Tag: psalm

THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

War, killing, and the shedding of blood (guilty and/or innocent) appear throughout humanity’s history. From the entrance of sin into the human race (Genesis 3), mankind has successfully devised ways to inflict pain and/or eliminate one another. The first messianic prophecy (Genesis 3:15) even announces hostility between the offspring (seed) of Eve (all mankind and ultimately the second Adam, Jesus Christ) and the seed of the serpent (Satan/Devil/demons/evil spirits/etc.). This great war of spiritual dimension is concluded when Jesus Christ overthrows Satan’s dominance on earth (Revelation 6-19), removing the regime, control, and power of all God’s enemies! Christ triumphantly and gloriously returns “King of kings & Lord of lords,” establishing His rule of truth, justice, and righteousness throughout the entire earth. During His reign (The Millennium, 1000 years) peace will be enjoyed, yet one final combat still must occur. Then, in irrevocable defeat, our Lord’s enemy, Satan, along with all his followers (those that reject Jesus Christ) face second death, and are cast into the “Lake Of Fire” (Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10).

In the light of this spiritual/biblical struggle of good -v- evil, Christ -v- Antichrist, God -v- Satan, it is not at all surprising that wars would be prominent in the Scripture, as well as throughout all mankind’s history. Humans without Christ simply wage war. Ecclesiastes 3:8 reminds us, “There is a time for every purpose under heaven,” which includes, “a time for war.” Some wars are just and holy, others political, and some totally absurd and sinful — based in greed, pride, dominance, etc. War too often illustrates the malignity of the wicked (Psalm 55:21). However, Jehovah (Lord God) is declared to be “a warrior” (literally — a man of war, Exodus 15:3-19) as One who knows how to wage war successfully and possesses the ordnance necessary to destroy His enemies! Thus the concept of a “Holy War” (Exodus 17:16; Numbers 31:3) emerges, where every warrior/soldier considers himself a servant of God, consecrated to the Lord (Isaiah 13:3) and willing to totally abstained from certain activities in order to sanctify (set apart/purify) themselves (Judges 20:26; II Samuel 11:11) for His Holy purpose and service. I’m not sure mankind can actually declare a “Holy War,” however we can declare “just war” if asked to stand against the lies and evil of Satan.

The devaluation of human life, slavery, forms of oppression and persecution certainly fall into this category. Figuratively, in a spiritual sense, and literally, each person is at war with sin and ultimately the consequences of sin – physical and spiritual death (Romans 7:23-24). However, this conflict is not ours to fight alone. God recognizes that no matter how hard we try, or how good we are, everyone eventually succumbs to sin and surrenders the war in humiliating defeat and death.

However, a mighty Warrior was dispatched to conquer sin and death, literally handing us (believers) a great victory (I Corinthians 15:56-57), even in the midst of our own capitulation (Romans 6:23). As Jesus Christ hung on the cross, a holy war raged in His flesh and spirit. He ultimately surrendered, becoming sin (II Corinthians 5:21) and a casualty of this war as all other humans. However, Sunday was on its way, indeed the war was not over, but a short pause occurred in the conflict while preparation was made for one final assault. Then,

“Up from the grave He arose (Acts 10:40-41), with a mighty triumph o’er His foes. He arose a victor from the dark domain (of sin and death) and He lives for every with His saints to reign! He arose, He arose, Halleluiah Christ arose!”

Just Think About It! — Pastor Frank

SUFFERING

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, suffering is defined as undergoing something painful or unpleasant, to endure, bear affliction, to allow, permit or tolerate pain, harm, injury, or loss. A great variety of Greek expressions, too large to be enumerated here, have been translated in our Bibles as “suffer(s),”and/or “suffering(s).” However all forms seem to be derived from the same root verb, “pascho” (Greek N.T. Strongs #3958).

In Mark 5:26, we find suffering associated with illness or disease when a woman who “had suffered (or endured) much (many things) at the hands of many physicians,” and “had spent all that she had,” not receiving any help at all, but “rather had grown worse.” Moses, in Hebrews 11:25, chooses to endure ill-treatment (suffering and affliction) with the people of God, rather than “enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” This potentially represents several types of suffering, from mental and emotional to persecutions related to his position and opportunities in life, as well as that of physical need. In II Timothy 2:9, Paul, speaking about his own life and ministry, declares that for the Gospel of Jesus Christ he suffers “hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.”

The Psalmist, David uses the first one-third of the 22nd Psalm (which includes graphic descriptions of suffering and exactly coincides with the sufferings of Jesus Christ) as a lamenting and disconsolate cry of anguish from his persecution by King Saul. Amazingly, his words progress to a trustful cry for help, and then end in vows of thanksgiving which spring from his deliverance (like Christ’s victorious resurrection). No other Psalm demonstrates such an accumulation of excruciating outward and inward suffering which is shown pressing in upon God’s servant who is perfectly innocent. What an illustration of Christ’s agonizing situation – the Crucified One is presented before our eyes in verses 15 through 18: The spreading out of the limbs, the naked body, the torturing pain in both hands and feet, and the burning thirst which our Redeemer suffered in order that the Scripture(s) might be fulfilled. Then He announces in a cry, “dipsoo’ “(Greek – NT word #1372 from John 19:28), “I thirst!”

Consider Christ’s sufferings, both emotional and physical. He suffered in almost every aspect of human life: one of His closest companions denied even knowing Him; other close friends couldn’t manage to stay awake, watch, and pray in a time of His deepest need; His own nation (people) rejected Him; His siblings and other family members considered Him crazy; most of the religious leaders in the community despised Him and spoke openly against Him, conspiring to destroy both His life and His message; a member of His own inner circle (discipleship group) continually stole from His ministry and ultimately betrayed Him; in total innocence, He was charged and found guilty of crimes against both God and the state; He was publicly displayed and crucified as a wretched, heinous criminal, and in His final hour, His Father turned His back. Truly He was a man of many sorrows and much suffering. Yet all to please His Dad and bless humanity as no other could achieve!

How can one refuse the ministry and gift of such a faithful suffering servant? How shall we respond to this Servant when asked to bear a little pain because we identify with His name, or endure suffering for His cause of truth and life?

Just think about it! Hope to see ya Sunday, Pastor Frank

SHELTER

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

In Psalm 5:11-12 we find a beautiful expression of faith and confident expectation (hope) from the Psalmist. 

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.”

Please consider these points for meditation as you focus on the gracious and abundant provisions of our Lord:

  • Let all who take refuge in the Lord be glad! – The idea of finding or taking refuge in the Lord implies trusting Him more than anything else.  In a storm, one would run into a properly engineered building/facility that provides physical safety from the onslaughts of wind, hail, flying debris, etc.  In this case, those that truly believe, run into the security of the Lord, Who has all the attributes, tools, equipment, and power necessary to protect a believer from whatever storm he or she faces.  In that safe place – be glad/rejoice; the Lord your God stands, according to the Hebrew text (cakak or sakak), as your cover and defender!
  • Let them ever sing with joy! – Why do we sing with joy?  Because the heart of the one who rests in the Lord’s protection is rejoicing … and from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, shouts, proclaims the greatness of the Lord as He delivers one from the dangers and threats of this world, the flesh, and our enemy (Satan/Devil).

“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory!” — From 1 Peter 1:8

  • May you shelter them! – This word, “shelter” (Hebrew – tsinnah) is literally a large a shield! It’s so large it covers one entirely … should one choose to dwell/remain under/behind its formidable protection. Psalm 91:4 declares,

“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”

  • Those who love Your name may exult in You! – Notice the connection between loving the Lord’s name (all He is and all He stands for) and the idea/concept of exulting in the Lord.  A lasting internal joy or happiness with a sense of fulfillment is what the Psalmist is speaking of – an ascription of praise and gratitude from within, that might just leak out! Romans 5:11 reminds us,

“And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

Then, please notice these concluding thoughts:

1.      It’s You (our Lord) who blesses the righteous!

2.      It’s You (our Lord) who surround (the righteous) with favor ! 

Whose “shelter” is this?

Whose blessing and favor?

Shall we be grateful and rejoice?

“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Indeed, how truly blessed we are as His children! –PF