Spirit of Fear

Romans 8: “12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

The darkness

The Monster

The anger

The danger

The hatred

The laziness–

I know your face

I know your name

Spirit of Fear

In me you have no place

God’s child

 

Spirit of Strength

Jesus, Savior and King

Please help me

I am plagued

By the demon of fear

And I have never

Ever broken free of the chains.

Perhaps if I did

I’d think I was self reliant

And I know that is wrong.

But it is hurting me.

 

I need Your help

Spirit of Courage

Spirit of Strength

Please help me LORD

Fight for me

Against this demon

The Spirit of Fear.

The fearful me

Hides in the shadows

Wears every ugly

And self righteous mask.

But I cannot stand

On this sinking sand

Come Father Come!

Encourage me.

 

Come Savior Come!

Remind me of grace

How You’ve paid the price

To redeem me

From the Spirit of Fear.

LORD I still shiver in my cage.

Fight for me, Christ!

Fight for me.

 

Come Spirit Come!

Spirit of God, Come!

You who raised my Savior

You who taught me the gospel

You who lights the Children on fire–

Come Spirit Come!

Anoint me!

For I am very much afraid

And I need You!

 

I need You.

Meditation Verses

Romans 8:26

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.

 

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.

1 Corinthians 12:7b-10

So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Peter 1:5-9

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Matthew 7:24-27

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”

Meditation Songs

 

 

Proverbs: Wisdom’s Way

“1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”~Proverbs 4

I said in my heart

“I know the way”

And it looked good in my eyes

But the Spirit of Wisdom

Spoke words to me

Telling me of the lie

But I forsook its words

I went my own way—

And now am I surprised

By the pit?

This pit of darkness

Into which I have fallen?

Deeply I am ashamed

I ignored Wisdom’s Way

.

For surely it is true

That “1Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,

Who walk according to the law of the Lord.”

They see what others do not see

They walk with straight feet

No fear assails them

For Wisdom is their light

No guilt overcomes them

For they do not forsake the right

“5Oh, that my ways were steadfast

In obeying your decrees!

6Then I would not be put to shame

When I consider all your commands.”

But I fell and strayed

And here am I in this darkness

.

I am so ashamed

Of what I have done

Surely Wisdom will not have me

Me a fool, who forsook the Wise Way

Won’t the one who was denied

Also deny me?

I shiver at the thought

Surely there is no love for me

Who felt no love

.

But there is truth to be found

Even for the broken and lost

For The LORD does not abandon

The sheep of His flock

For, “If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

12if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13if we are faithless, he remains faithful”

So the Spirit of Wisdom speaks to me

While I am in the darkness

My sin is revealed to me

And given me is the grace of repentance

So I repent my sins

Remembering the kindness of His blood

Of His reconciliation

And removed from me is the darkness

For He is ever faithful

.

I said in my heart

“I know the way”

And it looked good in my eyes

But the Spirit of Wisdom

Spoke words to me

Telling me of the lie

I cried out to Wisdom, “Save me!”

And the Spirit heard my cry

Into Your arms I run

And there I am safe;

Here there is no shame

There is only joy

~

(Excerpts from Psalm 119 and 2 Timothy 2)

“13With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” ~Psalm 119

“6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoiced in hope of the glory of God. 3Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ~Romans 5

“89Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 90Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. 91Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. 92If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. 94Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.” ~Psalm 119

Matthew 13:15

For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

“105Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 106I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws… 111Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. 112My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.” ~Psalm 119

Deuteronomy 4:9

“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.

Encouragement

I’m not going to be able to post my Proverb’s poetry today.  I tried to write it and things weren’t working so I’ll try again later.  I was reading from Psalm 21 and thinking about how we must find our identity in God.  By ourselves we are nothing but with God we are children of God.  So that’s what I was thinking about when I wrote this small little poem.  I hope it encourages you today!

Be Encouraged Today: The LORD is exalted–In the watches of the night– The LORD is glorious– In the morning’s cool embrace– Why oh man do you quiver?– Why oh man do you shake?– Why do you lean on yourself– For the salvation that you crave?– Stop going out in your own strength– Stop hiding out in your shame– The LORD God is mighty– The LORD God is able– the LORD God saves for His Name’s sake– Go out in the LORD– Go out in God– Go out in the King– God out now and do not fear– the LORD God is here

Meditation: Adopted Into Life

1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” ~John 14

There are days that I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing with my life or where I’m supposed to go, days of feeling like it’s just me and the world and no one is around to help me get to my goal—and I’m not even sure what my goal is.

But the bible is full of verses that talk about perseverance and keeping our eyes set on the prize, keeping our minds on Heaven. Even Jesus Himself told His disciples this. Our belief in Him is our confidence that He has prepared a place for us, a place with no tears, pain, uncertainty and most of all no sin, a place that we can live with Him for all eternity. It is because of our relationship with Jesus that we have this glorious inheritance, for we are now adopted into the Holy Family!

“1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” ~Colossians 3

From this passage it seems clear that not only are we to know Christ but we are to even find our very identity in Him. He died, therefore we died. He was raised, we are raised. He will be glorified, we will be glorified. He is supposed to permeate our entire life—He IS our entire lives! And it is because of this we are supposed to put our focus on the place where He is, in Heaven.

Because we died with Him we are to constantly be putting to death our sinful desires. Where our entire lives are focused on our Savior, His entire life is focused on glorifying the Father, and therefore so is ours. And being obedient to Him in every way honors the Father, the Son, and therefore also the Holy Spirit. And why do we care about what they think? Because He is our life! God gave us eternal life and will give it to us at the end of all things!

I hope very much that you are encouraged today to think on Heaven with me. How awesome it is that God lay down His life that we might be adopted into such a glorious inheritance, to join Him in Holiness!

Proverbs: Wisdom’s Call- Spirit

20Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; 21on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: 22“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? 23Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. 24But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, 25since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, 26I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— 27when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, 29since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. 30Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 32For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” ~Proverbs 1

The fear of the LORD

Is the beginning of wisdom

And wisdom is what

We should listen to

Always she is calling out,

Imploring us to change

But the day will come

When it will be too late

.

Do not follow the steps of the wicked

Wisdom will teach you how

When you turn in repentence

When you love the LORD

His Spirit He will surely pour upon you

The Holy Spirit

Of Joy and Honor and Grace

The Holy Spirit

Who will teach you Wisdom

In every place

He will enter into you

When you repent in the dust

When you love the Lord

So that you can love Him all the more

~

Psalm 1:1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

Proverbs 1:4

for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—

John 7:39

By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Isaiah 32:15

till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.

Meditation: Salvation

21But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 6

It was day.  Just the beginning of it; the sun’s rays were just cracking into the dark shell of the sky.  Her eyes watched it hungrily, wanting ever so much to run to it– but at the same time she wanted to flee in terror.  She knew that to willingly embrace the light, she would be completely exposed.  The person she truly was would be open for all to see, all to mock.  And worst of all the Good One would see her.  It was His light that was coming, as it always did, offering freedom to the prisoners in the tombs.  To be free one need only step into the light, come before Him, and He would forgive them.  That’s what the story was, anyway.  But no one really wanted to.  Firstly the light hurt their eyes.  Secondly they didn’t want to see themselves as they really were– little more than rotting corpses.  And the last reason was they all hated the Good One– it was Him, after all, that had imprisoned them.  And for what?  What had they done to deserve such a punishment?  For many years she had joined the others in cursing Him, in mocking the light that came every day.  But not now.  Now she knew what she had done.  Now she knew she needed the forgiveness, and if that wasn’t forthcoming she wanted justice upon her head.  She had to face the truth.

She walked into the light.  It was much too bright to really see what was in front of her so she looked down at her hands; in so doing she saw what she was.  Her flesh was falling off her bones, her clothing was dirty rags.  Now she could smell herself, a smell she’d purposefully ignored her whole life.  What a disgusting creature she was!

“Clara, my daughter, you have come.”

She looked up and at last she could see.  A man dressed in white sat at a table, a feast laid out before him.  He smiled at her.  “Come, eat with me.”

“I– I couldn’t, sir,” she stammered, feeling more disgusting in this man’s presence.  “I– I’m not fit to be shown such a mercy.  Are you the Good One?”

“I am,” he nodded.

She took a deep breath and bowed her head.  “Sir, I have come to confess to you my wrong.  I know you have laws and they are good, as you are.  And I have broken them every chance I get.  I’m sorry, but I can’t stop myself.”

He didn’t reply.  She just stared down at her dirty feet, the bone of her big toe sticking out.  How he could even stand to look at her was a mystery.  Then suddenly he was standing in front of her, actually touching her rotten flesh with his clean, white hands.  “Clara, your sins are forgiven you.  I promised that whoever came into my light would be forgiven.  You are no longer slave to your sins; I free you.”

She involuntarily took in another deep breath, but this one was different.  It smelled and tasted sweet; she could feel it fill her whole body with new life.  She hadn’t realized her eyes had closed.  She opened them.  Her body was no longer rotten but new and living.  Her clothing was also white, just like the Good One.  He smiled at her.  “Come, eat with me,” he said again.

With great joy she obeyed.

16“For God so loved the world,ⁱ that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” ~John 3

Sermon on the Mount: The Law

17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 5

Jesus came

In complete perfection

To fulfill

What was lacking in me

I know I am a sinner

A transgressor of morality

A hater of the things of God

And I know this by

The Law He’s given me

Can I fulfill it?

Can I obey it?

Nothing in me

Could ever do it

I’ve tried, you know

.

What is the solution?

To destroy the Law

That I may be free?

Certainly

May it never be!

Jesus came

To fulfill

What was lacking in me

He loves the Lord

He obeyed in full

And then He died

On the cross

And rose once more

I live by faith

I believe in His Name

To sin I have died

As He died for me

To God I now live

As He lives for me

And I am so thankful

There’s no good

In me, you know

.

So what can I boast in?

The Lord, Jesus Christ

So what do I trust in?

The Lord, Jesus Christ

The Law is not dead

It is alive by faith

So live by faith

And obey the Lord

Obedience shows you love Him

You know

~

“21But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness is given through faith inh Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,i through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” ~Romans 3

Ten Commandments: Exodus 20

1And God spoke all these words:

2“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

3“You shall have no other gods before^a me.

4“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

8“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

13“You shall not murder.

14“You shall not commit adultery.

15“You shall not steal.

16“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

17“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Sermon on the Mount: Pure Heart

“8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” ~Matthew 5

Who can stand

In His presence?

Who will ascend

To His throne?

The one who’s heart is pure

The one who’s feet are secure

On the solid rock

To which he clings

On the salvation of the Lord

The salvation of the Lord

.

Who can stand

In His presence?

Who can look

At His face?

The one who is at peace

The one who is holy

As his King is Holy

Holy is the salvation of the Lord

The salvation of the Lord

.

The salvation of the Lord

I cling to the salvation of the Lord

So create in me a pure heart

And grant the way of peace

That I may look on Your face

That I may stand before Your throne

That I may stand secure

On this solid rock

The salvation of the Lord

The salvation of the Lord

.

“3Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?  Who may stand in his holy place?  4The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.  5They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.  6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.” ~Psalm 24

Hebrews 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

“10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  11Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  12Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” ~Psalm 51

For this we were saved

6“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

7“You shall have no other gods before^b me.

8“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” ~Deuteronomy 5

Out of slavery

You came out of darkness

You cried out and I

The LORD your God

Heard and answered you

I saved you

.

Who in heaven

Or on the earth

Is like the Living God?

The Egyptian gods

Could not stop My power

And you followed Me

Out of the dark land

.

Follow Me now

My children

Follow Me now

And do not turn back

To the darkness

To empty gods

Who cannot save you

Let nothing replace Me

In your heart

.

It was I who saved you

From eternal death

I who raised you

Up to life

Do not turn

To worldly follies

Do not bow down

Do not worship

Anything

For I

I am a jealous God

I am the only God

I have bestowed on you

Mercy

Grace

And eternal love

Why should you

Pour on yourself

Wrath

That threatened to place you

In justice’s hand?

For what did I save you?

.

For what did I save you

But to follow Me?

For what did I save you

But to glorify Me?

For what did I save you

But to be loved

And love Me?

For what did I save you

But to worship Me?

~

“5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^b sin.” ~1 John 1

Jesus’ prayer

13“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify them by^d the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you^e known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” ~John 17

God’s Plan of Salvation

8“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

“ ‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” ~2 Samuel 7

Righteousness and justice
You rest upon Your throne
Lovingness and faithfulness
Go before You like a chariot

The LORD
He is gracious
The LORD
He is magnificent
He laid the foundations of the earth
And created all things in wisdom
The LORD
He planned the perfect path of redemption
For us whom He loves
He planned it
And He brought it about

The people of Israel
They wanted a king
They rejected the Lord as their leader
So He gave them what they wanted
A king like the other nations
Gave to them Saul
But Saul God rejected
And David He chose
Out of the pastures

The LORD was with David
Even as he was attacked on every side
First by Saul
Then by enemies
And then by family
But the LORD delivered him from all trouble
And forgave him when he sinned
And it was through David
God worked out a plan
Of salvation
He made to David a great promise
A promise of an eternal kingdom
David’s line would never be destroyed
And one would come who would be eternal

Although David’s line was faithless
God remained faithful
And Jesus came from David’s line
Just as God promised
Jesus brought the ultimate salvation
He saved us from the bondage of sin
And even when we are faithless
He remains faithful
When we sin
He will discipline us,
For He disciplines those He loves,
But no matter what we do
He will not stop loving us
For He is perfect in promises
Perfect in His plan of salvation
The LORD is good
All the time

Righteousness and justice
You rest upon Your throne
Lovingness and faithfulness
Go before You like a chariot

~

“19Once you spoke in a vision,
to your faithful people you said:
‘I have bestowed strength on a warrior;
I have raised up a young man from among the people.
20I have found David my servant;
with my sacred oil I have anointed him.
21My hand will sustain him;
surely my arm will strengthen him.
22The enemy will not get the better of him;
the wicked will not oppress him.
23I will crush his foes before him
and strike down his adversaries.
24My faithful love will be with him,
and through my name his hornf will be exalted.
25I will set his hand over the sea,
his right hand over the rivers.
26He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, the Rock my Savior.’
27And I will appoint him to be my firstborn,
the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
28I will maintain my love to him forever,
and my covenant with him will never fail.
29I will establish his line forever,
his throne as long as the heavens endure.

30“If his sons forsake my law
and do not follow my statutes,
31if they violate my decrees
and fail to keep my commands,
32I will punish their sin with the rod,
their iniquity with flogging;
33but I will not take my love from him,
nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.
34I will not violate my covenant
or alter what my lips have uttered.
35Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—
and I will not lie to David—
36that his line will continue forever
and his throne endure before me like the sun;
37it will be established forever like the moon,
the faithful witness in the sky.'”

~Psalm 89