Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,” (2 Corinthians 1:9)

The remarkable life of Paul was full of trials.  However, Paul always had a positive view of life.  In this section he begins (vs.3) with an ascription of praise: “blessed”.  The basis of his praise is in God who “comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

The affliction had become so intense that Paul compares it to the sentence of death. (See II Corinthians 4:10-12)  God’s children are often afflicted.  It is through much tribulation that we will enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)  Sometimes those trials bring us to the “edge” or “the borderland”.  “What more can happen”? We ask.  With Paul it was to the brink of death!

During these trying moments, we learn a valuable lesson.  We learn to trust God.  It is natural to lean on a parent or some other mentor, or even material wealth, whatever is tangible to get us through the tough times.  However, sometimes all of those crutches are removed.  Our feeling of helplessness must deliver us from self-trust and help us to place full confidence in the grace of God.  These afflictions detach us from the material world and link us to God who works a far more and exceeding, eternal weight of glory. (II Corinthians 4:17)

In whom does Paul trust?  He trusts God who raises the dead!  Abraham had this comfort as well. (Romans 4:17; Hebrews 11:17-19)  He believed in God who is able to bring life to a dead womb and a dead tomb!  Death is man’s greatest fear and most dreaded affliction.  God can deliver us from death and manage all of our troubles.

When one is taken to “the borderland”, and is delivered, he is able to have a much better view of life.  He can look forward to the future and know God’s grace is sufficient everywhere and in all things.

George Slover

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” (Isaiah 61:1)

Imagine a man walking into a religious assembly, opening the Bible to this passage, reading it, then proclaiming he was the fulfillment of this prophecy. Yet this is what Jesus did in the synagogue in Nazareth 2000 years ago. Luke says those who heard marveled at his gracious words.

Isaiah, 700 years before the time of Christ, spoke about the mission of the Messiah. Under the law, priests and kings were anointed as a sign of the appointment to a high office or commission by God. According to Isaiah, just what was God‘s mission for this Messiah-King?

Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it. (John 3:17) The angels announced the birth of Christ proclaiming peace and good tidings. The Messiah’s forerunner declared that “all flesh would see the salvation of God“ (Luke 3:6)  During his earthly ministry, Jesus plainly stated that he came to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:9) There is no better news than this!

The brokenhearted are the target of the Messiah‘s message. The main thrust of this proclamation is to those broken by the burden of sin. Christ made atonement for sin and secured a means of forgiveness. The Lord’s life, death, and resurrection was a declaration of God‘s mercy.

In addition, the Messiah came to free the captives.  All of Satan’s prisoners are slaves of sin. Christ not only offered freedom from the guilt of sin, but freedom from its bondage. “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:11) Men are slaves of lust and habit. But Christ has opened the prison doors and cast off the fetters.

These marvelous blessings are not offered to the “rich“ and “noble“ – to those who solely pride in human accomplishment. They are offered to the meek and humble; to those so crushed by hopelessness, that their primary longing is the joy only found in fellowship with God. 

By George Slover

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,”  (1 Peter 1:3-4, N

Life's discouragements temper one’s expectations.  We hope and dream for a good life, but “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).  Peter wrote to suffering Christians, people whose dreams had turned to nightmares. 

First century Christians suffered the seizure of their property and their inheritance (Hebrews 10:34).  They learned that this inheritance was perishable, could fade away, and was not reserved indefinitely for them.  Their hopes for an inheritance to leave to their children and grandchildren were no more than mere wishes, dreams that were crushed by wicked and hateful men.

Taking his eyes off present suffering, Peter directed his audience toward future promise.  He described this promise as a “living hope.”  Jews sometimes used the word “living” figuratively to highlight something’s excellence.  What made this future inheritance so excellent?  He said it was “imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”

By hope, Peter did not mean a fleeting wish; he meant a guarantee, an expectation.  What made this inheritance an excellent expectation?  It was guaranteed “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  The objective evidence of Christ’s resurrection is why the Christian can declare, “Heaven is for real, and it’s mine!” 

There’s something in us that longs for home, for belonging.  We seem to be losing “home”—cultural upheaval and deterioration are making more of us feel like strangers in our own land.  Doubtless, this is why suicide rates have skyrocketed in some demographics.  And we might wonder: is persecution next?

But we, too, have a “living hope,” an excellent expectation, because of God’s great mercy!  Endure, and bless Him!  Leave this inheritance of faith to your children and grandchildren so that they will too!  

By Todd McAdams
Brother McAdams preaches for the church in Palestine, TX  The San Marcos church of Christ is honored to have fellowship with Todd in his work.  



 

So Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the LORD has said we will do." (Exodus 24:3)

The giving of the Book of the Covenant now completed, Moses descends from the mountain and declares it to the people.  (vs.1-3)  When the people heard they expressed a willingness to obey: "All the words which the LORD has said we will do."  Moses takes the blood and sprinkles half of it on the altar and half of it on the people and their acceptance of the covenant is complete.

Upon this occasion, God accepted the accolades of Israel.  With the altar and sprinkling of blood, God provided a means by which Israel could be reminded to make good on their promise.  Unfortunately, Israel would prove to be a fickle people and soon forget their commitment to Jehovah.

The fickleness of Israel has been often repeated by others.  One has good intentions but often fails to follow through.  He is torn by emotions that draw him in one direction and his reason which draws him in another.  Thus, one will make promises, as Israel did at Sinai, but when the emotion of the moment is gone and life gets ordinary and dull, he finds his pledge hard to keep.

The gospel of Christ demands commitment.  We are not just saved to be saved (Romans 12:1,2), but we are saved to serve.  God demands implicit faith committed to righteousness rather than sin.  (Romans 6:18)  All too often the new convert on the day of baptism starts with lofty goals, but will soon drop out of the race.  

Like Israel God has implemented ways to remind the Christian of his initial commitment.  The Lord’s Supper is our memorial of Christ, should rekindle our spirits. (I Corinthians 11:23-29)  The word is designed to stir us up.  (II Peter 3:1,2) God’s people should provoke us to love and good works.  (Hebrews 10:24,25)  

So when our life ends will we be among those who followed through or among those who failed?  Take up the tools God gave you, keep the heart burning for Christ, and one day you will reap the rewards.

George Slover 

Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. (Psalms 34:12-16)

Our search for the good life is often learned in times of duress.  This is when we discover that life has no meaning at all without God. 

Apparently, Psalm 34 was written when David, its author fled as a fugitive from Saul, the king of Israel.  According to the title, the psalm was written when David was dismissed from Achish, when he feigned madness before Achish’s servants.  In verse 12 David poses a question: Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?  David assumes this is what all men, especially the young (vs.11), seek.  The thoughts that follow point them to the way.

First, David says:  Keep your tongue from evil.  Sins of the tongue are numerous and difficult to avoid.  James says: For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2)  Moses spoke “unadvisedly with his lips”. (Psalms 106:33)  Job “darkened counsel by words without knowledge”. (Job 38:2)  Peter was rebuked for his ill advised thoughts. (Matthew 16:23)  If one would truly have life, he must master his words.

Second, he exhorts them to depart from evil and do good.  Incredibly, even under unfair circumstances, David yielded to God’s will.   Twice during the sojourning years, David has an opportunity to take Saul’s life.  On the first occasion, David cut off the corner of Saul’s robe when Saul had come unknowingly into the cave where David was hiding.  When Saul discovered that David was in the cave, he said:  "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. (1 Samuel 24:17)  If one is to have "the good life", he must seek the good of all men, even his enemy.

Third, let him seek peace and pursue it.  He must strive to promote goodwill and harmony among others.  Paul says: If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18) Peter also said: Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- (1 Peter 2:13-15) Even though unbelievers are inclined to blaspheme Christians, hopefully, they will be constrained by the peaceable lifestyle of believers to reconsider.

The truly good life is found in doing what is right in spite of the circumstances, and knowing that God is trustworthy.  The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. God cares and that he hears our cry.  In the same context David says: Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalms 34:8)

Thus, David invites the young (vs.11) to come and listen to him out of the wisdom of his own experiences.  Over one-thousand years later, Peter places the same thoughts before God’s elect, those who are enduring a fiery trial, those who were without a home in this world. (I Peter 3:8-13)  Guard your heart, govern your life, and enjoy richly the presence of God.

By George Slover