We have seen such wonderful names of God this first full week of Lent. Rewarder, Forgiver, Promise Keeper, Light, Righteousness and Everlasting, each of these give us hope, thoughts to bring to God in prayer and repentance. Here is a continuation of the Psalm we started last Sunday, 103:11-19.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; How big is your God’s love? 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Do you trust Him to thoroughly remove your sins? 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. Do you allow God to show you compassion? 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.Do you trust Him to number your days justly?
15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, God knows were are fleeting. and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, God covers us with his Love and righteousness. 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, God wins and has an eternal home for us. and his kingdom rules over all.
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know all things are Yes in Jesus and I can trust Him with all my questions. May your prayers be rich today and lead you to a deeper relationship with Him.
Today’s name for God is a big one and used often in the Old Testament, El OLAM (Hebrew) or in English The Everlasting God. This name is used often in the Bible as it specifically refers to the eternal quality of God. He is unending. He has no beginning and has no end. He has always existed and no one or nothing created God. It is a name filled with wonder and assurance.
Isaiah 40:28-31 describes this Everlasting God. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He is indefatigable and deep. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. He strengthens his people. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; He renews. they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; He gives power to continue on. they shall walk and not faint.
We are recipients of our Everlasting Father’s power and it changes the quality and durability of our lives.
In Genesis 21:32-33 Abraham made a covenant agreement with the Philistine commander. He planted a tree of remembrance. “So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. He asked God to bless the agreement by calling upon Him by name.
Most of the time, scriptures uses the everlasting part to describe the etnality of God and yet, praises His name too.
Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This was the description given to Jesus by Isaiah as he prophesied his coming and the majesty of His name and power.
Jeremiah 10:10 “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.” God’s kingdom is eternal for our Everlasting God!
What does this name of God, Everlasting God, means to you? Do you look forward to the eternity to come with our Everlasting God? Are you awed by the everlasting qualities God gives to us when you are out of energy and He uplifts you or when you lack courage and strength and He provides? Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can accept the everlasting love, energy and strength provided by my Everlasting God. When your own well has run dry, lean into Jesus and He will provide as your everlasting God, as He never runs dry or gives up. Thank you Jesus.
When God promises something He often uses the words “I will”. I can equate that to the name Promise Keeper which was made popular in the late 20th century. God promises many things to those who love and follow Him. God uses Zechariah to reassure the Israelites upon the return to Jerusalem. This was the first group that returned from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel. Things had not been going well and the returnees had gotten discouraged and stopped working on the rebuilding of the temple as they listened to the threats of the opposition. God sent Zechariah to give them His messages of encouragement and to motivate them to continue with construction. They did and the temple was finished in 515 B.C.
These “I will” statements from God show His heart for the people. We can take and apply them to our lives today as God cares for us. Some have already happened and some are future to us still.
Zechariah 8:7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, Iwill save my people from the east country and from the west country,”
8:8 “and Iwill bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and Iwill be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.”
8:13b “so willI save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”
9:8 “Then Iwill encamp at my house as a guard,
9:12 “Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that Iwill restore to you double.
10:14 “Iwill make them strong in the Lord, and they shall walk in his name,” declares the Lord.
Which of these “I will” statements by God caught your attention? Actually there are many more that I did not include, look at Zechariah Chapters 7-11 to get a fuller picture. God loves us and wants to care for us now and in the future. The one that jumped out to me was 9:8. God promises to encamp at my house as a guard. Often I feel I need a guard watching over me providing me with divine protection. It goes along with the promise in Isaiah 49:16“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” Where do you need God’s protection, healing or restoration today?
Scripture is filled with God’s promises. Here are a few more: promise of wisdom, James 1:5, promise to make us fisher of men if we follow Him Matthew 4:19, promise of eternal life John 4:4, and freedom from sin John 8:36.
Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, so we will know how much the Father loves us and that He keeps His promises always! Remember John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God sent Jesus because He loves us. God is a Promise Keeper, always. You can totally depend upon Him.
For today’s scripture I chose a familiar passage from Isaiah that describes our Lord. Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us that He will come as a child but his potential for impact will be enormous. All of creation will rest upon Him and His kingdom will be eternal.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
The attribute today is love as only a love so deep for us would motivate God to send His only Son, Jesus, to redeem us from our sins. God has always been love. God’s love never fails. God loves the world. When we receive His Son as our Savior, we can then love God as we were made to do. As we light the Love Candle in our Advent wreath, we are reminded of God’s great love for us. 1 John 4:16 “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
As you reflect on the Love of God that caused Him to send Jesus to provide for us, to redeem us and reconcile us to Him, say a prayer of thanks for his generous love. John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” It was love for you and me that motivated God to send Jesus. I am continually touched by the message of Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that whilewewere stillsinners, Christ died for us.” He loves me that much! He loves you too. Turn to Him this season and feel His love.
Jesus said, “Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Luke 24:44 Jesus came and lived the perfectly sinless life which meant that He made all the right sacrifices at holy days, was circumcised, and followed all the Jewish customs and laws. In addition, all that was prophesied about Him, all the work He came to accomplish was Yes in Christ.
Today’s story continues in Luke 2:21-25 “And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” These actions are what we would expect from Mary and Joseph as they would want to observe all the right customs that were required by the Law of Moses with their new child.
Luke 2:25-37tells us what happened when they came to the temple to present Jesus to the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
The attribute of God that comes to mind with this story is goodness. God was so good to Simeon to allow him see Jesus before his life was over. God kept His promise to Simeon and God in His goodness will do the same for you and me. We see God’s goodness in His love and faithfulness. God is good through and through and no one is good but God. Mark 10:18 “And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one isgood except God alone.” God is compassionate and satisfies those in need out of His goodness. He offers hope and refuge. All of God’s children experience His goodness even when bad things happen. God promises in Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
How do you see God’s goodness in your life? Do you feel the compassion of others towards you and find things work out for good even when it looks bleak? I have found that in tough circumstances I need to trust God even more as I can’t see why the dark threads of my life are needed. Someday I will understand and see God was building my character and was planning good for me. I claim Jeremiah 29:11 over my life “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God’s plans are good and I need to walk in trust fearlessly day by day!
Today’s scripture reminds us of God’s infinite grace towards us.
Luke 2:6-7 “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.“
Why did I choose Grace as God’s attribute for this part of the Christmas Story? God is gracious and kind to those who do not deserve it. God longs to forgive His people, and reached out to us with the offer of salvation. God is compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. God shows grace to all people and gives good gifts even to those who do not love Him. He is the giver of life and brings families, sunshine, rain, music and hope to all mankind.
God in His grace brought Jesus into this world to save us from our sins and reconcile us to Himself. We did nothing to deserve this, but God in His love sent Jesus for us. Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He sent Jesus to live among us to we could know more about God and learn to trust in Him more fully. He did that even though we were indeed sinners without hope. When I think of his humble birth, in a stable, I am overwhelmed by His love for me. He came and lived here among us in our sin-filled world, suffered and died to I could live in faith believing and knowing His love and care.
God’s grace abounded towards Mary and Joseph that night. There were no rooms to be had but a stable was provided. They were warm and safe as Mary delivered Jesus. There was even a manger, cradle, for Mary to use. God was with them on the journey and was there with them in the stable. John 1:14 tells us Jesus was filled with God’s grace, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” That night in the stable, the grace of God came to us!
Where have you seen God’s grace in your life? Ephesians 2:8-9 gives us a place to start, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” and Romans 3:24 “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Martin Luther discovered God’s grace in Romans and transformed the thinking of His day. My faith and salvation are a gift I did not deserve them and are given by and through God’s gracious heart towards me. The hope we have in Christ is transforming and causes us to live for Him and with Him. In Romans 12:6 Paul reminds us that because of God’s grace towards us, He has given us gifts through His indwelling Holy Spirit, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”
So how are you using the gifts God has given you through faith in Jesus? Are you seeking to use your gifts of teaching, speaking, writing, helping, carrying or counseling, etc. for His glory? When we use our gifts for His work He blesses us with his love and grace. John 1:16 tells us through faith we receive grace constantly from Him, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” God is constantly blessing us with his unmerited favor which is His grace.
As you go about this busy season, look at things more carefully and see where God’s gracious hand is upon you. It may be in a smile, a welcoming friend, a song, an unexpected gift, but we are blessed by Him each and everyday! God is with you in your ‘stable’ when there was no room at the inn. Rest in Him and know He is with you and loves you!
Mary’s Song of praise continues in Luke 1:46-49 as she looks to God in praise speaking of God’s care for Israel. Mary recognizes the power of God and His Sovereign nature.
Luke 1:46-49 “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Only a sovereign God could show His strength and power from generation to generation. He has moved kings and kingdoms, given good things, been merciful to his people and interacted personally with Abraham. Being Sovereign means God controls all things. There is nothing outside of God’s wise control, even to the timing for each individual. What God plans happens. When God allows evil, we can trust He has planned to use it for His people’s good and His glory. God had perfect timing for His Son to come the first time and knows the perfect time for His return. All God has planned will come to pass as He alone has the power to make it happen. His will cannot be thwarted.
Mary knew this about God. She has seen His strength and power in Isabel’s history. She would have known about Moses, the escape from Egypt after the 10 plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho falling down to the trumpet of God, their first king Saul and his hatred for beloved king David, their constant idol worship which led them into captivity for 70 years and the return as God promised. Mary had heard these stories read in the temple and knew the power of Almighty God to move in history. She knew God to be merciful and caring. She knew He was sovereign over all things.
What do you know about God? Can you talk about God’s character and how you have seen Him in your life? Mary knew first hand that God was real and she marveled that God had chosen her. I too marvel at how God uses individuals to accomplish His work. Each of us is important to God and can be a part of His work. Paul spoke of the importance of each believer in Romans 12:4-6a “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,” In Christ we are all part of Him and have a purpose for His work and for supporting other believers. We are all gifted by God to help lift up, encourage and build up one another. Who do you need to encourage today? Can you send an email, a card or call with a word to show you care? Be open to God, like Mary, and look expectantly for ways God will use you to show the love of Jesus to the world.
Today passage in the Pleasing God series comes from Micah 7:18 and speaks of God’s character. He has a character that we can depend upon each and every day.
“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.
God does not delight in sin at all and is grieved over the sin that is manifested in our lives and the sin that is present in this world. He is not passive about sin and scripture says sin angers God. Romans 1:18 speaks forcefully about God’s attitude towards sin. “For the wrathofGod is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” God shows his anger or wrath towards mankind when they delve into sinful ways and refuse to turn to Him. The children of Israel were taken into captivity in Babylon for their sinfulness even though they were repeatedly warned by the prophets to repent and change their ways. They refused to return to God and thus suffered the consequences.
However, just as God promised to rescue the Israelites after 70 years and return them to Israel, God’s anger does not remain forever because He delights in steadfast love. The Bible repeatedly tells us that God’s love is steadfast. We know that God is love. 1 John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because Godislove.” Steadfast means fixed in place and immoveable, not subject to change. His love is rooted in His character and is always immutable and unwavering. Here are some affirming scriptures on the immutability of God: 1 Samuel 15:29 “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.” Psalm 33:11 “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
It should be of great comfort to us that God delights to show us His love. The Micah passage continues and explains ways that God shows his delight and love towards us. 19 “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.”
God reveals His love in His compassion, forgiveness, and faithfulness but most of all in how He deals with our sin. He promises to cast our sins into the deepest sea. Only God can remove our sins so it is not a part of us anymore. Our faith in Jesus allows this miracle to happen in our lives.
This blog focused on God’s delight of steadfast love instead of what we can do to bring delight to God. Knowing that God delights to show us His steadfast love, how can that change your thinking and attitudes towards God and others? Knowing God loves with steadfast endurance should help us to focus on what God sees in our actions and words as we interact with those around us. Jesus summed up where our loving focus should be in Matthew 22:37-40, “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Make loving God and others your goal and it will lead you to pleasing God!
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead,I can know that I am a child of God. The Bible is filled with references to God’s children, those who believe in Him. Let’s look at John 1:12-13 to see why. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” John specifically tells us that belief in Jesus gives us the right or privilege to become a child of God. It is a birth that comes from God.
Why is this important? Just like in any household, being a child there gives one privileges or benefits that come from being your father’s child. You might have a room of your own, a pool to use, food to eat, a car to drive and receive the love of your parents and siblings. God’s family is like that too. We have His Spirit to indwell us, coming mansions in heaven, use of all God’s kingdom to speak of His love, provision of clothes, food and things we need in life, brothers and sisters in faith to share with and most importantly His love forever. What a great family! Jesus called us his family – brothers, sisters and mother through faith. Jesus’ family had come to find him, probably not in a supportive way, and someone came and told Jesus they were outside. Here is Jesus’ answer. Matthew 12:47-49 “But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!” We belong to Him and His family through faith in Him. Likewise, all who believe in Jesus are our brothers and sisters. Our family is huge and all connected by Jesus! Praise God!
One of God’s greatest promises to us is that He loves us. Today being Good Friday, we can remember evidence of His love as He sent Jesus to die in our place due to our sin. He wanted us to be able to commune and live with Him but we needed to have a way to rid ourselves of our sin. Nothing we can do is enough- we can’t be good enough to erase our sin.
Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead,I am loved by God. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was motivated by God’s great love for me and you. John 3:16says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Love was what caused God to come up with a plan to save us as He desires to be in relationship with mankind and wants us to live with Him eternally.
God repeatedly tell us in the Bible that He loves us. Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Paul describes God’s love for us in Ephesians 2:4-5 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” God saved us because He loved us and through His grace and mercy He sent Jesus.
How do you feel today? Do you feel loved by God or are you letting the cares, worries and circumstances of life block God’s love? As you think about God’s love today, let your mind be transformed by the love of Christ. He died for you and me. Know that He loved us enough to die for us. God loved us enough to send Jesus to bring us into a relationship with Him. Know you are loved by God as the proof is in His sacrifice on the cross.
As you look at the cross today, feel cherished and loved by God,
Fearless Living 