Delight In God's Word

Bobservations
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz

In our reading this morning, we find God speaking to David, to the Jews, and to every Believer, that He will be faithful to His own.  It is a covenant statement.

We tend to equate righteousness with holiness, faithfulness, obedience, and devout, unwavering faith.  When we see these outward qualities in an individual, we often wish for that kind of walk with the Lord.  And though that may be mankind's definition of righteousness, it cannot be God's definition , for God does not look upon the outward appearances, but sees the inward heart.

King David was less than holy, faithful, obedient, devout, and did not possess an unwavering faith.  The same can be said of the Jews overall, and most certainly of New Testament Believers also.  The scriptures are clear:  "There is none righteous, no not one."  - Romans 3:10; "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23

We conclude then, that righteousness belongs only to the Lord God, and it is somehow entrenched with His glory.

In Psalm 112:1 & 3, it tells us "Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments... ( the man's) righteousness endureth forever."  Somhow then, God has the ability, and the desire to share His righteousness with any who fear Him, and delight in His commandments.

Someone who does not delight in God's commandments surely will not fear Him, nor respect  His word.  So now, it is of David, of the Jews, and of the Church that we must examine:  Do any delight in God's commandments?  Do we hang on every word of God?  Do we honor and respect Him in that way, and find ourselves more delighted in His will rather than our own?

If you and I are feeling convicted, and guilty, and find ourselves falling short, then take heart dear Believer.  For God also delights in a few things too!  He delights in mercy and grace, and offers forgiveness to any who ask it.

"Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage?  He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy."  - Micah 7:8

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  - Hebrews 4:16









 

Jesus: God of the Impossible!

Bobservations

by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
 

This week as I gathered my thoughts about what to teach on Resurrection Day, I was blessed to see something come clearly into view that I think we all take by faith, and also take for granted:

Though we’ve learned the story of redemption from the Gospels, and gleaned much from the Old Testament about God’s plan of Salvation, Jesus’ life remains to be an incomprehensible impossibility according to human understanding.

    The ancient gods of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome interacted with humans, but for the most part, they stayed either separate, or aloof from mere mortals. Jesus is unique because He willingly became what He created (Col. 1)

    His Virgin birth? Impossible. His possession of knowledge to teach the scribes and Pharisees? Impossible. His teachings of the same scriptures as the Pharisees, but with grace and authority? Impossible. To heal with a simple touch? Impossible. To heal remotely by the word of His mouth, without any touch at all. Impossible. To feed more than 5,000 with two fish, and five loaves of bread? Impossible. To walk on water? Impossible. To heal a withered hand, make the dumb hear, the blind see, and the mute to speak? All impossible.

     To raise the dead? Impossible. To look beyond the cross, for the joy that lay ahead? Impossible. To go willingly to the cross? Impossible. To dismiss His own spirit? Impossible. To raise Himself up out of a tomb? Impossible. To raise Himself up bodily and be take into a cloud? Impossible.

    A young Virgin, Mary, thought what God had the Angel say to her was impossible. To give birth without knowing a man? Impossible. But from those first words of the Angel Gabriel, we read what Matthew recorded so long ago for us: “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.”  (Lk. 1:37)

    Jesus is the God of the impossible. If He did all those things for the Tribes of Israel, can you imagine what He will do for His own Church? If He did all those things for doubters, skeptics, and non-believers, can you then imagine what He might do for you and for me? If only we would ask!

    But it sounds all the more impossible, doesn’t it? Miracles, just for the asking…  

“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, 

that your joy may be full.”    - John 16:24

TO THE COMING OF MESSIAH

Bobservations
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz

God’s Prophetic Word is sought after and studied, often to simply verify the accuracy of God’s own words in our hearts. Such study settles our faith, and resolves human doubt. Amos 3:7 declares that God will do nothing that He has not already told to His servants, the Prophets. What we have taken and believed by faith, is proven in His Word and recorded deeds.

This is vitally important to us as Believers. While we take it on faith that God is true to His Word, there are others we meet who want and sometimes demand evidence for why we believe what we believe. Fulfilled prophecy becomes a foundation for renewing our faith, and for the new faith of others.

Today’s scripture passages regarding Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, are pretty important. For one thing, the event is recorded in all four of the Gospels. Therefore, it is a significant part of the story of His life on Earth. As Messiah, Jesus’ coming was prophesied throughout the Old Testament. David wrote in the Psalms, “In the volume of the book, it is written of me,” but the context of his words show that David was assuredly not speaking of himself; he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write of the One who would inherit his Throne, Jesus. Even David’s phrasing is prophetic: all the information we have about Jesus’ life has been collated into a single “volume’ we know as The Bible. Except that David was Divinely inspired, how could David otherwise know this detail: a single volume?

Today’s celebration of Palm Sunday is a milestone in prophecy. Besides fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy of the 70 weeks in chapter 9 of Daniel, Zechariah’s words in his chapter 9 are also fulfilled on this day, noted on the Jewish calendar as the 6th of Nisan.

The day also recalls another milestone in Jesus’ life, because it is the first day of Jesus’ most difficult week on Earth. From the glory of today, to the humiliation and rejection later in the week, Jesus shows us that He identifies with all that we go through. Whether through family, friends, or co-workers; whether through the religious leaders, or through an oppressive government, Jesus knows our trials, and stands as our steadfast advocate in every situation.

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” - 1 John 2:1