The Power of Repentance

This morning's Bible reading was in 1 Kings, chapters 7-9 and is packed full of wonderful truth. King Solomon has completed the building of the Temple and he takes time to pray to God. 

“Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. 

The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, 

that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. - 1 Kings 8:56-58 

Do you see it?

Not one of God's promises will fail to come true. Like Israel, we can find rest in Him, for He is faithful to what he promises us.

He will never leave nor forsake us. Whenever we feel distant from God, it is not Him who left, He is always there. But our sin will keep us from feeling His presence.

Solomon understood the power of humility and a repentant heart.

“When your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and if they turn again to you and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to their fathers. “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.” - 1 Kings 8:33-36   

That is a description of how the Gospel works. We must keep His commandments. But we all fail in our own efforts to do so. Sometimes that brings consequences. But if we confess and repent, He will forgive us and restore us.

Again, we see Solomon, in this prayer, show us the way of the Gospel.

“If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near, yet if they turn their heart in the land to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,’ if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name, then hear in heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you, and grant them compassion in the sight of those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them.”                          - 1 Kings 8:46-50   

There is no one who does not sin. But through Christ, God made a way for us to come to Him in prayers of repentance. 

See how Solomon finishes His prayer.

“Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”

God’s Word will not fail you. Call on Him today and receive the free gift of salvation that Jesus has offered to you. Let Him restore you, so that you may live under the umbrella of God’s grace and mercy.

Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.

How To Build the Temple For God

The God we serve is a holy and glorious god, who deserves our reverence and our obedience. Reading today of the story of the building of the temple by King Solomon in 1 Kings 6, there is a very powerful fact about how Solomon went about the construction. 

1 Kings 6:7 - When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built. 

Solomon was so bent on constructing the temple in a way that, not only followed God’s specifications, but was also built in a very special manner. As we read, Solomon made sure that no tool could be heard in the actual process of the on-site construction. Why would he take such stringent actions in this work? Solomon understood that the temple was to be a place of reverence and worship to his God, because God is a holy god, worthy of our complete worship and respect.

God no longer chooses to dwell in man-made buildings. We see this truth recorded in Acts 7:48, which tells us that “ the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands.” No, God has chosen to replace the temple of stone by placing His Holy Spirit within the very hearts of His people and making them His temple.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

In light of this truth, what does Solomon’s careful construction of the first temple say to us today? 

When we receive salvation and begin to follow Jesus, we are a new creation. But as we all can clearly understand about ourselves, there is still much work to be done. We use the word sanctification to describe the process of growth that begins at salvation. But it is a work that takes our entire life to be completed. We know it will because the Apostle Paul wrote this to us in Philippians 1:6  saying, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

The work of salvation is completely of God, according to scripture. But the work of sanctification is a work that involves both the empowering of the Holy Spirit and our commitment to follow Jesus and walk in obedience to Him. 

Like the construction of the first temple, the construction of the temple within us must be accomplished with the same commitment to reverence and respect to God. We should be diligent to study His Word and to build His temple with the same dedication to God’s plan for our lives.

Listen to what God said to Solomon as he was building the temple.

1 Kings 6:11-13 - Now the word of the LORD came to Solomon, 

“Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.” 

This is how we must respond as we also build God’s temple, the temple not of stone, but of our own hearts. 

Listen to how chapter 6 ends up.

1 Kings 6:14 - So Solomon built the house and finished it.

1 Kings 6:38 - And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts, and according to all its specifications. He was seven years in building it. 


It’s a new year. There is no better time for us to get to work and to build God’s temple and to build it according to all His specifications.

Do so and God will dwell among us and in us. 

The Attributes of God - His Self-Existence

Too many people think that theology is for scholars and pastors, but the truth is that it is simply the study of God and who he is. We Christians like to tell others that Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship. I agree with them, but I must shake my head when those who say that, make little to no attempt at the very relationship they claim to have. Theology is really about getting to know who God is. If you love someone, you want to know everything you can about them. Love is a reciprocal act. We love each other and desire to do things that bring joy and happiness to the object of our love. True love puts the other person first, a commitment to doing whatever it takes to please. We must remove the idea of theology being something only seminary students do and become a people who long to learn all we can about our wonderful God so that we will love Him as He desires us to.

The theology of the attributes of God is paramount in our relationship with Him. Yet, it is not taught and not preached about enough in our churches. I am currently doing a study with a friend on a series about the attributes of God from Ligonier Ministries and thought it would benefit myself to spend a little time writing out some of things I learn, and my hope is that it might help others grow closer to God as well.

The first attribute we looked at is titled the aseity of God. Don’t feel bad, I had no idea what the word aseity meant either. Theology is known for using words none of us understand and that is part of the problem. That type of language tends to make one feel the stigma of theology is true and it isn’t for us regular people. That’s unfortunate but don’t let those words get in the way of seeking to know God better. 

Aseity simply means that something exists in and of itself. But even that definition comes across a bit deep. Let’s break it down to something we can all understand. 

God has no beginning and no end. He wasn’t created. He always was and He always will be. He doesn’t need anything outside of Himself to exist. Let us look at a few scriptures to see that this is true about God.

Psalm 90:2  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 

Psalm 102:26-27  They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. 

Revelation 22:13  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 

Another important thing to understand is that not only is God eternal, but every single thing that exists, has existed, or will exist, does so because he created them. God is the source of all things and since He is the source of them, He isn’t dependent on anything outside of Himself. 

Romans 11:36  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Acts 17:24-25  The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

The good news of this truth of God, that He is self-sufficient and is the source of all things, is that we can know that anything we must possibly need in this life and even in the next one, He can provide. 

The humbling aspect of this attribute of God is that we also must understand that we are not “The captains of our souls” as famously written by James McLain in the poem with that very title. We can lay claim to no glory nor ought we pat ourselves on the back extolling our great talents and knowledge. 

James 1:16-18  Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

It’s hard to believe that there has ever been a place in time when man has thought more highly of himself than now. Even many Christians have fallen into the trap of thinking themselves important and long to receive glory and fame. But that is simply a trap of the devil, the one who more than anyone else, longs to steal the glory and worship only God deserves.

Revelation 4:11  “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Isaiah 42:8  I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. 

What a wonderful God we serve. A God who is self-sufficient and needs nothing from us. Yet, amazingly, He created us and allows us to be a part of His kingdom, having given us both life and the gifts of the Holy Spirit empowering us to serve Him. 

We started off with a big word; aseity. God is deep and trying to always grasp an infinite God with a finite mind as we possess isn’t easy. Let us dig every day into His Holy Word and learn more of Him, who He is. When we do that our faith will grow, for we will see and know that every single thing is centered on Him and He has the power to accomplish everything He has promised to do. 

Dig into His Word today. Pray to Him, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal these great truths about who our God is. Then we can worship Him as we have been called, in spirit and in truth.

Next time, the attribute of the spirituality of God.

Trusting in the Power of God

The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. 

- Psalm 93:1-2  

"The world shall never be moved." Nope, not unless God wants it to. 

We must lay ahold of the amazing power of God. Nothing can happen, nothing can move, nothing exists or ceases to exist unless the all-powerful and sovereign hand of God allows it to. 

Whatever you face today, it is not too big for God nor is it beyond His control. 

Trust Him. He created this universe. His throne is everlasting. He is in control.

If you believe that, then you can hand all your issues over to Him and just rest in His arms.

The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty. 

The God Who Holds Our Every Breath

 

Many of the famous sayings we use, find their origin from the Bible. 

The phrase "The handwriting is on the wall" comes from this story;

Suddenly the fingers of a man's hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing. - Daniel 5:5 

Check that story out. In that chapter we learn that men who are in positions of authority are literally placed there by God.

"He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of beasts, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and that He sets over it whomever He wishes. - Daniel 5:21

We also are reminded that our very breath comes from God and thus our lives are in His hands. 

But you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored. - Daniel 5:23 

King Belshazzar learned all this. The hard way.

That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. - Daniel 5:30

Put your trust in God. He's in charge. He is the God in whose hand is your breath.

Trusting God In the Midst of a Pandemic

Satan wants you to be afraid and to doubt God. He uses the systems of the world such as the media to attack our minds by instilling fear and doubt. Every day for month upon month, we have been bombarded with the news of Covid. While I am in no way saying we should not walk cautiously in these days of the raging virus, but to the Christian, that should never be fueled by the fear of death, suffering, or sickness. 

God is in control.

Yet this barrage of fearful news wears on us. We are tempted to be afraid. 

I feel that. But when I open up God's Word I am reminded that it is only Him I must fear. 1 John 4:18 reminds us though that perfect love casts out fear. Jesus is the perfect love it speaks of us. When we place our faith in Christ and in Him alone, we can rest in Him. 

God is sovereign people. I was reminded of that tonight as I, once again, took notice of Psalm 139, particularly verse 16. Listen to the psalmist explain who God is.

"Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them."

Nothing can nor will change the days that God ordained has for you. He wrote them in His book before you were even formed in the womb.

Nothing. Not even Covid-19. So, take your rest in Christ. Live for Him, by Him, and in Him.

Pray this and then follow His lead.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. - Psalm 139:23-24

The Battle Over My Sin

 The battle for victory over sin is a difficult one and if we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that we lose the battle more often than we win it. We try and try to stop certain behaviors. The battle for pure thoughts in our minds is even harder as we live in a world that is constantly attacking us. 

Jesus warned us in Matthew 26:4, saying this, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Yet, we cannot excuse our behavior, there is never an excuse for sin. He tells us we always have opportunity and the ability to say no to our sin nature. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Yet, we fail Him daily. Reading this morning in Psalms, it is clear that God’s people in the Old Testament were just like us. In Psalm 78, we read of the repeated failings of the people. 

Psalm 78:10-11  

They did not keep God’s covenant but refused to walk according to his law.  They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them. 

Psalm 78:17-19 

Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness? 

Psalm 78:21-22  

Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel,  because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power. 

Psalm 78:29-31  

And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.  But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths,  the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel. 

Psalm 78:32-37  

In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.  So, he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror.  When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly.  They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.  But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues.  Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. 

Whoa, these people were messed up. Despite all God had done for Israel and all that He gave them, they still sinned against Him. 

But if we look closely at our own hearts, are we any better? For all God has blessed us with, even giving up His own Son to die for our sins, we turn back to our selfish desires habitually. We complain, we whine, we live our lives in fear and anxiety and we simply don’t obey His commandments. We are just like Israel.

But there is more to the story in Psalm 78 then the failings of God’s chosen people. There is an amazing description of how God responds to His people, even in the midst of their failings.

Psalm 78:38-39  

Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.  He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again. 

It is popular these days to say to people, “God is not angry with you.” Uh, not Biblical! 

Exodus 32:9-10  

And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.  Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.”

Those were God’s people He was angry at. Look at the next verse, it says so.

Exodus 32:11  

But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

Yes, God’s wrath can burn hot against His own. Was Moses not one of God’s chosen and favorite people?

Exodus 4:14  

Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses…

Of course, God can be angry with us. But back to the comforting words of Psalm 78.

Psalm 78:38-39  

Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.  He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again. 

This is a picture of the Gospel. He atoned for their iniquity. That is an OT picture of Jesus. This is the beauty of the Gospel. Despite our sinfulness and our continued return to sin, Jesus paid the price for our sins, once and for all. He restrains His anger.

The Psalm doesn’t end here. It goes on to show that the people of Israel continued to fail God. 

Psalm 78:40-42  

How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert!  They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel.  They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe.

Just as they rebelled against the God who brought them out of captivity in Egypt, we rebel against the Savior who delivered us from the captivity of sin.  

Psalm 78:56-59  

Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep his testimonies,  but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; they twisted like a deceitful bow.  For they provoked him to anger with their high places; they moved him to jealousy with their idols.  When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel. 

The Psalm goes on to explain how God disciplined His people. 

Psalm 78:62-64 

He gave his people over to the sword and vented his wrath on his heritage. Fire devoured their young men, and their young women had no marriage song. Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation. 

He vented His wrath on them. He came down hard.

But then the Psalm ends with this reminder that God has sent a shepherd to lead His people home to the safety of His sheepfold.

Psalm 78:70-72  

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds;  from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance.  With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. 

Once more we see in the Old Testament, a picture of our wonderful Savior, Jesus, who, with His upright heart, shepherds His people and guides them with His skillful hand.

I don’t think there is any question but to conclude Psalm 78 is a picture of the Gospel. 

Yes, we fail Him daily. But it won’t be our faithfulness that saves us in the end, it will be the faithfulness of Jesus by which we shall persevere. The words of Psalm 78 bring great comfort to the heart of a repentant sinner, who is humbled by the failings of his own heart, but who looks to Jesus to bring grace and mercy to His people. 

Turn to Jesus today. It’s our only hope. But it’s a sure hope.