"Let Israel now say-- 'Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.'" (Psalm 129:1b, 2)
Of course this is referring to the Jews as a people group, but it also applies to the Church of Jesus Christ, and to you and me as individuals. "For all the promises of God in [Christ Jesus] are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us."
First, Israel: Just look at history. Second, The Church: Well, just look at history again. Third, you and me: Again, history. Now the, "they," in our text need not necessarily be people. "They," can be life itself, the pains, the sufferings, the sin, the mistakes, the sicknesses, etc. Satan and his demonic forces, "have afflicted me from my youth," with any means available in the attempt to get me to throw in the towel, to give up, to be like the worn out work mule which just lays down beside the road and quits. Well, I can say today what the psalmist goes on to say in our text, "yet they have not prevailed against me," and, I pray, "....they have not prevailed against [you]."
Now we know that the affliction which, "they," have imposed upon us is not just, "from my youth," but will continue until we depart this life or our Lord Jesus Christ appears the second time. Yet, no fear: Just as we can say, "from my youth," we can also say with absolute confidence in the Living Triune God that to the very end of life in this "seen" world, "....YET THEY HAVE NOT PREVAILED AGAINST ME"! And they won't, that is, as long as we believe/obey His Words, continue to abide/dwell in Jesus, continually drink from that well which flows out of our innermost being, The Holy Spirit, and, "while we do not look at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen," which is another way of say, "Looking unto Jesus." This is not some charismatic spiritual bravado. This is as Peter says, "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us...."
Of course this is referring to the Jews as a people group, but it also applies to the Church of Jesus Christ, and to you and me as individuals. "For all the promises of God in [Christ Jesus] are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us."
First, Israel: Just look at history. Second, The Church: Well, just look at history again. Third, you and me: Again, history. Now the, "they," in our text need not necessarily be people. "They," can be life itself, the pains, the sufferings, the sin, the mistakes, the sicknesses, etc. Satan and his demonic forces, "have afflicted me from my youth," with any means available in the attempt to get me to throw in the towel, to give up, to be like the worn out work mule which just lays down beside the road and quits. Well, I can say today what the psalmist goes on to say in our text, "yet they have not prevailed against me," and, I pray, "....they have not prevailed against [you]."
Now we know that the affliction which, "they," have imposed upon us is not just, "from my youth," but will continue until we depart this life or our Lord Jesus Christ appears the second time. Yet, no fear: Just as we can say, "from my youth," we can also say with absolute confidence in the Living Triune God that to the very end of life in this "seen" world, "....YET THEY HAVE NOT PREVAILED AGAINST ME"! And they won't, that is, as long as we believe/obey His Words, continue to abide/dwell in Jesus, continually drink from that well which flows out of our innermost being, The Holy Spirit, and, "while we do not look at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen," which is another way of say, "Looking unto Jesus." This is not some charismatic spiritual bravado. This is as Peter says, "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your, "divine power," which is my only, "power." Amen.
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* You know of our commitment to Berlin, Germany, and Europe in general as a very key player in the unfolding of prophecy. I have posted a timely article of what I have been predicting for many years: www.jerusalemberlinwashington.blogspot.com
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* You know of our commitment to Berlin, Germany, and Europe in general as a very key player in the unfolding of prophecy. I have posted a timely article of what I have been predicting for many years: www.jerusalemberlinwashington.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
