Tag: needy
Those saved: Few? or many?
Scripture reading for July 14th: Luke 13, Psalm 140, Proverbs 16
Luke 13: 22-27 “He went on His way through the towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to Him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from, Depart from Me, all you workers of evil!'”
Because of a fear of punishment, man sometimes seeks to know the boundaries and plans of God. In this passage, a person asks Jesus about how many or few will be saved. Jesus had just told them that unless they repented that they would perish and used several illustrations of sudden deaths. These deaths had come from an accident and political persecution. Jesus answered them with careful instructions to enter God’s kingdom through the narrow door. Another time Jesus had taught that He was the ‘Door’ and still another ‘the Way’ to the Father’s house. Mere association and knowledge of Jesus would not be sufficient. They must have a personal relationship with Him and because of that, repented of evil.
Psalm 140:12-13 “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your Name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence.”
Prayer: Father God, You Alone are just and righteous. You give the gift of righteousness to those who by faith in Jesus Christ have repented of sin and asked You for mercy. The narrow “Door” of faith in Jesus Christ is my only hope of salvation. Although narrow, You have promised it is wide enough for all who will by faith and repentance call upon Jesus for mercy. Amen! Lord have mercy on me the needy one.
Proverbs 16:11 “A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are His work.”
A true fast!
Scripture reading for September 29th: Zechariah 7-8
“Then the word of the Lord Almighty came to me: “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?'” Zechariah 7:4-6
Many times the Lord’s children go through the motions of worship or serving the Lord. We do what is expected or required, but don’t really put our hearts into it. I have done that before with fasting. As soon as I seek to fast, my flesh acts up and distractions come faster than ever before! I have a hard time focusing for prayer and thoughts of food or irritations come to distract me. My heart isn’t in it.
God used Zechariah to preach to His people on this subject as they returned to work on the temple. You see, God did not want them just to not have food, He wanted them to administer justice and show mercy to one another. He wanted them to care for the needy and poor and help the widow and orphan. He wanted their hearts to truly love each other instead of thinking evil. (Zechariah 7:8-10) It would produce positive results and progress in godliness.
But God’s people just went through the motions. He became angry with them, and scattered them among the nations. This is why the land became desolate and rested for the seventy years. Hard hearts and disobedience had brought inevitable consequences.
But now, God was again jealous for Jerusalem! He would now show good and blessing to this city. God would gather His people again back to the land and many peoples and nations would also come and join themselves to the Jew! (Zechariah 8:15-23) Fasting has always been a way for God’s people to draw closer to Him and find their true appetites satisfied. A true fast brings cleansing to body and soul. The body cleanses itself from toxins and waste as we quit eating and drink lots of water. The soul quits focusing on bodily appetites and focuses on the Lord and His will. Toxins of the soul include bitterness, depression, apathy, unforgiveness, and injustice.Take time soon for a true fast! It will work wonders for body and soul!