Receive Messiah and His promise

Friday, January 28, 2011
Devotions: Ps 40, 51, 54; Isa 50:1-11; Gal 3:15-22; Mk 6:47-56

When I wait patiently for God, He hears and answers me. He draws me up and sets me on a solid rock. He puts a new song of joy and praise on my lips and makes my way secure. If anyone were to notice this, they would certainly place their faith in my God. Blessed are all who trust in YHWH, for He is alive and He multiplies His wondrous deeds and tender thoughts toward all who love and obey Him. God, You have given me an open ear and a peaceful attitude. You ask for no material offerings, but want me to give myself to You wholly. I will proclaim Your good news, and will ot hide Your saving help in my heart. Keep pouring out mercy on my wife and me, and on our descendatns. For evils surround everyone in this world; our sins overtake us and blind us to the proper course to follow. Put to shame those who seek our downfall, and help all who truly seek You to rejoice and be glad in You. Great is the Lord, my Help and my Deliverer. Don't tarry, my God! Cleanse me from all my sins; I know You want truth in my inward being; fill me with Your joy and gladness, and heal me, Father. Create in me a clean heart and an upright spirit; keep my near You, and restore to me the joy of my salvation. Then I will pass the message along to other transgressors and sinners will return to You. Open my lips and let me show forth Your praise; You take no delight in sacrifice, but You accept my broken, contrite heart and my bruised spirit. Bless and keep me, for Your name's sake. Vindicate me by Your might; hear and answer my supplications. See: God is my Helper, YHWH upholds my life and requites my enemies. Lord, I thank You and look in triumph on my enemies.

YHWH says, 'Where is your mother's divorce decree? Did I sell you because of My debts? No, you were sent into exile because of your own sins and wickedness, and that is why I divorced your mother. When I visited you, no one responded; I surely have the power to save and deliver you: My rebuke dries up rivers and calms wild oceans; I cloak the heavens in mourning.' YHWH Sabaoth has given me an instructed tongue to console the weary with a timely word; He has sharpened my hearing, and I have not forsaken Him. I have faced punishment, torture and ridicule for His sake. But YHWH Sabaoth is my Helper and no insult can wound me. I will not be put to shame, so I have set my face like flint. God, my Vindicator, is with me always. None can convict me; those who try will wear out and fall in tatters. Let those who reverence YHWH obey His servants; let those who walk in darkness trust in God and rely on Him. And let God's enemies do their worst, but they will end in torment of their own kindling. God lets His faithless ones fall into exile and slavery. But God remains all-powerful. He has given me a godly tongue to sustain the weary with encouraging truth. He wakens me morning by morning; He watches over me through the day, and gives me rest and encouragement at night. I am in harm's way, but I am sustained by the Mighty One; I am not confounded, and I have set me path toward His abode; He Who vindicates me is near! Bring on my adversaries, for I will prevail in God's holy might. Let those who fear and obey God draw near. Let us walk in His light and warmth; kindle brands from His fire and go forth to do God's bidding.

Paul offers this illustration: When a person's will and testament have been duly executed, no one else can add a codicil.  God's promises were made to Abraham and to 'his seed'--not plural: seed, singular.  This refers to God's Messiah.  Here's my point: God had made a covenant with Abraham, and the Torah, coming 430 years later, cannot change or revoke that promise.  If the inheritance of God's people is by law, it is not by promise; but that is what God did--made a free promise to Abraham.  So what are we to make of the law?  It was added to make wrongdoing a legal offense; it is an interim measure pending the arrival of the 'seed'--the Messiah!--concerning Whom the promise was made.  The law was promulgated through angels--so the law came by an intermediary.  But no intermediary is needed when someone acts alone, and God Is One.  So then, does the law contradict the promise?  Of course not!  But the law cannot confer righteousness--as scripture has declared that the whole world is subject to sin and is its prisoner, so that faith in Jesus the Messiah should be the only ground on which the promised blessing will be given to those who believe. 

Night fell after Jesus had sent His disciples forth to sail back to Gennesaret; and He had dismissed the multitudes He fed from five loaves and two fish. Jesus gazed out into the Sea of Galilee, and He perceived that the party were making headway painfully, into a strong headwind. About the fourth watch of the night—just before dawn—Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. He seemed about to pass them by, but when they saw Him striding on the water, they cried out in fear. Immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, 'Take heart; I Am; have no fear.' And He got into thte boat with them and the headwind ceased. They were utterly astonished—still not clear about the loaves, for their hearts were hardened. The crossed the water and landed at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they disembarked, the people immediately recognized Jesus and ran to Him, bringing all the sick people on their pallets to where He was. Wherever Jesus went, in villages, cities or countryside, they laid the sick in the markets and sought to touch Jesus; even those who touched the fringes of His garment were made well.