2018-09-08
Ezekiel 48:35 KJV
During Israel’s twenty-fifth year of captivity, Ezekiel the prophet received from God His name Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord is there. God described Israel’s future home, Jerusalem, saying, “And the name of the city…shall be, The Lord is there [Jehovah-Shammah].” It applied not only to the Lord of the old covenant, but equally to Jesus, the Lord of the new covenant. His name, “Immanuel,” like Jehovah-Shammah, means, “the Lord is with us” (See Isaiah 7:14). And it means at all times, in all places, under all circumstances, and for all of us, God is ever available and ever present! David proclaimed: “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me and your strength will support me” (Psalm 139:7-10 NLT). Do you remember how fear, loneliness, and helplessness disappeared when you were in your mom’s or dad’s presence? In Israel’s deepest despair God’s response was always, “I am with you.” Those words guaranteed that their needs would always be met! And today God is saying to you, “I’m with you,” and “neither death, life, angels, spirit-powers, present or future fears, height, depth, nor anything else in all creation will ever separate us” (See Romans 8:38-39). That promise extends to all God’s redeemed children – reach out and grasp it.
Soul food: Josh 19:24-21:45; Luke 20:20-26; Ps 112; Prov 23:13-15
2018-09-07
Jeremiah 23:6 NLT
The name Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The Lord our righteousness, was given by God through Jeremiah, announcing the coming of Jesus the redeemer: “I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line…And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness'” (vv. 5-6 NLT). Before Jesus came, our righteousness lay in our own efforts. “We will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands…God has given us” (Deuteronomy 6:25 NLT). We absolutely failed that righteousness test! But “The Lord our righteousness” became our solution. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV). Notice: It’s only “in Jesus” that we “become the righteousness of God”! You’re not to try to do right so you can feel righteous before God, or to generate a supply of good works to draw from when needed. You’re to draw continually from the “righteousness” deposited in your account by Christ. It’s useless to look within yourself for humility, patience, kindness, love, etc. They’re not there! You must take them by faith from the supply stored up for you in Jesus. Guilty hearts can draw forgiveness, anxious spirits can draw peace, and weary souls can draw strength from Jehovah-Tsidkenu. You received salvation by faith alone. And in the same way you must draw righteousness, and everything else you need, by faith in what God has accomplished and stored up for your use in Jesus, The Lord our righteousness!
Soul food: Josh 16:1-19:23; Luke 20:9-19; Ps 20; Prov 23:10-12
2018-09-06
Judges 6:16, 23 NIV
The name Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord our peace, was discovered by Gideon when God told him to lead Israel against the Midianites – a position he felt was far beyond his capacity. “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest…and I am the least in my family” (v. 15 NIV). Here’s how the Lord responded: “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites…Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” A frightened Gideon believed God and before the battle was even fought or the victory won, by faith he saw the peace already secured. So he built an altar to Jehovah-Shalom, “the Lord is peace!” We often assume we’ll only have peace when our situation changes. Then like Gideon we learn that inward peace doesn’t depend on altering our outward circumstances; it depends on believing God is with you and experiencing His inner peace. Jesus promises: “Peace I leave with you; my peace [inner, faith-based] I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives [outward, circumstantial]. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV). However inadequate you may feel to face the challenges today, remember Christ’s words: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace…take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV). Notice: Your job is to “take heart,” and trust Jehovah-Shalom to handle the rest!
Soul food: Josh 14-15; Luke 20:1-8; Ps 142; Prov 23:7-9
2018-09-05
Exodus 14:13 KJV
Let’s continue with Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord my banner. Because God fights your battles doesn’t mean you’re not involved. It’s not easy to hand control over to the Lord and let Him fight on your behalf. You may feel like you’re copping out, being irresponsible. You’re programmed to think, “Don’t just sit there – do something!” You’re like a drowning man who can’t stop grabbling for his rescuer, thereby making his job almost impossible. In essence, you become your rescuer’s worst nightmare! The hardest part about the order to “stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” is that most of us mistake standing still for doing nothing. Fear says, “Do something – anything!” Faith says, “Stand in faith. Let God do it!” That’s about as far from doing nothing as you can get! It’s faith at its highest. “Why do I need armor if I’m not fighting?” Paul says, “Put on the full armor of God, so… you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11 NIV). You’re to wear God’s armor – not yours. You’re to stand – not fight. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV). Our human methods get in God’s way. Natural powers are useless against spiritual forces. The grub of the dragonfly that lives at the bottom of the pond may be a finely developed, vigorous grub. But when it becomes a dragonfly, the strengths and abilities of its grub-life won’t help it to live an airborne life. Once you lived by effort, now you live by trusting in and relying on Jehovah-Nissi!
Soul food: Josh 11-13; Luke 19:41-48; Ps 111; Prov 23:4-6
2018-09-04
2 Chronicles 20:15 KJV
When Israel was threatened by the mighty forces of Amalek at Rephidim, God gave them a supernatural victory. Realizing that God was fighting the battle for them, Moses built an altar to Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord my banner. Hear His words: “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:14 NKJV). “Be not afraid nor dismayed …for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Why then do you discourage yourself into defeat, trying to win the battle in your own strength? You engage in a fruitless cycle of repentance, resolutions, struggles, defeat, and discouragement, which leads to more repenting. The only sort of spiritual conflict that’s ever successfully won, is the one God fights for you. He doesn’t expect you to win the battle, only to surrender to Him and let Him win it for you! “So am I not supposed to fight at all?” you ask. Yes, you’re to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12 KJV). Yours isn’t a battle of exhausting effort; it’s the battle of believing. “But am I not to wrestle like Jacob did?” Observe two things: First, Jacob didn’t win by wrestling, he won by being rendered too weak to continue wrestling. Paul said, “When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Second, Jacob’s victory lay in his surrender. Are you worn out from the battle – at the end of your rope? You may be just where God wants you! Let go and trust your Jehovah-Nissi to prevail for you, because “the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Soul food: Josh 8:30-10:43; Luke 19:28-40; Ps 103:13-22; Prov 23:1-3
2018-09-03
Psalm 83:18 KJV
The Israelites called God Jehovah, a name they regarded as incommunicable and inexplicable. The name means the “self-existing One,” and the “I Am.” He was the Creator of all things; an awesome and unknowable supreme being. But God desired to be known in a personal way. So He added to the name Jehovah five revealing titles – word-portraits of Himself to help us better understand and relate to Him. Israel discovered these word-portraits during times of crisis and distress, and they will bless and encourage you during your times of need. Let’s look at each. Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord will see, the Lord will provide. Abraham was about to sacrifice his son when God provided a lamb for the offering in Isaac’s place. In response, Abraham called Him Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who sees and provides. And it doesn’t just apply to Abraham. The New Testament says the Lord sees your needs and provides answers. Jesus said, “Your heavenly Father knoweth…ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:32 KJV). Like a caring, alert, observant parent who anticipates his child’s every need, God provides well-timed solutions. Before a child’s shoes wear out a good father provides new ones; his child doesn’t need to beg, bargain, and plead. “Then why don’t I have what I want?” you ask. Because God knows what you really need – you don’t! What you see as “needs” might simply be “wants” in God’s eyes. Remember – Jehovah-Jireh sees your needs and will provide them!
Soul food: Josh 5:1-8:29; Luke 19:11-27; Ps 103:1-12; Prov 22:27-29
