Until The Final Battle

Until The Final Battle

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We began this week thanking the Lord for the men and women who have given their lives to preserve the freedoms we enjoy. We continued the week mentioning the soldiers of the cross who remained faithful to our Lord and Savior, even unto death. Not all in the armed service of our country, nor in service to our Lord are asked to die. Those of us remaining honor those before us through rejoicing, being thankful, and living in the honor these have won.

“For to me to live is Christ,

and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1: 21, KJV

The apostle Paul wrestled with his desire to be with the Lord and his desire to continue in the battles fought on earth. His heart ached to be finished with the wars of this life, and he suffered many. Yet, he was convinced of the need to remain and fight a little longer for the joy and faith he could share with others. He asked—

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs,

• That ye stand fast in one spirit,
• With one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
• And in nothing terrified by your adversaries:

which is to them an evident token of perdition,

but to you of salvation and that of God.

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ,

not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake;”

Philippians 1: 27-29, KJV

As those, in service to our country, remain to fight another day are not standing alone, neither are we, who live in Christ, left to fight our battles alone. For—

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written,

FOR THY SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL THE DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded,

that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8 35-39, KJV

While we remain, battles still rage within and without. These will end. But until the final battle is fought and won, when Christ takes his throne, we can rejoice. For he fights with and for us. He guarantees we will live. For as the old song, by Rex Nelon says, “When the battle’s over we shall wear a crown.”

Until the final battle is won and war will be no more—

“Grace be to you and peace

from God the Father,

and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who gave himself for our sins,

that he might deliver us from this present evil world,

according to the will of God and our Father:

To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Galatians 1: 3-5, KJV

Grace and peace are for the here and now. It can be found only in Jesus Christ. His promise is true—he will deliver his own from this present evil world. Until then, keep fighting the good fight of faith, walk in love toward one another, pray always, and rejoice.

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An Age Old Battle

The Age Old Battle

“Righteousness exalteth a nation:

but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Proverbs 14:34

We are in a battle such as not been fought since our Civil War, yet it’s existed from the beginning. This war isn’t won or lost with guns, cannons, or swords, but the conflict divides the land. Be warned—

“And if a house be divided against itself,

that house cannot stand.”

Jesus Christ, Mark 3:25,KJV

The age-old battle pits evil against good. Our enemy hides himself behind every evil act generated in the hearts of people he can deceive into believing evil is good and good is evil. The enemy infiltrates the land from within the country. He erodes the peace and freedom so many of our young men and women have fought to keep freedom’s bell ringing. When that sound ceases so does our peace.

The campaign of evil against good continues to be fought on our own soil and reaches its long boney fingers around the globe squeezing truth and goodness out of the hearts of the masses. Since this battle cannot be won with conventional weapons of war, where does our hope for victory lay? How can it be won?

Don’t be deceived the war is won. The battle took place on a hill called Golgotha with only one casualty—Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus’s death ended the devil’s reign of death for all who, by faith, receive Jesus Christ as their Victor, their Savior. His resurrection robbed the grave of its power.

“O death where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15: 55-57, KJV

Yet, skirmishes are still being fought. The skirmishes are won through—

• Prayers offered to the Captain of our salvation, Lord of hosts;

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6: 18, KJV

• People strengthened in the Lord and willing to stand, sacrifice, and even die for what is good and right;

“This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 b, KJV

• People who by the Lord’s grace fight hatred with love.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, saith the Lord.

THEREFORE IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER, FEED HIM; IF HE THIRST, GIVE HIM DRINK: FOR IN SO DOING THOU SHALT HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD.

Be not overcome of evil,

but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12: 18-21, KJV

• People who finish the fight.

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2: 3,4

• People ready for battle, dressed in—

“the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore …

with truth … righteousness … peace …

taking the shield of faith ,,,

the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”

(In a few words put on Jesus Christ. He is our armor.)

From Ephesians 6:13-17, KJV

One last battle waits to put a final end to the warring. When that confrontation between good and evil ends with fire coming down from God and devours Satan, he and those he deceived will be tormented day and night forever in the lake of fire—while peace and righteousness reign forever with Christ and his soldiers.

Don’t lose hope. Jesus will come and all will be made right. Until then, remember the battle belongs to the Lord (more on that next time). As we thank him for the ones who have fought for our freedoms here, let’s remember to always give thanks to the One who has won our eternal freedom from evil.  And may we remember the soldiers of the cross who have died for their faith and say with Apostle Paul,

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Remember Me (2)

Remember Me, (2)

“Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD:

quicken me according to thy judgments.”

Psalm 119: 156, KJV

The thief hanging from his cross cried out to Jesus—the man on the middle cross— “Remember me …”  In his tender mercies, the Lord remembered the thief, promising him a place in paradise.

The only way we can be remembered and made alive in the Lord—quickened—according to his judgments, is by receiving his gracious gift, full of his tender mercies, through Jesus Christ.

“Not by works of righteousness we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost:”

Titus 3:5, KJV

 Mercy meets righteousness on the cross of Jesus Christ.

Not by works of righteousness we have done,

“The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed … (Ps. 103:6

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3: 22-23, KJV

We, in our sin, are the oppressed. God’s judgment upon us is death. Because of the Lord’s tender mercies, he has reversed that judgment on those who by faith believed Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who took our judgment of death and has given us life.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5: 21, KJV

… but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

• The LORD is merciful and gracious,
• slow to anger,
• and plenteous in mercy.
• He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
• He hath not dealt with us after our sins;
• nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as the heaven is high above the earth,

so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far hath he removed our transgressions from us …

the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting

upon them that fear him,

and his righteousness unto children’s children;

To such as keep his covenant,

and to those that remember his commandments to do them …

Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion:

bless the LORD, O my soul.”

Psalm 103: 6, 8-12; 17-18, 22, KJV

Who receives the tender mercies of our Lord? According to his word, his righteous judgments—

• Those who come to the knowledge of their need for mercy and by faith in Jesus Christ, ask to receive his mercy.
• Those who fear the Lord, believing he is righteous, has carried out his righteous judgment in Christ’s death, and will carry it out in both the believer and the unbelieving—one to eternal life and one to eternal judgment.

We who have received the tender mercies of the Lord(which all have, including those who do not recognize this gracious gift) let us—

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

• Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
• who healeth all thy diseases;
• Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
• who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
• Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103: 1-5, KJV

Praise ye the Lord … We have been remembered.

Praying For God’s Bounty

Praying for God’s Bounty

“GIMEL

Deal bountifully with thy servant,

that I may live, and keep thy word.

Open thou mine eyes,

that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

Psalm 119:17, 18, KJV

*GIMEL=Reward, especially in regards to faith.

How did you begin 2023? Was it with a list of resolutions? A renewed hope? A prayer for the Lord’s bounty?

The Psalmist of 119 sought the Lord’s bounty in his life. I wonder what he considered to be bounty? The popular belief includes a bevy of material and physical blessings. These prayers aren’t wrong in themselves, if our motives are right before the Lord. But if our prayers begin and end with the material and physical requests that we may receive, we will find we have missed the most bountiful reward wrapped in faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is ,

and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6, KJV

When we seek God, we do so out of faith believing he will be found. He is our reward— more bountiful than all the material and physical treasures of this earth.

• Abraham knew this exceeding great reward (Genesis 15:1).
• Moses knew the value of this reward and chose to suffer rather than stay in Pharoah’s court (Hebrews 11:26).
• The persecuted look for their great reward in heaven and rejoice (Matthew 5: 11-12).
• When we seek our heavenly Father in prayer and in his word, we are promised he will be found. He will meet us there (Jeremiah 29:13 & Hebrews 4:16).

that I may live …

I have a notion the Psalmist wanted more than earthly treasures for his reward. I can’t prove it, but I believe he wanted to know God more, for in him is life. I think Paul may have recorded what the Psalmist’s desire included.

• “be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding:
• That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
• being fruitful in every good work,
• and increasing in the knowledge of God:
• Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
• Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:” Colossians 1: 9b-12, KJV

And the Psalmist knew the Lord would be found in the keeping of his word. We can ask to know God’s will, his wisdom, and spiritual understanding. We will find all these in knowing God—who is made known in his word. Through knowing God, we will—

• Find wisdom and spiritual understanding.
• Learn to walk worthy of the Lord and
• Learn how to please him.
• Never quit growing in the knowledge of God.

We can pray the Psalmist’s condensed version of Paul’s Colossian prayer and be confident in the answer.

“Open thou mine eyes,

that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

Our heavenly Father will deal with us from his bounty, and will open our eyes for us to see wonderous things out of his word and bring them into our hearts. We will live the abundant life of Christ. Christ in us, is God the Son, our reward for now and forever.

Now in our prayer it’s time to give—

“thanks unto the Father,

which has made us meet to be

partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”

Won’t you join me in making these scriptures your prayer for today and the days the Lord gives us in 2023? Then we keep our eyes open and rejoice with thanksgiving in the bountifulness of the Father.

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*Referenced from the online Blue Letter Bible.

The Gifts of Grace, Favor, & Faith

picture courtesy of unsplash.com, taken by Trevor Cole

Far from the commonly traveled paths of merchants and their camels packed with wares, sat Nazareth nestled between green hills salted with white stones. *One young lady in the small village caught the attention of the Lord. Mary busily prepared for the day she and Joseph would fulfill their engagement vows. Yet, her mind wandered to the promise of Messiah. Could she begin to hope the Lord would choose her to be the mother of Messiah?

Mary shook her head. Everybody knows nothing good comes from Nazareth.

What was that? Mary turned. Her heart threatened to jump out of her chest. Who was this—man? What did he want? She looked for a way of escape. None. And no one was near to hear her screams should she need help. Mary did the only thing she knew to do and bowed on her knees with her face to the dirt floor.

The man entered the house. “I am Gabriel, an angel of the Lord. The Lord gives you great favor. Rejoice for the Lord is with you. You are blessed among all women.”

Mary raised her head. This is the strangest greeting I’ve ever heard. I don’t understand.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid …”

Then Gabriel proceeded to tell Mary she would give birth to the Messiah through the power of God. When the message was completed—

“Mary said,

Behold the handmaid of the Lord;

be it unto me according to thy word.

And the angel departed from her.”

With this gift of all gifts, Mary received faith to trust the Lord would do what was said. She didn’t understand where this road would take her, nor how it would come to be. Mary did know and was completely convinced God’s word to be true.

Like Mary, we each are given a measure of faith—first to believe we have a need for a Savior. Then enough faith to receive Jesus as the one sent to be our Savior. A wonderful relationship with the Father begins here—with his gift of faith given in measure to exercise faith in the other gifts he gives for his glory.

“For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.”

Romans 12:3, KJV

The Lord poured out his grace upon Mary. Upon hearing the word of the Lord, her mind and heart could have filled with thoughts of self-importance. Scripture shows this did not happen. She had done nothing to deserve being the mother of the Son of God. God the Father chose her for this once-in-the-world event. That’s his grace. He imparted to her the gift of faith to fulfill the work.

None of us will ever receive this measure of faith—for that work is done. But the Lord has given to each of us first that measure of faith to be saved. When we act upon that gift, the measure of the gift is increased to perform the work of ministry the Lord has ordained for each of his children.

Wrapped inside faith’s package are the gifts of strength and obedience to surrender to the word and work of the Lord, even as Mary surrendered and Paul wrote about.

“And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9, KJV

Faith is convinced the power of Christ in us is our strength to obey his word and perform the work. Faith knows and is convinced God—

“is able to do exceeding abundantly above

all that we ask or think,

according to the power that worketh in us …”

For thereby—

“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus

throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

Ephesians 3: 20,21, KJV

God chose Mary to carry his glory within her and reflect it to others. We, too, have been chosen to house the glory of God in us, in the person of the Holy Spirit, to reflect his glory to the world. We are highly favored.

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*Taken from Luke 1 where you can find the actual account.

For a more detailed account of this part of Mary’s life check out :

https://rjdawson.com/2022/12/16/mary-highly-favored-blessed-are-you-among-women-

 

Where Are You?

Where Are You?

“As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So my soul pants for Thee, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;

When shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food day and night,

While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

Psalm 42:1-3, NASB

I’m amazed at Job’s lamenting. From a human standpoint, wouldn’t our first desire be for the Lord to restore our losses, raise our children out of the grave, and heal our bodies?

We saw at the end of chapter one, Job did not cling to the temporary things of this world, including the relationships we enjoy in this life. All this, God gave him. He accepted it all was God’s to take.

While his tears flowed day and night, while his poor comforters badgered him, the one thing Job desired most was to know where he could find God. He could face all this if only God would speak to him, be near him. He cries out in chapter twenty-three.

“Oh that I knew where I might find Him,

That I might come to His seat …

Behold, I go forward but He is not there,

And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

When He acts on the left, I cannot behold, Him;

He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.”

(3,8-9) NASB

I pulled a pan from the kitchen cabinet. SLAM! Nothing. No one paid me any mind. The television blared. SLAM! The second cabinet door pleaded angrily for attention as another pan clanged against the first. Nothing. No one saw my pain. Not even God.

After turning the stove down low, I escaped to the open field behind our house. “Where are you, God? Why didn’t you prepare me?” It seemed like my spirit hovered above me as my flesh lost control. The Lord had taken my granny, my friend, my sewing teacher, my biggest fan.

Angry tears streaked down my face. No answer. I flopped on the ground as I glared up at the heavens. No answer. I wiped my face with the tail of my t-shirt. I had to finish supper. I needed to hear from God.

I didn’t have to wait or suffer grief like Job did, yet, the pain filled my heart with grief’s anger I couldn’t control. I laid my head on my pillow and prayed, “Father, help me. Please, just help me know you are near.” I stared at the ceiling until my eyes finally shut—for a short time.

I woke and walked to the bathroom. My breathing relaxed. The weariness didn’t weigh down my shoulders. I glanced in the mirror. Serenity washed over my face. Peace filled my heart. God satisfied my thirst with himself. He had given me grace and took my grief.

“And He has said to me,

“My grace is sufficient for you … “

2 Corinthians 12:9a; NASB

My Father knew my heart, my pain, and he rescued me, with no scolding—just love and grace.

Job didn’t know why God allowed his pain any more than I knew why it was time for Granny to be taken home. Our God did not forsake us but spoke through our grief our loss, until we could hear his voice. Job declared—

“He knows the way I take;

When He has tried me,

I shall come forth as gold.”

Job 23:10, NASB

If you wonder how I can compare my pain with Job’s—I’m not. But pain is personal. Our trials are our trials—only God knows how deep they go. Only God can bring good out of our suffering. Whether we feel his nearness or the clouds seem like they are made of stone, we can know God is faithful when his word says,

“Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you …

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”

James 4:8a, 10, KJV

Ours is to trust our God not our feelings. He is near. He satisfies our thirst for him as the water satisfies the thirsty deer.

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To Consider: What are you thirsting for? Where are you looking? Will it satisfy your thirst?

It’s Live!

It’s time for celebration!

My book, The Nazarene’s Price, is now available to order from Amazon and Barnes and Noble Bookstores. You can get it in e-book, paperback, or hardback.

Thank you, for all the encouragement you have been during this journey. May you be blessed by the story as you follow Matthias’s struggles to find life. If you find it an enjoyable read, are touched by the characters, or the message touches your heart won’t you consider leaving a review? Thank you.

Above the Clouds

Above the Clouds

“If ye then be risen with Christ,

seek those things which are above,

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Set your affection on things above,

not on things on the earth.”

Colossians 3:1,2

Excitement filled the hearts of the apostles as the number of disciples continued to grow in the few years since Jesus’ death, resurrection, and asencion. Even many of the priests in Jerusalem followed the faith. One young man stood out from the crowd.

“And Stephen, full of faith and power,

did great wonders and miracles among the people.”

Acts 6:8

Being noticed became dangerous in Jerusalem. Many believed and were added to the church, but many more did not. Some of these disputed with Stephen, seized him, brought him before the Jewish council, and gathered men who would lie against him. Where was the Lord God? He was there filling Stephen with peace.

“And all that sat in the council,

looking stedfastly on him,

saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”

Acts 6:15

When questioned, Stephen was at no loss for words. He rehearsed the history of Israel, starting with Abraham, to those who should have known it well. But when Stephen came to the present and accused the accusers of being stubborn and—

uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

His final words sealed his final breath. Stephen declared the council members one with their fathers, who persecuted the prophets. He told them they followed their fathers’ footsteps when they murdered Christ.

Stephen would be accused of hate speech today. Not much has changed. The council accused him of the same, hauled him outside the city, and killed him by throwing stones at him. Where was God? Why didn’t he deliver this young man?

The Lord was there with Stephen, and He did deliver him.

“And he being full of the Holy Ghost,

looked up stedfastly into heaven,

and saw the glory of God,

and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

And said,

Behold, I see the heavens opened,

and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God …

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:55-56, 59-60

God didn’t come to Stephen but brought Stephen up to where God sits. The Lord opened the veil of clouds for Stephen to see his God high and lifted up, sitting on his throne of glory. In a moment, He would lift Stephen out of his trial to be forever with his Lord.

Before this day, Stephen had already fixed his eyes on Jesus, surrendered his life to the Lord, and set his mind on the eternal. The things not seen were suddenly revealed. God was there and with him came deliverance.

If you have been risen with Christ, you have been raised to life and brought into the kingdom of God. Jesus’ death tore the veil of the temple to open the way into the very presence of almighty God. We have been—

“raised … up together,

and made us to sit together

in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:6

The Lord God is with us in every trial, every hard thing that comes into our life. He is there to lift us above the clouds to see his face by faith.

“Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the clouds of circumstance lose their power over us. When life becomes filled with dark clouds, we can hold to the Lord’s words found in Isaiah 41:10.

“Fear thou not:

for I am with thee:

be not dismayed;

for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee;

yea, I will help thee;

yea, I will uphold thee

with the right hand of my righteousness.”

The Lord was there with Stephen and with all the apostles—as they faced hardships, persecution, weakness, and death.

He is there with us in the fire—as He was there with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.

As we seek those things which are above, we will find Jesus lifting us up above the clouds into his glory, renewing our strength and giving us victory. We, who are risen with Christ are in a win, win situation. For Christ is with us to deliver us through this life into eternity, or to deliver us out of this life into eternity. We can’t lose.

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What scripture lifts you above the clouds where your circumstances are put under Jesus’ feet—and all you see is him?

Jesus’ Shield

Jesus’ Shield of Faith

“Stand therefore …

Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:14a, 16

Thousands of beautiful flawless lambs had their life laid on the altar and their blood received as a token of being freed from sin and death—a token of the one Lamb who would be the final sacrifice offered to free, once and for all, from sin and death. By the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, the writer of Hebrews wrote of this Lamb.

“SACRIFICE AND OFFERING THOU WOULDEST NOT,

BUT A BODY HAST THOU PREPARED ME:

IN BURNT OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES FOR SIN

THOU HAST HAD NO PLEASURE.

THEN SAID I, LO I COME

(IN THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME,)

TO DO THY WILL, O GOD …

By the which will we are sanctified

through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ

once for all.”

Hebrews 10:5b-7, 10

The night past too quickly. Jesus wanted to tell his disciples more, His heart ached for their confusion and the events about to unfold. Yet, He longed for home—to once again sit by his Father’s side. The road home would be long and hard, but his Father would be his shield. As the Lord God had been with him through his life to this point, He would not forsake him now. He had faith in his shield, for He knew the word of God.

• “For the Lord God will help me;
• therefore shall I not be confounded:
• therefore have I set my face like a flint,
• and I know that I shall not be ashamed(disappointed)*. Isaiah 50:7

The night grew darker as Jesus and his disciples made their way out of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley, and to the Garden of Gethsemane—a place of solace where he met with his Father. Tonight the hour grew late and morning would come too soon. Jesus left the nine resting and wondering as He took Peter, James, and John over to a solitary area. His spirit groaned within him for what was ahead for his friends and for himself. All he wanted from his friends was to watch and pray while he sought His Father’s will. He knew what lay ahead. He had seen Roman crosses line roads with their victims. He prayed his final prayers in the garden, beginning and ending with the same desire.

“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.” Luke 22:42.

His friends had fallen asleep, but his help came when an angel strengthened him. His Father, his shield had not forsaken him. He knew the Lord God would not. Yet, twice more he prayed with such an intensity his sweat fell to the ground in droplets of blood. But here he humbled himself as a man—

“and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8

Jesus was ready to face the final trials of his faith with his shield secure, as he readied himself for his adversary. His shield was nearer and stronger than his adversary. His shield would not fail him.

• “He is near that justifieth me;
• who will contend with me?
• let us stand together:
• who is mine adversary?
• Let him come near to me.” Isaiah 50:8

The darkness kissed Jesus and bound him with ropes. The darkness whipped him until his flesh hung in shreds, pulled his beard from its roots, slapped, and spit on him. Then darkness condemned him to die. Yet, he trusted in his shield of faith—the Lord God.

• “Behold, the Lord God will help me:
• who is he that shall condemn me?
• lo, they all shall wax old as a garment;
• the moth shall eat them up.” Isaiah 50:9

As the darkness warred to swallow up the light, soldiers hammered spikes through Jesus feet and hands and dropped his cross into the ground. Others mocked him, tempted him to disobey the Father and come off the cross. In his darkest hour Jesus cried out to his shield, his Father, his God.

“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?

That is to say,

MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?”

Matthew 27:46.

*

Did Jesus drop his shield? Did he believe his God, his Father would no longer help him? Some teach, God had to look away from the Son for he carried the sin of the world in his flesh. But looking to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament words, forsaken is translated from the Greek word ENKATALEIPO, which denotes being left behind or left surviving, helpless.

At this point of suffering, Jesus, being human, wanted to die. He wanted his work completed. Did God abandon him? Not at all. After speaking those words, he stated he was thirsty, was given a drink of vinegar, and then cried out for the last time—

“It is finished.” And he, “yielded up the ghost.”

His deliverance from pain and suffering came at that moment. His full deliverance came with his resurrection. His shield, his God, his Father, did not fail.

The psalmist David recorded Jesus’ question in the beginning of Psalm 22—known as the crucifixion Psalm. He also, answered our question as to whether God did forsake Jesus.

“Ye that fear the LORD, praise him:

all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

For he hath not despised nor abhorred

the affliction of the afflicted;

neither hath he hid his face from him;

but when he cried unto him, he heard.

My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation …”

Psalm 22:23-25a

Our darkest hours come when we look for understanding rather than have faith in the One with all understanding. Our pain and suffering cry out for deliverance. Isaiah tells us—

• “Who is among you that feareth the LORD,
• that obeyeth the voice of his servant,
• that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?
• Let him trust in the name of the LORD,
• and stay(rest)* upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10

For—

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him,

upon them that hope in his mercy;

To deliver their soul from death

, and to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waiteth for the LORD:

he is our help and our shield.

For our heart shall rejoice in him,

because we have trusted in in his holy name.”

Psalm 33:18-21

If your shield of faith is the Lord you have this promise:

“for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

So that we may boldly say,

THE LORD IS MY HELPER,

AND I WILL NOT FEAR WHAT MAN SHALL DO UNTO ME.”

Hebrews 13:5b-6

How has the Lord shone himself to be your shield of faith?

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*words in parenthesis my addition

Shield of Faith

Shield of Faith

“Stand therefore …

Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able

to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

Ephesians 6:14a, 16

His wife told him to curse God and die. His so-called friends accused him of being a self-righteous sinner, not willing to admit his sin. Through the loss of his possessions, his children, and his health, Job held to his faith in God—his shield of protection against the fiery darts of the wicked—and the wicked weren’t the people but his true enemy, Satan. Job answered the enemy’s accusations with the shield of faith.

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body,

yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold, and not another;

though my reins be consumed within me.”

Job 19:25-27, KJV

We, like Job, need to cover our bodies with the shield of faith when the enemy comes against us. We are in God’s hands.

Job knew his trouble came at  God’s hand.(19:21) He was not in the enemy’s hands but God’s . His God was his shield to protect Job from being destroyed. He might die—we all die—but he would live again. His shield would deliver him.

Not only did God deliver Job from his enemy,

• He vindicated him before those who accused him,
• brought him through his trials with a greater knowledge of his God,
• and after Job prayed for his friends,
• “the LORD  blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning … After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations.

So Job died, being old and full of days.”

Job 42:12a, 16,17, KJV

With God as our shield of faith,

• we can know deliverance will come,
• the enemy doesn’t have any power over us that does not come through God’s hands, or that we give him through dropping our shield
• the Lord Jesus will be our defense against the enemy’s accusations,
• we will have grown to know the Lord more
• and we will be blessed for holding to our shield of faith.

Job held to the Lord as his shield of faith. What do you hold to when trials come flying at you from every turn? Your financial security? Your strength? Others?

Know this—our faith is only as able to protect and deliver us, as the object we put our faith in. If your shield is not the Lord God, you have no defense. If He is your shield, you can say, along with the psalmist David,

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice:

let them ever shout for joy,

because thou defendest them:

let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous:

with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”

Psalm 5:11,12, KJV

Faith makes joy possible when our trial is complete. For as God made known He accepted Job, we will know the Lord accepts us. Victory is our testimony. Carry your shield high.