Obey sovereign God, and be thankful

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching the blog archives for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. As you read, I encourage you to record any reflections or comments you may have, for the entries here serve best as the first remarks in a conversation.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Thursday, July 8, 2010
Devotions: Ps 18; Deut 3:18-28; Rom 9:19-33; Mt 25:1-13

I love You, YHWH my Strength. You are my Rock, my Fortress, my God in Whom I take refuge. I call upon YHWH, Who Is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. Death had its tentacles on me, and I screamed for God’s help, and He came, shaking heaven and earth in His righteous anger. How mighty and awesome is my God! He lays waste the mountains and oceans. He drew me forth from the maelstrom and set me on a high, safe plateau. YHWH has blessed me according to the righteousness He has imputed to me. God, You light my lamp; by Your strength, I can crush a troop and leap over every barrier. My God: His way is perfect. He has made me able to run and leap on the heights; He has trained me for the battles of my life; He has given me the shield of His salvation; He has girded me with strength for battle and put my assailants down. He delivers me from controversy, and gives me supernatural authority. YHWH lives, and blessed be my Rock, exalted be the God of my salvation! Lord, thank You for delivering me from men of violence. God shows His steadfast love to His anointed ones for ever.

Moses’ sermon to the Israelites continued: When you cross Ammon’s boundaries, do not harass them; I have given that territory to the sons of Lot—a land formerly held by the giants—Rephaim, Zamzummim. God settles His people in the places of mighty pagans, time after time. So get up! Begin your traverse of the Arnon gorge. I have given into your power Sihon the Amorite king at Heshbon. Don’t fear to engage him in battle, for I will put dread of you in their hearts so they will tremble in anguish because of you. Moses said, ‘At YHWH’s bidding, I sent messages to Sihon asking for safe passage and pledging to pay for what we used, and to keep only to the road over which we traveled. But Sihon refused, because YHWH had hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate—so that God could deliver Sihon and his kingdom into our hands.'

Paul discussed God’s prerogatives and believers’ obligations: You might ask how God can find fault with our decisions, if He predestines some to be saved and others to be hardened against Him. But we mortals have no standing to question God; we’re like pots, and have no right to question the Potter who made us. Think: what if God has endured patiently the offenses of those who are utterly opposed to His rule, in order that His wrath and power may be displayed and to showcase the riches of His glory for those on whom He has mercy—we whom He has prepared for glory and has called from among Jews and Gentiles alike. God said through Hosea, ‘Those who were not My people I will call “My people,” and her who was not beloved I will call “My beloved.” And the people who were told, “You are not My people” will be called “Sons of the living God.”’ And Isaiah also wrote: ‘Though the number of Israel’s sons be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant among them will be saved; for the Lord will execute His sentence upon the earth with rigor and dispatch.’ And ‘if the Lord of hosts had not left us children, we would have fared like Sodom and Gomorrah.’ How shall we understand this? Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it through faith, and those in Israel who pursued righteousness by works of the law did not succeed, because they cannot fully obey the law. Why? Because they did not pursue righteousness by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as Isaiah wrote, ‘Behold, I Am laying in Zion a Stone that will make men stumble and a Rock that will make them fall; and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.’ [It is only by faith in Jesus the Messiah that we may be saved.]

Jesus taught: ‘The kingdom of heaven can be compared to ten maidens, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. five were fools, and took no oil with them; the five who were wise carried extra oil for their lamps. The bridegroom’s arrival was delayed, and all fell asleep. But at midnight came the alert: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him!’ All arose and trimmed their lamps. And all the lamps needed more oil. The foolish asked for oil from the wise, but the latter answered, “There may not be enough for us and for you; so go and buy oil from the dealers.” While the foolish maidens were seeking oil, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready followed him into the wedding feast, and the door was shut. Later, the other maidens arrived, and cried out, “Lord, lord, open to us!” But the bridegroom replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” And they were excluded. So keep watch! You know neither the day nor the hour when God’s kingdom will arrive.