I was especially blessed by two different portions of today's Bible Plan. Psalm 87:1-3 says this:
1 ON THE holy hills stands the city [of Jerusalem and the temple] God founded. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion [through which the crowds of pilgrims enter from all nations] more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Israel). 3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah [pause, and calmly realize what that means]!
GOD founded the Temple that was on the Temple Mount! HE founded the Temple that was rebuilt. GOD gave the land of Israel to His people Israel! GOD brought back the people who had been disbursed! HE brought, and is continuing to bring, the Jewish people back to the homeland that HE gave to them! There is no question in HIS mind who should be living and ruling in that land! There is also no doubt in HIS mind that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the land GOD owns! It would behoove ALL nations and people to get on GOD'S side in this matter, don't you think?
The other portion that really spoke to me is found in Luke 8 where Jesus was telling the parable of the sower. Verses 8-10:
8 And some seed fell into good soil, and grew up and yielded a crop a hundred times [as great]. As He said these things, He called out, He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him consider and understand by hearing! 9 And when His disciples asked Him the meaning of this parable, 10 He said to them, To you it has been given to [come progressively to] know (to recognize and understand more strongly and clearly) the mysteries and secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that, [though] looking, they may not see; and hearing, they may not comprehend.
The "others" that Jesus was speaking about here are those people who know that God IS, but don't want to know anymore about Him! Verses 15-18:
15 But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience. 16 No one after he has lighted a lamp covers it with a vessel or puts it under a [dining table] couch; but he puts it on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that shall not be disclosed, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come out into the open. 18 Be careful therefore how you listen. For to him who has [spiritual knowledge] will more be given; and from him who does not have [spiritual knowledge], even what he thinks and guesses and supposes that he has will be taken away.
We know that knowledge of God's Word comes layer upon layer. To those who know, and want to know more, more will come! Those who know, but don't WANT to know more, they will lose even what they think they know! The very best way to keep what we know is to give it away! THAT is what verse 16 is saying! Share the Truth and more and more will come to you! Amen! Here is an appropriate song from Hillsong called "No Reason To Hide":
Shalom in Him!
