"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple." (Psalm 27:4)
The previous verses speak of war. The victory of which David speaks in our text does not come from pacifism. Victory comes from the, "One thing have I desired...." The victorious Follower of Jesus dwells in Jesus Christ, "all the days of my life." We are called to, "dwell," and, "behold." These may not sound like "fighting words," but when Followers of Jesus live and "fight" such, they win, will always win, and will end this life in victory.
During the weak attempt at becoming a democratic nation, the Weimar Republic, Germany had over 50 political parties. They could not agree, were unwilling to compromise, grew weary, and ultimately set the stage for a National Socialist victory in the November, 1932 national election. The Nazis and the Arabs who gave birth to the religion, Islam, had/have the same "winning" characteristic; they did/do not grow weary as do their opponents. This is why Korea "ended" in a stalemate, and Viet Nam ended in defeat for the United States of America; America grew war weary when it's enemies did not. Whether a nation or an individual, when people grow weary and let up, the enemy, who is always waiting for such an attitude to manifest, moves in and wins. Watch Iraq and Afghanistan.
I want to encourage you today in the reality that our enemy will never quit-------- and never should you nor I. There is no victory to those who grow war weary and quit. Yet it is important here to realize that this is not a "flesh and blood" war, but in many ways, a glorious war with glorious weapons. The Lord shows us in Psalm 27 what He later says in 2 Corinthians, "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal." The victory comes when we "battle" with the greatest and most glorious weapon we have, "....Abide in Me, and My Words abide in you." In this indwelling relationship in Jesus and obedience to His Words, constant, never taking a vacation or getting lazy, you and I can stay victoriously secure when, as verse 3 says, "Though war may rise up against me...." And it will, "all the days of my life." The best way to combat, "all the days of my life," warfare? "All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in His temple."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for guaranteed victory. Amen.
**********************
Another great article from Carolyn Glick at: jhs58.blogspot.com
Timely, considering our mission to Israel
The previous verses speak of war. The victory of which David speaks in our text does not come from pacifism. Victory comes from the, "One thing have I desired...." The victorious Follower of Jesus dwells in Jesus Christ, "all the days of my life." We are called to, "dwell," and, "behold." These may not sound like "fighting words," but when Followers of Jesus live and "fight" such, they win, will always win, and will end this life in victory.
During the weak attempt at becoming a democratic nation, the Weimar Republic, Germany had over 50 political parties. They could not agree, were unwilling to compromise, grew weary, and ultimately set the stage for a National Socialist victory in the November, 1932 national election. The Nazis and the Arabs who gave birth to the religion, Islam, had/have the same "winning" characteristic; they did/do not grow weary as do their opponents. This is why Korea "ended" in a stalemate, and Viet Nam ended in defeat for the United States of America; America grew war weary when it's enemies did not. Whether a nation or an individual, when people grow weary and let up, the enemy, who is always waiting for such an attitude to manifest, moves in and wins. Watch Iraq and Afghanistan.
I want to encourage you today in the reality that our enemy will never quit-------- and never should you nor I. There is no victory to those who grow war weary and quit. Yet it is important here to realize that this is not a "flesh and blood" war, but in many ways, a glorious war with glorious weapons. The Lord shows us in Psalm 27 what He later says in 2 Corinthians, "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal." The victory comes when we "battle" with the greatest and most glorious weapon we have, "....Abide in Me, and My Words abide in you." In this indwelling relationship in Jesus and obedience to His Words, constant, never taking a vacation or getting lazy, you and I can stay victoriously secure when, as verse 3 says, "Though war may rise up against me...." And it will, "all the days of my life." The best way to combat, "all the days of my life," warfare? "All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in His temple."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for guaranteed victory. Amen.
**********************
Another great article from Carolyn Glick at: jhs58.blogspot.com
Timely, considering our mission to Israel
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
