Marching Forth!

" And he broke in pieces the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images, and filled their places with the bones of men ." 2 Kings 23:14 The two first commands of the 10 Commandments boom from the Creator of All, " Thou shalt have no other gods before me " and " Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image ."  These are commands all people have broken, even those who claim to trust in God.  God's people agreed to a covenant with God on His terms, that they would love and obey Him.  Yet over the passage of time, generations grew up who did not know the LORD or follow Him exclusively.  They began to worship the gods of the native people and their religious activities were devoid of worship as God intended. Throughout the history of Israel and Judah, the majority of kings did not worship the LORD and led the nation into idolatry.  There were, however, kings raised up by God who sought to destroy the high places and eradicate the gross idolatry ...

" The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 4 And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.' 5 "Although my house is not so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; will He not make it increase ?" 2 Samuel 23:3-5 For almost a week now, the beginning of verse 5 keeps ringing through my head.  God had revealed to David the state of the man who rules justly in the fear of God.  God compared such a man to the first light of the sunrise, warm rays warming the horizon, without a cloud or threat of storm.  He also likened that man to tender grass that springs out of the earth, providing food for beast and men.  In addition fresh growth and vibrancy, this ruler...

First impressions can be most misleading.  Many deep friendships I now have did not start off that way.  The initial snapshot we have of others, the conversation we walked in on, a few words spoken misunderstood, can give us a very jaded and unfair picture of reality.  This same thing happens when it comes to knowledge of God.  God's character is complex and multifaceted, and it is easy for people to grab bits and pieces out of biblical context to create a monstrous caricature in their minds.  Some can only see God as a mushy "God of love" and others see Him as always furious, ready to dole out judgment for the slightest trespass.  Only through scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit can a man begin to know God.  Those who are known of God on earth can know Him, but our knowledge, experience, and sight is incredibly limited.  Through eternity those saved by the blood of Jesus will be ever growing in our knowledge, appreciation, and worship for ...

In the biblical history of the Jewish people we see well illustrated the importance of who sat on the throne.  The one anointed as king wielded great influence on the lives of the people:  some walked according to God's laws, and others encouraged idolatry and great abominations.  What is true for nations has spiritual implications for individuals.  The one you pay homage to will dictate your spiritual health and vitality.  When self sits on the throne, there can be no true peace.  It is only when Jesus Christ is elevated to His rightful status in our lives as LORD and Saviour that all begins to be put right. After Adam's sin in the garden, man was separated from God.  God promised He would deliver His people from the oppression of sin and tyrannical rulers if they would love Him and walk in His ways.  A day came when the people demanded to have a king like the other nations, rejecting God as their divine ruler.  The majority of these king...