Vindication vs. the unforgiveable sin

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Friday, October 23, 2009
Devotions: Ps 31, 35; Ezra 3; 1 Cor 16:10-24; Mt 12:22-32

I take my refuge in You, my God; let me not be put to shame—continue to be my Rock of refuge. Guide me, to Your glory; deliver me from the nets laid out to snare me; into Your hand I commit my spirit, my Redeemer and faithful God. I trust in YHWH alone; You have seen my affliction and heeded my adversities. My strength is little, but You are almighty, and I stand by Your grace. Let Your face shine on me; deliver me from strife and argument. Blessed be YHWH; He has wondrously shown His steadfast love and delivered me from strife. God hears and answers my prayers; let all God’s people love Him and praise His holy name. Let us be strong and take courage, all of us who wait upon the Lord! God contends with those who contend with me: let them be put to dishonor who seek to harm me or drain my life away. Let them be chaff upon the wind, and that ruin come on them by which they seek to exploit others. I praise God from my bones outward! I praise God in His assembly! Lord, blacken the eyes that wink at my distress. Vindicate me, O God, according to Your righteousness, and I will tell of Your righteousness and praise You all day long.

Jeshua and Zerubbabel led the reconstruction project in Jerusalem, rebuilding God’s altar and re-establishing regular morning and evening sacrifices to YHWH. They funded the supplies needed to rebuild the temple’s foundation; they appointed Levites to oversee the work at the temple site, under the supervision of Jeshua. When the builders laid the temple’s foundation, vested priests came forward with trumpets and praised YHWH according to the directions authored by King David long before; they sang, ‘He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever toward Israel!’ With a great shout, all the people joined in praising YHWH; many of the aged wept for joy, and many shouted for joy—and the sound of acclamation could be heard afar.

Paul concluded his first Corinthian letter: ‘Put Timothy at ease when he visits—he is doing God’s work; speed him on his way in peace; I am eagerly awaiting him, as are all Christ’s family here. I have urged our brother Apollos to come to you; and he will come when he has opportunity. Stay watchful and firm in faith; be courageous and strong. Let all you do be done in love! Show respect to those who devote themselves to serve the saints, like the household of Stephanas, the first converts in Achaia. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus, who have refreshed my spirit in your behalf. Honor such men! Greetings to you from the churches of Asia, from Prisca and Aquila and their house church, and all Christ’s family here. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Let them be cursed who have no love for the Lord. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you, and my love be with you all in the Messiah Jesus. Amen.’

A demoniac, blind and dumb, was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man. The people were amazed, and wondered together if Jesus could be the Son of David. But the Pharisees scoffed: ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.’ Knowing their thoughts, Jesus addressed the Pharisees: ‘Divided kingdoms are laid waste; a house or city divided cannot stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? So let your sons be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then God’s kingdom has come upon you! No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man. Whoever is not with me is against me; whoever does not gather with me is scattering! Listen to Me: every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven to mortals—except this: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Those who speak against the Son of man will be forgiven, but speaking against the Holy Spirit is unforgiveable, in this age or the age to come.’