The Calling The Blessing And The Fruitfulness
Where does blessing come from? Is it not from God. In the life of Abraham, we discover that this man became a man of faith because of his response to the overtures of God, the calling of God. It would be there in that callng that the blessing of God would be manifested. Fruitfulness would follow, and this, of a magnitude that even Abraham could not grasp it.
The God Of Josiah
God is unlike the entirety of His creation, especially with regard to sinful man. There had been building in the heart of God a resentment towards the people of Israel, because of their increasing rebellion and their rejection of His ways. His wrath was kindled because of all the innocent blood shed in Jerusalem. It would be the response of a tender hearted king who was intent on serving God that God's wrath would be averted for a time. His wrath would be transformed for a time into mercy. He would honor the honest, and sincere humility of Josiah for He is merciful.
Making Walls To Fall
What made the walls of Jericho to fall when Joshua told the people to circle the city two times? Was it the shout? Or was the shout the testimony of their faith in God who had promised them victory? It was not the cry of the people, or the sound of the trumpet. It was the moving of the Spirit in answer to prayer and faith, according to the will of God.
Christ The Servant
It is one thing to be a King; it is quite another to be a servant. Is it possible to be both at the same time? Daniel was raised in the kingdom of Darius to a very high position, and yet, Darius will call him the "...servant of the living God." Christ was and is the eternal King, and yet He clothed Himself with the mind and garb of a servant. Why? That the blessed life-giving power of the King could be used most effectively in reaching the greatest number of souls. His greatness revealed itself in great humility.
Christ And The Kingdoms Of This World
There is but one everlasting kingdom, and it is that of Christ. Looking over the wrecks of time, there is no doubt that sin, self, and Satan, have been the reasons for the fall of kingdoms, even those which seemed indestructible. The Lord through Daniel tells us of four major kingdoms which would come and go. But then He would speak of an everlasting kingdom which would never fail, that of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Unrelenting Purposes Of God
The purposes of God will be accomplished. But what if men do not want His purposes realized? The Pharisees in Jesus' day thwarted the desire and will of God for their lives by their unbelief. What about God's purposes then? They are higher than those of men, as they envelope every issue with mercy, grace, justice and judgment. God's purposes transcends those of men. This is why He calls all men to believe, and trust in Christ. Where there is true faith, HIs blessed purposes are revealed by His peace, and the testimony of His goodness.
The Order Of Worship
There is an order in our approach to God, for one can only come His way. That order begins with the Lord Jesus Christ, for no one can come to the Father but by Him. But then, this way of faith is characterized by coming to Him for cleansing, strengthening, and the fresh anointing, so that with clean hands and a pure heart, we should be enabled by the Spirit to worship Him in Spirit and truth.
The Lord Your God
It is one thing to believe in God. It is quite another to believe in the only true, and living God, who has testified, and declared Himself to be both Creator and Redeemer. He it is that brought about the creation by the word of His power. It is the same God who speaks to the individual heart to make of that lost sinner a new creation in Him, in Christ. The proof of His power is not only in creation, but in the heart, transforming the believer into Christ's image by the power of His presence.
The Imminent Expectation In Prayer
What is to be the expectation of the believer in prayer? Is it not full assurance, knowing that his prayer is heard? What are the conditions for this? Is it possible? God only does wondrous things, and one of those things is to lead the believer in prayer, confirming to his soul and spirit, that what he is praying is according to the will of God, and by the Spirit.
Revelation
God is ever revealing Himself to mankind. This began when He created man. He did so by creation, revealing His attributes, His power and wisdom. But when Christ came "explaining Him" by His life, words, and works, and in particularly by the cross, the revelation was about as complete as man could grasp it, and even then, man was so limited. However, He came in the flesh once to save. He will come, and be revealed in His glory, but this time to judge righteously.