Friday, September 3, 2010

Shalom,

Psalm 64:1:

1HEAR MY voice, O God, in my complaint; guard and preserve my life from the terror of the enemy.

David calls on God to "hear", the Hebrew word, "shama`", which means: to hear with attention or interest, to give heed, to consent, to grant request, his "voice", the Hebrew word, "qowl", which means: to call aloud, a voice, a sound, a noise, a proclamation. David wasn't concerned that God was deaf! David WAS concerned that God DO SOMETHING FOR HIM! In the New Covenant we have this promise found in 1 John 5:14-15:

14And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.

We also have this promise found in Romans 10:10 (Wuest Translation):

For with the heart faith is exercised resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.

"Salvation" here is the Hebrew word, "soteria", which means: rescue, safety, deliverance, preservation. I believe that even in David's time, if a person asked of God something in line with His Word (His will) they would have the answer they desired! David was making it clear that he was not just thinking this prayer, or just a "hopin' and a prayin'". He knew what God had promised and he wanted to make sure that he put voice to the promise of God's protection! That is the ONLY way to operate under the New Covenant! Find out what God's Word has to say about any given situation, and then speak that Word OUT LOUD over it! The Word works! Let's work it!

In Mark 14 we see Jesus and His disciples sharing the Passover Supper. Then He tells them of things that will happen later that night and that someone will betray Him. Jesus KNEW where He was going. He KNEW what He was doing. Jesus KNEW what lay ahead! He went to the Garden to pray so that He would be ready to endure the cross! Remember that Jesus could have, AT ANY TIME, walked away from the crucifixion and been done with us all! He spent time in prayer in the Garden so that He would be completely ready to take on this responsibility! When Jesus prayed He said this in verse 36:

36And He was saying, Abba, [which means] Father, everything is possible for You. Take away this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You [will].

Jesus prayed "Abba" "Father" when addressing God in prayer here. "Abba" is an Aramaic word meaning: Papa or Daddy. It shows unreasoning trust! You know, LIKE A CHILD! This is the attitude that our Heavenly Father wants us to have! Recognize Him for Who He is and expect Him to be IN YOUR LIFE exactly Who YOU need Him to be!

I want at two verses in Isaiah 41-42. The first is found in Isaiah 41:10:

10Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

Here God is saying "Stop being afraid"! That is NOT just a suggestion, it is a command that will put us in position to be blessed IF we obey! Then stand strong and let God BE God! What will happen when we do this? Isaiah 41:13 is God's promise:

13For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!

He WILL deliver us EVERY TIME and FROM EVERYTHING that the enemy tries to bring against us, as long as we FEAR NOT and trust in Him and His Word! Remember "God is not a man that He should lie". (Numbers 23:19) If He said it, You can count on it! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!