God Will Hear Our Cries From Heaven

Covid 19 Update - 3/31/20
Last Sunday, March 29,  the stay at home order was extended to the end of April. I wonder if that will be enough time for the virus to run it’s course? I also wonder what that will do to our economy? Will we collapse into a depression? On those not so cheery notes; I will share a verse that has been on my mind in the last few days... a verse that is really our only hope.

“If MY people who are called by My name 
will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, 

and turn from their wicked ways, 

then I will hear from heaven, I will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJ

King Solomon dedicated the newly finished temple to God for Him to dwell among His people.*  The night after Solomon dedicated the temple, the LORD appeared to him and said,

“I have heard your prayer 

and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, 

or command the locusts to devour the land, 

or send pestilence among My people,

if my people who are called by My name 

will humble themselves...” 

The key verse at the top of the page,  is what God said for His people to do when pestilence comes. I didn’t know what the word pestilence meant so I looked it up. The concordance says it is a plague. My dictionary defines it as:
 “Diseases that spread rapidly, causing many deaths. Smallpox, yellow fever,  and the plague are pestilence. A synonym is epidemic.”

Wow, very sobering, yet at the same time hopeful. This verse is well known and loved by God’s chosen people across the globe who are struggling in an enormous crisis beyond their control. Now is such a time of global crisis with nearly every country in the whole world infected with this virus.

In this verse at the top, God Himself sets forth what His people are to do to receive His gracious healing. This verse gives God’s chosen people a path to restoration, through the prayers of His people, and provides a guide for prayers for revival across our world.  

The verse begins with ”IF”, which brings up implies questions. Will we even do what He is calling us to do in a crisis? We need to ask ourselves: “Am I willing to do this? Am I His one of His people? Am I called by His name? A CHRISTian? Am I willing to answer His call and do what He says?”

He is calling us who are His people, who are called by His name to do two things:

Hungering for Righteousness - Covid Update 2

Reading
Matthew 5:6

“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice (righteousness).”

Matthew 5:6 NLT

Our country, our world is in crisis. The World Wide Pandemic of the Covid 19 virus is highly contagious and spreading like the wild fires we had a few years ago. Just one little spark could ignite an entire forest. And so with this disease. During times of adversity, the goodness in people is seen. Many rise to the occasion, jump in, to do the right things to help others. Then you see other people taking advantage of the situation for their own selfish interests.

Can we see evidence of people doing right and wrong actions? Is there such a thing as good and evil? Justice and injustice? Many think there isn’t... we should just do what seems right to us. And who are you to judge right and wrong, good and evil? Though over the centuries, millenniums of human history there were good things done, and there was also evil perpetrated on others. Justice? Injustices committed? Can we all agree that Hitler perpetrated evil and committed genocide when he murdered Jews, Christians and others?

Today is March 27, 2020, the 12th day of the Federal guidelines to slow down the spread of this disease, which began March 16, 2020.  We are still mostly staying home, and if we need to go out for a necessity it is brief. We avoid crowds and practice “Social Distancing” as best as possible. I stocked up on food and other necessities a while back. Both the Federal Government and the State of Oregon has asked people to stay home and many businesses deemed unnecessary are ordered to be closed. And schools are closed as well. So many parents find themselves home with their kids, getting restless and needing to get out. But now all the parks are closed, so where do you take the kids to run and play?

The Blessing of Hungering for Righteousness

Reading:
Matthew 5:6
Romans 3:21-25

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.” 

Matthew 5:6

As human beings we long for things to be right; in our own lives and in the world.  Most of time they are right, at least in some ways, and we manage to get through our lives with a semblance of feeling good or at least okay about the world. There are the really great times, like having good family and friends, moving into a new home or apartment and setting up your life. Maybe you’ve started a new job opportunity or a new business. Perhaps you started a new life getting married to the sweetheart of your dreams. And at some point your union you brought a new life into the world. You look into that little face and see hope and promise for this new little life. Then you have the satisfaction of seeing growth and good things come in your life; whether it is the success of your new job/business; or watching your children grow.

But then there are other times, when “the proverbial shoe drops” as they say; and life becomes extremely difficult. Perhaps your dream job/business or your marriage falls apart. Or one of your children has problems, a disability or gets into trouble of some kind. Or you go to the doctor only to hear a dreaded diagnosis... cancer or ? Maybe, or likely, it is more than just one of the things above. You realize that while there are a lot of things that are right in the world; there are also things that are just not right and you long for things to work out much better. Why is it that as much as we may want things to go well, there are times they just fall apart and disaster comes despite our best efforts?

Today, as I write this post, March 26, 2020, the entire world is in the midst of a worldwide pandemic... the Covid 19 Virus or as I call it, the “WuFlu”. My husband and I, our children have experienced pretty much all of the good things and difficulties above; the hopes and joys; as well as the stress, sorrow and setbacks. Yet in all our decades of life challenges, we have never experienced a world wide pandemic and quarantine. We have friends in their 90’s who have never experienced this. There is a lot of uncertainty and fear of what lies ahead. Will a family member or friend become gravely ill and we lose them? How long will it take to stop the spread of the disease? Will family members and/or friends lose their jobs? Their businesses? Will there even be an economy left in the wake of the disease? If the disease slows, will it come back in the fall? Will it last weeks, months or years? When will our free society return? Our economy return? When will life be back to normal again?

Humble to Rise

Reading: James 4:1-10, 1 Peter 5:5-7, Psalm 37.

This is our final post on the Beatitude, Meekness. These first three beatitudes relate together. They reflect the beginning stages of both true conversion and growth in the Spirit of God. When you or I catch a glimpse of how amazing God is and where we stand in comparison, suddenly a realization takes place, deep in our heart... He is God and I am not!!! We realize our need for Him, for you see apart from Him we can do nothing of lasting value! This is what it is to be poor in spirit and is the entry point into the Kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit 

(realize their need for God. NLT)

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 

Matt. 5:3 NKJ

When you truly see your own sin and need for God, you will experience the important godly sorrow of mourning. "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted... just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness... what desire, zeal, vindication, you have done everything necessary to make things right"  2 Corinthians 7:10, 11 NKJ/NLT  This is the kind of sorrow necessary for true repentance and conversion. With this godly sorrow, comes the comfort of the comforter, the Holy Spirit of God.  

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." 

Matthew 5:4 NKJ

Once a person has seen their need for God and mourned over their sin and the lost opportunity of what might have been; a meekness and humility may emerge. Meekness and humility are not weakness but power under perfect control. A person moving in this beatitude, fully trusting God and not his own strength will be blessed by God.

What is the Blessing of Meekness?

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." 

Matthew 5: 5 NKJ

"... the meek shall inherit the earth, 

and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." 

Psalm 37:11 NKJ

When you get a chance, read all of Psalm 37 and you will see what meekness looks like in a very practical way. You will also see the blessing of Meekness in the lives of those who completely trust in God.

Exalted Humility

Reading: Matt. 5:5, Philippians 2:1-13,

"Blessed are the Meek.." 

Matt. 5:5

As we looked to Jesus in the last post to consider what the attitude of meekness looks like in a person; we saw Him becoming a servant and washing the disciples feet. Jesus even says of Himself,

"For I am meek and lowly, (humble) in heart." 

Matt. 11:29

In Jesus' life on this earth He demonstrated greater power than a political leader. He moved in the power of humble wisdom and penetrating love. Today we will look at powerful verses speaking of this humility and love. The apostle Paul calls us to have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

The Master Serves

Reading: Matt. 5:5 John 13:1-17, Matt. 5:43-48

"Blessed are the Meek..." 

Matt. 5:5

As we have been looking at the beatitudes, we have talked about the Meekness of Jesus, our Messiah. He is the one we look to. Our hope should is to be found in His image. Yes found in His image, transformed from our flawed human nature to His glorious nature.  In our reading today lets look on at Jesus' last meal with His disciples. He knew this was His last time with them, so everything He says and does is full of meaning for them and us, who love Him today. In this private evening with them, He demonstrated His meekness in a very powerful way.

"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. The evening meal was being served... Jesus... got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.

When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord,and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will blessed if you do them.'" John 13:1-17 NIV

Greatness is Serving

Reading: Matt. 20:20-28, John 13:1-17

The mother of James and John came to Jesus and asked Him if her two sons may sit next to Him in His Kingdom, with one son on His left and and the other on His right. She was seeking power for her sons. She did not realize what she was asking and neither did James and John. The other ten were very upset with them. So Jesus called them to Himself and explained: "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. 

"...whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant...
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for many."
Matt. 20:26-28 NLT/ NKJ"

Meekness of Messiah

Reading: Matt. 5:5, Matt. 21:5, Zech 9:9, James 3:13-18

James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum

As we continue in our series of the beatitudes we look again today at meekness. In our last post we looked at the blessing of meekness and what meekness is. Though many think of meek as weak, in the Bible it is power under perfect control. What does that look like in a persons life? The best example I know of is our beautiful Messiah, Jesus. Today we will look at him, coming into Jerusalem as King and what His glorious nature is like.

"Blessed are the meek..."
Matt. 5:5 NKJ
 

"Tell the daughter of Zion,
'Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey...'"
Matt. 21:5 NKJ

Jesus fulfilled the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, Your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey..."
Zechariah 9:9 NKJ

The word for "lowly" is the same Greek word "praus" for meek as found in the beatitude "Blessed are the Meek". Lowly: praus Strongs #4235 and #4239 mild, humble, meek and gentle.

The Blessing of Meekness

Reading: Matt 5:5, Psalm 37,

"Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth."
Matt 5:5 NKJ

This is our next beatitude, Blessed are the Meek. What is meekness? Why are the meek blessed with inheriting the earth? Look at Psalm 37 to give you a picture of the blessing of meekness.

"Trust in the Lord, and do good. Commit everything you do to the Lord, trust Him, and He will help you. Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act. Stop being angry!.. Do not lose your temper it only leads to harm. NLT

But those who wait on the Lord... shall inherit the earth... But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace... The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever... For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but those cursed by Him shall be cut off... The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever." Ps. 37:3-18  NKJ

This Psalm describes the unrighteous person and the kind of thinking that is easy to slip into when we lose sight of God. If we see evil people doing really well we may have the tendency to envy them and worry. The meek person totally trusts God and rests in His will to happen at the right time. If we are meek before God, we are not angry at what seems to be unfair to us. Worry and anger comes when don't get what we want. But if we trust God for our life, we will live with inner strength and peace. We trust God because we know that life in this age is not the end of the story.

Comment from Marjie Lewis:

The Jewish people certainly have suffered continuously since the death of Jesus. In Old Testament times, the Jews would turn away from God and while out from under His protection, would be overrun by enemies who would destroy their lands and take them into exile. But time and again, they eventually repented and asked God for intervention. The Lord was always faithful to restore them to their lands and prosperity.

In Awe of The Risen Christ

Reading: Revelation 1

The book of the Revelation is the revelation of the resurrected Christ! It is written by the Apostle John who had a vision of the risen Lord. John was close to Jesus during His life on this earth. He was one of His three closest friends and traveled everywhere with Him. As a young man he saw Jesus with his own eyes, heard His actual voice speak and touched Him with his own hands (I John 1). He wrote the gospel story of what he experienced with Jesus so that we might believe in Him and have life in His Name. (John 20:31)

Now he is an old man imprisoned on an Island and all of the other disciples that were with Jesus have died, most were martyred for their faith. He was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day and received a Revelation of the Risen Lord. In verses 9-20 he "sees" the Eternal Christ. Even though he was so familiar with Jesus when He walked on earth with John, he was awestruck and

"fell at His feet as though dead!"