Tag: nations
Equity for all through Father and Son
Scripture reading for October 31st: John 12, Psalm 67, Proverbs 31
John 12: 44-50 “And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My Words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive My Words has a judge; the Word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me a commandment–what to say and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told Me.””
Jesus Christ came to reveal the Father to His lost children, Jew and Gentile. All mankind lived in darkness and because of sin they could not see the glory of God their Father in heaven. Jesus came down specifically to bring light to that darkness. He was the ‘Light of the World’ and here declares that anyone who believes in Him, also believes in the Father Who sent Him. He proclaimed only the Words of His Father in Heaven, that man might know their Father’s love and desire for their salvation and restoration. Jesus was not on earth as a judge, but as Light. His Words were eternal life to those who would believe, but would also judge those who refused to come to the Light and see. Real ‘equity’ is offered by our Father to all nations, tongues, and tribes through His Son and His Bride, the Church who shares this Good News! All people are under the same offer of mercy and will be judged for failure to respond.
Psalm 67:4-5 “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. (Selah) Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You want all nations to know You through Your Son Jesus Christ. I gladly repent and receive this Good News. You are wise, kind, merciful, and loving as revealed by Jesus Christ. Through Your Spirit, cloth me with strength and dignity and use me to share Your Wisdom and kindness to all nations that they might worship You. Let all receive and none be judged by Your Word.
Proverbs 31:25-26 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Sharing with the Nations!
Scripture reading for March 5th: Luke 2, Psalm 46, Proverbs 15
Key Scriptures: Luke 2:10-13 “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!””
Luke tells the story of Jesus’ birth and the announcement of an angel to the shepherds who lived and worked near Bethlehem. They were told not to be afraid but were invited to see for themselves the sign: a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Suddenly, the heavens were alive with a mighty angel chorus praising God and pronouncing God’s blessing of peace to those on earth! Shout the good news!
Faith’s confession: Lord, I believe the good news of Jesus Christ! I believe it is for all people of all nations. Use me to share that good news!
Psalm 46:10-11: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
From Noah’s Family came the nations!
January 4th Scripture Reading: Genesis 10-11
In preceding chapters of Genesis we saw that God chose Noah to rebuild the population of the earth again. God blessed Noah and told him and his family to be fruitful and fill the whole earth. (Genesis 9:1) But Noah’s grandson, Nimrod, led a rebellion around 100 years after the flood. He gathered family members together on the plain of Shinar (Ancient Babylon, current Iraq). They decided to build a tower at Babel that would reach to the heavens and to make a name for themselves and resist being scattered over the face of the earth. (Genesis 11:1-4)
But God came down! God realized that with one language and Nimrod’s rebellious leadership that nothing would be impossible for them. He confused their language and scattered them over the earth and stopped their building.
God did one more thing that insured that they would not get back together for rebellion. Genesis 10 is a genealogy of the sons of Noah. One of Shem’s grandsons, Eber, had a son, Peleg. Peleg means “division” and verse 25 states that “in his time the earth was divided. . “. Some creation scientists believe that this is when God could have separated the continents following the judgment at the tower of Babel. Those scattered people groups represented by the 70 family groups of Genesis 10 formed the nations of the world that we see in existence today. (see The Genesis Record by Dr. Henry Morris, pages 260-261) A side note is that “Eber” is probably where the name “Hebrews” was derived.
“From one man He (God) made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:26-27
Creation of the nations
January 5th Scripture Reading: Genesis 10-11
God chose Noah to start the population of the world all over again through his three sons and their wives. Did you ever wonder how we got all the different nations of the world? Did you wonder where all the languages and nationalities came from? Genesis 10 and 11 give us insight about the nations.
God blessed Noah’s family and told them to multiply and fill the whole earth. (Genesis 9:1) Noah’s grandson born to Ham, Nimrod, led a rebellion around 100 years after the flood. The rebellion consisted of gathering family members together on the plain of Shinar (Ancient Babylon, current Iraq). They decided to build a tower that would reach to the heavens and to make a name for themselves instead of filling the earth. (Genesis 11:1-4) This seemed harmless enough, except it was against God’s command.
God came down! Man had built himself a tall tower, in a vain attempt to reach the heavens. This disobedience was the very kind of sin that got man removed from the Garden of Eden. God realized that with one language and rebellious leadership, nothing would be impossible for them. He confused their language and thus scattered them over the earth.
God did one more thing that insured that they would not rebel again. Genesis 10 is a genealogy of the son’s of Noah. One of Shem’s grandsons, Eber, had a son Peleg. The Bible states that “in his time the earth was divided. . “. (Genesis 10:25) Some scientists believe that this is when God might have separated the continents. Genesis chapter 10 lists seventy family groups that formed the nations of the world that we see in existence today. (see The Genesis Record by Dr. Henry Morris, pages 260-261)(also book review page and sidebar). A side note is that “Eber” is probably where the name “Hebrews” was derived. The concentration of genetics in each scattered group could have resulted in the races we see today. Take time today to thank Him for your heritage and for showing mercy in judgment at the Tower of Babel.
“From one man He (God) made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:26-27
Sunday rest and reflection: Psalm of Thanks
As we reflect back on this week’s reading and thank the Lord for His wonderful Grace, I am drawn to the psalm of thanks written by King David in 1st Chronicles 16:8-36. This is quoted again in part in three other psalms in the Book of Psalms; 105, 96, 106. This psalm of thanks was composed when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem after being away in captivity and then at the house of Obed-Edom. This is the time that David took off his kingly robes and danced before the Lord with all his might. (2nd Samuel 6:12-16) He was overjoyed to have the presence and blessing of God in Jerusalem, the city of David.
The psalm has a joyful tone and is boastful of the Lord and his great miracles and mercies! It exhorts singing, praying, rejoicing, remembering, giving, declaring, trembling, crying out, and thanksgiving from all peoples! The desire of God to spread His fame to the nations of the earth is a recurring theme! (1st Chronicles 16:8,24,28,31,35) God wants the nations aware of his wonders, miracles, and judgments. He wants nations to know His Glory too. He exhorts the nations to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name. He desires the nations to understand that the Lord who made the heavens and earth reigns supreme!
The last verses of this psalm encourage God’s people to cry out to the Lord to save them from the nations! Although God desires the nations to be saved, He desires His people to come out from the nations and join the kingdom of God. God is the only one who can save and deliver! God is the only one worthy of all praise and thanksgiving! He reigns from everlasting to everlasting! (1nd Chronicles 16:35-36) Let all God’s people say “Amen”.
What a great reflection on this seventh day of rest! God has not changed! He is desirous of all nations knowing Him and coming under His eternal rule! We are to share His marvelous works and deeds with all nations and every person! We are to worship, sing, remember, give, thank, seek, rejoice, cry out, declare, and praise this God who reigns from everlasting to everlasting! Have a great day of rest and joy! Jesus Christ is Lord!