The Living Water

I had planned to share another verse in my spiritual arsenal but apparently God had other plans for tonight. I was reading my devotionals for the day and two in a row featured the same verse and theme of living water, you know me and so called coincidences, there are none but there is God’s hand at work. So tonight I am sharing both selections in the order I read them. They make any the points better than I can and John 7:37 is one of my tools I was planning to share in a future post, it wasn’t my choice for tonight though. So arm your heart and partake of the living water of life, our sweet Lord.

The first selection comes from Day By Day By Grace by Bob Hoekstra followed by a devotional teaching by F.B. Meyer’s Our Daily Walk

If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit. (Joh 7:37-39)

These words from Jesus provide another picture of what the fullness of the Spirit is all about, as well as how to walk in that spiritual abundance. His remarks are addressed to those who are thirsty: “If anyone thirsts.” In this spiritual context, thirst can speak of the painful dryness that often accompanies need or lack. Pressures, responsibilities, busyness, disappointments, and preoccupation with earthly matters can dry out the soul of man. Corresponding to this need, thirst can refer to the eager yearning after those heavenly blessings that refresh and restore our inner life. Such thirsty conditions apply to all of us at various times.

Jesus tells us exactly how to remedy such thirst. “Come to Me and drink.” We are to bring these needs to the Lord Jesus Christ and drink of Him. So often, we attempt to satisfy such thirsts by drinking at other wells. Thirsty people around the world attempt to find relief through education, work, religion, politics, entertainment, money, drugs, and more. They all encounter the truth that our Lord revealed to the Samaritan woman at the well. “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again” (Joh 4:13). We must take our spiritual thirsts to a person, to “the Person,” the Lord Jesus.

Yet, how do we drink of the thirst-quenching resources of Jesus? He indicated the means in the next phrase: “He who believes in Me.” When we bring our dry, thirsty needs to Jesus and believe that He can meet those needs, we are drinking from what the Lord alone can offer. We drink of Christ’s resources by faith. Jesus included this insight earlier in His discourse on the bread of life. “He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (Joh 6:35).

Unquestionably, Jesus will always satisfy legitimate thirsts that are brought to Him. Yet, there is more available here. The spiritual water that Christ provides also works within the thirsty soul. “The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (Joh 4:14). This Holy Spirit supply develops abundant life within the trusting heart. Ultimately, this fountain that grows within flows outward to others. “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Dry, thirsty hearts that come to Jesus in faith, not only find satisfaction for the thirst, but eventually pour out life in the Spirit to others.

Lord Jesus, You know the thirsty places within my life. I bring them to You now. I believe that You can meet these needs. I open up to the work of Your Spirit to quench the thirsts deep within my heart. Lord, I praise You for the expectation I have that You can turn my dryness into torrents of living waters to bless others, in Your name, Amen.

“They have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” — Jer 2:13.

“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” — Joh 7:37.

WHAT AN infinite mistake to miss the fountain freely flowing to quench our thirst, and to hew out broken cisterns, in which is disappointment and despair. Many such may read these words—each with soul-thirst craving satisfaction; each within reach of God, whose nature is as rock-water for those that are athirst, but they are attempting the impossible task of satisfying the craving for the infinite and Divine, with men and the things of sense.

There is the cistern of Pleasure, engraved with fruits and flowers, wrought at the cost of health and peace; the cistern of Wealth, gilded and inlaid with costly gems; the cistern of Human love, which, however fair and beautiful, can never satisfy the soul that rests in it alone—all these, erected at infinite cost of time and strength, are treacherous and disappointing.

At our feet the fountain of God’s love is flowing through the channel of Jesus Christ, the Divine Man. He says to each of us: “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.'” We must descend to the level of the stream, if its waters are to flow over our parched lips to slake our thirst. We must come back to Calvary, take our stand at the foot of the Cross, hear again the words of Him who died there for us, saying “I thirst,” that He might be able to give the Water of Life freely to all who come to Him.

You who are weary of your toil, drop your tools, and come back to God. Forsake the alliances, the friendships, the idolatries, the sins which have alienated you from your best Friend. Open your heart, that He may create in you the fountain of living water, leaping up to eternal life. “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come! And let him that heareth say, Come! And let him that is athirst, Come! And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

“I came to Jesus, and I drank

Of that Life-giving stream;

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

And now I live in Him.”

PRAYER

Teach us, O Lord, the art of so living in fellowship with Thyself that every act may be a Psalm, every meal a sacrament, every room a sanctuary, every thought a prayer. AMEN.

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I had many ideas for tonight’s post, God has really been showing me some things today and I thought I was set until I went to read one of my devotionals for the day.  My plans got pushed to the back burner as God showed me what He wanted me to share with you tonight.  I know I’ve been talking a lot lately about the flesh is weak and we are always in a struggle between it and the spirit in life.  I am struggling with this myself lately and  God is dealing with me, strengthening and guiding me while I am weak, keeping me on the path he has for me even while I am trying to get all fleshy on Him.   See, I know I am called to homeschool our son and I love doing so, for the most part.  I love teaching him all about God and the glorious world he created for us.  But my kiddo does not like school unless it’s the hands on out in the world stuff, he’s not a geek like me.  That makes school time hard, challenging, frustrating, has me on my knees begging God to remind me again why He called me to this!  It’s been a hard few years and so many times I have wanted to quit, to just take the easy road of the big yellow,  indoctrination, prison transport that rolls by my door each day.  But then He reminds me that He gave me that boy who came by that stubbornness honestly and tells me if I wanna see changes to go look in the mirror and start there and to remember that He is always with me.  He also reminds me that He doesn’t always lighten the burden sometimes He just strengthens the back toting it.  So I figure if He’s dealing with me He might be doing the same with some of you so I will share another great devotional from Day By Day By Grace.

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For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom_8:2)

There is a destructive spiritual tendency that resides in every human being. It is “the law of sin and death.” This indwelling principle is always pulling people downward into sin and spiritual deadness. It comes from being born physically into a fallen race of sinners who are like their earthly father, Adam. Being born anew spiritually does not remove this problem, since this principle still operates within our natural humanity (the flesh). Yet, becoming a child of God does make His remedy constantly available to us.
God’s remedy for”the law of sin and death” is a higher, more powerful principle, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” This lofty principle involves the Holy Spirit making the life that is in Christ Jesus our resource for living. This principle is operating in the life of any new creature in Christ who is not walking “according to the flesh but [is walking] according to the Spirit” (Rom_8:4). This approach to Christian living is the only one that can increasingly liberate us from the internal carnal tendencies that influence us all.
In fact (as we have noted previously), this is the only hope of growing in the godliness that the law demanded: “that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us” (Rom_8:4). Our lives can only measure up to the holy will of God when we are walking in the Spirit, because Christ is then being allowed to express His life through us. Jesus was, and is, the only one who could ever walk fully pleasing to the Father. Jesus said, “I always do those things that please Him” (Joh_8:29). For a victorious Christian experience, we need this same life of Jesus living in and through us now, by the working of the Holy Spirit. We need the higher law (“the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus“) setting us free from the lower law (“the law of sin and death”).
Again, what is our responsibility in this? We are to relate to the Lord in humility and faith. Humility can develop as we agree with our Lord that “the law of sin and death” characterizes our flesh (our best natural resources). Faith can be exercised as we look to our Lord to demonstrate that “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Dear Lord Jesus,You alone can supply the life I am called to live. I humbly agree with Your word that my resources are marred by a tendency to sin. I gladly trust in Your Holy Spirit to increasingly liberate me from my the defeat of living by my flesh. I thank You in advance for the faithful ways You will answer this prayer. Lord Jesus, live in and through me by the power of Your Spirit, Amen.

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As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ may the Father bless, keep and strengthen you as you continue to:

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

knowing that you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you. Philippians 4:13

The Contrary Desires of the Flesh and the Spirit

This devotional for today really tied in well with last nights post when I talked about my struggles in my walk with the Lord.  I would expound on it further but truly the devotional says it much better than this country gal can so here you go, taken from Day By Day By Grace by Bob Hoekstra, one of my favorite daily devotional series.

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For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (Gal_5:17)

Every believer in Christ has had the frustrating experience of wanting to do what pleases the Lord, but being unable to actually accomplish such. We are told here a spiritual struggle is behind that failure. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.” The Spirit of God dwells within our lives. He is the “Spirit of holiness” (Rom_1:4). He desires that we be “partakers of His holiness” (Heb_12:10) and thereby walk in godliness. However, the flesh (natural humanity) is also present in our lives. These natural desires of man are not toward holiness, but rather toward self-indulgence and self-sufficiency. Thus, what the Spirit desires and what our flesh craves are set against each other. “These are contrary to one another.” The consequence of this internal conflict is “that you do not do the things that you wish.” Even though godly desires develop in us as new creatures in Christ, we find ourselves unable to implement these new longings by our good intentions.
The Apostle Paul gave testimony to his own failure in this battle. “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice” (Rom_7:19). The problem was that Paul’s personal resources (the flesh) were not adequate to produce the desired results. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find” (Rom_7:18). Yes, Paul had some godly desires. “For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man” (Rom_7:22). Nevertheless, there was a problem that he could not resolve on his own. “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Rom_7:23). A tendency to sin that dwelt in Paul’s human members (his body, his brain) pulled him down to defeat. He needed help.
Access to that necessary divine rescue was through a humble cry for a deliverer. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom_7:24). This appropriate confession of the spiritual bankruptcy of his flesh led to another confession of certain victory. “I thank God [it is] through Jesus Christ our Lord! ” (Rom_7:25). This humble turning from self to Christ allows one to walk in the Spirit (Romans 8), living by His victorious resources. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom_8:2).

Dear Jesus, Mighty Deliverer, I humbly admit that I am not able to implement by my best efforts the godly desires that are developing in me. I need You, Lord. So many times I have had holy intentions that ended up in carnal defeat. So, Lord, I cry out to You to deliver me from my present struggles, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, Amen.

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As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ may the Father bless, keep and strengthen you as you continue to:

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

knowing that you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you. Philippians 4:13

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Day by Day by Grace by Bob Hoekstra

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And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him . . . And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luk 2:40, Luk 2:52)

In our previous devotional, we looked at the suffering that prepares us for God’s grace to work in our lives, developing us spiritually. Jesus was given as the primary example of this truth. In our present verses, we see Jesus as the example of grace developing our lives comprehensively.

When the Son of God came into the world as a man, He laid aside the independent exercise of His deity: “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant” (Php 2:6-7). He then developed as any man should (except, He was without sin). “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom.” Jesus grew in spiritual strength, as the Lord wants us to do: “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy” (Col 1:11). The wisdom of the Father began to permeate His life, as He also desires for us: “that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col 1:9). When Jesus was twelve years old, His spiritual maturity and wisdom were evident, as He discussed the faith with the leaders of Israel. His parents “found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers” (Luk 2:46-47).

Jesus continued to develop in spiritual maturity, pleasing His heavenly Father and impacting the people. “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased . . . Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, ‘How does this Man know letters, having never studied?’ ” (Mat 17:5 and Joh 7:14-15). The Lord wants our walk with Him and our testimony before others to grow, just as in Jesus’ life. “Walk as children of light . . . proving what is acceptable to the Lord . . . that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Eph 5:8, Eph 5:10 and Php 2:15).

In Jesus’ life, this godly progress was accomplished by the grace of God at work: “and the grace of God was upon Him.” So it is to be in our lives.

O God of all grace, work in my life, as You did with Your Son, Jesus. Strengthen me spiritually and fill me with Your wisdom. Deepen my walk with You and increase the spiritual impact that I have on others, for Your pleasure and glory, Amen.

Continuing in the Word of His Grace

Day By Day By Grace by Bob Hoekstra

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And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith . . . And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace. (Act_14:21-22; Act_20:32)

The Lord desires for us to continue in a growing relationship with Him, continuing to draw more and more upon His grace: “continue with the Lord . . . continue in the grace of God” (Act_11:23; Act_13:43). One vital aspect of this process is to be continuing in the word of His grace.
As Paul and his missionary team passed through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (in Pisidia), they urged the disciples there to “continue in the faith.” “The faith” is often used in the scriptures to refer to the revealed truth of God (in which we are to place our faith). Jude wrote in this manner. “I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jud_1:3). Thus, the word of God is “the faith.” Consequently, the call to “continue in the faith” was an exhortation to live by abiding in the word of God.
Later, when Paul was visiting the church leaders from Ephesus for the last time, he entrusted them unto the care of the Lord and His word. In doing this, he referred to the scriptures as “the word of His grace.” Grace characterizes the word of God. Grace permeates the word of God. Grace flows from the word of God. It is in the scriptures that we learn of God’s grace. There we learn of what it is (the Lord’s undeserved riches, poured out freely for our justification, sanctification, and glorification). There we learn of our great need for grace (a desperate, comprehensive, continual need). Also, in the word we learn of how we can access it (through humble dependence upon the Lord).
If we are going to continue in grace as the Lord desires, we must continue in the word of His grace. We will want to read it prayerfully day by day. We will want to study it regularly for increased understanding. We will want to meditate upon it often for growing implications and applications. Above all, we will want to be in the word consistently that we might get to know the Christ of the word. In knowing Him more, His mighty grace will properly impact our lives.

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for the word of Your grace. Please forgive me for any times when I did not grant Your word the place that it deserves. I want to continue in it day by day. Please stir in my heart a growing hunger for Your word, in Your holy name, Amen

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As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ may the Father bless, keep and strengthen you as you continue to:

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

knowing that you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you. Philippians 4:13

Once More on Exceedingly Abundant Grace for Transformation

Day by Day by Grace by Bob Hoekstra

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And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (1Ti_1:12-14)

Before Paul believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, he spoke evil of Jesus, oppressed His followers, and exalted himself. “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man.” Yet, God called Paul from this ungodly religious life and made him a faithful, fruitful servant of the Lord. Once more we will see this can only happen by exceedingly abundant grace for transformation.
This magnificent transformation process began with mercy, the necessary companion of grace. God’s mercy holds back the awful consequences that our ungodliness deserves. God’s grace brings us the wonderful blessings of godliness that we could never deserve. God was merciful toward Paul’s ignorant and unbelieving behavior. “But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” The ministry of grace that God would eventually give to Paul (as well as any ministry God has for us) was established upon mercy. “Therefore, since we have this ministry [new covenant grace—2Co_3:6], as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart” (2Co_4:1). God chose Paul to be a distinctive example of His rich mercy. “For this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1Ti_1:16).
This grand project of transformation then proceeded with grace. “And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” This bountiful grace brought two spiritual blessings (faith and love) that would be essential for Paul’s ministry. Paul had been a man of religious works and self-righteousness. God turned him into a man of faith. “The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’ ” (Rom_1:17). He had been a man of cruel hatred and religious prejudice. God turned him into a man of love. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Gal_5:6).

O Lord of rich mercy and exceedingly abundant grace, I worship You. I thank You for mercifully holding back the judgment I deserved. I praise You for graciously bringing to me wonderful blessings that I could never deserve. Now, by Your bountiful grace, please work in my heart more faith and love, that I might serve and honor You more effectively. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.

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As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ may the Father bless, keep and strengthen you as you continue to:

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

knowing that you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you. Philippians 4:13

Reflecting on the Extensive Consequences of Walking by Faith

Bring us back once more to our reflections on faith from last week this devotional reading comes from Day by Day by Grace by Bob Hoekstra.

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By faith Noah . . . By faith Abraham . . . By faith Sarah . . . By faith Moses . . . By faith the harlot Rahab . . . David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith . . . And others . . . Still others . . . all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith. (Heb_11:7-8, Heb_11:11, Heb_11:24, Heb_11:31-33, Heb_11:35-36, Heb_11:39)

God wants us to live by His grace. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe_3:18). Therefore, we must walk by faith, since faith accesses grace. “Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand” (Rom_5:2). In a series of meditations, we have been considering the extensive consequences of walking by faith (and thereby drawing upon the effective grace of God). A time of reflecting upon the broad and diverse dimensions of these consequences can bring much encouragement and edification.
“By faith Noah” undertook an amazing task (building an ark) to prepare for an event never before experienced (a worldwide flood). “By faith Abraham” obediently left his familiar homeland for an uncertain destination. He also counted on God to do all the great things He had promised (including, God blessing all nations through him). “By faith Sarah,” in her old age, miraculously bore the necessary son for the fulfillment of God’s plan. Later, by faith, Abraham laid the promised son upon the altar of God. All along the way, he lived as a pilgrim headed for an eternal, heavenly home.
“By faith Moses” forsook the privileges and pleasures of the world to be used of God to lead His people out of bondage. “By faith the harlot Rahab” helped the Israelites, identified with the true and living God, and was rescued from judgment. “David and Samuel and the prophets [and others like them] through faith” conquered nations, grew in godliness, experienced God’s fulfilled promises, survived the den of lions, withstood the fiery furnace, were spared death by the sword, experienced God’s strength in weakness, found courage on the battlefield, caused enemy armies to flee, and received resurrected loved ones.
“And others” (also by faith) endured tortures. “Still others” experienced mockings, beatings, bonds, prisons, stonings, severings, painful enticements, deprivations, impoverishments, general tribulations, and cruel torments. “All these . . . obtained a good testimony through faith.”

Through these testimonies, God is showing us the limitless extent that His grace can work in our lives. Through these examples the Lord is encouraging us to trust Him to work comprehensively for us, as He has faithfully done for others.
Lord God of all grace, my heart is stirred as I consider the great extent to which Your grace can work in lives that humbly trust in You. Father, I ask You to make of my life a growing testimony of Your abounding grace, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, Amen.

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As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ may the Father bless, keep and strengthen you as you continue to:

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

knowing that you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you. Philippians 4:13

By Grace Through Faith

By grace thru faith what a glorious blessing and promise from our Father expounded on briefly here by Bob Hoekstra in Day By Day By Grace.  This is a previously scheduled post from early August 2017.

 

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Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. (Romans 4:16-17)

We can have great certainty concerning the fulfillment of God’s promises, because grace and faith are the foundation of our assurance. “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed.” Grace is the heavenly resource behind all of God’s promises. Faith is the simple means of accessing that grace. These realities make God’s promises certain to all who believe them, whether Jew (“not only to those who are of the law“) or Gentile (“but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham“). This is how Abraham related to God’s promises. Thereby, he became the spiritual leader for all who would follow His example: “who is the father of us all (as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed.”
The true and living God, whom Abraham believed, is given here two ascriptions that also strengthen our assurance in His promises. First, He is a God “who gives life to the dead.” Consider the impact this attribute has on our confidence in God’s promises. Often, the promises of God must overcome death (or deadening circumstances) in order to be fulfilled. The promise that Lazarus would live again was given while his dead body was lying in a tomb. “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). Often, the deadness of our own circumstances wants to challenge the certitude of God’s promises. Yet, the God who has made to us a multitude of promises is the God “who gives life to the dead.”
Second, our God of promises is one who “calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” We are not yet personally righteous (in any intrinsic sense). Yet, God calls us righteous (justified, declared righteous in Christ). “Whom He called, these He also justified” (Romans 8:30). We are not yet glorified (experientially). Yet, God speaks of our glorification as already accomplished. “Whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:30). What a joy to know that our God of promises will bring to pass actually that which He promises prophetically.

Lord, my heart is comforted, and my faith is strengthened by the undeniable certainty of Your promises. Death or deadness cannot prevent Your keeping of Your promises. The lack of existence cannot keep You from bringing forth what You declare as real. What blessed assurance is available through Your promises – – by grace through faith!

A Better Sacrifice under Grace

** Previously scheduled repost.

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Today’s devotional comes from Day By Day By Grace by Bob Hoekstra.

For such a High Priest was fitting for us . . . who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices . . . for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself . . . Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 7:26-27 and Hebrews 9:12

Another better aspect of the new covenant of grace is the sacrifice we have in Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. The sacrifices under the old covenant were offered repeatedly, and they involved the blood of animals. In both respects the sacrifice of Jesus is far better.

The priests under the law presented their same sacrifices day after day. These sacrifices could not remove sin.

And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins  Hebrews 10:11

These sacrifices provided a temporary covering of sin, anticipating the effective work of the Messiah to come. However, at the same time, in these sacrifices was a constant remembrance of sin and guilt.

In those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year  Hebrews 10:3

As the blood was shed, the ultimate consequence of sin (death) was being played out before the people.

And according to the law almost all things are purged with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission  Hebrews 9:22

Eventually, Jesus died as the perfect, “once-for-all” sacrifice.

For such a High Priest was fitting for us . . . who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices . . . for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.  – This was a sacrifice that could actually remove sin. – Once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself . . . so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many . . . But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God  Hebrews 9:26, 9:28 and 10:12

The ineffectiveness of the sacrifices under law is that mere animal blood was being shed.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins  Hebrews 10:4

Thus, our High Priest under grace offered His own blood. “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” The blood of Christ was uniquely effective. It was the

precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot . . . The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  1Peter 1:19 and John 1:29

Dear Lamb of God, what a marvelous sacrifice You gave by grace! One death for all the sins of the world makes eternal redemption available to all who believe. I gratefully rejoice in this wondrous gift!

Permissible Promises Made to God

** Previously scheduled repost.

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This morning’s devotional comes from Day By Day By Grace by Bob Hoekstra.

I love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strong rock, in him will I trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  Psalms 18:1-3

The scriptures are quite clear. The work of God in our lives depends upon His promises to us, not our promises to Him. However, this does not mean that we are forbidden to express our love and devotion to God through promises made to Him. In this rich testimony from the heart of David, he makes two significant promises to the Lord. “I will love You, O LORD . . . I will call upon the LORD.” As we examine what accompanies these promises, we will see the kind of promises that are permissible to make to God.

Loving God is the essence of our relationship with the Lord.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  Matthew 22:37

Our love for the Lord is in response to His great love for us.

We love Him, because he first loved us.  1 John 4:19

Long ago, the Lord had promised that He would be available to work in the heart of His people, if they were to love Him properly.

And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.  Deuteronomy 30:6

The context of David’s promises to love God indicates that He understood this promise from the Lord. “I will love You, O LORD, my strength.” God was the one David was trusting in to give him the strength that was needed to walk in a loving relationship with the Lord.

As we grow in awareness of the love of God, we learn to call upon Him to deliver us in times of trouble. “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” David’s promise to cry out to God in the midst of difficulties was based upon the Lord’s praiseworthy character. David had called upon the Lord many times before, and He had delivered him. David had come to know the Lord (to experience Him) as his mighty protector. “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust.”

As we noted previously, in Israel’s promises to obey the law of God, they were depending upon themselves. In David’s promises to love God and to call upon Him in times of trouble, he was depending upon the character and capacities of God!

Prayer

Dear loving and rescuing Lord, my love for You is truly a result of Your work of love in my heart! Likewise, my cries to You for help are based upon Your many faithful rescues in times past! You are my God, my strength, in whom I will trust!