We've mentioned before that in Psalm 148 we find the word "praise" 13 times in 14 verses! In all but one of these it is the Hebrew word "halal", which we should know by now means: to shine, to show, to boast, to be clamorously foolish, to rave, to celebrate, to stultify (to appear to be foolish or ridiculous or absurd), to act like a madman! This Psalm says that all of His creation praise Him this way, including all of the hosts of Heaven! How can we do any less? Jesus said in Luke 19:40 that if WE don't praise Him, the stones will cry out! I don't know about you, but there is no way in this world that I want to be outdone by a rock when it comes to praise and worship! He ALONE is worthy!
In John 8 Jesus continues to share the Word of Truth with as many as would listen to Him. John 8:27-29:
27 They did not perceive (know and understand) that He was speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus added, When you have lifted up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will realize (know, understand) that I am He [for Whom you look] and that I do nothing of Myself (of My own accord or on My own authority), but I say [exactly] what My Father has taught me. 29 And He Who sent Me is ever with Me; My Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him. 30 As He said these things, many believed in Him [trusted, relied on, and adhered to Him].
They heard and believed! Then the understanding came! Jesus went on to say in verses 31-32:
31 So Jesus saids to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
It is NOT the Truth that sets us free! It is KNOWING the Truth that sets each individual person free! How well do YOU know His Word? It is time to take stock and be responsible for our lives! The results we are living with now are a direct result of what we did previously! Start today to make it YOUR determined purpose, just like Paul, to KNOW HIM! Amen!
1 Samuel 22 begins with David escaping to the Cave of Adullam. Bill Novak, the Pastor of The Spoken Word Church, has done an excellent teaching on David and the Cave of Adullam, and how it pertains to believers in Jesus of Nazareth. Contact us through the Church website to find out how to receive that teaching! Here is a picture from Israel of what MAY have been the cave that David hid:
Then we see that David went into a stronghold for protection. Some scholars believe that it was Masada, which was about 30 miles from the cave. Here is a picture of Masada so you can see just what a great stronghold it would be:
Even though he was in a safe place, the prophet Gad had other instructions for him. Verse 5:
5 The the prophet Gad said to David, Do not remain in the stronghold; leave, and get into the land of Judah. So David left and went into the forest of Hareth.
The LORD continued to show Himself strong in protecting David from everything that Saul tried to do to him! I believe that by NOT hiding out in a stronghold, David was able to realize the protection of God so that he could operate in faith and not fear as he faced other situations as king! Be BOLD and be STRONG for the LORD YOUR God is with YOU! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
