Category Archives: Spirituality

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Inheriting the Earth: The Power of Biblical Meekness PART TWO

In Part One we were introduced to the concept of Biblical meekness, which comes with the superlative promise: The meek shall inherit the earth (Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5). In essence, meekness is submission to God and His grace, letting Him carry us, fight our battles, and use us as He wills. The two meekest men in the Bible were Moses and Jesus, yet both of them were mightily used of God in acts of power.
The meek do not ‘fight for their rights,’ actively seek vengeance or vindication, strive in their own strength or live off man-made, home-cooked ‘good ideas.’ They live and labour according to God’s terms, timing, and territory. The meek simply keep single-minded and focused on what God has called them to do.
ISAAC: MEEKNESS IN ACTION
A classic example of this principle, and how to inherit the earth, is found in the patriarch Isaac in Genesis 26:16-22. God commanded Isaac to remain in Canaan, a land he was destined to inherit. Amazingly, this was during a time of intense famine. When food was scarce in Canaan, the natural response was to travel to nearby Egypt, where the Nile River and its alluvial rich overflow normally guaranteed a steady food supply.
Certainly, Isaac’s father Abraham, and son Jacob, did go to Egypt when famine hit in Canaan during their day. Yet when Isaac tried to make the same move, God intervened and told him to stay put. He would bless him in the land of promise, drought, famine, and all. Meekness meant trusting God and committing all to him.
Ever energetic, Isaac was busy sowing in the land and reaping 100-fold (Genesis 26:12). That was a miracle, considering that the Negev wilderness is dry, even in normal times, let alone in a season of dryness.
The neighbouring Philistines became jealous of his success and expelled him from the city of Gerar. It was most unfair, but Isaac decided not to fight for justice but to keep on labouring in his inheritance. God’s justice towards Isaac would outstripped any compensation this world can offer.
The patriarch began to dig wells or re-dig wells in the Negev, where his father Abraham had dug. Wells not only brought water but served as a stake to claim the land. At least twice the Philistines protested that the wells belong to them, even though Isaac was the one who dug them. He did not argue or stop fulfilling his call. He kept his powder dry, relinquished the wells to his opponents, and kept digging elsewhere. Isaac knew that the promise of God to inherit the land would come in God’s timing and God’s way.
Isaac’s meekness netted him a wonderful reprieve called Rehoboth (Genesis 26:22). Here was a ‘Philistine-free zone’ were there is room, water, fruitfulness, and no strife. Every believer needs to visit Rehoboth, periodically if not regularly.
What is remarkable is that Isaac’s spirit of meekness did not make him look weak, but strong. Eventually, his enemies met with him and sued for peace.
The reason was that the blessing of God appeared prominently on his life. Wherever his plough laboured, there was a bumper crop. Wherever his spade touch, a well of springing water resulted. When opposition hit, he glided over it like a stream over a stubborn rock. To fight such a God-blessed man like Isaac would mean to fight against God Himself.
Then he came across Beersheba, well of seven, which became the patriarchs winter capital. The land of Canaan was now within Isaac’s reach and he never had to fire a shot.
MEEKNESS FOR TODAY
Isaac’s exemplary conduct contradicts our current culture, which focuses on ‘rights,’ ‘entitlement,’ and ‘self-interest.’ The problem with this attitude is that as soon as you drop your spade (shovel) and pick up your boxing gloves to fight your enemy, they have already won. The reason is that you are no longer doing what God has called you to, but instead you are distracted by a battle that is best left with God. Often, these battles can be lengthy and tiresome. So even if you win the battle, you truly lose the war. Second, by taking up the fight yourself, you are not demonstrating the power of faith and trust whereby God can fight your battle and win your prize.
Except in rare situations, the Biblical meek don’t even bother responding to their opponents. The work of God is simply too great (remember Nehemiah: he did not want to stop building the walls of Jerusalem in order to debate his enemies).
The meek reserve their focus on one thing: doing God’s will. All the other issues they leave for God to sort out. Many take the lower road, which leads to the barnyard. It can be messy, battling with the chickens and other poultry who can’t even fly. Or, you can take the ‘higher way’ of Biblical meekness, where the eagles rule the skies. Those who choose this way travel faster, farther, and truly inherit the earth.
Meekness
A spirit of empowerment, not entitlement;
overcoming, not overcome;
inheritance, not infirmity;
grace, not greed;
victory, not victimhood.
By meekness you interface with
Almighty God Himself
So that when He inherits the earth (Psalm 24:1);

                                                  You inherit it with Him

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

A Man After God’s Own Heart: Why Study Second (II) Samuel

If you want to learn about the 40 year reign of King David, II Samuel is the Bible book to study. After seeing this anointed, amazing man of integrity rise up to national prominence in I Samuel, here we see him take the throne of Israel. In some ways, he sets the stage for ‘Israel’s golden age’ where enemies are subdued, Jerusalem is captured and made capital, the Ark of God is brought to the royal city, and plans are made for a glorious temple.
Yet, the Bible gives a candid portrait of our hero: he transgresses the law of God, commits covetousness, theft, adultery, and murder, then pays for those sins for the rest of his life. Despite this colossal moral failure at the height of his success, David did what only the minority ever do: he repented. This, and his heart of worship, demonstrate that he continued to be a man after God’s own heart. II Samuel will help you to learn invaluable lessons of God’s interaction with His people and how to walk uprightly.
                                                                 HEBREW
The original name of the book comes from Samuel, or shmu’el.This can be translated ‘heard of God,’ ‘petitioned of God,’ or even ‘his name is God.’ Though it, along with II Samuel, were originally one account in Hebrew, in the 285 BC Greek language translation of the Hebrew Bible, known as the Septuagint (LXX), separates the two books.
AUTHOR
The consensus is that II Samuel is a compilation from the prophets Gad and Nathan. Apparently, there is some reference from the Book of Jasher (1:18). Written after death of Solomon but before the Assyrian captivity of 722 BC, there are hints of the rivalry between Judah and Israel. This rivalry erupts into a full-blown schism in I Kings 12. Lessons about obedience and blessing, disobedience and punishment, also are prominent themes in II Samuel.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
Jesus is the ‘root and offspring of David’ (Revelation 22:16), the heir to his throne who will reign forever. He is the ‘man after God’s own heart’ (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), the faithful servant of God who rules from the throne first established by Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18), which is Jerusalem.
THEME OF II SAMUEL
II Samuel is the story of David’s 40 year reign. It begins with some great triumphs, like the elimination of the Ishbosheth threat, conquest of Jerusalem, subduing of the Philistines, alliance with Tyre, bringing the ark to Jerusalem, and receiving the Davidic covenant. 
However, after David became successful and careless, he sinned grievously. This began a period of tragedy, including the death of his faithful mighty man Uriah the Hittite, the death of his infant son by Bathsheba, the rape of his daughter Tamar, the murder of her treacherous half-brother Amnon, the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba, a famine because of the Gibeonites, and the dreadful plague after the foolish census.
The theme: Obedience to God (chapters 1-7) bring God’s blessing; however, sin (11) brings punishment (12-24). To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).
 KEY VERSES
And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever — II Samuel 7:12-13
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me — II Samuel 22:21
DISTINCTIVES
•    The Davidic covenant (7; I Chronicles 11): This is one of the most important parts of the Bible. It is by this covenant that David is promised a son and heir who would reign from his throne forever. In addition, David son will be simultaneously God’s Son. This ‘Son of David is known as ‘the Messiah,’ the ‘anointed one.’ Of course, this Son is none other than Jesus of Nazareth. When He came the first time, He was crucified as ‘The King of the Jews.’ When He comes the second time, it will be to reign over the whole world from David’s throne in Jerusalem.
•   Sin of David: The Bible does not try to air-brush the faults of its heroes and David is no exception. His sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent trouble in his family serves as a warning to us all. Galatians 6:7 says Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Let us remember that we will reap what we sow, therefore let us sow to the Spirit, not to the flesh.
OUTLINE OF II SAMUEL
I.         Victories of David (1:1-10:19)
•    Political Victories (1:1-5:25): Reign in Hebron, overcoming the Ishbosheth threat, conquest and reign in Jerusalem, defeat of the Philistines, alliance with Tyre
•    Spiritual Victories (6:1-7:29): The ark is brought to Jerusalem, Davidic covenant ratified.
•    Military Victories (8:1-10:19): Over the Philistines; Moabites, Zobah, Syrians, and Ammonites. He also remembers his covenant with Jonathan and treats his son Mephibosheth with respect.
II.      Sin of David (11:1-27)
•    David covets Bathsheba
•    David steals Bathsheba
•    David commits adultery with Bathsheba
•    David murders her husband, Uriah the Hittite
III.    Judgment in David’s Family (12:1-13:36)
•    Nathan’s prophecy and David’s repentance
•    Infant son of Bathsheba and David dies; Solomon is born
•    Amnon rapes sister Tamar
•    Amnon murdered by Tamar’s brother, Absalom
IV.   Judgment in David’s Kingdom (13:37-24:25)
•    Absalom’s revolt
•    Absalom murdered, rebellion ends
•    Sheba’s revolt & execution
•    Famine due to the Gibeonites
•    Mighty men and Philistine war
•    Foolish census
•    Plague as a judgement for the census
•    Sacrifice at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

God’s Peace Process – Part 02

                                                                           
It is precious, wonderful, and at times, rare. The world longs for peace but it always seems to be elusive. It is said of the Ottoman Turkish Empire (1300-1922) that there were only 24 consecutive years of peace throughout its entire history; otherwise, they were either fighting to take territory or to retain it.
While the world survived two world wars and a cold war, today there remain global hotspots, particularly in Asia, that are like dry tinder in a hot summer. One misguided spark and the region, if not the world, could go up in flames.
Add to that how even in the relatively prosperous and peaceful western world, many people lack personal peace, even as Christians. Be assured, this is not God’s will and He does have the best way forward.
In Part One, we learned that God has peace that surpasses all understanding. It is freely given, universal in scope, and eternal in duration. We learned that the pre-requisite to receiving this peace is to make a decision to obey Jesus’ command: don’t let your heart be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).
Here in Part Two, we want to learn how to establish God’s peace in your life.
In regard to the cause of conflict, even war, we need not go any further than the Book of James:
James 4:1-3 (MEV): Where do wars and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your lusts that war in your body? 2 You lust and do not have, so you kill. You desire to have and cannot obtain. you fight and war. Yet you do not have, because you do not ask. 3. You ask, and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your passions.
Bad as this – that our lusts cause conflict and war – there is something even worse. Humanity is serious danger of incurring the wrath of God, in part because of the lusts, greed, and sin. The Book of Romans says that God’s wrath is being stored up against all ungodliness and unrighteousness (1:18), hardness and impenitent hearts (2:5), and contentious people who do not obey the truth. Though we are made in God’s image, our sin nature and actions have put as in enmity towards God. The carnal mind is on a  collision course with God and it cannot be subject to His law (8:7).
Frankly, it is the most dire situation to be an enemy with the living God, but that’s what Romans tells us. Yet, God unilaterally instituted a solution to rectify this situation.
It is called the gospel of Jesus Christ. He died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the 3rd day; this is the gospel in a nutshell. Believe this and receive Him and an amazing thing happens. We are ‘saved’ and ‘justified,’ which means we are declared not guilty and righteous.
Peace Established
Do you want to enter the peace process? From the very outset, God’s peace will come upon your heart and mind. A tranquility beyond your own enablement will enter in. How do you get it?
Say ‘Yes’ to the gospel and the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ, receive justification, and look what comes next:
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ — Romans 5:1
It couldn’t been easier or clearer. When the Prince of Peace comes into your life, you are reconciled with God, adopted into His family, grafted into Israel’s olive tree (Romans 11:17-24) justification sets in, and a peace beyond all understanding will take control of your life.
Till this day, I will never forget the feeling of joy and peace I received when I asked Jesus into my life. That peace has stayed with me ever since. What God has done for me, He will do for you.
Unlike the manmade ‘peace process,’ where peace is given in instalments, God gives you complete peace on the spot. Yet, it is possible to grow in peace, like you can grow in grace, faith and glory. In fact, you can come to a place of great peace, perfect peace, and permanent peace.
Our upcoming articles will show you how.
Verses to Ponder
Romans 5:9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Colossians 1:20
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.