Marching Forth!

Noting the context of scripture passages is most helpful in interpreting and applying the word of God personally.  Verses that have been commonly repeated and hackneyed can have fresh meaning infused into them by simple observation.  The truth doesn't change, but taking time to consider and meditate on God's word begins to change us. The second part of  Numbers 32:23 has become a stand-alone maxim spoken by Moses:  " Be sure your sin will find you out ."  This is true, for no sin remains hidden before the holy Judge of all the earth before all will someday stand.  The entire verse shows this statement was prompted by a preceding conversation.  The entire verse reads, " But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD ; and be sure your sin will find you out ."  The context shows Moses addressed the men of Reuben and Gad who requested their inheritance be given to them on the east side of the Jordan. Initially Moses rebu...

Renters in Australia can be subject to quarterly inspections by the realtor that manages the property.  This was a useful prompting for our household to engage in deeper regular cleaning than we might be inclined.  We made it our aim to begin preparing for an inspection days beforehand to ensure everything went smoothly.  I remember another renting family complain of the strictness of their inspector who even reached up under the range hood over the stove and complained it was slightly sticky.  "Who even  does that?" said the incredulous renter.  While I felt sympathetic towards our fellow renter, it also reminded me how God does a much more thorough spiritual inspection of our hearts.  His eyes not only observe our words and deeds on the outside, but He is intimately acquainted with our thoughts, motives and hearts. This week at Calvary Chapel Sydney we considered the statement from James 4:6 :  " God resists the proud, but gives grace to the hu...

After protecting the child Joash in the house of God, heir to the throne of Judah in the line of David, the high priest Jehoiada set about crowning him as king.  He gathered the Levites to Jerusalem and made a covenant with them.  At the time the wicked queen Athaliah reigned in Judah, having murdered her own grandsons so she could rule in the place of the deceased king.  The high priest Jehoiada organised the Levites on the appointed Sabbath to guard the door and only allow Levites to enter the temple court.  There was another group directed to stand guard around the king with weapons to protect him from any harm.   2 Chronicles 23:9-10 then says, " And Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields which had belonged to King David, that were in the temple of God.  10  Then he set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the tem...

" He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High  s hall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  2  I will say of the LORD , "He is my refuge and my fortress; m y God, in Him I will trust ." Psalm 91:1-2 These verses are a lovely picture of rest available to those who are joined to God by faith in Jesus Christ.  God is revealed in scripture as unapproachable in everlasting glory.  Moved by love for lost sinners, God has come to us in the person of Jesus to provide a way for all who trust Him to dwell in house of the LORD and rejoice in His presence forever.  The Holy Spirit inhabits those who are born again by the Gospel, and those who follow Jesus will chose to draw near to Him and abide as a branch is connected to the vine.  Jesus is the Vine, and His disciples are the branches He enables to grow and be spiritually fruitful.  Believers have been divinely joined with Christ as members of His Body, and as such we delight to seek Him and exp...