment and ask themselves, "Wait, Jesus had an unanswered prayer; is that possible?" But, not only was it possible, it happened. It was a prayer that was borne out of His anguish as a man and yet to answer that prayer would mean missing the Fathers will for His life and so, He realizing that, ended His prayer with "Never the less, not my will but thine." We are, of course, talking about His prayer in the garden when he sweat drops of blood. His soul was in anguish and He prayed that if it were possible that the cup would pass from Him. Yet we all know, this was the very reason he was born into the world, to drink that cup. The Father could not answer that prayer (and it must have been emotionally painful to the Father to know He could not answer this request of His beloved Son).

Now, let's bring this into modern times, into our own lives. Do we know the absolute will of God for our lives? No, in most cases we have an idea of His will and we sense a direction but we do not usually know specifics and so we pray many times based on our perceived needs. But may we always find the grace and presence of mind to say at the end of our prayers, some of which will be borne out of anguish, never the less not my will but thine be done!

Science Vs Faith - Hold Fast (Grip Tightly) That Which is Good!

1 Thess 5:21 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

The scriptures encourage us to prove all things and to hold fast (grasp tightly) to that which is good. The point is that once something is identified as good you stop questioning and grasp onto it. Today there is a mentality which says "Question Everything" and so question they do, they question God, authority in general, even the laws of physics are being questioned. While I wholeheartedly encourage healthy questions, there can be a questioning which is rebelliousness in nature, it is vexing to the soul and which borders on blasphemy. Mankind has come to the place where good answers exist and yet they are so caught up in the spirit of questioning everything that they are in fact unable to see what is right in front of them, that which is good. I will define good as that which is wholesome for us and brings peace and tranquility to us and those around us (i.e. Accepting Gods free gift of His Son to atone for our sins brings salvation which produces peace and tranquility to us; His Spirit transforms our lives and makes us better human beings which brings peace and tranquility to others). The idea of being on a quest for knowledge is that when one finds what is good that they hold fast to it otherwise you become one who gropes in darkness unable to see light in anything. There is a curse that God puts upon the rebellious who are not really lovers of the truth or lovers of what is good but rather they crave to break into some secret knowledge, some holy grail something new and fantastic (that really does not exist and so their quest is in vain), we read of them in the scriptures:

2 Timothy 3:1-6 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, note 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

The last verse sums it up best: "Ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth"; this is a curse and it is very real. While we are indebted to some of the great scientific minds of the past generations for their discoveries in the areas of medicine, astronomy, physics, ect...still there is one fatal flaw in science; it is that faith (a major component of life) does not mix well in the scientific mind. Science and faith do not mix well, you will come to the point where you must choose one or the other. How, for instance, does science deal with what men of faith accept such as the parting of the Red Sea and Jesus walking on the water, healing the sick or raising the dead. For that matter how does science handle the resurrection itself? It seeks to come up with some plausible explanation or else they dismiss it all together when in fact miracles are not plausible (that is why they are miracles). Science feels the need to dress things up and explain everything when in fact there are things that are inexplicable. This is rooted in the feeling that man can discover everything and can, given enough time, explain everything. We have scientist who are believers so do not misunderstand what I am saying, I am not putting down scientists or even science itself since I acknowledge we need both (one of the greatest men I have ever know was a chemical scientist). What I am saying is that somewhere along the line one must win out over the other and once the truth is discovered whether or not it agrees with science it is in fact the truth and we would find the greater peace to hold fast to it.

The Benefits of Obeying His Word

The Chain of Sin Broken!

Romans 6:17

"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." 

Here is a very important truth and it is a truth which is critical in breaking the inherited curse of sin that we are all subject to; obeying the word of truth (Gods Word) causes the curse which compels us to sin to be broken and releases the blessings of God in its place. We have the great teaching in Deuteronomy 28 which lists all the blessings of God that come upon those who are obedient and Chapter 29 which lists the curses of disobedience (all of us fit in one or the other category). As we walk with God and we seek to have the chains of sin broken it behooves us to keep His commandments, for it is in striving to keep His commandments that the chains are broken. The blessings come almost automatically upon us when we obey the word of God, the commandments of God. We also have Peter who speaks of the cleansing power of obeying the truth (again, His Word): 1Peter 1:22 "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit..." 

We must, with all effort, cry out as David cried out: Psalm 119:1-5 "1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!"

"O' that my ways were directed to keep thy Word that sin could be broken in me!"

The Words of Job Were Used to Strengthen His Fellow Man

Not only do we have the testimony of the Lord concerning Job in chapter 1 and 2 as well as the accusation of the adversary against him, we also have in chapter 4 the testimony of his friend (Eliphaz) who speaks of his reputation before the trial and we learn that Job was a man who used his words to strengthen the weak and to build people up!

Job 4:3

"Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands."

Eliphaz is testifying of his observations of Job and so in spite of the fact that he is ripping him to shreds with his words you can see he knows Job himself used his words for instruction and to build others up. This was Jobs reputation. God has respect for those who use their words to build people up. Eliphaz is not following the example of Job. It is true that for some days they remained silent comforting Job over his suffering but now they are going to buffet him with their words. Mankind is too fond of his opinions at times; he does not even make an attempt to restrain his words because he is too busy giving freely of his opinions. He is convinced people need to hear what he has to say; he can, at times feel as though his words are too important to restrain but the truth is that Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar did not have the word of the Lord, did not speak for him and were making Jobs trial more painful with their free opinions and philosophies. The older I get the less I am impressed with my own opinions and pray Lord, let me get it right and have the restraint to not have to speak if I am going to get it wrong or make the situation worse by my words. It really is a deep flaw in mans character to feel they have to speak and everyone would be wise to listen. There are those whose words carry such weight that you would do well to listen and the scriptures do tell us that there are those who speak for God but these dear ones exemplify meekness and do not force themselves on others or put themselves forth as the anointed ones. Jas 1:19-20 KJV 19 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." Pro 15:23 "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" Isa 50:4 "The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned." Lets be like Job and use our words to instruct in kindness and to strengthen the weak hands.

Job 4:4

"Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees."

Eliphaz said Job, you have given encouragement to him that was falling and with your words you strengthened those who were weak; this is the kind of reputation Job had among his friends. We will be known for what we used our tongue for? Was it for good or was it for evil. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and we see that in Jobs mouth was the law of kindness, he was a man who used his words to encourage and strengthen those who needed a bit of help. Job made a difference in peoples lives with his words; we might rephrase what Eliphaz said this way: "You have upheld and strengthened him that was ready to fall by the words you spoke to him". His friends knew he was capable of strengthening the weak with his words, this was his reputation and Eliphaz knew this about Job. Are we using our words to strengthen a weak brother or sister or are we the type that will swoop down on the weak like a vulture and criticize them for their weakness. I have seen in the Church of Jesus Christ those who will verbally kick a man while he is down, who sees a person with a weakness and instead of coming into strengthen them will say such things as "I knew they would not make it" or "It was only a matter of time". I know there are those whose hearts are not drawn to obedience but to disobedience and they can be hypocritical in their walk. God has His ways of dealing with them as we see illustrated in Oba 1:4 KJV "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle (pretending to be overcomers), and though thou set thy nest among the stars (pretending to be saints), thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD." but there are men and women who do love the Lord and yet because of a weakness in their lives have trouble staying on the path. They need much encouragement from the mature saints, they need to be strengthened by others until they get their feet under them and can stand on their own. Lets ask God for words that will uphold people, words that even when we are not aware of it helps people. I have benefited myself over the many decades with people whom God used to strengthen me and they do not even know it. May this type of help exude from us and when we know a brother or sister needs help lets be the one who strengthens them with our words and upholds them.

Where Did Understanding and Wisdom Come From?

Job 38:36 [NET] "Who has put wisdom in the heart, or has imparted understanding to the mind?"

Universe as seen by Hubble

Basically I do not have a problem with many secular theories today, for instance the Big Bang theory does not bother me a bit; Dinosaurs do not cause me any heart burn at all. The scriptures simply say God created the heavens and the earth by His Word and in Genesis, Proverbs and in the latter chapters of Job we have some renderings of the activity of creation but not specifics on how He executed it.  As far as Dinosaurs are concerned,  I can accept for the sake of argument that there was another creation before us (Investigate Genesis gap theory). Sticking with the Big Bang theory for a moment suppose we accept this as a possible hypothesis (albeit for it to be true one of the principle laws of physics must be violated, namely, particles exceeding the speed of light; a feat that nothing in the universe currently can do). The problem I have with secular theories are not so much how the things we see today came to be but rather two critical and I believe fatal points that refute secular theories: 1) Where did the very first particle and its energy come from? and 2) Where did wisdom and understanding come from and who put them into the heart of man?

Where did the first particle come from? Scientists are very proud of their explanation that everything came forth from one single astronomically compressed dense particle bursting with energy which exploded causing particles to exceed the speed of light for some period of time (better be careful with this one; under special relativity doesn't exceeding the speed of light cause an event to go back in time or reverse?) producing dust and other elements that filled the universe with matter and eventually formed into galaxies and into the known universe. My question is simple; where did the first particle which contained all these sophisticated and complex particles and gases come from? 

In my faith I can answer this question; I believe that the worlds were framed by the Word of God and so God comes before the particle and is responsible for the elements contained in the first particle. In the scientists theory nothing existed before the particle and so the particle is all powerful and created itself; therefore, they believe the particle is God since this little particle created everything we know and see today. Ask yourself this question, does this make sense and answer all the questions of light and all darkness, water, skies, outer space, atmospheres and planets, sun moon and starts. Were all of these created from one little particle of dust and energy? What about intangible things such as wisdom and understanding, good and evil were these all created from a particle of dust too. This does not make any sense at all; the answer is, of course, they had to be created. 

Where did all the immense energy in the very first particle come from? There can only be two possible answers; it was either created or it created itself. It was either created by God or it is God. This theory is folly; don't waste my time explaining to me what happened when the energy was released explain to me where the energy came from in the first place. What is created is not nearly as important as what created it. This next point is the most fatal to secular theorists. Where did the intangible things such as wisdom and understanding in the heart of man come from? The Lord in the book of Job (Chapter 38:36) asked Job, a man who was in the midst of a trial and accusing God, this very question. And to the modern theorists I would like to ask the same. If man formed from the organic composition of the primordial ooze, a strictly organic activity then where did his intelligence come from and who told him he needed it? He could not have developed it because he sensed he needed it because not having intelligence how could he sense he needed it? The answer is, of course, obvious; it was God who put wisdom and understanding in the heart of man.

Here is the issue. Modern man is committed to discounting God because of the accountability issue; if he accepts that God exists then he is accountable for all his ambitions and works. He wants to cast God away because he wants the liberty and freedom to be his own man, not accountable to anyone. Unfortunately, he will find out too late that mankind is created and as such is accountable, everyone is accountable, it is the one unbending rule of the universe. Man was not created, as he accuses, by a cruel taskmaster but rather a loving and kind God whose only issue with man is against that which is evil (sin). If man walks contrary to laws God has given then he is subject to the penalties of the law (this is the same principle we govern ourselves with; if one breaks a law he is subject to the penalty - no difference!). 

What exactly is the commandments of God that we are judged by? Love, plain and simple. Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. Hardly the mandates of a wild dictator bent on forcing worship. So motivated to man's success in this command is God that He offered His only begotten Son on the cross for those who have rebelled against Him, the very one who gave them life and breath. He did this to provide a covering for mans sin and to impart to us the power to walk in His commandments and thereby avoid the penalty of the law. 

In conclusion, the fatal flaw to modern theories is that although they try to explain the origins of the universe and the origins of man they can only take you to a point in time where something already existed and they cannot go beyond that point! My faith can easily make that leap to the other side bridging the gap and explaining the real origins, the origin of the very first particle and the energy contained and where wisdom and understanding came from.

Numbers Six - The Secret to Strength and Power for the Church

This was a prayer that God commanded when He established the Tabernacle and priesthood. Numbers 6:22-27 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, 24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them." We have an example of this blessing being performed by Aaron in Lev 9:22 "And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings." So powerful was this blessing that we have an example of Balaam trying to curse the children of Israel but he could not violate this command to bless (Number 22). Every time he raised his hand to curse Israel he pronounced blessing (This blessing was in force because God testified in Numbers 22 that Israel was not walking in sin; this is the one thing that will break that blessing).Balaam could not break the blessing so he wickedly advised Balak, the king, to cause Israel to sin and thus remove this profound blessing; and so the men of Israel sinned with the women Balak sent into the camp and broke Gods commands causing God to bring judgment. I want to focus on the blessing itself and what it means for a people to have it so let's consider the different aspects of this blessing:

The Lord Bless Thee - Prosperity, in a very real sense we depend on His blessing for everything; whoever has His blessing prospers, whoever does not have His blessing wains. This is a simple basic fact of the kingdom. Prov 10:22 - blessing of the Lord maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it; Prov 28:20 - a faithful man abounds with blessing! Our prosperity (naturally and spiritually) depends on His favor and blessing.

The Lord Keep Thee - The keeping power of God. This would be best understood by Psalm 91: - why is it that one's stands the test of time throughout the years of good and evil; it is because of the keeping power of God. He upholds them in trials and tribulations. One who sets their love upon Him, as demonstrated by keeping His commands (John 14:15),  He upholds and preserves.

The Lord Make His Face to Shine Upon Thee - This is the thought of a father who looks upon the son in whom he is pleased; when he looks at him his heart is filled with pleasure and joy and the smile on his face belies the joy in his heart. We understand this through Jeremiah 29:13

The Lord be Gracious Unto Thee - Amos 5:15 - To the man or woman who loves good and hates evil the Lord will be gracious. Graciousness is the aspect of overlooking one's faults, they have blundered and yet one is gracious to overlook their faults. What a treasure this is, to have God be gracious to us even though we may stumble. But this is applied to ones who love good an hate evil because God knows their heart and does not get them with "Technicalities"; rather He is gracious and forgiving, He is pleased to give them leeway and time to mature.

The Lord Lift Up His Countenance - This has the sense of Gods acknowledgment, it is like king Ahasuerus in the book of Esther, this is only given to those who have found favor and grace in His sight. Esther 5:1-2 He extended his scepter to her...more to the point, he recognized and acknowledged her (she could have perished because she had not been called). Mark my words, there are those who God doe not acknowledge because of the way they are walking, this is not a given; the ones He acknowledges are ones who have character.

The Lord Give Thee Peace - "Shalom" - completeness, soundness, welfare, peace. The peace of God keeps our hearts and minds; it is not easily shaken or moved when things seem to turn against us, the peace of God holds us on course. This is a blessing indeed!

What is it that brings this blessing from God? It is a little bit more than just calling ones self after His name; it is walking uprightly and doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord! In Rom 8 we have listed for us "17 things" that cannot separate us from the love of God but in Gal 5 we have "17 things" (works of the flesh) that can displease the Lord and cause Him remove His blessing if we do not put them in check (as was the case listed above in Numbers 22) . What is the point we re making here? In summary it is this; the blessing of God is what gives the church its strength and makes it the head instead of the tail; in His favor is life and blessing. If we walk in His ways and endeavor by His grace to keep His judgments and statutes we will be preserved by these very blessings. However, I have seen over the years the church walking away from His commands and as a result I have observed  the blessing of God dissolve and the church losing its strength and sanctity; they have become weak spiritually and carnal because they have lost His blessing. They have been given over to carnality and error. It is time to return to the Lord, seek His face and walk in His ways. Let us once again ask Him to show His favor. It will mean for many brokenness and repentance but in the end it will restore His hand of favor to the Church and He will uphold us.

A Testimony of Romans 6:6 and the Desire for a Deeper Experience

Isaiah 53:3-5 - "3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

On a flight to Chicago recently the Lord made me understand in the most painful way how that the innocent (Christ) was punished, not for the sins of the world but...for me, for my sins and my guilt! He was beaten and crucified because of my sin and my transgression; this was both a wonderful and horrible experience but it produced within me a fresh cry for a much fuller experience of Romans 6:6 – “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin”.

On this flight He came from behind and stood by me, when He reached my row He leaned in towards me laid His hand upon me and without a thought I was compelled of the Holy Ghost to say: "punish Him for my sin". I could not believe I was saying this; here was my beautiful friend, the one who came to visit me and yet the words could not be restrained. I had to turn my head towards the window because I could not refrain from weeping. In a profound way I understood that He, the innocent one, was punished for me the guilty. I reasoned within myself if this was the right thing to do and yet I knew it was the only way, if He was not punished for me I would be lost. He had to be punished for my guilt. This is how real His offering became to me. My elder brother whom I love, this very elder brother who cares for me, even Jesus, I knew He had to be punished for my sin and it broke me. He was treated like the criminal and I, the guilty, went free. How can I describe what this produced in me, it produced within me a cry of: "No More! Lord let me sin no more so that I no longer contribute to your punishment, enough O' Lord, no more. Bring me like Isaiah to a place where my iniquity shall pass from me!"

I have to confess that when I first came to Jesus Christ 35 years ago it was not because of an awareness of my sin; it was more like a drowning man who clung to the life saver to keep from perishing. But throughout the years I have come into the revelation of what I did to Him and why He needed to die for my sins. The knowledge of this affects me in a most profound way; it produces such a desire to have a very real meeting with him so that the power of sin and the old Adam can be broken for good. The knowledge that the innocent was punished for your sin helps but it is not the complete solution. The full solution is that iniquity must be purged for a real breakthrough. There is something that takes place in a person’s life when they meet face to face with the power of God; not simply a casual meeting or sighting of Him but a life changing transformation where He puts something in you that was not there and you are so different or perhaps He removes something from you that was there and you are free indeed.

I recall Isaiah 6 where the prophet see’s the Lord and is made aware of his own uncleanness; the angel of the Lord touches his lips with the coals form off the altar and says “I have caused thy iniquity to pass from thee”. This is where the real crippling effects of Adam are broken. I am writing this little testimony to encourage us all to get before the Lord and ask Him to give us the faith that will produce this same kind of experience in each one of us; where we have such a meeting with God that the old man is rendered inactive and we no longer are servants to sin.