" And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams." – Acts 2:17
THE DAY of Pentecost was a day of remarkable announcement – a time when the door of salvation was thrown open, and men were granted the privileges of remission and the gift of the Holy Spirit. After tarrying in prayer and expectation, the Holy Spirit filled Peter, and he began to speak with keen spiritual insight. Seeing the truth of it himself, he declared that Joel's prophecy of a great outpouring of the Spirit was being fulfilled right before their eyes: "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16). The "last days" – the closing period of history – were upon them, and blessing was being lavished upon humanity. It was a singular moment in history!
WHAT A RADICAL THOUGHT! "I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh!" One of our first exposures to the expression "all flesh" is related to the destructive flood – certainly not a blessing for "all flesh." Concerning that occasion, "all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth," and thus "all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man" (Gen 6:12; 7:21). Only Noah and his family survived. Now Peter announces the exact opposite of destruction. Rather than withdrawing His Spirit, as He did in Noah's day, He would pour out his Spirit lavishly upon "all flesh" – all humanity, every kind of person. There would be release from the guilt and power of sin, and reconciliation to the Living God. Glorious announcements, indeed!
PART OF THE BLESSING involved a most unusual thing. "Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams." This is the exact opposite of the course of nature. Ordinarily, old men saw visions, and young men dreamed dreams. Normally, though not confined to them, young men like Joseph "dreamed dreams" (Gen 37:5-10), and old men like Abraham "saw visions" (Gen 15:1-21; ). Too, during the time of the Law, the experience of dreams and visions were reserved for prophets (Num 12;6). Ezekiel had "visions of God," in which his understanding of the Lord was enlarged (Ezek 1:1). You can nearly count on your fingers all of the people who are said to have had dreams and visions from God prior to the day of Pentecost. Such things were rare, indeed.
NOW THE SPIRIT ANNOUNCES that a day has come when such insight and understanding will be common. Old men will have spiritual experiences generally reserved for the younger. Young men will receive understanding generally experienced by the older. The tearing of the Temple veil in two had so opened the heavens that extraordinary spiritual experiences could be enjoyed by both young and old. Reconciliation would bring heaven closer, and open the vast area of spiritual understanding to the redeemed.
LET NOT CHILD OF GOD look upon youth as a handicap. Nor, indeed, should the older among us consider their age a hindrance. This is day of spiritual liberty and opportunity. Let every soul be encouraged to expect great things from God.– Given O. Blakely
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
NOT “YES and NO”
"But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No . . . For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us" (2 Cor 1:18-20, NKJV)
AN understanding of what God has given to us in Christ is to be sought with great energy. The New Covenant, ratified by the blood of Christ, reflects a wisdom and glory so grand it cannot be perceived to any degree by the disinterested. In this text, the nature of our salvation is described in unusual words. They set the New Covenant apart from the Old Covenant, showing it to be superior.
UNDER the Old Covenant, both favor and torments were brought together. "The blessings AND the cursings" were an integral part of the covenant itself (Josh 8:34). When the covenant was read to the people, the blessings were read from Mount Gerizim, and the cursings from Mount Ebal (Deut 27:12-13). Both were awesome in their words and implications.
WHEN it comes to the New Covenant, there is an alarming tendency for men imagine it is like the Old Covenant. However, it is emphatically "not according to the covenant" made at Mount Sinai, with curses as well as blessings. If you doubt this is the case, read the New Covenant for yourself (Jer 31:33-34; Heb 8:10-12; 10:16-17). There is not a solitary curse found in it–not a single one! There is not a "Thou shalt" in it – not a solitary one! There is not a "Thou shalt not" in it – not one. It consists only of promises – Divine commitments. Read it! "This IS the covenant . . . " (Jer 31:33-34; Heb 8:10-12; 10:16-17). This does not mean God has no commandments for His people, or that there are no prohibitions. It does mean they are not part of the covenant itself. The Covenant is categorically called "the Promise" in Romans 4:13-16 and Galatians 3:14-29).
WITH this in mind, look at our text again. The Apostle says his word, or message, was NOT "Yes and No." From one standpoint, his preaching was not wavering and uncertain, but sure. The reason for this, however, was because of the nature of the gospel (the message of the Covenant) itself. It is NOT a composite of blessings and cursings, all of which make for uncertainty, doubt, and fear. The reason the New Covenant can be so described is because it all hinges upon Christ Jesus, and not upon human accomplishment. Further, our affiliation with Christ is by faith, and not by works of righteousness we have done.
ALL of this is marvelously confirmed in the 20th verse. "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." In Christ, nothing is withheld from us that God has promised! God is glorified by this circumstance, for it draws attention to the effectiveness of both Christ's sacrifice and our faith. The door to the rich repository of Divine promises has been opened by Jesus, and we are "in Him." As we stand in this large door, opened to us by God's grace, we are to utter the "AMEN" of agreement and reception to all of those promises. The person who does this in faith "has set his seal to this, that God is true" (John 3:33, NASB). He has believed the "report God has given of His Son" 91 John 5:10-11), and thus made all of the promises his own. In our belief of and acquiescence to the promises, God Himself will confirm the truth of them to our hearts. That is, we will experience the fulfillment of them in ourselves. The New Covenant is NOT "Yes and No!"
– Given O. Blakely
AN understanding of what God has given to us in Christ is to be sought with great energy. The New Covenant, ratified by the blood of Christ, reflects a wisdom and glory so grand it cannot be perceived to any degree by the disinterested. In this text, the nature of our salvation is described in unusual words. They set the New Covenant apart from the Old Covenant, showing it to be superior.
UNDER the Old Covenant, both favor and torments were brought together. "The blessings AND the cursings" were an integral part of the covenant itself (Josh 8:34). When the covenant was read to the people, the blessings were read from Mount Gerizim, and the cursings from Mount Ebal (Deut 27:12-13). Both were awesome in their words and implications.
WHEN it comes to the New Covenant, there is an alarming tendency for men imagine it is like the Old Covenant. However, it is emphatically "not according to the covenant" made at Mount Sinai, with curses as well as blessings. If you doubt this is the case, read the New Covenant for yourself (Jer 31:33-34; Heb 8:10-12; 10:16-17). There is not a solitary curse found in it–not a single one! There is not a "Thou shalt" in it – not a solitary one! There is not a "Thou shalt not" in it – not one. It consists only of promises – Divine commitments. Read it! "This IS the covenant . . . " (Jer 31:33-34; Heb 8:10-12; 10:16-17). This does not mean God has no commandments for His people, or that there are no prohibitions. It does mean they are not part of the covenant itself. The Covenant is categorically called "the Promise" in Romans 4:13-16 and Galatians 3:14-29).
WITH this in mind, look at our text again. The Apostle says his word, or message, was NOT "Yes and No." From one standpoint, his preaching was not wavering and uncertain, but sure. The reason for this, however, was because of the nature of the gospel (the message of the Covenant) itself. It is NOT a composite of blessings and cursings, all of which make for uncertainty, doubt, and fear. The reason the New Covenant can be so described is because it all hinges upon Christ Jesus, and not upon human accomplishment. Further, our affiliation with Christ is by faith, and not by works of righteousness we have done.
ALL of this is marvelously confirmed in the 20th verse. "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." In Christ, nothing is withheld from us that God has promised! God is glorified by this circumstance, for it draws attention to the effectiveness of both Christ's sacrifice and our faith. The door to the rich repository of Divine promises has been opened by Jesus, and we are "in Him." As we stand in this large door, opened to us by God's grace, we are to utter the "AMEN" of agreement and reception to all of those promises. The person who does this in faith "has set his seal to this, that God is true" (John 3:33, NASB). He has believed the "report God has given of His Son" 91 John 5:10-11), and thus made all of the promises his own. In our belief of and acquiescence to the promises, God Himself will confirm the truth of them to our hearts. That is, we will experience the fulfillment of them in ourselves. The New Covenant is NOT "Yes and No!"
– Given O. Blakely
Monday, May 25, 2009
UNSEARCHABLE RICHES
" . . . the unsearchable riches of Christ . . ." (Ephesians 3:8)
THERE is a magnitude in salvation that causes it to remain fresh and challenging to the redeemed. In Christ Jesus, God has provided "riches" that surpass any human conception or perception. Throughout history, men have struggled with small views of God and His great salvation. These struggles are temptations hurled at us by the devil. He knows if we view what God has given us as either small or unattainable, we will not extend ourselves to appropriate those things. How marvelous that faith equips us to deal with these temptations to think small.
THE details of our salvation, or the provisions brought to us in Christ, are called "the unsearchable riches of Christ." They are heavenly treasures men may possess, handle, and enjoy. These "riches" are not the remarkable experiences we enjoy, like joy, peace, understanding, etc. They are more lofty than human experience, as precious as that is. Here the Spirit is referring to the plans and purposes of God – His gracious intentions for mankind. It is what He purposed to do through Jesus Christ in a world blasted by sin, and among a people found in a condemned and hopeless state. Such a challenge is worthy of our God!
WE are talking about a purpose so lofty that holy angels cannot investigate, analyze, or comprehend it. As it is written, the prophets "did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into" (1 Pet 1:12). When they peer into this purpose, as revealed through the Gospel, their wisdom withers, and their comprehension becomes impotent. What is more, God has made no effort to personally explain it to them, even though they remain in His presence, are undefiled, and excel in both wisdom and strength. They cannot learn about it directly. The riches are "unsearchable" – even to angels, to say nothing of men.
NOW, however, these "unsearchable riches" are being made known to "principalities and powers in heavenly places" through "the church." (verse 10). This body of people consists of Jews and Gentiles that have been liberated from the guilt and power of sin, and made suitable to be partakers of a glorious inheritance (Col 1:12). In them, the purpose of God is being fulfilled–a purpose so vast and rich it cannot be imagined or contrived by the most prodigious of our race.
THINK of it! These riches include fallen people being "conformed to the image" of God's Son (Rom 8:29). By Divine intention, they are made "partakers of the Divine nature," and are the residing place for His Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:4; Gal 4:6). They have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), and are scheduled to judge both men and angels (1 Cor 6:2-3). God has determined to give them the "world to come," over which they will preside with Jesus as "joint heirs" (Heb 2:5-6; Rev 3:21; Rom 8:17). These people, once deceived and defeated by the devil, are the ultimate dwelling place for God Himself (Eph 2:20; Rev 21:3). And all of that is but the introduction to these riches. In every sense of the word, they are "unsearchable."
– Given O. Blakely
THERE is a magnitude in salvation that causes it to remain fresh and challenging to the redeemed. In Christ Jesus, God has provided "riches" that surpass any human conception or perception. Throughout history, men have struggled with small views of God and His great salvation. These struggles are temptations hurled at us by the devil. He knows if we view what God has given us as either small or unattainable, we will not extend ourselves to appropriate those things. How marvelous that faith equips us to deal with these temptations to think small.
THE details of our salvation, or the provisions brought to us in Christ, are called "the unsearchable riches of Christ." They are heavenly treasures men may possess, handle, and enjoy. These "riches" are not the remarkable experiences we enjoy, like joy, peace, understanding, etc. They are more lofty than human experience, as precious as that is. Here the Spirit is referring to the plans and purposes of God – His gracious intentions for mankind. It is what He purposed to do through Jesus Christ in a world blasted by sin, and among a people found in a condemned and hopeless state. Such a challenge is worthy of our God!
WE are talking about a purpose so lofty that holy angels cannot investigate, analyze, or comprehend it. As it is written, the prophets "did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into" (1 Pet 1:12). When they peer into this purpose, as revealed through the Gospel, their wisdom withers, and their comprehension becomes impotent. What is more, God has made no effort to personally explain it to them, even though they remain in His presence, are undefiled, and excel in both wisdom and strength. They cannot learn about it directly. The riches are "unsearchable" – even to angels, to say nothing of men.
NOW, however, these "unsearchable riches" are being made known to "principalities and powers in heavenly places" through "the church." (verse 10). This body of people consists of Jews and Gentiles that have been liberated from the guilt and power of sin, and made suitable to be partakers of a glorious inheritance (Col 1:12). In them, the purpose of God is being fulfilled–a purpose so vast and rich it cannot be imagined or contrived by the most prodigious of our race.
THINK of it! These riches include fallen people being "conformed to the image" of God's Son (Rom 8:29). By Divine intention, they are made "partakers of the Divine nature," and are the residing place for His Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:4; Gal 4:6). They have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), and are scheduled to judge both men and angels (1 Cor 6:2-3). God has determined to give them the "world to come," over which they will preside with Jesus as "joint heirs" (Heb 2:5-6; Rev 3:21; Rom 8:17). These people, once deceived and defeated by the devil, are the ultimate dwelling place for God Himself (Eph 2:20; Rev 21:3). And all of that is but the introduction to these riches. In every sense of the word, they are "unsearchable."
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, May 22, 2009
TOO SMALL! TOO SMALL!
"Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6, NKJV)
SALVATION is an exceedingly large thing. What God has determined in Christ is momentous. What He offers in Him is extensive. While many tritely say Jesus would have come into the world "even if I was the only one," such a notion reflects neither the nature of God nor the disclosure of His mind. Nowhere is salvation so represented. Consistently it is declared to be "for the whole world," and that it is!
FROM the time of Abraham, the Lord restricted His dealings to a single body of people – Abraham's fleshly offspring. To them belonged "the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises," together with "the fathers" (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), and the lineage of the coming Savior (Rom 9:4-5). When the Savior would come into the world, He would "come unto His own" people, in fulfillment of the ancient promises.
YET, because of the extensive nature of salvation, the prophets unveiled it would not be confined to the Jews. In one of the most insightful views of Scripture, the Spirit affirmed through Isaiah that giving "the tribes of Jacob" to Jesus was "too small a thing." The greatness of His vicarious atonement required a greater gift than that! His hard temptations, exposure to the powers of darkness, and obedience to the death of the cross compelled more of a reward than that! Even though the "tribes of Jacob" had been cultured to receive the Savior, they were "too small" to duly honor the glorious sacrifice He would make. The Lord would also make His Lamb a "light for the Gentiles," that He might bring God's salvation "to the ends of the earth" (NIV).
IN my judgment, the modern church could do with a much larger vision of "so great a salvation" as is found in Christ Jesus (Heb 2:3). There is far too much unenlightened talk about Christ coming into the world and dying for sin. I am afraid many view it as a sort of quick fix to the human condition. But it is anything but that! Before Christ came into the world – in fact, before there was a world – a determination was made that He would have to die. That is why He is called "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev 13:8). In His redemptive capacity of "a Lamb without blemish and without spot," Jesus was "foreordained before the foundation of the world" (1 Pet 1:19-20).
IN that regard, the magnitude of our Lord's sacrifice, and the willingness with which He embraced the purpose of God, provoked the Divine utterance: "It is too small a thing for you to be My Servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept" (NIV). If that is true of a nation cultured by Deity for the coming Messiah, it is much more true of the organizations conceived and perpetrated by men – to say nothing of a solitary individual.
BOTH those who view their "church" as spiritually elite, and those who imagine Christ would have died for them even if they were the only one requiring it, make the atonement a small thing, indeed. But it is NOT small. This is a large salvation, extending as far as the curse, and reaching to the extremities of human guilt. Once this is perceived, men will throw themselves more fully into the work of the Lord. Let us have done with thoughtless and faddish sayings. They are uncomely, and ought not be found in our mouths.
– Given O. Blakely
SALVATION is an exceedingly large thing. What God has determined in Christ is momentous. What He offers in Him is extensive. While many tritely say Jesus would have come into the world "even if I was the only one," such a notion reflects neither the nature of God nor the disclosure of His mind. Nowhere is salvation so represented. Consistently it is declared to be "for the whole world," and that it is!
FROM the time of Abraham, the Lord restricted His dealings to a single body of people – Abraham's fleshly offspring. To them belonged "the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises," together with "the fathers" (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), and the lineage of the coming Savior (Rom 9:4-5). When the Savior would come into the world, He would "come unto His own" people, in fulfillment of the ancient promises.
YET, because of the extensive nature of salvation, the prophets unveiled it would not be confined to the Jews. In one of the most insightful views of Scripture, the Spirit affirmed through Isaiah that giving "the tribes of Jacob" to Jesus was "too small a thing." The greatness of His vicarious atonement required a greater gift than that! His hard temptations, exposure to the powers of darkness, and obedience to the death of the cross compelled more of a reward than that! Even though the "tribes of Jacob" had been cultured to receive the Savior, they were "too small" to duly honor the glorious sacrifice He would make. The Lord would also make His Lamb a "light for the Gentiles," that He might bring God's salvation "to the ends of the earth" (NIV).
IN my judgment, the modern church could do with a much larger vision of "so great a salvation" as is found in Christ Jesus (Heb 2:3). There is far too much unenlightened talk about Christ coming into the world and dying for sin. I am afraid many view it as a sort of quick fix to the human condition. But it is anything but that! Before Christ came into the world – in fact, before there was a world – a determination was made that He would have to die. That is why He is called "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev 13:8). In His redemptive capacity of "a Lamb without blemish and without spot," Jesus was "foreordained before the foundation of the world" (1 Pet 1:19-20).
IN that regard, the magnitude of our Lord's sacrifice, and the willingness with which He embraced the purpose of God, provoked the Divine utterance: "It is too small a thing for you to be My Servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept" (NIV). If that is true of a nation cultured by Deity for the coming Messiah, it is much more true of the organizations conceived and perpetrated by men – to say nothing of a solitary individual.
BOTH those who view their "church" as spiritually elite, and those who imagine Christ would have died for them even if they were the only one requiring it, make the atonement a small thing, indeed. But it is NOT small. This is a large salvation, extending as far as the curse, and reaching to the extremities of human guilt. Once this is perceived, men will throw themselves more fully into the work of the Lord. Let us have done with thoughtless and faddish sayings. They are uncomely, and ought not be found in our mouths.
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
IT IS THE LORD!
"And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good" (1 Samuel 3:18)
HANNAH possessed of unusual faith, and had asked the Lord to find grace in His sight by giving her a son. She was childless. During her prayer only her lips moved as she cried out in agony of heart. Eli the priest "thought she was drunk," and admonished her to put away her wine. She explained to him she was not drunk, but was pouring out her soul unto the Lord (1 Sam 1:14-16). Speaking from revelation, Eli said her prayer had been answered. She could go in peace and confidence. The Scriptures say, "So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad" (1 Sam 1:18). When her son was born, "she called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD" (1 Sam 1:20). The name "Samuel" means "heard of God."
AS soon as Hannah had weaned Samuel, "she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young." There, as an extraordinary act of thanksgiving, she "lent him to the Lord" for as long as he lived (1 Sam 1:24-28). She then offered a most insightful prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord (1 Sam 2:1-10). After the dedication of Samuel, Hannah "conceived and bore three sons and two daughters" (1 Sam 2:21).
FROM a small child, under the supervision of Eli, Samuel "ministered before the LORD . . . wearing a linen ephod," growing up "before the Lord" (2:21). Precisely the same thing is said of Samuel that was said of the child Jesus:"Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men"(2:26; Lk 2:52). During that time, "the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation" (3:1, NKJV). Young Samuel would prove to be the first one in a long time to whom God spoke directly.
ONE night, before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle, while Samuel was lying down, God called him. Remember, he was but a lad when this occurred. Samuel concluded Eli was calling him, and ran to the man of God saying "Here I am, for you called me" (v 5). Eli said he had not called him, and told him to lay down again. Again this happened, with Eli responding the same way. Then the Spirit adds a word of explanation: "Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him" (v 7). This, then, was the very first word Samuel received from the Lord.
THE third time God called Samuel, "Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy." He then told him, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears'" (v 8-9). To make a long story short, God's message to young Samuel was not a pleasant one. He told Samuel He was going to do something "at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle." That message was that He was going to judge Eli's house because of his sons, and because Eli did not restrain them. Further, there would be no atonement made for the sin forever. Upon Eli's insistence, Samuel told all of this to him.
AT this point, the character of Eli surfaces in a refreshing manner. In response to the grievous message, he said, "It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him" (v 16-18). If a man living during the Law could submit to such a message, how much more can we submit to the good news of the Gospel? Upon hearing what the Lord is doing in Jesus, let us say, "Let Him do what seems good to Him."– Given O. Blakely
HANNAH possessed of unusual faith, and had asked the Lord to find grace in His sight by giving her a son. She was childless. During her prayer only her lips moved as she cried out in agony of heart. Eli the priest "thought she was drunk," and admonished her to put away her wine. She explained to him she was not drunk, but was pouring out her soul unto the Lord (1 Sam 1:14-16). Speaking from revelation, Eli said her prayer had been answered. She could go in peace and confidence. The Scriptures say, "So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad" (1 Sam 1:18). When her son was born, "she called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD" (1 Sam 1:20). The name "Samuel" means "heard of God."
AS soon as Hannah had weaned Samuel, "she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young." There, as an extraordinary act of thanksgiving, she "lent him to the Lord" for as long as he lived (1 Sam 1:24-28). She then offered a most insightful prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord (1 Sam 2:1-10). After the dedication of Samuel, Hannah "conceived and bore three sons and two daughters" (1 Sam 2:21).
FROM a small child, under the supervision of Eli, Samuel "ministered before the LORD . . . wearing a linen ephod," growing up "before the Lord" (2:21). Precisely the same thing is said of Samuel that was said of the child Jesus:"Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men"(2:26; Lk 2:52). During that time, "the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation" (3:1, NKJV). Young Samuel would prove to be the first one in a long time to whom God spoke directly.
ONE night, before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle, while Samuel was lying down, God called him. Remember, he was but a lad when this occurred. Samuel concluded Eli was calling him, and ran to the man of God saying "Here I am, for you called me" (v 5). Eli said he had not called him, and told him to lay down again. Again this happened, with Eli responding the same way. Then the Spirit adds a word of explanation: "Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him" (v 7). This, then, was the very first word Samuel received from the Lord.
THE third time God called Samuel, "Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy." He then told him, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears'" (v 8-9). To make a long story short, God's message to young Samuel was not a pleasant one. He told Samuel He was going to do something "at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle." That message was that He was going to judge Eli's house because of his sons, and because Eli did not restrain them. Further, there would be no atonement made for the sin forever. Upon Eli's insistence, Samuel told all of this to him.
AT this point, the character of Eli surfaces in a refreshing manner. In response to the grievous message, he said, "It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him" (v 16-18). If a man living during the Law could submit to such a message, how much more can we submit to the good news of the Gospel? Upon hearing what the Lord is doing in Jesus, let us say, "Let Him do what seems good to Him."– Given O. Blakely
Monday, May 18, 2009
THE LORD IS OUR SHIELD
"Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our Help and our Shield" (Isaiah 40:31)
SHIELDS are for the day of battle and the time of danger. Whether fighting at a distance or in hand-to-hand combat, the warrior must have the protection of his shield. The shield is what absorbs the shock of the arrow and sword. It repels the flaming arrows, and brings safety to one being attacked.
GOD has provided a personal shield for us in faith – "the shield of faith" (Eph 6:16). But that is not the shield referred to in our text. The Lord Himself is declared to be "our Shield." What a marvelous declaration: "OUR Shield!" He is our Protection, Guard, and Security.
FREQUENT references are made to our Lord in this capacity. When praying against his enemies, the Psalmist pled, "bring them down, O Lord our Shield" (Psa 59:11). Desiring personal intimacy with the Lord, the Psalmist prayed, "Behold, O God our Shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand" (Psa 84:9-10). The effectiveness of this Divine Shield is expressed in the 28th psalm. "The LORD is my strength and my Shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him" (v 7).
EARLY in His dealings with Abraham, the Lord confirmed this Divine role to His friend. The statement is remarkable, and to be pondered with deliberation. "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your Shield, your exceedingly great Reward" (Gen 15:1). Faith had brought Abram, later called Abraham, into the realm of danger. The devil opposed him, working through enemies and circumstances. Yet Abraham was not to be afraid: the Lord was his "Shield."
THIS means that every opposition, every evil initiative against us, must first go through the Lord. He is our "Shield." Satan may desire Job, but he cannot have him without his request first going through the Lord. He may desire Peter, to sift him as wheat, but he must first go through the Lord. The devil, with all of his malice and craftiness, cannot get at you without going through the Lord. He cannot touch you or what you own unless granted leave by your God. What is more, God will not allow you to be tested above your ability. With every temptation, He will "make" a way of personal escape, so you can endure (1 Cor 10:13).
THE most notable example of this Divine Shield is the Lord Jesus Christ. He not only took the brunt of Satan's attack, with all the powers of darkness and the most wicked of men, He also absorbed the shock of Divine wrath. Standing, as it were, between us and God, He was "made a curse" that we might be blessed. The sins of the world were placed upon Him to such an extent that He "was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21). The arrows of the enemy struck Him! The blazing wrath of God against sin fell upon Him! In the awful judgment of sin, He was our "Shield!"
ONE more thing about a shield – the further you are from it, the less value it has. The closer you are to it, the more effective it is. So it is with the Lord, "Our Shield." Those who insist on dwelling at a distance from the Lord will surely not be protected from all the assaults of the enemy. But for those who are hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3), survival and renewal are certain. The Lord is their Shield!
-- Given O. Blakely
SHIELDS are for the day of battle and the time of danger. Whether fighting at a distance or in hand-to-hand combat, the warrior must have the protection of his shield. The shield is what absorbs the shock of the arrow and sword. It repels the flaming arrows, and brings safety to one being attacked.
GOD has provided a personal shield for us in faith – "the shield of faith" (Eph 6:16). But that is not the shield referred to in our text. The Lord Himself is declared to be "our Shield." What a marvelous declaration: "OUR Shield!" He is our Protection, Guard, and Security.
FREQUENT references are made to our Lord in this capacity. When praying against his enemies, the Psalmist pled, "bring them down, O Lord our Shield" (Psa 59:11). Desiring personal intimacy with the Lord, the Psalmist prayed, "Behold, O God our Shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand" (Psa 84:9-10). The effectiveness of this Divine Shield is expressed in the 28th psalm. "The LORD is my strength and my Shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him" (v 7).
EARLY in His dealings with Abraham, the Lord confirmed this Divine role to His friend. The statement is remarkable, and to be pondered with deliberation. "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your Shield, your exceedingly great Reward" (Gen 15:1). Faith had brought Abram, later called Abraham, into the realm of danger. The devil opposed him, working through enemies and circumstances. Yet Abraham was not to be afraid: the Lord was his "Shield."
THIS means that every opposition, every evil initiative against us, must first go through the Lord. He is our "Shield." Satan may desire Job, but he cannot have him without his request first going through the Lord. He may desire Peter, to sift him as wheat, but he must first go through the Lord. The devil, with all of his malice and craftiness, cannot get at you without going through the Lord. He cannot touch you or what you own unless granted leave by your God. What is more, God will not allow you to be tested above your ability. With every temptation, He will "make" a way of personal escape, so you can endure (1 Cor 10:13).
THE most notable example of this Divine Shield is the Lord Jesus Christ. He not only took the brunt of Satan's attack, with all the powers of darkness and the most wicked of men, He also absorbed the shock of Divine wrath. Standing, as it were, between us and God, He was "made a curse" that we might be blessed. The sins of the world were placed upon Him to such an extent that He "was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21). The arrows of the enemy struck Him! The blazing wrath of God against sin fell upon Him! In the awful judgment of sin, He was our "Shield!"
ONE more thing about a shield – the further you are from it, the less value it has. The closer you are to it, the more effective it is. So it is with the Lord, "Our Shield." Those who insist on dwelling at a distance from the Lord will surely not be protected from all the assaults of the enemy. But for those who are hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3), survival and renewal are certain. The Lord is their Shield!
-- Given O. Blakely
Sunday, May 17, 2009
THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERED BLESSED
"Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" (James 5:11)
If you were to ask someone of the world who they considered happy, fortunate, or blessed, their answer would differ significantly from our text. Some would think of those who had been without difficulty for a long time – no sickness, no losses, no deaths, and an adequate supply of financial resources, etc. Others might think of a successful business venture, or prominence in the scholastic, athletic, or a political arena. Their answer would be determined by their sense of values – what they felt were most important.
The person in fellowship with Christ, who is reconciled to God and delivered from the power of darkness, thinks quite differently. The expression found in our text is not an official and formal point of apostolic doctrine. It is an observation common among believers. Faith has taught them to reason in this manner, as well as their personal experience. Their familiarity with the Word of God has also brought them to this firm and unwavering persuasion.
The blessed, happy, fortunate person is the one who endures – who outlasts the trial! This is the person who gets through the wilderness of Sinai and into the promised land of Canaan. It is the one who, after he has been stoned like Paul, stands up and continues in the work of the Lord. When crushed like ripe grapes, the person who endures emits the sweet wine of joyful confidence, rejoicing in the Lord.
Job is held out as a preeminent example of endurance. And what things, indeed, he did endure! The loss of all his possessions, and all of his children as well. He endured being stricken with grievous boils from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet. His own wife offered no insightful consolation. His friends, coming to comfort him, only complicated his situation with their misapplication of truth.
How are we to view Job's experience? It is certainly not to be seen as some hard luck, as the world would say. Rather, what happened to Job was a trial – a test of his faith. The word "endure"assumes testing, or trial. During the test, the validity of the person's faith is being tested and demonstrated – and that with Divine approval and direction. Better to have it tested now, in the world, that it might be "might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:7).
The blessed and happy person is the one who comes out of trial still possessing the faith. It is the one who continues to believe, even though personal circumstances seem to contradict the value of faith. That person – the enduring one – is considered blessed, happy, and fortunate. And why so? Because he has been sustained by the Lord, even when his own strength waxed and waned. The Good Shepherd carried him in His bosom, and gently led him (Isa 40:11).
The trial is really not the point, but "the end of the Lord." It is the Lord's appointed conclusion to the trial, and not the trial itself, that opens the wellspring of joy. Like all who pass the test, Job received more AFTER the trial than before it. It will be no different for you.– Given O. Blakely
If you were to ask someone of the world who they considered happy, fortunate, or blessed, their answer would differ significantly from our text. Some would think of those who had been without difficulty for a long time – no sickness, no losses, no deaths, and an adequate supply of financial resources, etc. Others might think of a successful business venture, or prominence in the scholastic, athletic, or a political arena. Their answer would be determined by their sense of values – what they felt were most important.
The person in fellowship with Christ, who is reconciled to God and delivered from the power of darkness, thinks quite differently. The expression found in our text is not an official and formal point of apostolic doctrine. It is an observation common among believers. Faith has taught them to reason in this manner, as well as their personal experience. Their familiarity with the Word of God has also brought them to this firm and unwavering persuasion.
The blessed, happy, fortunate person is the one who endures – who outlasts the trial! This is the person who gets through the wilderness of Sinai and into the promised land of Canaan. It is the one who, after he has been stoned like Paul, stands up and continues in the work of the Lord. When crushed like ripe grapes, the person who endures emits the sweet wine of joyful confidence, rejoicing in the Lord.
Job is held out as a preeminent example of endurance. And what things, indeed, he did endure! The loss of all his possessions, and all of his children as well. He endured being stricken with grievous boils from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet. His own wife offered no insightful consolation. His friends, coming to comfort him, only complicated his situation with their misapplication of truth.
How are we to view Job's experience? It is certainly not to be seen as some hard luck, as the world would say. Rather, what happened to Job was a trial – a test of his faith. The word "endure"assumes testing, or trial. During the test, the validity of the person's faith is being tested and demonstrated – and that with Divine approval and direction. Better to have it tested now, in the world, that it might be "might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:7).
The blessed and happy person is the one who comes out of trial still possessing the faith. It is the one who continues to believe, even though personal circumstances seem to contradict the value of faith. That person – the enduring one – is considered blessed, happy, and fortunate. And why so? Because he has been sustained by the Lord, even when his own strength waxed and waned. The Good Shepherd carried him in His bosom, and gently led him (Isa 40:11).
The trial is really not the point, but "the end of the Lord." It is the Lord's appointed conclusion to the trial, and not the trial itself, that opens the wellspring of joy. Like all who pass the test, Job received more AFTER the trial than before it. It will be no different for you.– Given O. Blakely
Saturday, May 16, 2009
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, PART 2
"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph 6:11)
PROTECTION IS REQUISITE. For the believer, protection is not optional! Those who do not avail themselves of Divinely provided armor, will not be able to "stand against the wiles of the devil." To put it another way, they will be not able to avoid being deceived.
SHIELD OF FAITH. Faith is the conviction and persuasion of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus – the Gospel. As that persuasion is held before the fiery darts, or infectious thoughts, hurled at us by the devil, they at once lose their attractiveness and power. Faith is here viewed as the conviction of our reconciliation to God. It is more than Eve possessed when she confronted the subtle serpent. It is the "I KNOW" factor of our walk with God. Those who have faith are not confused about who God, is or what he is doing in Christ Jesus. Their faith sees through delusion, thereby robbing it of its power.
HELMET OF SALVATION. Knowing you are saved is imperative. Actually, every person who is born again begins with this knowledge. Although they do not know the extent of this salvation, they do know their sins are forgiven, and they have access to God. Unless that awareness grows, however, Satan will soon break through the mind with his delusions, luring the individual into a manner of thinking and living that actually alienates from God. In First Thessalonians, the Spirit refers to this helmet as "the hope of salvation" (5:8). That is the awareness and persuasion of who we are and where we are going. The goal is not only seen by faith, but the heart is persuaded of our proper place in that goal. This knowledge arms the soul against the "wiles of the devil."
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT. This "sword," we are told, is the Word of God (Eph 6:17). It is the only offensive weapon that we have– but it is highly effective. Delusion cannot be neutralized or diffused by philosophy or mere human reasoning. The sting of temptation cannot be extracted by scholarship, human discipline, or logical arguments. The ONLY sword we have is the Word of God. That is what Jesus used when tempted of the devil, and it effectively repulsed the old serpent. A working knowledge of the Word of God is imperative to overcoming the devil. By "working knowledge," I mean the ability to use the Word of God effectively. For some believers, the Word of God in their hand is like the sword of Goliath in a baby's hand – they simply are not able to use it. But that situation must change. The child of God must grow up, becoming able to bring the Scriptures to bear upon Satan's delusion. If they are to overcome his delusions, this must be done.
PRAYING ALWAYS. Prayer is not only a privilege, it is a necessity. We are not speaking of one kind of prayer, but "ALL prayer." Supplications, praise, thanksgiving, intercession, pouring out our hearts, making our requests known, etc. – they are all part of our Divinely provided protection. "Always" does not mean every single minute, but under all circumstances. That is, no part of life is viewed as separate from God or unrelated to our life in Him. Notice that prayer is to extend beyond ourselves, so that we pray for "all saints." To put it another way, the believer can never step out of the role of a child of God, approaching life as though he was on his own. This prayerful posture makes Satan's wiles more apparent.– Given O. Blakely
PROTECTION IS REQUISITE. For the believer, protection is not optional! Those who do not avail themselves of Divinely provided armor, will not be able to "stand against the wiles of the devil." To put it another way, they will be not able to avoid being deceived.
SHIELD OF FAITH. Faith is the conviction and persuasion of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus – the Gospel. As that persuasion is held before the fiery darts, or infectious thoughts, hurled at us by the devil, they at once lose their attractiveness and power. Faith is here viewed as the conviction of our reconciliation to God. It is more than Eve possessed when she confronted the subtle serpent. It is the "I KNOW" factor of our walk with God. Those who have faith are not confused about who God, is or what he is doing in Christ Jesus. Their faith sees through delusion, thereby robbing it of its power.
HELMET OF SALVATION. Knowing you are saved is imperative. Actually, every person who is born again begins with this knowledge. Although they do not know the extent of this salvation, they do know their sins are forgiven, and they have access to God. Unless that awareness grows, however, Satan will soon break through the mind with his delusions, luring the individual into a manner of thinking and living that actually alienates from God. In First Thessalonians, the Spirit refers to this helmet as "the hope of salvation" (5:8). That is the awareness and persuasion of who we are and where we are going. The goal is not only seen by faith, but the heart is persuaded of our proper place in that goal. This knowledge arms the soul against the "wiles of the devil."
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT. This "sword," we are told, is the Word of God (Eph 6:17). It is the only offensive weapon that we have– but it is highly effective. Delusion cannot be neutralized or diffused by philosophy or mere human reasoning. The sting of temptation cannot be extracted by scholarship, human discipline, or logical arguments. The ONLY sword we have is the Word of God. That is what Jesus used when tempted of the devil, and it effectively repulsed the old serpent. A working knowledge of the Word of God is imperative to overcoming the devil. By "working knowledge," I mean the ability to use the Word of God effectively. For some believers, the Word of God in their hand is like the sword of Goliath in a baby's hand – they simply are not able to use it. But that situation must change. The child of God must grow up, becoming able to bring the Scriptures to bear upon Satan's delusion. If they are to overcome his delusions, this must be done.
PRAYING ALWAYS. Prayer is not only a privilege, it is a necessity. We are not speaking of one kind of prayer, but "ALL prayer." Supplications, praise, thanksgiving, intercession, pouring out our hearts, making our requests known, etc. – they are all part of our Divinely provided protection. "Always" does not mean every single minute, but under all circumstances. That is, no part of life is viewed as separate from God or unrelated to our life in Him. Notice that prayer is to extend beyond ourselves, so that we pray for "all saints." To put it another way, the believer can never step out of the role of a child of God, approaching life as though he was on his own. This prayerful posture makes Satan's wiles more apparent.– Given O. Blakely
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, PART 1
"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph 6:11)
Believers must again and again be apprized of the nature of the life of faith. This requirement is not owing to our lack of intelligence, or the presence of a fundamentally disobedient heart. Rather, it is our present location and environment that has produced this necessity. We are in a realm fraught with jeopardy and danger.
The Spirit is careful to tell us the nature of our enemy. He has been known to bind people with disease (Lk 13:16), and cause sudden and lethal seizures (Matt 17:15-16). He has provoked unrighteous people to murder righteous people (1 John 3:12). But these do not present his most formidable attacks against us. God has made provision far more dangerous conflicts than external disturbances or bodily disruptions.
The "whole armor of God" has been provided to make us equal to the devil's attack. It is called "the armor of God" because it comes from Him, and enables the redeemed to maintain their identity with Him. It consists of thorough protection where we would otherwise be vulnerable. The Satanic aggression against which this armor protects us is called "the wiles of the devil."
Newer versions refer to "the schemes of the devil," and "the devil's schemes." This refers to trickery: methods, procedures, and cunning stratagems, or attacks. It is not WHAT the devil does, but HOW he does it, that is the point. Everything Satan does it wrong, sinful, and condemned. As Jesus says, "There is no truth in him" (John 8:44). Were he to unveil his real intentions to men, it would be apparent how wicked he is. But that is not what he does.
The devil comes with deception, duplicity, and subtle misrepresentation. He seeks to make sin attractive, obscure the lake of fire, and present the world as worthy of your affection. He is supernaturally cunning in what he does. He can seduce Eve into eating fruit God has forbidden. He can provoke David to number Israel, as though God were not to be trusted. He can entice Judas into thinking it is an advantage to betray Jesus, or Ananias and Sapphira into imagining they would be better by lying to the Holy Spirit. Do not underestimate his subtlety!
The "whole armor of God" equips us to deal with Satan's "wiles." It does so by giving us a working acquaintance with the truth of God. That familiarity with truth sheds light on Satan's devices, making them obvious to us, and us able to reject them.
LOINS GIRDED WITH TRUTH. All the armor of God is held together with the belt of truth. That is what keeps everything in its place. Emotion does not hold it together. Intellectual knowledge does not hold it together. Nor, indeed, does the armor simply remain in tact automatically. It is only as the truth is perceived and embraced that protection against Satan's devices can be realized.
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. The vital part of our beings is protected by the conviction that we have been made righteous in Christ Jesus. The person who realizes God will not impute sin unto him is thereby armed against delusion. When the assurance of Divine acceptance is not found in our hearts, we are made vulnerable to the attacks of the devil. We cannot stand against his "wiles" if we are doubtful about how the Lord has received us (Rom 15:7), and made us righteous (Rom 5:19).
PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. The "preparation of the gospel of peace" is the peace that results from believing the Gospel. Holding our ground demands our grasp of presently having peace with God. That is not simply a theological position. We may have trouble in the world, but not in heaven! Peace has been made through the blood of the cross, and God is for us. The comprehension of that diffuses the power of delusion. O, that it was more common!– Given O. Blakely
Believers must again and again be apprized of the nature of the life of faith. This requirement is not owing to our lack of intelligence, or the presence of a fundamentally disobedient heart. Rather, it is our present location and environment that has produced this necessity. We are in a realm fraught with jeopardy and danger.
The Spirit is careful to tell us the nature of our enemy. He has been known to bind people with disease (Lk 13:16), and cause sudden and lethal seizures (Matt 17:15-16). He has provoked unrighteous people to murder righteous people (1 John 3:12). But these do not present his most formidable attacks against us. God has made provision far more dangerous conflicts than external disturbances or bodily disruptions.
The "whole armor of God" has been provided to make us equal to the devil's attack. It is called "the armor of God" because it comes from Him, and enables the redeemed to maintain their identity with Him. It consists of thorough protection where we would otherwise be vulnerable. The Satanic aggression against which this armor protects us is called "the wiles of the devil."
Newer versions refer to "the schemes of the devil," and "the devil's schemes." This refers to trickery: methods, procedures, and cunning stratagems, or attacks. It is not WHAT the devil does, but HOW he does it, that is the point. Everything Satan does it wrong, sinful, and condemned. As Jesus says, "There is no truth in him" (John 8:44). Were he to unveil his real intentions to men, it would be apparent how wicked he is. But that is not what he does.
The devil comes with deception, duplicity, and subtle misrepresentation. He seeks to make sin attractive, obscure the lake of fire, and present the world as worthy of your affection. He is supernaturally cunning in what he does. He can seduce Eve into eating fruit God has forbidden. He can provoke David to number Israel, as though God were not to be trusted. He can entice Judas into thinking it is an advantage to betray Jesus, or Ananias and Sapphira into imagining they would be better by lying to the Holy Spirit. Do not underestimate his subtlety!
The "whole armor of God" equips us to deal with Satan's "wiles." It does so by giving us a working acquaintance with the truth of God. That familiarity with truth sheds light on Satan's devices, making them obvious to us, and us able to reject them.
LOINS GIRDED WITH TRUTH. All the armor of God is held together with the belt of truth. That is what keeps everything in its place. Emotion does not hold it together. Intellectual knowledge does not hold it together. Nor, indeed, does the armor simply remain in tact automatically. It is only as the truth is perceived and embraced that protection against Satan's devices can be realized.
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. The vital part of our beings is protected by the conviction that we have been made righteous in Christ Jesus. The person who realizes God will not impute sin unto him is thereby armed against delusion. When the assurance of Divine acceptance is not found in our hearts, we are made vulnerable to the attacks of the devil. We cannot stand against his "wiles" if we are doubtful about how the Lord has received us (Rom 15:7), and made us righteous (Rom 5:19).
PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. The "preparation of the gospel of peace" is the peace that results from believing the Gospel. Holding our ground demands our grasp of presently having peace with God. That is not simply a theological position. We may have trouble in the world, but not in heaven! Peace has been made through the blood of the cross, and God is for us. The comprehension of that diffuses the power of delusion. O, that it was more common!– Given O. Blakely
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