The book of Joshua tracks the path of the Israelite's entry and conquest of the Promised Land. God gave His people the land, and He called them to drive out or destroy all the inhabitants of the land. They were forbidden to make a league with the inhabitants of Canaan. When the people who lived in Canaan heard about how the children of Israel crossed over Jordan on dry ground and the fall of mighty Jericho through the power of their God, they were afraid. They gathered together to fight against Israel in battle. The people of Gibeon, however, took a different tack. They cleverly disguised themselves as foreign ambassadors who had been on a long journey, having heard of the might of Israel and their God. To add credence to their story, when questioned they appealed to their appearance. Joshua 9:12-14 says, "This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy.
13
And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey."
14
Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD."
Based upon the false "evidence" presented, Joshua agreed to make a covenant with these people who turned out to be Gibeonites who lived nearby! This is a classic case of the oft repeated mistake we all make of walking by sight instead of by faith in God. The inference is that if Joshua had sought the counsel of the LORD, the ruse would have been revealed and this grave error prevented. The error of walking by sight created a chain reaction which led to troublesome future consequences. When I read this, I was convicted for all the times I pray about problems or dilemmas but do not explicitly ask counsel of the LORD and seek an answer in His Word. I pray about things, sure: but praying about a problem is very different than seeking counsel with intent to obey. Sometimes we are like those who want to vent but don't necessarily want advice on how to rectify their situation. We prefer sympathy over being told what to do. God does not cast pearls of wisdom before swine. If we want to wallow in indecision and doubts like a pig in the mud, God will allow us to do so. But if we will ask counsel of the LORD, seeking to perform His will, He will speak and empower us to carry out what He requires of us.
08 August 2013
07 August 2013
God, Money, and Faith
When Jesus sent out His disciples into the harvest, He told them not to bring any supplies. In doing so, He was teaching them to walk by faith in God. Even as God provided for the children of Israel in the wilderness and the birds of the air, He would supply their every need. Before Jesus went to the cross Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 22:35-36: "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing."
36
Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." There is nothing wrong with wisely preparing as we follow Christ on our journey wherever He leads. Often the securing of financial pledges or support is a means of missionaries and ministries discerning the legitimacy of a call upon a prospective missionary before leaving for a field. But let me say this: fundraising in the modern sense carries with it the risk of walking by sight and not by faith. People love the testimony of George Mueller's faith demonstrated through prayer and wisdom concerning money. There aren't many George Muellers today because God isn't provided the opportunity to come through at the last moment. Most want to have the support up, accounts looking healthy, and a great exchange rate forecast before they will take the first step of faith. What sort of faith is that?
One of the sticking points for many people when it comes to missions is, "But who is going to pay for this? How can we afford it?" One missionary support ministry I met with required for any missionaries who sought to enter a mission field secure 80% of their monthly financial support before they were permitted to enter the field. Money can become for people today (missionaries or not) a focal point instead of the God who has promised to provide. Everyone in the early church contributed to the financial strength of the church, some selling everything they had. They weren't caught up in mutual funds and Roth IRAs. Some like Paul, who laboured long in a vast mission field, worked with his own hands to support himself. Collections were received from house churches on a weekly basis to bless and help other churches. Perhaps because we live in a world of insurance, schools, visas, airplane tickets, and retirement funds, money concerns seem to have risen in importance. I like the picture of Peter being directed by Jesus to catch a fish to pay the temple tax in Matthew 17:27. Jesus said, "After you throw in the hook and catch the fish, it will have a coin in its mouth. Take the coin and pay the tax, lest we offend them." Jesus didn't have the money on hand for the temple tax, but He miraculously provided it. He will do the same for us if we will seek, trust, and obey Him no matter where we find ourselves.
I struggle with the concept of "fundraising." Perhaps that sounds ironic, coming from a missionary pastor who receives money each month by God's grace and the generosity of churches, family, and friends. Just the idea makes me uncomfortable. Before I left for the field in Australia, before I knew where or when I would be going, I was connected with Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators. We let people know there was a need through our church with a flier, and if God moved them to give they could support our ministry through sending money to Shepherd's Staff, who provided accountability and would send the money once a month when we were in the field. Truth be told, I don't fundraise - though I am not against it. When I was youth pastor, we used to raise money for kids to go to camp who worked car washes, pancake breakfasts, and spaghetti dinners. I feel most awkward when it comes to raising funds for myself. I don't want to pressure people to buy something to support me or play upon any obligation they may feel to give when they really don't want to. What is amazing is there have been people God directed in unique ways to raise funds on our behalf. Instead of sending out letters asking people to give, I pray that God would faithful provide according to His promise and He keeps moving people to do so. I don't ask for money, but God moves people to give according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Let me brag on my God a little bit. God has always met our needs, and He has used many people to do it. I remember times when work was slow and odd jobs would come up. When I first came on staff at a church and took a 45% cut in pay in 2005, there was a real potential we would need to sell our house. I had already committed to go on an Israel trip when a friend of mine out of the blue gave me a check for $1,000. I hadn't told anyone but God of our financial needs. During that season whilst in paid ministry, God provided borders who hired a room and we were able to keep the house until we sold it and moved to Australia. God's provision has continued to this day. For over two and a half years, I was prohibited from working for pay in Australia. That's a bit crazy, seeing as Sydney is one of the most expensive cities to live in the entire world! The amount received from Shepherd's Staff would rise and fall at the perfect times. When I visited the States this June, before I arrived God put it on someone's heart to put money in an envelope - not knowing that my ATM card had expired! That money covered my incidentals for the trip. God moved family and friends to give money during my two week stay without me even asking. Last night I praised the LORD for dear friends who gave us money specifically for the purchase of tablets for the boy's school which will be required soon. When the money received during the trip was added up, we had enough for the expense of the tablets and cases. God is awesome!
The other day I read in Joshua 5:10-12: "Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. 11 And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. 12 Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year." God knew exactly the needs of His people. He provided manna for His people for 40 years, a steady, predictable supply of heavenly bread. But when He brought His people into the Land of Promise and they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased. I'm sure at times the people lamented the loss of the manna, even as they missed the familiar food of Egypt. The LORD used this passage to remind me that when He provides a job for Laura or myself outside of the church, it will be time to trust God in thanking people for their generosity and encouraging them to give to others as the Holy Spirit leads. He's the One who has supplied all our needs, and He will ever be faithful to do so.
Don't allow money to ever become a focal point of your ministry or service unto God. God knows we need money, housing, clothing, and transport, and He will supply our needs. Jesus says in Matthew 6:30-34, "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." I want to thank every single person who has offered up prayers on our behalf and has given money to support our family and the ministry in Australia. You have provided us a glittering testimony of the faithfulness of our God and the generosity of His people. My God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. It is a humbling and amazing thing to be a recipient of God's goodness and grace through you. May God reward you according to the riches of His grace.
One of the sticking points for many people when it comes to missions is, "But who is going to pay for this? How can we afford it?" One missionary support ministry I met with required for any missionaries who sought to enter a mission field secure 80% of their monthly financial support before they were permitted to enter the field. Money can become for people today (missionaries or not) a focal point instead of the God who has promised to provide. Everyone in the early church contributed to the financial strength of the church, some selling everything they had. They weren't caught up in mutual funds and Roth IRAs. Some like Paul, who laboured long in a vast mission field, worked with his own hands to support himself. Collections were received from house churches on a weekly basis to bless and help other churches. Perhaps because we live in a world of insurance, schools, visas, airplane tickets, and retirement funds, money concerns seem to have risen in importance. I like the picture of Peter being directed by Jesus to catch a fish to pay the temple tax in Matthew 17:27. Jesus said, "After you throw in the hook and catch the fish, it will have a coin in its mouth. Take the coin and pay the tax, lest we offend them." Jesus didn't have the money on hand for the temple tax, but He miraculously provided it. He will do the same for us if we will seek, trust, and obey Him no matter where we find ourselves.
I struggle with the concept of "fundraising." Perhaps that sounds ironic, coming from a missionary pastor who receives money each month by God's grace and the generosity of churches, family, and friends. Just the idea makes me uncomfortable. Before I left for the field in Australia, before I knew where or when I would be going, I was connected with Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators. We let people know there was a need through our church with a flier, and if God moved them to give they could support our ministry through sending money to Shepherd's Staff, who provided accountability and would send the money once a month when we were in the field. Truth be told, I don't fundraise - though I am not against it. When I was youth pastor, we used to raise money for kids to go to camp who worked car washes, pancake breakfasts, and spaghetti dinners. I feel most awkward when it comes to raising funds for myself. I don't want to pressure people to buy something to support me or play upon any obligation they may feel to give when they really don't want to. What is amazing is there have been people God directed in unique ways to raise funds on our behalf. Instead of sending out letters asking people to give, I pray that God would faithful provide according to His promise and He keeps moving people to do so. I don't ask for money, but God moves people to give according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Let me brag on my God a little bit. God has always met our needs, and He has used many people to do it. I remember times when work was slow and odd jobs would come up. When I first came on staff at a church and took a 45% cut in pay in 2005, there was a real potential we would need to sell our house. I had already committed to go on an Israel trip when a friend of mine out of the blue gave me a check for $1,000. I hadn't told anyone but God of our financial needs. During that season whilst in paid ministry, God provided borders who hired a room and we were able to keep the house until we sold it and moved to Australia. God's provision has continued to this day. For over two and a half years, I was prohibited from working for pay in Australia. That's a bit crazy, seeing as Sydney is one of the most expensive cities to live in the entire world! The amount received from Shepherd's Staff would rise and fall at the perfect times. When I visited the States this June, before I arrived God put it on someone's heart to put money in an envelope - not knowing that my ATM card had expired! That money covered my incidentals for the trip. God moved family and friends to give money during my two week stay without me even asking. Last night I praised the LORD for dear friends who gave us money specifically for the purchase of tablets for the boy's school which will be required soon. When the money received during the trip was added up, we had enough for the expense of the tablets and cases. God is awesome!
The other day I read in Joshua 5:10-12: "Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. 11 And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. 12 Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year." God knew exactly the needs of His people. He provided manna for His people for 40 years, a steady, predictable supply of heavenly bread. But when He brought His people into the Land of Promise and they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased. I'm sure at times the people lamented the loss of the manna, even as they missed the familiar food of Egypt. The LORD used this passage to remind me that when He provides a job for Laura or myself outside of the church, it will be time to trust God in thanking people for their generosity and encouraging them to give to others as the Holy Spirit leads. He's the One who has supplied all our needs, and He will ever be faithful to do so.
Don't allow money to ever become a focal point of your ministry or service unto God. God knows we need money, housing, clothing, and transport, and He will supply our needs. Jesus says in Matthew 6:30-34, "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." I want to thank every single person who has offered up prayers on our behalf and has given money to support our family and the ministry in Australia. You have provided us a glittering testimony of the faithfulness of our God and the generosity of His people. My God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. It is a humbling and amazing thing to be a recipient of God's goodness and grace through you. May God reward you according to the riches of His grace.
05 August 2013
Consecrated to God
Today my thoughts were arrested by a passage of scripture. The Israelites had been brought over Jordan on dry ground after 40 years in the wilderness. In obedience to God's command, they walked around the city of Jericho once a day without speaking for six days. The seventh day they walked around the city seven times, and at the sound of the priest's trumpets they were to shout because God had given them the city. Joshua commanded the people in Joshua 6:18-19: "And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
19
But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the LORD."
This is most interesting. The men of Israel were warned not to take any of the accursed things, let a curse rest upon them and the entire camp be troubled. The next verse reveals the articles of gold, silver, and vessels of bronze and iron were not cursed in themselves, for they were consecrated to the LORD. God would not bring evil objects into His treasury. We know therefore the valuables plundered from Jericho were not "cursed" or "evil" in themselves, but would be a curse to any who took them because they were God's. The principle is established here that taking for yourself what is consecrated to God brings a curse and trouble. The next chapter reveals the grave consequences for disobedience in this matter was pride, fear, defeat, and ultimately death. To take what is God's is theft. If men are punished for stealing from another man, who will come to your aid if you steal from God? Ananias and Sapphira being dead still speak.
God speaks through the prophet in Malachi 3:7-12: "Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. "But you said, 'In what way shall we return?' 8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," says the LORD of hosts; 12 "And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land," says the LORD of hosts." God's desire is to bless, protect, and provide for His people. Yet if a man robs God of what God has consecrated for Himself, it will bring a curse and trouble.
It is a good line of thought: have I given God all that is rightfully His? As Christians - God's children and inheritance - we are to consecrate ourselves to God, for He has purchased us with His own blood (Acts 20:28 ). God doesn't want us for our money or service. Being infinite, He needs nothing. But He desires that we would consecrate ourselves wholly to Him, as is our reasonable service. Should not our deeds exceed those spoken of in 2 Chronicles 29:30-31, being under the New Covenant with better promises? 2 Chonicles 29:30-31 says, "Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped. 31 Then Hezekiah answered and said, "Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near, and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD." So the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings, and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings." Let us be the willing sacrifices, consecrated for God's glory and praise.
This is most interesting. The men of Israel were warned not to take any of the accursed things, let a curse rest upon them and the entire camp be troubled. The next verse reveals the articles of gold, silver, and vessels of bronze and iron were not cursed in themselves, for they were consecrated to the LORD. God would not bring evil objects into His treasury. We know therefore the valuables plundered from Jericho were not "cursed" or "evil" in themselves, but would be a curse to any who took them because they were God's. The principle is established here that taking for yourself what is consecrated to God brings a curse and trouble. The next chapter reveals the grave consequences for disobedience in this matter was pride, fear, defeat, and ultimately death. To take what is God's is theft. If men are punished for stealing from another man, who will come to your aid if you steal from God? Ananias and Sapphira being dead still speak.
God speaks through the prophet in Malachi 3:7-12: "Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. "But you said, 'In what way shall we return?' 8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," says the LORD of hosts; 12 "And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land," says the LORD of hosts." God's desire is to bless, protect, and provide for His people. Yet if a man robs God of what God has consecrated for Himself, it will bring a curse and trouble.
It is a good line of thought: have I given God all that is rightfully His? As Christians - God's children and inheritance - we are to consecrate ourselves to God, for He has purchased us with His own blood (Acts 20:28 ). God doesn't want us for our money or service. Being infinite, He needs nothing. But He desires that we would consecrate ourselves wholly to Him, as is our reasonable service. Should not our deeds exceed those spoken of in 2 Chronicles 29:30-31, being under the New Covenant with better promises? 2 Chonicles 29:30-31 says, "Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped. 31 Then Hezekiah answered and said, "Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near, and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD." So the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings, and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings." Let us be the willing sacrifices, consecrated for God's glory and praise.
04 August 2013
God Kills and Makes Alive
The Bible predicts that this universe and earth will someday pass away. It is not even bold to say it will not be man's doing. Man has corrupted the earth with sin and violence, but man does not have the power to vaporise the earth. Even if the nuclear arsenals of the world were detonated, the world would remain. How can I be so sure? Because the Word of God makes it clear that it will be God's doing. The God who spoke the world into existence from nothing also has the power to make it into nothing with His Word alone. Jesus says in Luke 21:33, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." No power devised by man, no scheme of Satan, and not even the violence of Armageddon will fully destroy this earth created by God. God created it, and God will someday destroy it. The good thing is God will create a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells. All who repent and are born again through faith in Christ will have a place in His heavenly kingdom.
When I was growing up, I remember many people being frightened during the "Cold War" about the threat of nuclear warfare. It is doubtless a devastating and scary spectre. But I believe our fear of God must far outweigh any fear of man, making the threat of nuclear disaster of no consequence compared to our reverence and fear of the One True God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Revelation 20:11 puts this in clear perspective: "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them." The earth which currently stands solid under our feet will dissolve in the presence of God. The universe with all its stars, planets, and galaxies, an ever-expanding area of practically infinite dimensions, will flee from His face like a frightened rabbit from a pack of baying hounds in the end. God is awesome, and that really is an understatement.
The certain demise of the world is laid out in 2 Peter 3:3-14: "...knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless..." God has reserved fire for the judgment of the world and all who refuse to repent and trust in Him. Ultimate destruction is not in the hands of man. He can kill the body but cannot touch the soul. God is the One we must fear, the One who can kill the body and after He has killed can throw the soul into hell. It is not His will any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The potential of nuclear warfare pales in comparison to the power and glory found in God. It is fear of God which dissolves fear of man. As it is written in 1 Samuel 2:6, "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up." God will one day dissolve the earth in fervent heat, so let us be those who, "according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
When I was growing up, I remember many people being frightened during the "Cold War" about the threat of nuclear warfare. It is doubtless a devastating and scary spectre. But I believe our fear of God must far outweigh any fear of man, making the threat of nuclear disaster of no consequence compared to our reverence and fear of the One True God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Revelation 20:11 puts this in clear perspective: "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them." The earth which currently stands solid under our feet will dissolve in the presence of God. The universe with all its stars, planets, and galaxies, an ever-expanding area of practically infinite dimensions, will flee from His face like a frightened rabbit from a pack of baying hounds in the end. God is awesome, and that really is an understatement.
The certain demise of the world is laid out in 2 Peter 3:3-14: "...knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless..." God has reserved fire for the judgment of the world and all who refuse to repent and trust in Him. Ultimate destruction is not in the hands of man. He can kill the body but cannot touch the soul. God is the One we must fear, the One who can kill the body and after He has killed can throw the soul into hell. It is not His will any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The potential of nuclear warfare pales in comparison to the power and glory found in God. It is fear of God which dissolves fear of man. As it is written in 1 Samuel 2:6, "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up." God will one day dissolve the earth in fervent heat, so let us be those who, "according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)