Love Of God (Part 3)
LOVE OF GOD (PART 3)
GOD OF LOVE
1. Thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
- Isa. 43:1-4, 7
Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are dispersed], and gather you from the west; [Acts 18:10.] I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Keep not back; bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth, Bring forth the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears. God is going to gather All Nations and Peoples unto Himself! He exclaims, "I, even I, am the Lord, and beside Me there is no Savior!" We were formed for Him that we might set forth His praise [and we shall do it]. God loved us so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus to die in our stead, because we are precious in His sight. Through the Red Sea, Jordan River and baptism, He is with us! Our God is a consuming fire, but we shall not be burned or scorched, nor shall the flame kindle upon us. He has called us by our names, we are His!
2. Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
- Isa. 44:1, 2, 21, 22
For I will pour water upon him who is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground. I will pour My Spirit upon your offspring, and My blessing upon your descendants. [John 7:37-39; Isa. 35:6, 7.] Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, you depths of the earth; break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will glorify Himself in Israel. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together in our mother's womb and chosen of God. Remember that you are Servants of the Most High God, formed by Him and you shall not be forgotten by Him. Jesus blotted out all our sins and transgressions and is calling us to Himself. Return to Him! He is the Redeemer!
3. Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called;
- Isa. 48:12
I am He, I am the first, I also am the last. Yes, My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand has spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together [to execute My decrees]. Who is the First and the Last other than Jesus the Messiah? Hear O Israel! The God of wonders calls for you; He beckons you to the upward call.
4. 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. 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 hand; thy walls are continually before me. Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.
- Isa. 49:13-17
Behold, these shall come from afar; and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim [China]. Lift up your eyes round about, and see [the returning exiles, ready to rebuild Jerusalem]; all these gather together and come to you. As I live, says the Lord, you Zion, shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament, and bind them on you as a bride does. And I will make those who oppress you consume themselves [in mutually destructive wars], thus eating their own flesh; and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know - with a knowledge grounded on personal experience - that I the Lord am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. Let these words speak for themselves.
5. I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
- Isa. 51:16
For I am the Lord your God, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar, and by rebuke restrains it. The Lord of hosts is His name. Arouse yourself, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, who have drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of His wrath, who have drunk the cup of intoxication and staggering to the dregs. God has put His words in our mouth, that He may fix the new heavens as a tabernacle, and lay the foundation of a new earth. [Isa. 65:17; 66:22; Rev. 21:1.] Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and He promised to return again and bring us where He is.
6. Thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
- Isa. 54:5, 6, 10
Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded and depressed, for you shall not be put to shame; for you shall forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not [seriously] remember the reproach of your widowhood any more. For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion and mercies I gather you to Me again. For this is as the days of Noah to Me; as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you. O you afflicted, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in fair colors - in antimony [to enhance their brilliance] - and lay your foundations with sapphires. No matter what you are going through in this life, God has a plan for your Good and He will accomplish it! Hope in Him and His Word of Truth! Walk by Faith and not by sight! But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgement you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousnes, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]. This is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me - this is that which I impart to them as their justification - says the Lord.
7. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken, neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
- Isa. 62:4, 5
You shall also be [so beautiful and prosperous as to be thought of as] a crown of glory and honor in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem [exceedingly beautiful] in the hand of your God. I have set watchmen upon your walls O Jerusalem, who will never hold their peace day or night; you who [are His servants and by your prayers] put the Lord in remembrance [of His promises], keep not silence, And give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. Hold the Lord to His Word! He is Faithful and True! Let His delight be in you, the owned and protected by the Lord. Be called Married, O Jerusalem and may the Peace of God that passes all understanding rule and reign in your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. And they shall call you, The Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
8. I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
- Isa. 63:7-9
I trod down the peoples in My anger, and made them drink of the cup of My wrath until intoxicated, and I spilled their life blood upon the earth. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; therefore He turned to be their enemy, and Himself fought agaist them.
FOOTNOTE: "The Angel of the Lord,""of God,"or"of His Presence," is readily identified as the Lord God (Gen. 16:11, 13; 22:11, 12; 31:11, 13; Exod. 3:1-6, etc.). But it is obvious that the Angel of the Lord is a distict person in Himself from God the Father (Gen. 24:7; Zech. 1:12, 13; Exod. 23:20; etc.), as this verse shows. Nor does the Angel of the Lord longer appear after Christ came in human form. He must of necessity then be One of the three-in-one Godhead.
The Angel of the Lord is the visible Lord God of the Old Testament, as Jesus Christ was of the New Testament. Thus His Deity is clearly portrayed in the Old Testament. "There is a fascinating forcast of the coming Messiah, breaking through the dimness with amazing consistency, at intervals from Genesis to Malachi. Abraham, Moses, the slave girl Hagar, the impoverished farmer Gideon, even the humble parents of Samson, had seen and talked with Him centuries before the herald angels proclaimed His birth in Bethlehem" (Cambridge Bible).
9. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
- Isa. 65:19
But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem rejoicing, and her people a joy. There shall no more be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old man who dies prematurely, for the child shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner who dies when only a hundred years old shall be [thought only a child, cut off because he is] accursed. The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength! Rejoice in the Lord Always, again I say, Rejoice! Be Glad! Every debt that you ever had has been paid up in full by the Grace of the Lord. Weeping may last a night time, but Joy comes in the Morning. God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy Mount [Zion], says the Lord.
10. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you;
- Isa. 66:13
For thus says the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; then you shall be nursed, you shall be carried on her hip, and be trotted on her [God's maternal] knees. When you see this your heart shall rejoice, your bones shall flourish like green and tender grass, and the (powerful) hand of the Lord shall be revealed and known to be with His servants, and His indignation to be against His enemies. You shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Comfort, comfort My People, says the Lord! Jesus went to prepare a place for us, but did not leave us comfortless. He has sent His Holy Spirit to rule and reign in our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Comfort one another with these words!
11. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
- Jer. 3:14, 15
Only know, understand and acknowledge your iniquity and guilt, that you have rebelled and transgressed against the Lord your God, and have scattered your favors among strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice, says the Lord. And it shall be that when you have multiplied and increased in the land in those days, says the Lord, they shall no more say, The ark of the covenant of the Lord. It shall not come to mind, nor shall they [seriously] remember it, nor shall they miss or visit it, nor shall it be repaired or made again [for instead of the ark which represented God's presence, He will show Himself present throughout the city]. [Isa. 65:17; Rev. 21:3, 22, 23.] Let us lie prostrate in our shame, and let our dishonor and confusion cover us; for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day; we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God. Return, by Faith to the Lord and Master, and He will take you [not as a nation, but individually], And give you [spiritual] shepherds after His own heart [in the final time], who will feed you with judgement. Jesus is the Way to the Father by the Holy Spirit!
12. The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: Jer. 51:19.
- Jer. 10:16
They are devoid of worth, use or truth, a work of delusion and mockery; in their time of trial and punishment they shall [helplessly] perish. Gather up your bundle of bagage from the ground, O you who dwell under seige. The True God on Whom Israel has a claim; the Lord of Hosts is His Name! He Will Never Leave or Forsake Us!
13. I have forsaken my house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
- Jer. 12:7
For even your brethren and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; yes, even they are [like a pack of hounds] in full cry after you. Believe them not, though they speak fair words and promise good things to you. My heritage has become to Me like a lion in the forest; she has uttered her voice against Me; therefore I have [treated her as if I] hated her. If any nation will hear and obey, God will have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage and every man to his land. And if these [neighbor nations] will diligently learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, saying, As the Lord lives, even as they taught My people to swear by Baal, then shall they be built up in the midst of My people. We are God's people and the sheep of His pasture! Jesus is the Good Shepherd and will lead us every step of the way. Obey His Voice!
14. As the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory:
- Jer. 13:11
This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who walk in the stubbornness of their heart and have gone after their gods and to serve them and to worship them, shall even be like this girdle or wastecloth, which is profitable for nothing. Therefore you shall speak to them this word: Thus says the Lord God of Israel, Every bottle and jar shall be filled with wine. The people will say to you, Do we not certainly know that every bottle and jar will be filled with wine? I have seen your detestable acts, even your adulteries and your lustful neighings [after idols], and the lewdness of your harlotry on the hills in the field. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! For how long a time yet will you not [meet My conditions and] be made clean? Why is it that we do not listen or obey the Lord God Almighty? The Word of God tells us that when a man and woman get married, the husband is to leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife. That Word means to be glued to (not stuck), so our marraige covenant with the Lord Jesus is to be a Unity of Oneness with the Father through and by the Holy Spirit. Cling unto the Lord, for He is the Vine and we are the branch. We are His People in Jesus to bring Glory, Praise and Honor to His Holy and Precious Name!
15. I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.
- Jer. 15:16
[Jeremiah said,] O Lord, You know; [earnestly] remember me and visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors; take me not away [from joy or from life itself] in Your longsuffering [to my enemies]; know that for Your sake I suffer and bear reproach. I sat not in the assembly of those who make merry, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because Your [powerful] hand was upon me, for You have filled me with indignation. Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart. Jesus is the Living Word of God and His Name is the Name above All names by which we are called by. His Word is Spirit and Life itself, so we must feed upon it to taste and see that the Lord is Good! The Word will bring Joy and rejoicing to your heart which is the Fruit of the Spirit. And God will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and He will redeem you out of the palm of the terrible and ruthless tyrants. He is the Lord, God of Hosts!
16. Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn thee. I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
- Jer. 31:3, 14, 32
Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the sword found favor in the wilderness [place of exile], when Israel sought to find rest. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your timbrels [small one-headed drums], and go forth in the dancing [chorus] of those who make merry. Then shall the maidens rejoice in the dance, and the young men and old together. For I will turn ther mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice after their sorrow. Thus says the Lord: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping; Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are not. [Matt.2:18.] Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, [Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25.] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the Lord, I will put My law within them, and on their hearts will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
FOOTNOTE:
The mourning at Ramah is a forcast of that bitter wailing which would be raised by the mothers of the slaughtered babies of Bethlehem centuries later when Herod would attempt to kill the Christ child (Matt. 2:17, 18). Rachel's name, used in the prophecy, is naturally associated with Bethlehem by the fact that her tomb was in that neighborhood. (Cambridge Bible.)
God has continued His Faithfulness to Israel and us [Deut. 7:8.] by drawing us with His Loving-kindness and Loving us with His Everlasting Love. Taste and see that the Lord is Good and be satisfied with His Goodness. As Kings and Priests, He shares His offerings with us and will satisfy fully our Life in Him with Abundance! Even though we broke the covenant He made with us when He took us out of the land of Egypt, as our Husband, He remains Faithful. Jesus Never Fails and has ratified the New Covenant in His Blood to cleanse us from All sin and unrighteousness.
17. I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
- Jer. 32:41
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; and I will put My [reverential] fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me. [Jer. 31:31-34.] For thus says the Lord: Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them. Men shall buy fields for money and sign deeds, seal them and call witnesses, in the land of Benjamin, in the places about Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the South; for I will cause them to be released from their exile, says the Lord. He who the Son sets free is free indeed! Although, the Father disciplines those He Loves, He is our Redeemer and buys back all that was lost. He restores our souls! We are to be the planting of the Lord, rooted and grounded in Him through His Word and bearing fruit for His Kingdom by the Holy Spirit. God gives His whole heart and being, rejoicing over us to do good. He gave us Jesus. Shouldn't we give Him our all?
18. When I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine. vs. 1-14.
- Ezek. 16:8
I caused you [Israel] to multiply as the bud which grows in the field, and you increased and became tall and you came to full maidenhood and beauty; your breasts were formed and your hair had grown, yet you were naked and bare. Then I washed you with water; yes, I thoroughly washed away your [clinging] blood from you, and I anointed you with oil. This reminds me of Ruth and Boaz. God covenanted with us and has promised to provide all of our needs according to His riches in Glory. It is a Covenant of Love, ratified with the Blood of the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World. We are cleansed of all sin and unrighteousness by the washing of the water and the Word of God. His Holy Spirit Oil is poured out upon us, so that we are anointed to go, do and be all that He has called us to in Him. This is the time of Love and we have become His.
19. Ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God.
- Ezek. 34:31
Then shall they know [positively] that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are My people, says the Lord God; We are His sheep, the sheep of His pasture. Jesus is the Good Shepherd that laid down His Life for us, so that we would become the Righteousness of God and live our Life in, through and to Him. Let us obey the Voice of the Spirit and follow Him as He leads us to our Father's Throne of Grace!
20. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- Ezek. 37:27
I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will give blessings to them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them forever. Then the nations shall know, understand and realize that I the Lord do set apart and consecrate Israel for holy use, when My sanctuary shall be in their midst forever more. God's dwelling place shall always be with us, because we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and He rules and reigns in our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord!
21. I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgement, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord. I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. 1 Pet. 2:10.
- Hos. 2:19, 20, 23
And in that day I will make a covenant for [Israel] with the living creatures of the open country, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping things of the ground. And I will break the bow and the sword and [abolish battle equipment and] conflict out of the land, and will make you lie down safely. And in that day, I will respond, says the Lord; I will respond to the heavens [which ask for rain to pour on the earth], and they shall respond to the earth [which begs for the rain it needs]; And the earth shall respond to the grain and the wine and the oil [which beseech it to bring them forth], and these shall respond to Jezreel [restored Israel, who prays for a supply of them]. God is calling us unto Himself as His Precious Bride. Notice how He responds to the prayers of His People. Jesus brings healing and restoration. He rains down Love, cleanses us with His Blood and Anoints us with His Holy Spirit, so that we are made ready for the Marraige Supper of the Lamb!
22. I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time:
- Hos. 9:10
Remember when Jesus cursed the fig tree? In this Old Covenant type, we see God looking for His People to bring forth Good Fruit for His Kingdom, but instead they went to Baalpeor, and consecrated themselves to [Baal] that shameful thing, and they became detestable and loathsome like that which they loved. Abide in Him (the Triune God) and you will be fit for the Kingdom! Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit. My God will cast them away, because they did not listen to and obey Him, and they shall be wanderers and fugitives among the nations. Be rooted and grounded in the Word of God and you will bring forth good and lasting fruit, because God's Word will not return to Him void.
23. When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
- Hos. 11:1, 3, 4
The more [the prophets] called to them, the more they went from them; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and burning incense to the graven images. They shall not [literally] return into [another bondage in] the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to Me. Ephraim surrounds Me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, and Judah is not yet steadfast with God, with the faithful Holy One. Ephraim covenanted with Assyria and broke it's covenant with God. God remained Faithful to His Word, but they did not know that He healed them and bent down to them and gently laid food before them. God the Father sent His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus to earth to die in our stead and bring us into an Everlasting Covenant of Love with Him. Draw near to God and He'll draw near to you!
24. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
- Zeph. 3:17
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear not, O Zion. Let not your hands sink down or be slow and listless. I will gather those belonging to you [those Israelites in captivity] who yearn and grieve for the solemn assembly [and the festivals], on whom [their exile and inability to attend services at Jerusalem have brought derision and] the reproach of it is a burden. At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all the nations of the earth, when I reverse your captivity before your eyes, says the Lord. A mighty One, a Savior - Who saves! He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. "Sing me that Love Song again" - Bruce Cockburn
25. In that day . . . will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, . . . and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.
- Hag. 2:23
And I will [in the distant future] overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the [ungodly] nations, and I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride on them, and the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. [Dan. 2:34, 35, 44, 45; Rev. 19:11-21.] In that day, says the Lord of hosts, will I take you, O Zerubbabel, My servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and I will make you [through the Messiah, your descendant] My signet ring; for I have chosen you [with whom to renew My covenant to David's line], says the Lord of hosts. [2 Sam. 7:12,16.] God wants to take us as His servants and Sons of the Most High God [through Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Only Begotten Son of the Father] and use us to bring His New Covenant to All Nations and Peoples. He wants us to be strong, alert and courageous, and work to build up the Temple of the Living God (His Church and Body of Christ on this Earth) in All It's Glory. For He is with us, His Spirit stands and abides in the midst of us; fear not. He gives Peace and Prosperity! From this day on He will bless us!
26. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
- Zech. 1:14
And the Lord answered the angel who talked with me with gracious and comforting words. So the angel who talked with me said to me, Cry out. And I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was but a little displeased they helped forward the affliction and disaster. Zechariah means, "God Remembers" and He certainly has not forgotten His People. The Book of Zechariah is the "Revelation" of the "Old Covenant" and speaks of the "End Times". We are called to go to All Nations and Peoples with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that those who are at ease will repent of their sins and believe on Him for Eternal Life. God is jealous, because He Loves us, wants to show us His compassion (loving-kindness and mercies), He has a view of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and His cities shall yet overflow with prosperity. He is our strength and power to beat down the enemy.
FOOTNOTE: That the Angel of the Lord is an uncreated angel, distinguished from other angels, and in many places identified with the Lord God is undeniable (Gen. 16:7-10; 31:11-13; 32:25-31 compared with Hos. 12:3-5; Exod. 3:2-4; Judg. 6:11-22; Zech. 3:1, 2). On the other hand there are passages in which He seems to be distinguished from God the Father (Exod. 23:20-22; 32:34). The simplest way of reconciling these two classes is to adopt the old view that this Angel is Christ, the second person of the Godhead, even at that early period appearing as the revealer of the Father. - Lange's Commentary, adapted.
27. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
- Zech. 2:8
Ho! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon! For thus said the Lord of hosts, after His glory had sent me [His messenger] to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple or pupil of His eye: Behold, I will swing my hand over them and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you shall recognize and know that the Lord of hosts has sent me [His messenger]. Be still, all flesh, before the Lord; for He is aroused and risen from His holy habitation. [Hab. 2:20; Zeph. 1:7.] Jesus is standing at the door and waiting for the Father's command to bring the final judgement on planet Earth. Who is going to help those that have messed with the Almighty God's Chosen People? Can you imagine someone being so bold (and oh so stupid) as to stick their finger in the pupil of God's eye. This is how God views those who mess with His People. Satan is our adversary and accuses us, but the Angel of the Lord the High Priest will rebuke him, because Jesus removed the iniquity and guilt of our land in a single day. [Zech. 4:10; 2 Chron. 16:9; Jer. 50:20.]
28. They shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. Jer. 30:22
- Zech. 8:8
Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save My people from the east country, and from the west - the country of the going down of the sun. [Cf. Isa. 43:5, 6.] And I will bring them [home], and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, in truth and faithfulness and in righteousness. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strong and hardened, you who in these days hear these words from the mouth of the prophets, who on the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, foretold that the temple should be rebuilt. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men, out of all languages of the nations, shall take hold of the robe of him who is a Jew, saying, Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. Never forget that we are God's People and He is our God! Jesus is the Truth, God is Faithful and He is our Righteousness!
29. I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
- Zech. 13:9
Being tested? God says, He will test us as gold is tested and will answer us when we call on His Name. Just as Jesus said to the disciples, "Let us go to the other side" and then took them through the storm safely, so our Heavenly Father promises to take us through the fire. Like Daniel's three friends that were thrown into the firey furnace, we shall be delivered by the Son of God without even a trace or smell of smoke. Call upon the Name of Jesus in your times of trial or tribulation and be of Good cheer for He has overcome the World and so shall we. He is our God and we are His People!
30. I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
- Mal. 1:2, 3
In what and how has God loved us? By sending His Only Begotten Son, Jesus to die in our stead and he who believes in Him shall not perish, but have Everlasting Life! He is a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and His Name is terrible and to be [reverently] feared among the nations.
31. The Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord. They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
- Mal. 3:16, 17
And now we consider the proud and arrogant happy and favored; evildoers are exalted and prosper; yes, and when they test God they escape unpunished. Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who does not serve Him. Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; those who reverenced Him worshipfully, and who thought on His name. God publicly recognizes and openly declares us to be His special possession, His peculiar treasure.
NEW COVENANT SCRIPTURES ON THE LOVE OF GOD, EXEMPLIFIED
32. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
- Matt. 18:11-14
Beware that you do not despise or feel scornful toward or think little of one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of and look upon the face of My Father Who is in heaven. If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him privately. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. Am I my brothers keeper? Yes! God wishes that none should perish, but that all would come to repentance. Jesus came to save all from the penalty of death. Who will speak up for the little ones?
33. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in the land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his older son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
- Luke 15:4-7, 11-27
So He told them this parable: Or what woman, having ten (silver) drachmas [each one equal to a day's wages], if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and look carefully and diligently until she finds it? Even so, I tell you, there is joy among and in the presence of the angels of God over one (especially) wicked person who repents - changes his mind for the better, heartily amending his ways with abhorrence for his past sins. But [the elder brother] was angry - with deep-seated wrath - and resolved not to go in. Then his father came out [and] began to plead with him, But he answered his father, Lo, these many years I have served you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me [so much as] a (little) kid, that I might revel and feast and be happy and make merry with my friends; But when this son of yours arrived, who has devoured your living with immoral women, you have killed for him that [wheat-]fattened calf! Which son are you?
34. He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him,
- John 14:21, 23
At that time - when that day comes - you will know [for yourselves] that I am in My Father, and you [are] in Me, and I [am] in you. Judas, not Iscariot, asked Him, Lord, how is it that You will reveal Yourself - make Yourself real - to us and not to the world? Anyone who does not [really] love Me does not observe and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from the Father Who sent Me. The Gospel in a Word is Love! Jesus said, He would (reveal, manifest) Himself to us - I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him. If we [really] love Him, keep His Word - obey His teaching; and the Father will love us, and They will come to us and make Their home (abode, special dwelling place) with us. A New Commandment I give unto you, Love One Another! Come Holy Spirit! Let Your Fire Fall!
35. The Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
- John 16:27
At that time you will ask (pray) in My name, and I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf [for it will be unnecessary]. I came out from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father. God tenderly loves us! We are now here in this world as a witness to the Life of Jesus in us through the Power of the Holy Spirit. He told us to ask the Father in His Name and believe, because it is not necessary for Him to ask the Father on our behalf. We are to be One with the Father as Jesus was on this earth. Be in Peace, have Confidence and be of Good Cheer - take Courage, be Confident, Certain, Undaunted - for Jesus has overcome the world. - He has deprived it of power to harm and has conquered it [for us].
36. All mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. That the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
- John 17:10, 23, 26
I am praying for them. I am not praying (requesting) for the world; but for those You have given Me, for they belong to You. And [now] I am no more in the world, but these are in the world and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep in Your name [in the knowledge of Yourself] them whom You have given Me, that they may be one, as We [are one]. I have given them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, [even] as we are one; Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me [Your gift to Me,] may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me - Your love gift to Me - for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O just and righteous Father, although the world has not known You and has failed to recognize You and has never acknowledged You, I have known You continually. And these men understand and know that You have sent Me. HAVING said these things, Jesus went out with His disciples beyond (across) the winter torrent of the Kidron (in the Ravine of the Cedars). There was a garden there, which He and His disciples entered. Through the Holy Spirit in our lives, Jesus is glorified and honored. Everything that belongs to the Father, belongs to the Son and also to us. Christ in us is the Hope of Glory, in order that we may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definately] recognize that God sent Jesus, and that He loves us [even] as He loves Him. Jesus made the Father's Name known to us and revealed His character and His very Self, and will continue to make [the Father] known, that the Love which God has bestowed upon Jesus may be in us - felt in our hearts - and that Jesus [Himself] may be in us. The Holy Spirit will continue to work in our lives until His work is completed and, because He is in our lives, we have the Love of the Father in us to give.
37. To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
- Rom. 1:7
And this includes yourselves, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because [the report of] your faith is made known to all the world and is commended everywhere. [You then,] beloved ones, designated for a consecrated life: spiritual blessings from the Lord Jesus Christ. God so Loves the World, He calls us to be Saints: He sends us His Holy Spirit of Grace and Truth and has given us Jesus to be our Peace. Why not travel down the Roman road and read the letter of Paul to the Romans. God's Word is Spirit and Life!
38. God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- Rom. 5:8
Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. Therefore, since we are now justified - acquitted, made righteous and brought into right relationship with God - by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God. Through Faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the Peace of Reconciliation] to hold and to enjoy, Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Let us rejoice and exult in our Hope of experiencing and enjoying the Glory of God. Such Hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's Love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Love from your heart!
39. If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also give us all things? Nor height, no depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Rom. 8:31, 32, 39
And those whom He thus foreordained He also called; and those whom He called He also justified - acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself. And those whom He justified He also glorified - raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition [state of being]. Who shall bring any charge agaist God's elect [when it is] God Who justifies - Who puts us in right relation to Himself? (Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?) For I am persuaded beyond doubt - am sure - that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things impending or threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor anything else in all creation willl be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. I AM speaking the truth in Christ. I am not lying; my conscience [enlightened and prompted] by the Holy Spirit, bearing witness with me. Are you persuaded beyond doubt - sure- ?
40. As touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
- Ro. 11:28
And this will be My covenant - My agreement - with them when I shall take away their sins. [Jer. 31:33; Isa. 27:9.] For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable - He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call. From the point of view of the Gospel (good news) they [the Jews, at present] are enemies [of God], which is for your advantage and benefit, But from the point of view of Gods choice - of divine selection - they are still [dear to Him] for the sake of their forefathers. You have been selected by God, are beloved and dear to Him. Jesus died on the Cross to justify us and the Holy Spirit has given us gifts that are irrevocable. Let us tell the World about His Covenant to take away our sins. May He continue to pour out His Grace upon us and Anoint us to fulfill His Call upon our Lives!
41. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Isa. 64:4.
- 1 Cor. 2:9
None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this; for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the (Holy) Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God - the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny. Do you hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed? [Isa. 65:17.] For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purpose) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct [Him] and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ, the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. [Isa. 40:13.] Let this mind be in you!
42. Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
- 1 Cor. 3:9
He who plants and he who waters are equal - one in aim, of the same importance and esteem - yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor. For we are fellow workmen - joint promoters, laborers together - with and for God; you are God's garden and vineyard and field under cultivation; [you are] God's building. [Isa. 61:3.] According to the grace - the special endowment for my task - of God bestowed on me, like a skilful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it, For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Jesus is the Vine, we are the branches and the Father is the Keeper of the Garden. Our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we are Living Stones in God's building. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand! All other ground is sinking sand. Let us each labor together, be joint promoters and fellow workmen to bring Unity to the Body, Equip the Saints and Fulfill the Great Commission. We are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
43. Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Cor. 7:23.
- 1 Cor. 6:19, 20
Shun immorality and all sexual looseness - flee from impurity [in thought, word or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is the very sanctuary of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you. Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought for a price - purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. Christ in you is the Hope of Glory! He who has the Son has Life and he who does not have the Son does not have Life! Jesus paid the ultimate price for your redemption. He gave His Life as a Gift from God the Father. Now through Him, we are the Body of Christ Jesus here on this earth and He is the Head. Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost in and through us forever more!
44. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
- 2 Cor. 5:18-21
Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ, the Messiah, he is (a new creature altogether,) a new creation; the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (AS God's fellow workers) laboring together with Him then, we beg of you not to receive the grace of God in vain - that merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them, do not receive it to no purpose. God through Jesus Christ received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him. It was God (personally present) in Christ, restoring the world to favor with Himself, not holding against men their trespasses [but cancelling them]; and committing to us the message of restoration to favor. We as Christ's personal representatives beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor now offered you. For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as in and examples of] - what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness. Everyone of us has a ministry calling from God and this portion of Scripture clearly lays it out before us. Let us be reconciled to God and as the Holy Spirit is personally present within us, reconcile and restore the world to favor unto Him!
45. Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- 2 Cor. 6:16
What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [Exod. 25:8; 29:45; Lev. 26:12; Ezek. 37:27; Jer. 31:1.] So, come out from among (unbelievers), and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor, [Isa. 52:11.] And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. [Hos. 1:10; Isa. 43:6.] THEREFORE, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the (reverential) fear of God. God does not dwell in houses made by man, but Christ in you is the Hope of Glory! He who has the Son has Life, but he who does not have the Son does not have Life! In Him we live and move and have our being! Be sanctified (set aside for the use of God), be complete, walk in the Father's Grace as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. The Kingdom of God (Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost) is within you and amongst you. Walk in His Will and Way!
46. The love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.
- 2 Cor. 13:14
All the saints (the people of God) salute you. The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the presence and fellowship (the sharing together and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen - so be it. God is Love, Jesus promised Never to leave or forsake you and he said He'ld be with you always even unto the end of the age. His Word is Spirit and Life, so if you're daily reading the Scriptures and in prayer then you'll know the communion of His presence between the wings of the cheribum. They'll know we are Christians by our Love! Love one another!
47. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
- Eph. 1:3-6
May grace (which is God's unmerited favor) and spiritual peace (which means peace with God and harmony, unity and undisturbedness) be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence), Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will - of His plan, of His purpose. [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him, [He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth.
FOOTNOTE: Some interpret "in Him" to mean "in Himself"; others, "in Christ."
Praise, laudation and eulogy be to the God and Father of the Messiah, Who has blessed us in Christ with every Holy Spirit given blessing in the heavenly realm! Even as in His love He actually picked us out for Himself as His own; that we should be consecrated and set apart for Him and even above reproach, before Him in love. For He destined us, planned in love for us to be revealed as His own children through Jesus Christ, because it pleased Him and was His kind intent; So that we might be to the commendation of His glorious favor and mercy which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
There is no greater book in the Bible that shows the Believer who he or she is in Christ Jesus. We would do well to study this portion of Scripture to know the Will of God for our lives and walk in the truths set before us.
48. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies.
- Col. 3:12
[In this new creation all distinctions vanish]; there is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all - everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person. Clothe yourself therefore, as (God's own picked representatives,) His own chosen ones, [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience - which is tireless, long-suffering and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper. Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has freely forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ! You are chosen of God to be Holy and you are His Beloved. Walk in His Tender Mercies, do unto others as has been done unto you. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
49. God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
- Heb. 11:16
If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it; But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]. For that reason God is not ashamed even to be surnamed their God [the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them. [Exod. 3:6, 15; 4:5.] In this great "Chapter of Faith" we are grouped with God's men and women of old. He is Our God, He is not ashamed of us and He has prepared the New Jerusalem for us to dwell in with Him Forever in His Love!
50. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- Jas. 1:18
Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse]. And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth (as sons) by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself. Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, (a ready listener,) slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. Jesus, the Word of God and Truth is the Firstfruit of the Dead. We are to be like Him in this World and to let the Power of His Resurrection live in and through us. He's given us His Holy Spirit and everything we need to live our Lives unto Him!
This concludes our "Love of God" series, but the Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases!
Verse of the Day
Turn to me and be saved, all who live at the ends of the earth, because I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:22
GOD OF LOVE
1. Thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
- Isa. 43:1-4, 7
Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are dispersed], and gather you from the west; [Acts 18:10.] I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Keep not back; bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth, Bring forth the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears. God is going to gather All Nations and Peoples unto Himself! He exclaims, "I, even I, am the Lord, and beside Me there is no Savior!" We were formed for Him that we might set forth His praise [and we shall do it]. God loved us so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus to die in our stead, because we are precious in His sight. Through the Red Sea, Jordan River and baptism, He is with us! Our God is a consuming fire, but we shall not be burned or scorched, nor shall the flame kindle upon us. He has called us by our names, we are His!
2. Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
- Isa. 44:1, 2, 21, 22
For I will pour water upon him who is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground. I will pour My Spirit upon your offspring, and My blessing upon your descendants. [John 7:37-39; Isa. 35:6, 7.] Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, you depths of the earth; break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will glorify Himself in Israel. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together in our mother's womb and chosen of God. Remember that you are Servants of the Most High God, formed by Him and you shall not be forgotten by Him. Jesus blotted out all our sins and transgressions and is calling us to Himself. Return to Him! He is the Redeemer!
3. Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called;
- Isa. 48:12
I am He, I am the first, I also am the last. Yes, My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand has spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together [to execute My decrees]. Who is the First and the Last other than Jesus the Messiah? Hear O Israel! The God of wonders calls for you; He beckons you to the upward call.
4. 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. 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 hand; thy walls are continually before me. Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.
- Isa. 49:13-17
Behold, these shall come from afar; and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim [China]. Lift up your eyes round about, and see [the returning exiles, ready to rebuild Jerusalem]; all these gather together and come to you. As I live, says the Lord, you Zion, shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament, and bind them on you as a bride does. And I will make those who oppress you consume themselves [in mutually destructive wars], thus eating their own flesh; and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know - with a knowledge grounded on personal experience - that I the Lord am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. Let these words speak for themselves.
5. I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
- Isa. 51:16
For I am the Lord your God, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar, and by rebuke restrains it. The Lord of hosts is His name. Arouse yourself, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, who have drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of His wrath, who have drunk the cup of intoxication and staggering to the dregs. God has put His words in our mouth, that He may fix the new heavens as a tabernacle, and lay the foundation of a new earth. [Isa. 65:17; 66:22; Rev. 21:1.] Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and He promised to return again and bring us where He is.
6. Thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
- Isa. 54:5, 6, 10
Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded and depressed, for you shall not be put to shame; for you shall forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not [seriously] remember the reproach of your widowhood any more. For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion and mercies I gather you to Me again. For this is as the days of Noah to Me; as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you. O you afflicted, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in fair colors - in antimony [to enhance their brilliance] - and lay your foundations with sapphires. No matter what you are going through in this life, God has a plan for your Good and He will accomplish it! Hope in Him and His Word of Truth! Walk by Faith and not by sight! But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgement you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousnes, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]. This is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me - this is that which I impart to them as their justification - says the Lord.
7. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken, neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
- Isa. 62:4, 5
You shall also be [so beautiful and prosperous as to be thought of as] a crown of glory and honor in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem [exceedingly beautiful] in the hand of your God. I have set watchmen upon your walls O Jerusalem, who will never hold their peace day or night; you who [are His servants and by your prayers] put the Lord in remembrance [of His promises], keep not silence, And give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. Hold the Lord to His Word! He is Faithful and True! Let His delight be in you, the owned and protected by the Lord. Be called Married, O Jerusalem and may the Peace of God that passes all understanding rule and reign in your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. And they shall call you, The Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
8. I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
- Isa. 63:7-9
I trod down the peoples in My anger, and made them drink of the cup of My wrath until intoxicated, and I spilled their life blood upon the earth. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; therefore He turned to be their enemy, and Himself fought agaist them.
FOOTNOTE: "The Angel of the Lord,""of God,"or"of His Presence," is readily identified as the Lord God (Gen. 16:11, 13; 22:11, 12; 31:11, 13; Exod. 3:1-6, etc.). But it is obvious that the Angel of the Lord is a distict person in Himself from God the Father (Gen. 24:7; Zech. 1:12, 13; Exod. 23:20; etc.), as this verse shows. Nor does the Angel of the Lord longer appear after Christ came in human form. He must of necessity then be One of the three-in-one Godhead.
The Angel of the Lord is the visible Lord God of the Old Testament, as Jesus Christ was of the New Testament. Thus His Deity is clearly portrayed in the Old Testament. "There is a fascinating forcast of the coming Messiah, breaking through the dimness with amazing consistency, at intervals from Genesis to Malachi. Abraham, Moses, the slave girl Hagar, the impoverished farmer Gideon, even the humble parents of Samson, had seen and talked with Him centuries before the herald angels proclaimed His birth in Bethlehem" (Cambridge Bible).
9. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
- Isa. 65:19
But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem rejoicing, and her people a joy. There shall no more be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old man who dies prematurely, for the child shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner who dies when only a hundred years old shall be [thought only a child, cut off because he is] accursed. The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength! Rejoice in the Lord Always, again I say, Rejoice! Be Glad! Every debt that you ever had has been paid up in full by the Grace of the Lord. Weeping may last a night time, but Joy comes in the Morning. God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy Mount [Zion], says the Lord.
10. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you;
- Isa. 66:13
For thus says the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; then you shall be nursed, you shall be carried on her hip, and be trotted on her [God's maternal] knees. When you see this your heart shall rejoice, your bones shall flourish like green and tender grass, and the (powerful) hand of the Lord shall be revealed and known to be with His servants, and His indignation to be against His enemies. You shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Comfort, comfort My People, says the Lord! Jesus went to prepare a place for us, but did not leave us comfortless. He has sent His Holy Spirit to rule and reign in our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Comfort one another with these words!
11. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
- Jer. 3:14, 15
Only know, understand and acknowledge your iniquity and guilt, that you have rebelled and transgressed against the Lord your God, and have scattered your favors among strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice, says the Lord. And it shall be that when you have multiplied and increased in the land in those days, says the Lord, they shall no more say, The ark of the covenant of the Lord. It shall not come to mind, nor shall they [seriously] remember it, nor shall they miss or visit it, nor shall it be repaired or made again [for instead of the ark which represented God's presence, He will show Himself present throughout the city]. [Isa. 65:17; Rev. 21:3, 22, 23.] Let us lie prostrate in our shame, and let our dishonor and confusion cover us; for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day; we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God. Return, by Faith to the Lord and Master, and He will take you [not as a nation, but individually], And give you [spiritual] shepherds after His own heart [in the final time], who will feed you with judgement. Jesus is the Way to the Father by the Holy Spirit!
12. The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: Jer. 51:19.
- Jer. 10:16
They are devoid of worth, use or truth, a work of delusion and mockery; in their time of trial and punishment they shall [helplessly] perish. Gather up your bundle of bagage from the ground, O you who dwell under seige. The True God on Whom Israel has a claim; the Lord of Hosts is His Name! He Will Never Leave or Forsake Us!
13. I have forsaken my house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
- Jer. 12:7
For even your brethren and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; yes, even they are [like a pack of hounds] in full cry after you. Believe them not, though they speak fair words and promise good things to you. My heritage has become to Me like a lion in the forest; she has uttered her voice against Me; therefore I have [treated her as if I] hated her. If any nation will hear and obey, God will have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage and every man to his land. And if these [neighbor nations] will diligently learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, saying, As the Lord lives, even as they taught My people to swear by Baal, then shall they be built up in the midst of My people. We are God's people and the sheep of His pasture! Jesus is the Good Shepherd and will lead us every step of the way. Obey His Voice!
14. As the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory:
- Jer. 13:11
This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who walk in the stubbornness of their heart and have gone after their gods and to serve them and to worship them, shall even be like this girdle or wastecloth, which is profitable for nothing. Therefore you shall speak to them this word: Thus says the Lord God of Israel, Every bottle and jar shall be filled with wine. The people will say to you, Do we not certainly know that every bottle and jar will be filled with wine? I have seen your detestable acts, even your adulteries and your lustful neighings [after idols], and the lewdness of your harlotry on the hills in the field. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! For how long a time yet will you not [meet My conditions and] be made clean? Why is it that we do not listen or obey the Lord God Almighty? The Word of God tells us that when a man and woman get married, the husband is to leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife. That Word means to be glued to (not stuck), so our marraige covenant with the Lord Jesus is to be a Unity of Oneness with the Father through and by the Holy Spirit. Cling unto the Lord, for He is the Vine and we are the branch. We are His People in Jesus to bring Glory, Praise and Honor to His Holy and Precious Name!
15. I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.
- Jer. 15:16
[Jeremiah said,] O Lord, You know; [earnestly] remember me and visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors; take me not away [from joy or from life itself] in Your longsuffering [to my enemies]; know that for Your sake I suffer and bear reproach. I sat not in the assembly of those who make merry, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because Your [powerful] hand was upon me, for You have filled me with indignation. Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart. Jesus is the Living Word of God and His Name is the Name above All names by which we are called by. His Word is Spirit and Life itself, so we must feed upon it to taste and see that the Lord is Good! The Word will bring Joy and rejoicing to your heart which is the Fruit of the Spirit. And God will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and He will redeem you out of the palm of the terrible and ruthless tyrants. He is the Lord, God of Hosts!
16. Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn thee. I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
- Jer. 31:3, 14, 32
Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the sword found favor in the wilderness [place of exile], when Israel sought to find rest. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your timbrels [small one-headed drums], and go forth in the dancing [chorus] of those who make merry. Then shall the maidens rejoice in the dance, and the young men and old together. For I will turn ther mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice after their sorrow. Thus says the Lord: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping; Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are not. [Matt.2:18.] Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, [Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25.] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the Lord, I will put My law within them, and on their hearts will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
FOOTNOTE:
The mourning at Ramah is a forcast of that bitter wailing which would be raised by the mothers of the slaughtered babies of Bethlehem centuries later when Herod would attempt to kill the Christ child (Matt. 2:17, 18). Rachel's name, used in the prophecy, is naturally associated with Bethlehem by the fact that her tomb was in that neighborhood. (Cambridge Bible.)
God has continued His Faithfulness to Israel and us [Deut. 7:8.] by drawing us with His Loving-kindness and Loving us with His Everlasting Love. Taste and see that the Lord is Good and be satisfied with His Goodness. As Kings and Priests, He shares His offerings with us and will satisfy fully our Life in Him with Abundance! Even though we broke the covenant He made with us when He took us out of the land of Egypt, as our Husband, He remains Faithful. Jesus Never Fails and has ratified the New Covenant in His Blood to cleanse us from All sin and unrighteousness.
17. I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
- Jer. 32:41
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; and I will put My [reverential] fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me. [Jer. 31:31-34.] For thus says the Lord: Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them. Men shall buy fields for money and sign deeds, seal them and call witnesses, in the land of Benjamin, in the places about Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the South; for I will cause them to be released from their exile, says the Lord. He who the Son sets free is free indeed! Although, the Father disciplines those He Loves, He is our Redeemer and buys back all that was lost. He restores our souls! We are to be the planting of the Lord, rooted and grounded in Him through His Word and bearing fruit for His Kingdom by the Holy Spirit. God gives His whole heart and being, rejoicing over us to do good. He gave us Jesus. Shouldn't we give Him our all?
18. When I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine. vs. 1-14.
- Ezek. 16:8
I caused you [Israel] to multiply as the bud which grows in the field, and you increased and became tall and you came to full maidenhood and beauty; your breasts were formed and your hair had grown, yet you were naked and bare. Then I washed you with water; yes, I thoroughly washed away your [clinging] blood from you, and I anointed you with oil. This reminds me of Ruth and Boaz. God covenanted with us and has promised to provide all of our needs according to His riches in Glory. It is a Covenant of Love, ratified with the Blood of the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World. We are cleansed of all sin and unrighteousness by the washing of the water and the Word of God. His Holy Spirit Oil is poured out upon us, so that we are anointed to go, do and be all that He has called us to in Him. This is the time of Love and we have become His.
19. Ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God.
- Ezek. 34:31
Then shall they know [positively] that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are My people, says the Lord God; We are His sheep, the sheep of His pasture. Jesus is the Good Shepherd that laid down His Life for us, so that we would become the Righteousness of God and live our Life in, through and to Him. Let us obey the Voice of the Spirit and follow Him as He leads us to our Father's Throne of Grace!
20. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- Ezek. 37:27
I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will give blessings to them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them forever. Then the nations shall know, understand and realize that I the Lord do set apart and consecrate Israel for holy use, when My sanctuary shall be in their midst forever more. God's dwelling place shall always be with us, because we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and He rules and reigns in our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord!
21. I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgement, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord. I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. 1 Pet. 2:10.
- Hos. 2:19, 20, 23
And in that day I will make a covenant for [Israel] with the living creatures of the open country, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping things of the ground. And I will break the bow and the sword and [abolish battle equipment and] conflict out of the land, and will make you lie down safely. And in that day, I will respond, says the Lord; I will respond to the heavens [which ask for rain to pour on the earth], and they shall respond to the earth [which begs for the rain it needs]; And the earth shall respond to the grain and the wine and the oil [which beseech it to bring them forth], and these shall respond to Jezreel [restored Israel, who prays for a supply of them]. God is calling us unto Himself as His Precious Bride. Notice how He responds to the prayers of His People. Jesus brings healing and restoration. He rains down Love, cleanses us with His Blood and Anoints us with His Holy Spirit, so that we are made ready for the Marraige Supper of the Lamb!
22. I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time:
- Hos. 9:10
Remember when Jesus cursed the fig tree? In this Old Covenant type, we see God looking for His People to bring forth Good Fruit for His Kingdom, but instead they went to Baalpeor, and consecrated themselves to [Baal] that shameful thing, and they became detestable and loathsome like that which they loved. Abide in Him (the Triune God) and you will be fit for the Kingdom! Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit. My God will cast them away, because they did not listen to and obey Him, and they shall be wanderers and fugitives among the nations. Be rooted and grounded in the Word of God and you will bring forth good and lasting fruit, because God's Word will not return to Him void.
23. When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
- Hos. 11:1, 3, 4
The more [the prophets] called to them, the more they went from them; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and burning incense to the graven images. They shall not [literally] return into [another bondage in] the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to Me. Ephraim surrounds Me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, and Judah is not yet steadfast with God, with the faithful Holy One. Ephraim covenanted with Assyria and broke it's covenant with God. God remained Faithful to His Word, but they did not know that He healed them and bent down to them and gently laid food before them. God the Father sent His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus to earth to die in our stead and bring us into an Everlasting Covenant of Love with Him. Draw near to God and He'll draw near to you!
24. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
- Zeph. 3:17
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear not, O Zion. Let not your hands sink down or be slow and listless. I will gather those belonging to you [those Israelites in captivity] who yearn and grieve for the solemn assembly [and the festivals], on whom [their exile and inability to attend services at Jerusalem have brought derision and] the reproach of it is a burden. At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all the nations of the earth, when I reverse your captivity before your eyes, says the Lord. A mighty One, a Savior - Who saves! He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. "Sing me that Love Song again" - Bruce Cockburn
25. In that day . . . will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, . . . and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.
- Hag. 2:23
And I will [in the distant future] overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the [ungodly] nations, and I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride on them, and the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. [Dan. 2:34, 35, 44, 45; Rev. 19:11-21.] In that day, says the Lord of hosts, will I take you, O Zerubbabel, My servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and I will make you [through the Messiah, your descendant] My signet ring; for I have chosen you [with whom to renew My covenant to David's line], says the Lord of hosts. [2 Sam. 7:12,16.] God wants to take us as His servants and Sons of the Most High God [through Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Only Begotten Son of the Father] and use us to bring His New Covenant to All Nations and Peoples. He wants us to be strong, alert and courageous, and work to build up the Temple of the Living God (His Church and Body of Christ on this Earth) in All It's Glory. For He is with us, His Spirit stands and abides in the midst of us; fear not. He gives Peace and Prosperity! From this day on He will bless us!
26. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
- Zech. 1:14
And the Lord answered the angel who talked with me with gracious and comforting words. So the angel who talked with me said to me, Cry out. And I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was but a little displeased they helped forward the affliction and disaster. Zechariah means, "God Remembers" and He certainly has not forgotten His People. The Book of Zechariah is the "Revelation" of the "Old Covenant" and speaks of the "End Times". We are called to go to All Nations and Peoples with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that those who are at ease will repent of their sins and believe on Him for Eternal Life. God is jealous, because He Loves us, wants to show us His compassion (loving-kindness and mercies), He has a view of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and His cities shall yet overflow with prosperity. He is our strength and power to beat down the enemy.
FOOTNOTE: That the Angel of the Lord is an uncreated angel, distinguished from other angels, and in many places identified with the Lord God is undeniable (Gen. 16:7-10; 31:11-13; 32:25-31 compared with Hos. 12:3-5; Exod. 3:2-4; Judg. 6:11-22; Zech. 3:1, 2). On the other hand there are passages in which He seems to be distinguished from God the Father (Exod. 23:20-22; 32:34). The simplest way of reconciling these two classes is to adopt the old view that this Angel is Christ, the second person of the Godhead, even at that early period appearing as the revealer of the Father. - Lange's Commentary, adapted.
27. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
- Zech. 2:8
Ho! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon! For thus said the Lord of hosts, after His glory had sent me [His messenger] to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple or pupil of His eye: Behold, I will swing my hand over them and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you shall recognize and know that the Lord of hosts has sent me [His messenger]. Be still, all flesh, before the Lord; for He is aroused and risen from His holy habitation. [Hab. 2:20; Zeph. 1:7.] Jesus is standing at the door and waiting for the Father's command to bring the final judgement on planet Earth. Who is going to help those that have messed with the Almighty God's Chosen People? Can you imagine someone being so bold (and oh so stupid) as to stick their finger in the pupil of God's eye. This is how God views those who mess with His People. Satan is our adversary and accuses us, but the Angel of the Lord the High Priest will rebuke him, because Jesus removed the iniquity and guilt of our land in a single day. [Zech. 4:10; 2 Chron. 16:9; Jer. 50:20.]
28. They shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. Jer. 30:22
- Zech. 8:8
Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save My people from the east country, and from the west - the country of the going down of the sun. [Cf. Isa. 43:5, 6.] And I will bring them [home], and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, in truth and faithfulness and in righteousness. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strong and hardened, you who in these days hear these words from the mouth of the prophets, who on the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, foretold that the temple should be rebuilt. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men, out of all languages of the nations, shall take hold of the robe of him who is a Jew, saying, Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. Never forget that we are God's People and He is our God! Jesus is the Truth, God is Faithful and He is our Righteousness!
29. I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
- Zech. 13:9
Being tested? God says, He will test us as gold is tested and will answer us when we call on His Name. Just as Jesus said to the disciples, "Let us go to the other side" and then took them through the storm safely, so our Heavenly Father promises to take us through the fire. Like Daniel's three friends that were thrown into the firey furnace, we shall be delivered by the Son of God without even a trace or smell of smoke. Call upon the Name of Jesus in your times of trial or tribulation and be of Good cheer for He has overcome the World and so shall we. He is our God and we are His People!
30. I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
- Mal. 1:2, 3
In what and how has God loved us? By sending His Only Begotten Son, Jesus to die in our stead and he who believes in Him shall not perish, but have Everlasting Life! He is a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and His Name is terrible and to be [reverently] feared among the nations.
31. The Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord. They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
- Mal. 3:16, 17
And now we consider the proud and arrogant happy and favored; evildoers are exalted and prosper; yes, and when they test God they escape unpunished. Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who does not serve Him. Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; those who reverenced Him worshipfully, and who thought on His name. God publicly recognizes and openly declares us to be His special possession, His peculiar treasure.
NEW COVENANT SCRIPTURES ON THE LOVE OF GOD, EXEMPLIFIED
32. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
- Matt. 18:11-14
Beware that you do not despise or feel scornful toward or think little of one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of and look upon the face of My Father Who is in heaven. If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him privately. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. Am I my brothers keeper? Yes! God wishes that none should perish, but that all would come to repentance. Jesus came to save all from the penalty of death. Who will speak up for the little ones?
33. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in the land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his older son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
- Luke 15:4-7, 11-27
So He told them this parable: Or what woman, having ten (silver) drachmas [each one equal to a day's wages], if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and look carefully and diligently until she finds it? Even so, I tell you, there is joy among and in the presence of the angels of God over one (especially) wicked person who repents - changes his mind for the better, heartily amending his ways with abhorrence for his past sins. But [the elder brother] was angry - with deep-seated wrath - and resolved not to go in. Then his father came out [and] began to plead with him, But he answered his father, Lo, these many years I have served you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me [so much as] a (little) kid, that I might revel and feast and be happy and make merry with my friends; But when this son of yours arrived, who has devoured your living with immoral women, you have killed for him that [wheat-]fattened calf! Which son are you?
34. He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him,
- John 14:21, 23
At that time - when that day comes - you will know [for yourselves] that I am in My Father, and you [are] in Me, and I [am] in you. Judas, not Iscariot, asked Him, Lord, how is it that You will reveal Yourself - make Yourself real - to us and not to the world? Anyone who does not [really] love Me does not observe and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from the Father Who sent Me. The Gospel in a Word is Love! Jesus said, He would (reveal, manifest) Himself to us - I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him. If we [really] love Him, keep His Word - obey His teaching; and the Father will love us, and They will come to us and make Their home (abode, special dwelling place) with us. A New Commandment I give unto you, Love One Another! Come Holy Spirit! Let Your Fire Fall!
35. The Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
- John 16:27
At that time you will ask (pray) in My name, and I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf [for it will be unnecessary]. I came out from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father. God tenderly loves us! We are now here in this world as a witness to the Life of Jesus in us through the Power of the Holy Spirit. He told us to ask the Father in His Name and believe, because it is not necessary for Him to ask the Father on our behalf. We are to be One with the Father as Jesus was on this earth. Be in Peace, have Confidence and be of Good Cheer - take Courage, be Confident, Certain, Undaunted - for Jesus has overcome the world. - He has deprived it of power to harm and has conquered it [for us].
36. All mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. That the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
- John 17:10, 23, 26
I am praying for them. I am not praying (requesting) for the world; but for those You have given Me, for they belong to You. And [now] I am no more in the world, but these are in the world and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep in Your name [in the knowledge of Yourself] them whom You have given Me, that they may be one, as We [are one]. I have given them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, [even] as we are one; Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me [Your gift to Me,] may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me - Your love gift to Me - for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O just and righteous Father, although the world has not known You and has failed to recognize You and has never acknowledged You, I have known You continually. And these men understand and know that You have sent Me. HAVING said these things, Jesus went out with His disciples beyond (across) the winter torrent of the Kidron (in the Ravine of the Cedars). There was a garden there, which He and His disciples entered. Through the Holy Spirit in our lives, Jesus is glorified and honored. Everything that belongs to the Father, belongs to the Son and also to us. Christ in us is the Hope of Glory, in order that we may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definately] recognize that God sent Jesus, and that He loves us [even] as He loves Him. Jesus made the Father's Name known to us and revealed His character and His very Self, and will continue to make [the Father] known, that the Love which God has bestowed upon Jesus may be in us - felt in our hearts - and that Jesus [Himself] may be in us. The Holy Spirit will continue to work in our lives until His work is completed and, because He is in our lives, we have the Love of the Father in us to give.
37. To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
- Rom. 1:7
And this includes yourselves, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because [the report of] your faith is made known to all the world and is commended everywhere. [You then,] beloved ones, designated for a consecrated life: spiritual blessings from the Lord Jesus Christ. God so Loves the World, He calls us to be Saints: He sends us His Holy Spirit of Grace and Truth and has given us Jesus to be our Peace. Why not travel down the Roman road and read the letter of Paul to the Romans. God's Word is Spirit and Life!
38. God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- Rom. 5:8
Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. Therefore, since we are now justified - acquitted, made righteous and brought into right relationship with God - by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God. Through Faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the Peace of Reconciliation] to hold and to enjoy, Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Let us rejoice and exult in our Hope of experiencing and enjoying the Glory of God. Such Hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's Love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Love from your heart!
39. If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also give us all things? Nor height, no depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Rom. 8:31, 32, 39
And those whom He thus foreordained He also called; and those whom He called He also justified - acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself. And those whom He justified He also glorified - raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition [state of being]. Who shall bring any charge agaist God's elect [when it is] God Who justifies - Who puts us in right relation to Himself? (Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?) For I am persuaded beyond doubt - am sure - that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things impending or threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor anything else in all creation willl be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. I AM speaking the truth in Christ. I am not lying; my conscience [enlightened and prompted] by the Holy Spirit, bearing witness with me. Are you persuaded beyond doubt - sure- ?
40. As touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
- Ro. 11:28
And this will be My covenant - My agreement - with them when I shall take away their sins. [Jer. 31:33; Isa. 27:9.] For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable - He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call. From the point of view of the Gospel (good news) they [the Jews, at present] are enemies [of God], which is for your advantage and benefit, But from the point of view of Gods choice - of divine selection - they are still [dear to Him] for the sake of their forefathers. You have been selected by God, are beloved and dear to Him. Jesus died on the Cross to justify us and the Holy Spirit has given us gifts that are irrevocable. Let us tell the World about His Covenant to take away our sins. May He continue to pour out His Grace upon us and Anoint us to fulfill His Call upon our Lives!
41. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Isa. 64:4.
- 1 Cor. 2:9
None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this; for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the (Holy) Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God - the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny. Do you hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed? [Isa. 65:17.] For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purpose) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct [Him] and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ, the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. [Isa. 40:13.] Let this mind be in you!
42. Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
- 1 Cor. 3:9
He who plants and he who waters are equal - one in aim, of the same importance and esteem - yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor. For we are fellow workmen - joint promoters, laborers together - with and for God; you are God's garden and vineyard and field under cultivation; [you are] God's building. [Isa. 61:3.] According to the grace - the special endowment for my task - of God bestowed on me, like a skilful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it, For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Jesus is the Vine, we are the branches and the Father is the Keeper of the Garden. Our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we are Living Stones in God's building. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand! All other ground is sinking sand. Let us each labor together, be joint promoters and fellow workmen to bring Unity to the Body, Equip the Saints and Fulfill the Great Commission. We are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
43. Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Cor. 7:23.
- 1 Cor. 6:19, 20
Shun immorality and all sexual looseness - flee from impurity [in thought, word or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is the very sanctuary of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you. Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought for a price - purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. Christ in you is the Hope of Glory! He who has the Son has Life and he who does not have the Son does not have Life! Jesus paid the ultimate price for your redemption. He gave His Life as a Gift from God the Father. Now through Him, we are the Body of Christ Jesus here on this earth and He is the Head. Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost in and through us forever more!
44. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
- 2 Cor. 5:18-21
Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ, the Messiah, he is (a new creature altogether,) a new creation; the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (AS God's fellow workers) laboring together with Him then, we beg of you not to receive the grace of God in vain - that merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them, do not receive it to no purpose. God through Jesus Christ received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him. It was God (personally present) in Christ, restoring the world to favor with Himself, not holding against men their trespasses [but cancelling them]; and committing to us the message of restoration to favor. We as Christ's personal representatives beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor now offered you. For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as in and examples of] - what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness. Everyone of us has a ministry calling from God and this portion of Scripture clearly lays it out before us. Let us be reconciled to God and as the Holy Spirit is personally present within us, reconcile and restore the world to favor unto Him!
45. Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- 2 Cor. 6:16
What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [Exod. 25:8; 29:45; Lev. 26:12; Ezek. 37:27; Jer. 31:1.] So, come out from among (unbelievers), and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor, [Isa. 52:11.] And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. [Hos. 1:10; Isa. 43:6.] THEREFORE, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the (reverential) fear of God. God does not dwell in houses made by man, but Christ in you is the Hope of Glory! He who has the Son has Life, but he who does not have the Son does not have Life! In Him we live and move and have our being! Be sanctified (set aside for the use of God), be complete, walk in the Father's Grace as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. The Kingdom of God (Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost) is within you and amongst you. Walk in His Will and Way!
46. The love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.
- 2 Cor. 13:14
All the saints (the people of God) salute you. The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the presence and fellowship (the sharing together and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen - so be it. God is Love, Jesus promised Never to leave or forsake you and he said He'ld be with you always even unto the end of the age. His Word is Spirit and Life, so if you're daily reading the Scriptures and in prayer then you'll know the communion of His presence between the wings of the cheribum. They'll know we are Christians by our Love! Love one another!
47. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
- Eph. 1:3-6
May grace (which is God's unmerited favor) and spiritual peace (which means peace with God and harmony, unity and undisturbedness) be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence), Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will - of His plan, of His purpose. [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him, [He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth.
FOOTNOTE: Some interpret "in Him" to mean "in Himself"; others, "in Christ."
Praise, laudation and eulogy be to the God and Father of the Messiah, Who has blessed us in Christ with every Holy Spirit given blessing in the heavenly realm! Even as in His love He actually picked us out for Himself as His own; that we should be consecrated and set apart for Him and even above reproach, before Him in love. For He destined us, planned in love for us to be revealed as His own children through Jesus Christ, because it pleased Him and was His kind intent; So that we might be to the commendation of His glorious favor and mercy which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
There is no greater book in the Bible that shows the Believer who he or she is in Christ Jesus. We would do well to study this portion of Scripture to know the Will of God for our lives and walk in the truths set before us.
48. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies.
- Col. 3:12
[In this new creation all distinctions vanish]; there is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all - everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person. Clothe yourself therefore, as (God's own picked representatives,) His own chosen ones, [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience - which is tireless, long-suffering and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper. Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has freely forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ! You are chosen of God to be Holy and you are His Beloved. Walk in His Tender Mercies, do unto others as has been done unto you. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
49. God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
- Heb. 11:16
If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it; But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]. For that reason God is not ashamed even to be surnamed their God [the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them. [Exod. 3:6, 15; 4:5.] In this great "Chapter of Faith" we are grouped with God's men and women of old. He is Our God, He is not ashamed of us and He has prepared the New Jerusalem for us to dwell in with Him Forever in His Love!
50. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- Jas. 1:18
Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse]. And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth (as sons) by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself. Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, (a ready listener,) slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. Jesus, the Word of God and Truth is the Firstfruit of the Dead. We are to be like Him in this World and to let the Power of His Resurrection live in and through us. He's given us His Holy Spirit and everything we need to live our Lives unto Him!
This concludes our "Love of God" series, but the Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases!
Verse of the Day
Turn to me and be saved, all who live at the ends of the earth, because I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:22