Restored Joy

That is one of my favorite verses. I know, I say that often. Out of so many, it really is in the top third. It was written by David, King of Israel. it happened within a year after his meeting Bathsheba, the married woman David took from her husband, Uriah. Go ahead and look up the story in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. Anyone wishing to defend their own adultry should read the result of David's.

Psalm 51 is his confession, his pain, his hope for the future. It is labeled: 'To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba." In the first fourteen verses of 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronts David with an analogy of David's sin and the depth of the sin angers David. Nathan states the guilty party:

And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. (2 Samuel 12:7a KJV)

Nathan continues, listing what God has done for David throughout his life. David acknowledges:

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. (2 Samuel 12:13 KJV)

Although the "why" isn't in Psalm 51, his prayer acknowledges the sin:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV)

Only God had laws given through Moses that made powerful men guilty of taking what they want from others. When men forget God, they have always done what is written twice in the book of Judges:

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 KJV)

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25 KJV)

David had seen what powerful rulers did with women. He was in a powerful position. He ignored God's law, and took what he wanted - then attempted to cover up his sinfulness. That's what sin is - ignoring God and His laws meant to protect all men.

David wanted God's forgiveness:

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. (Psalms 51:7-9 KJV)

This is the desire of any sinner when becoming aware we've fallen short of being what God had in mind. When we realize there is a huge separation between mankind as a whole, we as individuals, and God. Only God can span that separation with what David describes in verse 12:

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. (Psalms 51:10-13 KJV)

Let me assure you, when we realize the joy of our salvation, we do want to share that knowledge with others, and sinners will be converted unto Him. We do desire strongly to praise Him:

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. (Psalms 51:14-19 KJV)

See those bolded parts? God does not require sacrifices.  David knew this, yet made such sacrifices. Eventually, God did what Abraham explained to Isaac:

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:8 KJV)

Somehow I've come to believe that Abraham did not say these words as a prophecy, but only as a trusting man that God would provide what was needed, which He did as Jesus, Christ. Because He did, we can understand David's joy in God's salvation, and his guilt in feeling castaway. God forgives and restores our joy.

We will have to live with the consequences of the sinfulness. David and his family certainly did. Easiest way to avoiod such consequences is to become familiar with God, His laws, and His salvation. All are part of Jesus' doctrine (see - I can carry a subject for more than a couple of days!) 

 

Doctrine and Context

Swedish Smörgåsbord (Commons)

I am an aged woman, thus I've compared how some approach theology as a "smorgasbord"- which literally means a table full lof open sandwiches.  However, in today's society, "salad bar" is used much the same way, but "pot luck" fits just as well. What ever choosing what you like out of the Bible can be a dangerous thing, a concept recognized by others:

“The theology of most Americans is less like choosing from a salad bar and more like going into someone else's kitchen blindfolded and dumping random ‘ingredients’ into a bowl.” — @WardrobeDoor (if you are on Twitter that link is to his page)

I met Aaron Earls (Mr @WardrobeDoor) at the foot of an article "Consistent Inconsistency" and thought it added quite a bit to yesterday's post here about knowing doctrine and its source.

I'd like to introduce you to someone who knows the scriptures very well and were able to quote them as needed:

for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Matthew 4:6b (KJV)

Recognize the individual? How about this earlier scripture:

and he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Genesis 3:1b (KJV)

Now do you recognize the speaker? He's introduced in the first book of the Bible, mentioned several times by many writers inbetween, and confirmed as one and the same as the dragon in the last book:

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, (Revelation 20:2 KJV)

Most of the temptations thrown our way are similar to his reply to Eve:

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (Genesis 3:4 KJV)

He might as well be saying:

God didn't mean what He said. God really does love you and wants you to be happy, to have everything your heart desires. Why, doesn't His word even tell you:

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalms 37:4 KJV)

All you need is to be delighted and you will receive all your desires!

May I suggest that God does mean what He says?

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. (Isaiah 40:8 KJV)

The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. (Psalms 33:11 KJV)

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8 KJV)

Perhaps I like these because they are succinct and full of meaning. There are many other verses that speak to this same subject - God is the I AM. The tempter, seducer, liar, the maker of mirror images that look good but lead to death, is the opposite. He is the created, not the creator. He is the usuper, not the ruler. He is the failure, God remains on His throne.

Scripture is used here because I believe it. I believe it because it has worked in my life and I've seen it wwork in others. Part of why it works is we placed faith in biblical foundations, God's promises - which usually have an "if/then" in them, so if I do my part, God responds with His promised result. There are plenty of examples in the Bible, and in the world we live in, where the "if" part was not done. The results were just as inevitable. 

All this does have to do with doctrine. We don't get to pick and choose between verses or promises. The verses have context and their words are powerful when used in context. The plan laid out is a path. It's a map that when followed leads to a defined, specific destination. Taking a different path, you get a different destination.

Does your doctrine include:

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:5-6 KJV)

If not, why not?

Your Doctrine's Source?

 

Photo from Timeless Books from Wikipedia Commons, Edited

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29 KJV)

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. (Matthew 16:11-12 KJV)

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. (Matthew 22:29-33 KJV)

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (Romans 6:17 KJV)

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (Romans 6:17 KJV)

I could quote many more verses from the New Testament. That's where God inspired men to write down the doctrines we should be following. There are 44 verses with the word "doctrine" in the New Testament. It is used in the four Gospels, letters from Paul to churches, from John:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:1-4 KJV)

And John , twice in addition to this one, in Revelation:

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (Revelation 2:14 KJV)

Jesus shared His doctrine - His "belief or set of beliefs held and taught," today we say "by a Church, political party, or other group." The New Testament was written by Apostles inspired to share what they heard as Jesus shared His doctrine. To be His followers, to be called Christian, we need to know Jesus' doctrine as it was told by those who knew Him.

It is my firm belief that not one iota is to be changed from the doctrine Jesus taught when He was with His disciples. Over the next few weeks, take time to read of what Jesus taught in the four gospels. How does that compare with churches today. Where are the differences, and why? When did differences appear, and why?

Do you accept Jesus' doctrine as He taught?

God's Timing Usually Isn't Ours

Joseph Interpreting the Dreams in Prison

 

I doubt this artist got it right. Joseph, the baker, nor the butler would be dressed in medieval clothing. What they did wear would be sparse, perhaps raggedy, and most likely filthy. Unless Egyptian prisons were much better than current ones.

We know how Joseph ended up in prison - sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused of attacking his boss' wife. A foreigner imprisoned with no one to speak for him. Chances of release were so slim as to be uncountable. Joseph could not know that his story would be included by the Psalmist:

He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. (Psalms 105:17-19 KJV)

No doubt there would have been fetters for the prisoners. Maybe there were only the three prisoners together at that level of offense, with Joseph serving the newcomers: 

And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. (Genesis 40:1-4 KJV)

At least we know they slept, and they both dreamed - dreams they felt important, but bothered them. Joseph heard the butler's dream, told him what would happen, then asked:

But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. (Genesis 40:14-15 KJV)

The baker did not fare as well. Three days after Joseph's interpretation of their dreams, it was Pharaoh's birthday. As the dreams foretold, the butler returned to Pharaoh's presence in service, and the baker was killed. The butler forgot:

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. (Genesis 40:23 KJV)

Not one bit of this story was a surprise to God. His plan included Joseph being in Egypt during the drought and famine, that's a given. God had the power to place Joseph in Pharaoh's household in any number of ways. God could have released him from the pit in Dothan, from the Pharaoh's prison - just as God released Peter in Acts 12, or Paul and Silas in Acts 15 - but He didn't.

We really do not need an explanation, though many have said was Joseph went through was necessary for him to be the man capable of standing in for Pharaoh. That explanation isn't necessary, because the timing was in God's hands. 

Just as God knows what is coming, in His own time:

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (1 Peter 1:18-20 KJV)

We are confined by time. God is not. We cannot grasp what exists without time, but God is capable of showing to a man who does not even have the words to adequately describe what he sees:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:1-3 KJV)

Yes, the Bible does say the time is at hand for Revelation. Some will point to that last verse as a reason not to believe the Bible because it's been two thousand years and in so many ways, mankind holds the same values as when John wrote those words - war, rumors of war, poverty, drought, floods. What has changed?

It's all in the timing, God's timing. We need reminding through the biblical stories of people's lives that God does not think or act as we do:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV)

Eventually the butler remembered Joseph - and the rest of that story is for another time.When God puts the thought in my mind, as He put the dream in Pharaoh's, and the butler remembered:

Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: . . .  And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.  (Genesis 41:9, 12 KJV)

God's timing is always best for us. 

(Please take time with the quoted scriptures to read them in context. Did I misquote, omit? Did you receive a different message? I'd love to hear back.)

"My Dad Will Be King"

 

Imperial State Crown of the United Kingdom

"George understands he will one day be king and as a little boy sparred with friends at school, outdoing his peers with the killer line: 'My dad will be king so you better watch out'," wrote royal author Katie Nicholl. According to a report, '...while Prince George was playing and rough-housing with fellow students on a playground when he warned one student 'My dad will be king so you better watch out'". Seems several accounts agree upon the speaker, and the wording - Prince George is aware that at some time in the future, his father will be king of the United Kingdom. Whether he realizes or not that he, himself, will one day rule a nation is another story down the line.

The Bible tells us that a descendant of King David will eventually be King. From David's death until John the Baptist preached:

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2 KJV)

. . . Jews were looking for that king. Jesus began preaching that same message as John was imprisoned:

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17 KJV)

. . . continuing as he moved about the country:

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23 KJV)

I could continue for over 150 verses in the New Testament that mention the Kingdom of God, which also includes mentioned by a thief on a cross, with a plain response:

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.  (Luke 23:42-43 KJV)

Jesus gave example after example of what God's kingdom was like throughout the Gospels. He even had to explain how to get there to a Rabbi, a Pharisee named Nicodemus:

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5 KJV)

Forty days following His resurrection, He spoke to His disciples:

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (Acts 1:3 KJV)

. . . but they still did not understand any more than many people today, still looking for an earthly kingdom run by men:

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (Acts 1:6-7 KJV)

That's our sibling, our Brother, the child of our Father, with whom He is one - as He explained when He was asked to speak plainly:

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:24-30 KJV)

. . . who also inspired Paul:

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:14-17 KJV)

Christians are waiting only for the remainder of prophecy to be fulfilled. With one accord, we are not worried about the future - our Father is the King.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:30-33 KJV)

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15 KJV)

Spend time with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in every book of the Bible:

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16 KJV)

Author's Note: If you are like me, you still have the "Hallelujah Chorus" in your mind:

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (King of kings and Lord of lords)

And He shall reign

And He shall reign

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings (Forever and ever)

And He shall reign (Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

And He shall reign forever and ever

Forever and ever

Forever and ever

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!