Words of Hope for You, from the Bible

Psa 38:15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

Psa 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Psa 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Psa 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:


Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

1Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Judging Others

MAT 7:3-5 says, “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

The teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ clearly reveal the Pharisaical hypocrisy that is in the heart of man by nature. “Thou hypocrite” means you are judging your brother with a beam of self-righteousness in your eye and sinning against Jesus’ command to “judge not.”

A beam of self-righteousness most often leads to judging vocally. We can paraphrase: “Television has slain its thousands and the telephone has slain its ten-thousands,” because we call up our friends and say, “Did you hear…” or “Did you know…” if we see something in our brother to condemn. This is dangerous, and I do not think any of us can exclude ourselves.


When God judges a man, He weighs his actions by the motive of his heart. Only God can judge, because He knows and understands every motive and every thought. We read in Hannah’s prayer of 1-SA 2:3, “Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” We may arrogantly judge others with our mouths for the small things that we see in them, not noticing the larger beams in our own eyes, but the Lord is the only One who knows the truth. If we are walking humbly before the Lord, the Holy Spirit will convince us of sin. The conviction of that sin immediately strikes us so that we have to make a second phone call and ask for forgiveness.

Our text says, “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” There is only one obvious answer: we lack self-knowledge; we did not see the beam in our own eye, which is why we so readily saw the mote in our brother’s eye. If the Lord gives us a glimpse of the evil thoughts in our own hearts, then we would see that they so far surpass our brother’s faults that we would not have a thing to complain about.


The word beholdest comes from the Greek word blepo (blep-o), which is a strong word for “beholding vividly, intently, or earnestly.” We strain to see the mote; we search it out to prove that it is there; we make it our business to find out if we do not really know for sure. We become busy men in other people’s business. Jesus is asking: “Why do you strain to find the smallest fault in your brother, without seeing the greater fault in yourself?”


Jesus teaches in MAT 23:24, “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.” A gnat is a small insect that you need bright light to see. We strain at the smallest thing in our brother while we swallow a camel. We will not see the beam in our own eye if we are straining to find the mote in our brother’s eye.

If we see the beam in our own eye, we will not see anything so small as the mote in our brother’s eye. We will see them with the right motives and attitudes if we see that our own motives need to be cleaned up. In MAT 12:35 we read, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” If we have a little self-knowledge, we begin to see the good in a man rather than the evil.

One man was speaking very critically to a second man about a third man. When the second man was done listening, he asked, “Wouldn’t you say he is honest, in spite of all these things you have said?” The first said, “Yes, I would have to admit, he is honest.” The second man told the third man (who was criticizing the first man), “He told me that you are honest.” So the third man in turn made a comment that honored the first man, which the second man repeated to the first man. Two weeks later, the first man and the third man were friends. This is a true story! The point is: “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” If our hearts are evil, we will say evil things about our neighbors. The tongue can set the whole course of nature on fire.

Our text speaks of being critical of our brother. We should not look at our brother critically to see if we can determine something wrong, but (out of the good treasure in our hearts) look for the good in him and appreciate those qualities. We ought not to be straining to see the mote in our brother’s eye while overlooking the beams in our own. A mote is “a small spot, a small particle of dust you can see floating in a beam of sunlight, or the smallest of all objects.” In the eyes of the Lord, the sin of being critical is greater than any sin you might strain to find in your brother!



LUK 18:11 tells us, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” He saw all the little motes in everyone else’s eyes, but not the hypocrisy in his own eye. Those who are judgmental and critical of their brothers are those whom Jesus describes in REV 3:17; “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” No one who is busy talking about his neighbor, bringing up evil out of the evil treasure of his own heart, understands his own heart. He is hypocritical and self-righteous.


Such lack of self-knowledge and confession of our sins hinders our prayers. We cannot pray to the Lord with hypocritical beams in our own eyes. LUK 18:13-14 contrasts the publican’s prayer with that of the Pharisee: “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [Jesus said,] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” The publican did not see the mote in the Pharisee’s eye; he saw the beam in his own eye. Our prayers will be hindered if we lack self-knowledge, if we pray with such a haughty, arrogant spirit, or if we pray thus with ourselves, but the publican went to his house justified. The Lord heard his prayer, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” because he had self-knowledge; he saw his own
deplorable condition and he prayed that the Lord would take care of the beam in his eye.

The Lord tells us He will not hear our prayers when we are walking in violation of the second table of the law, which is to love your neighbor as yourself. ISA 1:15 says, “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.” The Lord sees us as murderers when we lack love for our fellow man, because our hearts are filled with bitterness and envy and because we are passing judgment upon our brother by looking for the smallest fault in him.


We are called upon to seek righteous judgment, to observe the second table of the law. In ISA 1:16-17 we read, “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Righteous judgment is to judge the oppressed as worthy of mercy because they are in need.

When we do these things, then God calls us to reason with Him. If we pass righteous judgment and are of a forgiving spirit toward our brothers, then He will forgive our transgressions. He will talk to us as a man talks to another man. He will condescend to our level of reasoning. ISA 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” He will forgive all our sins if we will walk before Him, extending mercy to the fatherless, the widow, and the poor. We must walk in humility, not seeking to accuse others for what they have done. We must plead for the widow, not blaspheme or slander her.

The next verse says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land,” ISA 1:19. The Lord is trying to reason with us: He will forgive our filthy hearts if we are obedient. People do not realize that there is a contingency with God: He will reward us according to our doings, but we may not claim His blessings if we completely ignore what He tells us to do. If we remain arrogant and haughty and Pharisaical, the Lord will not put away our sin.

If we are critical and judgmental, we are unforgiving. If we are looking for the mote in our brother’s eye, the Lord will be displeased with us. ISA 1:20 says, “But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit, and you and I will be judged by the Word on the Day of Judgment: “cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Did we do these things? If not, the sword will devour us on the Day of Judgment.

Those who strain to find the mote in their brother’s eye violate the spirit of both tables of the law, which is love. If there is love, we will not strain to uncover another man’s shame with a hypocritical pretense of defending the law. What a horror to strive to uncover someone else’s shame! It is a gross violation of both tables of the law of love.



All the law and the Gospel hang upon the spirit of God’s law of love. According to the Gospel of Jesus, observing the law of love is the most positive evidence of salvation. Jesus said in JOH 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” Where are your affections? Do you delight to do His will? He commands us to love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves, not searching for some mote to uncover, but covering their sins with love. What greater evidence can we find in Scripture of our eternal security than what we see in JOH 14:23? “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” We prove that we love Him by keeping His commandments, by keeping the law of love.

Our Saviour purchased our salvation through obedience to the law of love. In JOH 15:8-10 we read, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” Under the law of love, we do not strain to uncover a fault in our brother, for his motives are put in the best light when we question our own motives first.


If we have all the spiritual gifts yet lack charity, which is a one-sided Christian love required in the law of love, we have nothing. No matter what gifts you claim, or what experiences you have had, if you do not love, the Bible says you have nothing. 1CO 13:1-3 says, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” Charity is the love that is required under the law of love. It is a merciful, one-sided, forgiving love.


The exercise of this charity seeks to cover our brother’s sin instead of straining to uncover it. This is the contrast between the hypocritical beam of self-righteousness that we have in our eye by nature and love under the second table of the law. 1PE 4:8 says, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” Out of the good treasure in your heart you bring forth good things to cover his sin.

We find the fruit of such charity in COL 3:12-14; “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” If you do not have charity, you do not have anything. If we are looking for the mote in our brother’s eye, we do not have charity. We may boast of great gifts and experiences, and speak in the tongues of men and angels, but we have no claim upon salvation if we still search for the mote in our brother’s eye.


This bond of perfection, which is charity, so beautifully contrasts with straining to find the smallest fault in our brother. We see in 1CO 13:4-6, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” Charity always gives the other person the benefit of the doubt. We do not rejoice to see that someone else has something that we can gossip about, but rejoice in the truth. The Word of God is a mirror in which we can see the corruption of our own hearts. If we forgive, then we can be forgiven.




Straining at a gnat is only the revelation of the hatred that dwells in the heart. When we do so much to try to uncover evil in another person’s heart, we reveal our own hatred. PRO 10:12 says, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” When you and I seek out something to talk about, we stir up strife, “but love covereth all sins,” not just the sins that we can forgive easily or that did not affect us.

Straining at the mote in our brother’s eye violates the law of love. GAL 5:14-15 says, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”

The contrast between loving a brother enough to cover his sin and straining to find fault is also clearly revealed in 1JO 4:20-21; “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” When we strain to find fault in another, we reveal hatred.

When we despise our brother with a hypocritical, judgmental spirit, we despise God. 1TH 4:8-9 says, “He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” If the Lord has given us the Spirit of Christ, we will not despise our fellow man, no matter what sin he has fallen into. The first, urgent desire of our hearts will be to restore such a one, considering ourselves lest we fall. I do not need to teach you about brotherly love; if you possess the Spirit you have already been taught.

Those who strain to find fault with their brother reveal that they hate him and are blinded by a hypocritical spirit. 1JO 2:9-10 tells us, “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother [and covers his brother’s sins] abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” You will not stumble if you are not casting stumbling blocks in front of your brothers.

Love is the heartbeat of the life of Christ, “which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,” COL 1:27. Charity, which is the Spirit of Christ, abides forever.

Love is the heartbeat of the law of the Gospel. MAT 22:40 says, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” The law of the Gospel hangs on love. If we hate, if we uncover our brother’s fault, we are not of God, for love covers sin. “Charity vaunteth not; charity thinketh no evil.”


Those who strain for gnats swallow a camel. They consume the heart of the second table of the law. Those who strain to find fault become hardened hypocrites, blind to the law of love. 1JO 2:11 says, “But he that hateth his brother [straining to find fault with him] is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” He that searches to find fault in his brother walks in the dark.

Saul of Tarsus thought he was doing God’s service by finding fault with the brethren, but when Christ revealed His love, Saul saw his blindness.

The Word of God teaches the exact opposite of faultfinding in JAM 1. Verse 19 says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” The judgmental person is quick to speak and condemn, working wrath and discord.

Verses 20-22 say, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” You are deceiving your soul if you are not a doer of the Word! You are still in the pit of condemnation; you have not been saved from anything if you have not been saved from the power of sin. If you are still walking with a slanderous hatred for your brother, if you lack charity, you have nothing.


Most often, if one who passes judgment would have spoken to the person as Jesus required in MAT 18:15, he would have found out why that person was doing what he was doing. Once my own father and brother (they were both elders) came to me to demand that I apologize to another brother, but I responded that they had disqualified themselves as judges, because they had not asked me what happened first. Jesus said in MAT 18:15, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” If something is bothering me about you, and I share that with you alone, I might realize that your motive is different than what I thought. I may find out that you and I do not have a quarrel at all. If I am swift to hear and slow to speak, I can give you a chance to explain. If we would obey Christ’s command procedurally, there would be fewer problems in this
world.



God’s dear children must be spared from these hypocritical sins that are in our hearts by nature. We all offend in many ways, but we need to come before the Lord and be forgiven by forgiving others.

David, the man after God’s own heart, realized that he had judged prematurely when Nathan said, “Thou art the man.” 2SA 12:5-6 says, “And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” He passed judgment without talking to “the man.”


Only through grace and mercy can any one of us stand justified before God’s bar. We can say we know other people who pass judgment, but how can we put our hand in our own bosom and take it out without it being leprous? Who can come before the bar of God and plead “Not guilty”? If we see our guilt, and we pray for God to deliver us from it and give us the Spirit of Christ, then the Lord is faithful to convict us of sin. Before we even commit a sin, the Holy Spirit will convict us so we can plead with the Lord to deliver us from the power of the sin that is in our own hearts. Our own sin becomes so strong and ugly that we cannot even find the small sin that we were going to uncover in our brother!


2SA 12:13 tells us, “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.” We must come before the Lord like David and say, “I have sinned against the LORD.” The Lord said, “[W]ith what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you,” MAR 4:24. David justly deserved to die. He had already passed judgment, condemning the man to death for his crime, but the Lord forgave him, because David immediately repented.

This is the ebbing and flowing of our spiritual life. We see corruption constantly boiling up in our hearts, but if we walk tenderly before the Lord, He is faithful and will send His Holy Spirit to convict us. All of a sudden, in the court of our conscience, we stand guilty and it sends us back to the mercy seat: “Lord, I have sinned; forgive me. Lord, give me the Spirit of Christ; take away these hard thoughts and cleanse my guilty heart.” Then the Lord forgives us and delivers us from the power of that sin and we have no judgment left for the next man. How could David further judge the next man when it had been brought home that he was the man?



Who can plead innocent before God’s bar except those whose substitute pleads their case? 1JO 1:8-2:1 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” He is our attorney, our representative who stands to argue our case. Our only hope is in our advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous. We can only say, like David, “I have sinned against the LORD.” We can only plead, “Guilty.” Then Christ raises His right hand, and on His palm is the proof that the penalty is paid. In the courts of heaven, only He can justify us before the Father, because He paid the
penalty, and the justice of God demands our acquittal for He cannot allow the penalty to be paid twice. We cannot come as attorney pro se; we cannot plead our own case. Christ Jesus must be our advocate, because He pleads our case on the basis of His own merit.

When we have the Spirit of Christ, we cannot see fault in our brother, even if he has the beam and we have the mote, because that mote would be enough to blind us so that we could not see the beam. God’s Word tells us in ROM 14:13, “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”

Amen.

The Desert

This is dedicated to those who've had the "call" of God, but quit half way down the road. Or , ... what happens when someone walks out on God.
" Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. " (1Sam 2:3)
" For many are called, but few are chosen. "(Mt 22:14) Why is it that so few are chosen from the ranks of those who are "called" ? "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." (Lk 14:33)

When the Bible speaks of this " forsaking " it is refering to a lot more than the abandoning of mere material posessions. Things can and do hold great importance in some people's lives and they can stand in the way of a person's dedication to the Lord, but the greatest hinderance to a person's life-long dedication to God is the " self ", that deep-rooted, entrenched "me,myself and I" that we have been trained by social values to put first in our lives. The world says, " me first "; the Bible says that too, except when the Bible says it it is refering to Jesus. It is to be Jesus first, not the "self" !

Along the path of spiritual growth, and faithful study of God's Word we are brought through changes in our lives that are designed to make us better vessels for the Master's use ( see Bamboo ) " He must increase, but I must decrease." (Jn 3:30) The Bible promises us that the Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (see He 4:12 and " Intentions " ) and it isn't long before those intentions of the heart are brought to the surface and we are faced with decisions that are life-changing.

Jesus Himself was brought to such a life-changing decision in the garden of the Mount of Olives where it is said that the test was so severe as to bring about great drops of blood where sweat should have been." And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. " (Lk 22:44) His conclusion after this test was, " not my will but Thy will be done "(Lk 22:42) He submitted to the will of His Father.

We also are brought to this decision of death of the self ; and like Jesus, we must decide who's will is more important, ours or God's ? Decidedly, this is not for everyone, although for those who recieve the "high calling of God in Christ Jesus" ( see Soldiers ) there can be no other avenue.

Ok, so why is this called "The Desert" ? When such a "calling" has gone out and a person answers the call of God, but half way through the breaking process they decide that it is too high a price and walk out on God thinking that things will just settle back down to "the way it was before" they are in for quite the surprise. The Bible says, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." (He 10:38) and to have mocked and made a fool of the Lord is not without consequences. When the prophet Jonah disputed with the Lord about carrying through with what God told him to do and refused to obey and ran away thinking that would get him off the hook, what happened ? Along comes a great big fish (whale) and swallows him whole ! You'd think he would immediately come to his senses and yield to God's will, but his deep-rooted refusal took awhile to wear thin there in the whale's belly, and when it finally did wear thin and he forsook his own way in favour of God's will then the fish spit him out and he was right back where he started prior to being swallowed. He still had to do what God wanted him to do. All that time lost and he still had to go back to where he forsook God's way and do it anyway !

When the children of Israel were miraculously delivered from the grips of Pharaoh's system by numerous signs, wonders and powerful evidence of God's presence they still hadn't forsaken the idols of Egypt in their hearts and so while in the wilderness they still worshipped these idols so that they had to literally go around in circles for 40 years until all those who had doubted and refused God's way had died and only then, with fresh faith, were they allowed to enter into the promised land.

And this is what happens to those who start out by accepting God's call but then when faced with having to rid themselves of them selves in order to be useful vessels in God's hands, and turn their backs on the Lord and refuse to break from their "idol" in their heart then that is as far as they will ever grow spiritually.They right there and then enter the spiritual desert where they will stay until such a time as they finally cry out to the Lord and submit to do His will. What can this "idol" be, you ask? "What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?" (1Cor 10:19) It is any thing that is coming between you and the Lord. It can even be a certain behaviour, or lack thereof. Inaction is still a form of action, only more subtle. To claim that "I didn't do anything !" might just be the problem, when God's plan was for you to do something not nothing. Passive refusal is actually worse than outright refusal as it is inaction born of rebellion in the heart.

We are all born with the majesty of choice to chose to do good or evil, but once a commitment has been made and the spiritual marriage taken place with the Lord then there is no longer any choice in the matter. God does not believe in divorce due to "irreconcilable differences". He expects you to reconcile your differences by yielding to His will, not by rebelling and turning away. He will have no other gods that pass before Him, and that includes the god of "self" ! Oh, sure, you can go on your merry way, but things will not be "business as usual". Your spiritual growth and relationship with the Lord will grind to a halt ... gradually ... you probably won't even notice ... until your spiritual life is dry and barren and lifeless. You will be in your spiritual desert to the day that you break before the Lord and call to Him in a true spirit of repentance. He will be there and will recieve you, as the father received his prodical son who'd left the family and his home next to his father. (Luke chapt 15) You may have given up the crown of your original calling , but God is faithful to give you another once your loyalty to Him has been assured. "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." ( 2Tim 2:13)

This spiritual desert can last for years ! But it doesn't have to. Only you can determine how long it will last. The Lord, in the meantime, will deal with you in an attempt to coax you into breaking before Him so that you can come back into fellowship with Him. He says that He will never leave you nor forsake you (He 13:5), even if sometinmes He has to make your life meaningless without Him. He says He is married to the backslidder, " Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you:... "(Jer 3:14) His love and devotion are eternal, although that doesn't mean that He doesn't get upset," He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever." (Ps 103:9) And if you are truly one of His children (see Are we ALL God's Children ? ) then you can expect that He will behave as any loving father would. " For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. " (He 12:6) He will not allow you to make a fool of Him without consequences !

Cast yourself on the altar of God's will and reap the great spiritual rewards that an intimate relationship with the Lord can bring. Come out of the desert today ! "The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility." ( Pro 15:33)

" For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." (He 6:4-6)

Why did Jesus shed his blood?

Matthew 26:28 ...this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
The Lord Jesus Christ shed his blood for the remission of sins. As we examine scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments, we can gain a better understanding of the significance of the blood of Jesus.

When we turn back to the Old Testament of the Bible, we see that after sin entered into the world, God required the blood sacrifice of animals for the atonement of sins.

Leviticus 17:11, For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
Leviticus 4:3-5 If the priest that is anointed do sin...then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering....he shall... lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD. And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation...

But the blood of the animals still couldn't do the trick. The Israelites were still unfaithful to their God as evidenced by their awhoring after other gods. A better sacrifice was needed.

Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
God promised His people, the Jewish people, a new covenant about 600 years before the coming of Christ. We will see that this covenant would also require blood.

Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
In the Bible, we have the Old Testament (or Hebrew Scriptures) and the New Testament. Both were ushered in by blood. The Old Testament came by the blood of animals. The New Testament by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Old Testament
Exodus 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Hebrews 9:18-20 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

New Testament

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. --Jesus Christ
The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament were only a picture of the ultimate sacrifice. When Jesus Christ went to the cross almost 2,000 years ago, He was the ULTIMATE sacrifice.

His skin was whipped off by scourging,
His beard was torn out of his cheeks,
His head pierced with thorns,
His face marred more than any man. He was unrecognizable. The Bible says he was more marred than ANY man.
His hands and feet were nailed through with thick spikes,
His side pierced with a spear after he died.
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, completely abolished the system of animal sacrifice forever. The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament were only a picture, a figure, of the true sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Their blood was only a figure of the blood of Jesus that would be shed thousands of years later on a cross outside the city of Jeruselem. The animal sacrifices were...

Hebrews 9:9 ...a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience...
9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The blood of animals had to be shed over and over but the blood of Jesus was shed only one time. The Catholic religion does not understand this and contends that the blood is shed over and over again in the mass, but the Bible says something different:

Hebrews 10:12, ...after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.
Hebrews 7:27 ...this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 9:28 ...Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many...

Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.



The blood of Jesus is powerful. It is a saving, healing blood. Look at what the blood has done:

What the blood of Jesus does Bible Reference

The blood pays for our sins so we don't go to hell. Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

The blood bought us. [3] Acts 20:28 ...feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23 ...ye are bought with a price...

The blood justifies us before a holy God. 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him..

The blood redeems us. Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

The blood brought us Gentiles into a relationship with God that we didn't have before. Ephesians 2:11-16 ... ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh ...without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
But now in Christ Jesus...are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.

The blood brought Jew and Gentile (regardless of race or nationality) into a right relationship with God. Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

The blood brought peace. 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

The blood purges our consciences from dead works. Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The blood lets us enter into the holiest place before the throne of God. 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.

The blood forges an everlasting covenant between the believer and God. Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

The blood sanctifies us. Hebrews 10:29...the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified...

The blood cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

The blood washes away our sins. Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

The blood causes us to overcome this old wicked world. Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

What Jesus' Blood Can Do Revelation 5:6-10
There are five words that every believer should know and be able to explain. I have defined and discussed all of them many times in sermons and writings, but I am doing so again because they are so essential. Being confident in our beliefs is ever more important as cultures become bolder about persecuting Christians.
Jesus' shed blood redeems believers (1 Peter 1:18-19). This means that we are purchased from a life of slavery to sin. Furthermore, we receive forgiveness—the wrongs of our past, present, and future are totally washed away (Eph. 1:7-8). For the rest of eternity, God views His children through the "veil" of Christ's blood, which makes them pure and holy. Everyone who trusts in Jesus is declared no longer guilty (justified—Rom. 5:8-9) and brought into relationship with God (reconciled—Col. 1:19-22). This unalterable change in status from sinner to saint happens the moment a person receives Christ as Savior.
The final word, sanctified, describes the life-long maturing process that begins when a person trusts in the Savior (Heb. 13:12). A saint is set apart from the rest of humanity for the purpose of making him Christ-like. Through discipleship, testing, and teaching, God "drains out" our old self and pumps the life of Jesus into our heart and life.
These five words tell the story of our faith. Meditate upon the verses related to each one, and pray that God will write the meanings on your heart. When we're confident in our beliefs, we can be a light to others instead of crumbling at the threat of pain.

Let this day be a Day of new beginnings, new freshness, new dedication and a new start for You. I wish you all a happy Easter!

Hope in Christ

"...And now, Lord, what do I wait for and expect? My hope and expectation are in You..." - Psalm 39: 7

Our hope and expectation should only be in the Lord. He is the only one in this world that is stable and sure. Everything else is on shaky ground. It’s sometimes hard to have hope, while everything around us seems to crumble, or is uncertain. The Lord is our pillar. He is our fortress. He cannot be shaken, and can be trusted completely.

If you’ve lost hope in this world, hope in Jesus. He won’t let you down.

When hope is placed in Jesus Christ
We have more meaning to our lives

Hope in Christ

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ..." 1 Peter 1:3-7
"Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God..." Ephesians 2:19

Hope in His Victory
"...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39
"...rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." Romans 12:12
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5
"...according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:19-21
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4
"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus...." Hebrews 6:19
"Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation." 2 Corinthians 1:6-7
"... we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." 2 Chronicles 20:12
Hope in His sufficiency
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:5-8

"... we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons....” 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Hope in His Righteousness
"For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." Galatians 5:5
"And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel...." Colossians 1:21-23
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:3
“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:10-12
"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say,
'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:16-17

"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." Ephesians 1:17-21

Hope in Eternity with Jesus
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body...." Philippians 3:20-21
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:1-3
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment [as seen from God's eternity], is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance." Romans 8:19-25
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people...." Titus 2:11-14
"... as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit." 1 Corinthians 2:9
“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Looking forward to the glory and joy ahead



hope in the LOrd

(Psalms 16:8-9 NKJV) I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. {9} Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.

(Psalms 31:24 NKJV) Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.

(Psalms 33:18-19 NKJV) Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, {19} To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.

(Psalms 33:21-22 NKJV) For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. {22} Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.

(Psalms 42:5 NKJV) Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

(Psalms 42:11 NKJV) Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

(Psalms 119:81 NKJV) My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word.

(Psalms 119:114 NKJV) You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

(Psalms 130:4-7 NKJV) But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. {5} I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. {6} My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning; Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. {7} O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption.

(Psalms 146:5-9 NKJV) Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, {6} Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, {7} Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. {8} The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. {9} The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.

(Psalms 147:11 NKJV) The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.

(Ecclesiastes 9:4 NKJV) But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

(Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV) "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. {8} For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

(Jeremiah 31:16-17 NKJV) Thus says the LORD: "Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD, And they shall come back from the land of the enemy. {17} There is hope in your future, says the LORD, That your children shall come back to their own border.

(Lamentations 3:21-26 NKJV) This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. {22} Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. {23} They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. {24} "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" {25} The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. {26} It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD.

(Acts 2:25-28 NKJV) "For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. {26} Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. {27} For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. {28} You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.'

(Acts 24:15-16 NKJV) "I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. {16} "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

(Romans 5:1-8 NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, {2} through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. {3} And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; {4} and perseverance, character; and character, hope. {5} Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. {6} For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. {7} For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. {8} But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 8:24-26 NKJV) For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? {25} But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. {26} Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

(Romans 15:4 NKJV) For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

(Romans 15:13 NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(1 Corinthians 13:12-13 NKJV) For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. {13} And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(Galatians 5:5 NKJV) For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

(Ephesians 1:17-21 NKJV) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, {18} the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, {19} and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power {20} which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, {21} far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

(Colossians 1:27 NKJV) To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

(1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 NKJV) But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. {9} For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NKJV) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, {17} comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

(Hebrews 6:18-20 NKJV) that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. {19} This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, {20} where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

(1 Peter 1:13 NKJV) Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

(1 Peter 1:21 NKJV) who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

(1 Peter 3:15-17 NKJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; {16} having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. {17} For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

(1 John 3:2-3 NKJV) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. {3} And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Rest in the Lord

Rest in the Lord, and Wait Patiently for Him

Psalms 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Psalms 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Proverbs 20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Micah 7:5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.
6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.


"Waiting On God Not Man"

Waiting on God is the special process through which the Lord causes our eyes to turn to Him for help in time of need. By extending the duration or distress of our trial even a little bit, our weaknesses become apparent.

It is at this point our hearts become desperate, our faith is proved, and our hope is purified. The process is so common that the phrase "Wait upon the Lord" or "Waiting on God" is regularly used. We need to wait on God for a spouse, for a job, for healing, for wisdom, for ministry, etc. We might say that it is Satan tempting us, and in some cases he is, but at the same time it is God who is testing (proving) us. He is bringing us a step closer to Himself.

Waiting on God is a crucial step in which our dependence upon God grows. Without this deeper awareness of God in our lives, God restrains Himself from giving us more grace. Blessing without humbling brings increased susceptibility to temptation. This is the reason growth comes with tests. Humility keeps us from pride which makes us selfishly ambitious where we would otherwise forget the Lord.

Waiting for the Lord is not easy. Our heart is often crying out in agony. We feel oppressed and constrained. We yearn for freedom and provision. Waiting upon the Lord for needed supplies is one common area in which He trains us. We have to be needy so that we are forced to look to the Lord for help. Our other resources are stripped away. Someone yesterday said to me, "But I don't like what the Lord is bringing me through." How true this is. We squirm, squiggle and squeak.

Waiting upon the Lord are times in which we do not have resources, answers, or direction. Instead we are often confused, poor, broken and limited. Our hope is focused on what happens after that season of humility, where we will experience a period of God's blessing. If we live by confidence in our own resources and abilities, will we not become self-confident? What glory does that bring to God?! But through this process, God enables us to depend upon Him so that we know it is only He who does wonderful things in our lives.

Ultimately then, waiting upon God protects us, deepens our trust in Him, forces us to seek His ways and brings Him the most glory. They are times the Lord is testing whether we are really seeking Him and His ways.

I can remember experience after experience where I have cried out to God for help and deliverance. When going through those times, I think that if I could just get out of this one pit all would be well. However, not long after the Lord delivers me from one set of problems, I find myself in another whole set of problems. And again I am seeking His help with the same kind of desperate prayer. It began to dawn on me that God has carefully planned out these 'pauses' in life in order to renew, strengthen, humble and focus us on God. This is much like the recommendation that one go around a fruit tree and cut off its roots - shocking it so that it will grow stronger and healthier roots. In this respect 'Waiting upon the Lord' is similar to pruning.
Ultimately then, waiting upon God protectsus, deepens our trust in Him, forces us to seek His ways and brings Him the most glory

Be inspired by the lyrics of this song

Wait on the Lord, wait patiently,
And thou shalt in Him be blest;
After the storm, a holy calm,
And after thy labor rest.
Wait on the Lord, for whom hast thou
On earth or in heaven but He?
Over thy soul a watch He keeps,
Wherever thy path may be.
Wait on the Lord, wait cheerfully,
And He will thy youth renew;
Wait on the Lord obediently,
Whatever He bids thee do.
Wait on the Lord, wait lovingly,
Confide in His care thy all;
Those that abide in perfect peace
No danger can e’er befall.
Wait on the Lord, wait joyfully,
For then shall thy heart be strong;
Lo! by His hand He leadeth thee,
And thou shalt be filled with song.

The Greatness of God & GREAT is his LOVE

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
(Romans 5:8)

On the very first page of the Bible the absolute transcendence of God above His creatures comes to our attention. Without strain or fatigue He calls the whole world into existence by His word alone. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth (Ps. 33 :6). He speaks and it is done; He commands and it stands fast (Ps. 33:9). He does according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth. And none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, what doest Thou (Dan. 4:35)? The nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted to Him as less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will you liken God? or what likeness will you compare unto Him (Isa. 40:15-18). For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord (Ps. 89:6). There is no name by which He can truly be named: His name is wonderful.1 When God speaks to Job out of the thunder and displays the magnitude of His works before him, Job humbly bows his head, and says: Behold, I am vile, What shall I answer Thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth (Job 40:4). God is great, and we know Him not (Job 36:26). Such knowledge is too wonderful for us. It is high. We cannot attain unto it (Ps. 139:6).

Nevertheless, this same sublime and exalted God stands in intimate all His creatures, even the meanest and smallest. What the scriptures give us is not an abstract concept of God, such as the philosopher gives us, but puts the very. living God before us and lets us see Him in the works of His hands. We have hut to lift up our eyes and see who has made all things. All things were made by His hand, brought forth by His will and His deed. And they are all sustained by His strength. Hence everything bears the stamp of His excellences and the mark of His goodness, wisdom, and power. And among creatures only man was created in His image and likeness. Only man is called the offspring of God (Acts 17:28).

He is the infinitely Exalted One, and at the same time the One who lives along with all His creatures. In a certain sense all of His attributes are such as cannot be shared, and in another sense they are such as can all be shared. We cannot fathom this with our mind. There is no such thing as an adequate concept of God. There is no one who can give a definition, a delimitation, of God that is adequate to His being. The name which fully expresses what He is cannot be found. But the one group of characteristics outlined above does not conflict with the other. Precisely because God is the High and Exalted One, and lives in eternity, He also dwells with those who are of a contrite and humble Spirit (Isa. 57 :15. We know that God did not reveal Himself in order that we should draw up a philosophical concept of God from His revelation, but in order that we should accept Him, the true, living God, as our God, and should acknowledge and confess Him. These things are hidden from the wise and prudent, but they have been revealed to babes (Matt. 11 :25).

The knowledge which we get of God by way of His revelation is therefore a knowledge of faith. It is not adequate, in the sense that it is not equivalent to the being of God, for God is infinitely exalted above all His creatures. Such knowledge is not purely symbolical either that is to say, couched in expressions which we have arbitrarily formed and which do not correspond to any reality; instead this knowledge is ectypal (ectype: an impression, as in printing) or analogical (analogy: correspondence or similarity in form) because it is based on the likeness and relationship which, notwithstanding God's absolute majesty, nevertheless exists between God and all the works of His hand. The Knowledge which God grants us of Himself in nature and in Scripture is limited, finite, fragmentary, but it is nevertheless true and pure. Such is God as He has revealed Himself in His Word and specifically in and through Christ; and He alone is such as our hearts require.




If ever you doubt the greatness of god, I encourage you to read following chapters in the bible King James Bible Job 38 to 39

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?
36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.


1 Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
2 Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
4 Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.
5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?
13 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: her labour is in vain without fear;
17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
18 What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
19 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
20 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
29 From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30 Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.



It is humbling to know that Christ died for us, not because we were worthy or deserving that He would do so, but “while we were YET sinners”! Any concept that we might have of ourselves that would merit God’s love and Christ dying for us is to deny the TOTAL freeness of God’s Love and the Benefits of Christ’s Death on the Cross for sinners. We have to understand that God was not, and is not, obligated to love anyone of us, much less, to give His Son to die for us. Why should He, especially since we are the ones who have turned our backs on Him and are “haters of God” (Romans 1:30); and yes, if we were left to ourselves we would continually say to Him in our wickedness: “Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?” (Job 21:14, 15). In fact, in our sin we would not “seek after God” (Romans 3:11); and what is worse, if perhaps we become religious, we would do as Cain and bring ”of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD” (Genesis 4:3), i.e. our own works, which in essence is to despise God’s Free and Sovereign Grace in salvation
“But God stood His love together to us because we yet being sinful, Christ died over us” (Literally). Can you see the wonderful truth of out text? First, that God brought ALL of His love together to stand before us to exhibit the greatness of how much He loved us! Oh, the immensity of His love: yes, “the breadth, and length, and depth, and height” of it, “which passeth knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18, 19) with which He loves us! Secondly, note that He loved us while yet being sinful, or sinners! He didn’t love because we made ourselves sinless or holy. No! While still being in our depravity and ugliness of our sin, He loved us. It can be said of us as it was of Jerusalem of old: “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” (Ezekiel 16:8). Then, thirdly, the greatness of His love is that “Christ died for (or over) us”. In other words, beloved, because God “loved (us) with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3), and the promise is that absolutely nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39), He gave His beloved Son so that everyone that believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Truly there is no greater love than this then to know that “the Son of God…loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Hallelujah!

Under the Shadow of the Almighty

Psalm 91:1:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Every creature is the product of a thought of God; hence all created things can serve as emblems of the Divine.
It is not of ourselves that in winged creatures we hail a figurative expression of the Divine life; but Scripture does it, and now, accustomed to it, every devout believer readily acknowledges that this imagery warms the heart and enriches the mind.
In what Jesus said of Jerusalem this comes within every one's comprehension. The hen with her chickens is a figure of Divine compassion, which moves every one by its beauty and tenderness. "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not" (Matthew 23:37).
Yet this word of Jesus has a far deeper meaning than he who merely admires it imagines. Truly it speaks of protection and compassion, for this is the purpose here of the gathering together. But there is more in it than this. It also implies that the chickens belong with the mother-hen; and that nothing else than return to her can render them safe against the dangers of cold, and prowling vermin. Yea, it also contains the striking figure that by nature the chickens are appointed a hiding place close by the mother-hen, and that they find shelter and protection of life only in the immediate nearness of the mother-life, under the outspread wings that will embrace and compass them.
Thus, this striking saying of Jesus is taken bodily from Old Testament imagery and in turn is explained by it.
When in Psalm 91 it is said: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall lodge under the shadow of the Almighty," we deal with the selfsame figurative representation.
It is the epitome of what the Psalmist elsewhere expresses (61:4): "I will make my refuge in the covert of thy wings."
It is the same thought that was expressed by the wings of the cherubim over the mercy-seat of the ark of the Covenant.
It is ever the one idea: God created a fowl that gathers her brood under her wings and with these wings covers and cuddles them; and now this richly suggestive picture is held before us in order that our soul might seek refuge under the shadow of the Almighty and hide in the covert of His wings.
Not from what moves in the waters nor from what creeps or prowls on the ground and hardly ever from four-footed beasts is this imagery borrowed; but, in the main, only from winged creatures that can lift themselves above the earth and, as it were, live between us and heaven.
Angels before God's Throne are pictured with wings as Seraphs. With the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Son of man, there is mention of the form of a dove. That it might have wings to fly upward is the secret prayer of the soul that is bound to the dust. And so it conforms to the order of creation, it corresponds to the Divinely ordained state of things, and it therefore appeals to us as something that is entirely natural that in order to express the tenderest and most mystical kind of religion, the winged creature is held up to us as a symbol, and that boldest imagery serves to picture to us what it is "to be near unto God," to make it, as it were, visible to our eyes and perceptible to our feelings.



Against this danger, every deeply spiritual life in Holy Scripture protests, to wit: the lives of Psalmists and Prophets. They did not find God to be a product of their own thought. They found Him to be a real, living God, Who drew near unto them, compassed them with the arms of His everlasting compassion; a God Whose holy glow they felt burn as a fire in the marrow of their bones, yea, a God with Whom they found peace, rest and cheer of soul, as they realized how wondrously they were privileged to hide in the covert of His wings, and to pass the night under the shadow of the Almighty.
You cannot analyze this thrice blessed state of mind. You must experience it. You must enjoy it. Having it, you must watch lest it slip away from you again or be interrupted, but analyze it, dissect or explain it, you cannot. This would allow the wedge of your critical judgment to enter in, which would chill the glow that comforts you.
The way to obtain it is to learn that your self-sufficiency deceives; that high-minded self-sufficiency is the canker that gnaws at the root of all religion. It is the futile dream of a small insignificant world, of which our little self is the great person, whose mind understands everything, whose will disposes everything, whose money governs everything and whose power carries everything before it. Thus your own self becomes a miniature god in a diminutive temple, and then in your sinful isolation, of course, you are deathly cold—frozen—away from the living God; and all passing of the night under the shadow of God's wings is impossible.

If you can truly say: "such is not my case, I realize that I am powerless, forsaken and in need of help," then the way to fellowship with God is to learn that to lean upon people for support is sinful. Not by any means all leaning upon your fellowmen. The faith of others is a prop to your own faith; the courage of others shames your cowardice; the example of another may double your own strength. By nature we are disposed to be gregarious in matters of life and belief. But what you must rise above is the sinful leaning on others; and sinful in character is the kind of leaning on people that sees in them something else than an instrument for our help, appointed of God, for as long as He allows it. Never should it be a leaning upon man as long as one possibly can, without seeking help from God until all human help fails. From God must be our help at all times, whether power to save springs up from within ourselves, or comes to us from others. Even when at length all human succor fails us, we have yet lost nothing whatsoever, because our God is the Unchangeable One, and unchangeably remains the same.

And in this confidence of faith you will stand, provided you are continually bent upon eradicating, root and branch, the doubt, which gloomily makes you ask, whether in very deed there is support and help, whether there is deliverance and salvation, for you. This doubt, allowed but for a moment, unnerves you altogether. Then you are as the little chick that anxiously looks around and nowhere sees the mother-hen and now helplessly flies hither and thither, until the hawk observes it and snatches the lost fledgling away. Then all your feeling of lofty assurance is gone—gone your perception of your calling in life, gone your faith that God has hitherto led you and shall lead you further still. Then all your strength fails you. The prophecy in your heart is dumb.

And at length your fellowship with Satan becomes more intimate than your hidden walk with God.
Notice carefully that the Psalmist does not merely glory that he rests in the shadow of his God, but that he hides in the shadow of the Almighty.
This must needs be added.
The symbolism of the helpless chick that the mother-hen protects from the hawk—even to the extent of flying at it and chasing it away—is the image of a power that makes us think of the Almightiness of God.
Otherwise your resting on the Father-heart of your God avails you nothing. He who rests under the shadow of God's wings but does not trust, puts his God to shame. For what else is it than to entertain the fear that one mightier than God will snatch you away from under the Divine protection ?
Unbelief, when you are far distant from your God, can be atoned for, insofar as you fly to Him; but still to harbor it in the heart after you have sought refuge with God, is a fatal wrong, which profanes the love for which God looks to you.
Hence blessed peace, hallowed rest, quiet and childlike confidence, such as even in seasons of bitterest trial God's elect have enjoyed, is not the result of reasoning, not the effect of deliverance, but solely and alone the sweet returns of taking refuge in the covert of the Most Highest, of holding close to the Almighty, of the knowledge and enjoyment of being near unto God.

Do not imagine therefore, if thus far you have been a stranger to this fellowship with your God, that when danger comes and storm gathers over your head and all human help fails you, you shall at once be able to find your hiding-place under the shadow of the Almighty. In the hour of calamity and dismay this has been tried by those of a transient faith, but they have never succeeded.
The way to find it is the reverse of this. Not in the hour of need, as a means of deliverance, does one find the secret walk with God as it were ready at hand, but he who in happier days has practiced it knows the wings under which deliverance can be found, and when snares are laid for his soul finds rest and safety under the wings of His God.
It is not a mother-hen with no brood of her own, that spreads her wings for whatever will seek refuge beneath them, but it is her own chicks, which she herself has hatched, whom she knows, and for whom she will risk her life, that will find help and protection with her.
And such is the case with this shadow under the wings of the Almighty. They are his own whom He calls and awaits; they that are known of Him He will cover with His everlasting love.
He who is at home under the wings of God, shall in the time of danger pass the night under the shadow of the Almighty.