Shalom,
Here is Psalm 117 from the Message Bible:
1 Praise GOD, everybody! Applaud GOD, all people! 2 His love has taken over our lives; GOD'S faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah!
Why should we praise and applaud the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible? Because He IS! AND, because He is GOOD! His wonderful ways toward us are eternal! Hebrews 13:8 says this:
8 Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).
His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness, His loving-kindness to YOU, has never, and will never, fail! God loves you! Love Him back! Amen!
1 John 1:1-3:
1 [WE ARE writing] about the Word of Life [in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. 2 And the Life [an aspect of His being] was revealed (made manifest, demonstrated), and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life [in Him] Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible (was revealed) to us [His followers]. 3 What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ the (Messiah).
Once we have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour, we have a relationship with Him! We are members of the family of Almighty God! Nothing can change that relationship in the same way that my son will always be my son, no matter how old he becomes! Fellowship, on the other hand, is a moment by moment choice WE have to make! "Fellowship" is the Greek word "koinoonia", which means: fellowship; association; communion; joint participation; contact; intimacy; communication; social intercourse. HE has said that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and we have His invitation to come boldly before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)! He lives IN us by His Spirit and we can speak to Him and listen to Him every day and all day long! the choice is OURS! Let's make it a priority to increase our level of intimacy in fellowship with Him, so that WE can get to know Him and His ways better than ever before! That will increase our capacity for faith to grow and for us to be able to operate in the authority He intends for us to operate in! Glory to God!
2 Kings 24:14:
14 He (Nebuchadnezzar) carried away all Jerusalem, all the princes, all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths. none remained except the poorest of the land.
When we understand that God has an everlasting Covenant with the nation of Israel, the people and the land, then we can understand that everything He ordered done TO them was in order to protect BOTH the people and the land for His plan and purpose! They were exiled to Babylon to stop their disobedience and rebellion from destroying them! As you continue to read in the Old Testament, remember that God's Covenant with THEM is everlasting! Know, also, that His Covenant with US is one of His reasons for preserving them a nation and a people for the Messiah, Jesus, to come through! Our God is such a GOOD God! Hallelujah! Here is Hillsong with "Undending Love":
Shalom in Him!
