The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Isaiah 8:13-14)

Each year Americans exercise their right to vote for those they wish to lead our nation.  As I grow older, I find election day to be a troubling time because it reminds me of the decline of the strong nation I knew as a boy.

It must have been equally challenging for any God-fearing Jew during the days of Isaiah.  Judah’s king, Ahaz was an extremely wicked ruler.  Tired of the inefficiency of Ahaz, they watched for the approach of powerful nations from the north.  Assyria would come as a mighty flood to punish and purify Israel.  Where would God-fearing people turn?

Instead of fearing men, Isaiah is encouraged to recognize the power of God.  This time honored principle had been invoked since the days of Moses.  "You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. (Deuteronomy 6:13 )  If one fears God, he need not fear any other.

One may fear men because of their power to do us hurt.  Men may injure our reputation, our property, our loved ones, or even our lives.  In fact a certain fear of civil authority is healthy.  However, one’s fear of man can also be harmful by weakening him morally.  This condition may motivate one to applaud evil and condemn the Truth.

However, the fear of God is the fountain of life. (Proverbs 14:27)  It is the beginning of wisdom and a deterrent from evil.  As our respect of God deepens, so should our hatred of evil.  Those who will live in the fear of God have an unshakable foundation.

Thus, the prophet gives us two clear possibilities with God: ether a “sanctuary” or a “rock of offense”.  The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. (Nahum 1:7)  However, for unbelievers God can be stone over which they will fall and be broken.

In uncertain times, even at all times we must not concern ourselves with what man can do to us, but rather what God can do for us.  Make God your friend and he will be to you a fountain of everlasting joy.

By George Slover
 

"Then the king's scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded-to the king's satraps, to the governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province according to its script, and to every people in their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king's signet ring. And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions." (Esther 3:12-13)
 
During the days of Xerxes, king of Persia, a decree was issued that on an appointed day all of the Jews would be killed.  This was done according to the counsel of Haman, the king’s jealous, power – hungry prime minister.  According to Persian custom such decrees were deemed irrevocable.  No one including the emperor himself would remove it.  Thus, in the early phases of this story it appears that the Jews are doomed to die.  However, by the God’s providence, the Jews are spared from this slaughter by another irrevocable decree (Esther 8:10-14).  This second edict was heralded throughout the empire, that the Jews would be permitted to protect themselves from their adversaries.  This new decree provided a way of escape for the Jews.
 
Like those messengers of the Persian Empire, God has employed his messengers to herald two irrevocable principles.  The first was plainly stated by Ezekiel:  "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20)  This principle not only applies to those in prisons for some heinous crime, but to every person that is accountable to God.  (Romans 3:23)  God, being infinitely holy, will not lower his standards!  Thus, sin separates mankind from God.
 
Thus, God has issued another irrevocable decree.  It was stated well by the author of Hebrews: “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him..." (Hebrews 5:8-9) God is heralding to the sinner a message of reconciliation through his Son!  It is offered to anyone who will obey the Lord (Acts 2:37,38).
 
The Jews in Esther’s day recognized both a decree to destroy them and a decree to save them came from the same king!  We too must believe that the King of kings is on our side.  So, “be reconciled to God.”  (II Corinthians 5:20)
 
By George Slover

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)   The first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ was a great day as 3000 souls yielded to God’s will and were converted to Christ.  These new Christians were soon drawn to each other sharing their new faith in Christ.  The text above states they were wholly given to fellowship.  Just what benefits did they receive from such devotion to each other?  Of what value is such fellowship today?   Accountability is one of the great benefits of association with God’s people.  Fellowship in a local church should involve the spiritual leadership of the spiritually mature – both men and women who set forth an example of excellence in conduct and character.  (Titus 2:1-10)  Its members should expect mutual encouragement from each other.  (Hebrews 10:24,25)  Of all our acquaintances, our brethren should have the highest expectations of us morally and spiritually.  We need that kind of friend.   The joy of serving is also another advantage of such fellowship..  God commands mutual service and sacrifice (Galatians 5:13) of his people.  He wants us to use our talents to care (I Corinthians 12:25,26) for each other.  By fulfilling the needs of my brother we learn the true meaning of the Lord’s statement – “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. (Acts 20:35).   So devote yourself to your brother and you will surely reap the rewards!

"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:5-6)

Successful prayer is not an exercise of self-importance, but an expression child-like faith to the Father.  It is to be offered out of recognition of dependence.  Consider three features of successful prayer.

It may sound redundant, but successful prayer must be devoted to God.  Making God the sole object of prayer frees us from the temptation of ostentation and selfishness.  We must pray to the Father and shut out the world.  We must put to death our own will and surrender completely to the will of God.

Successful prayer must not be for show.  This is especially the temptation of those who lead public prayer.  However, it could be just as detrimental for one who brags about their private prayers.  This custom was apparently common among the hypocritical Pharisees who prayed to impress men.  In prayer one must never assume a position of self-promotion.

Thus, successful prayer is to be performed in the closet.  Prayer is to be private even when one leads a public prayer.  The closet is the heart of the one praying.  Jesus  says “shut the door” and “pray in secret”.  This action is designed to shut out the distractions and temptations of the world, and to completely focus on the will of God.

Successful prayer is an act of submission.  One must never use prayer to gain the approval men, nor must one use it to selfishly solicit God’s blessings.  But, one must humbly petition God alone that God and God alone might give us what he wishes.

George Slover
 

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:11-12)

Having spoken of the birth of Jesus (vs.1-7), Luke now turns the narrative toward an event taking place out in the fields.  Shepherds were watching their flocks by night.  Among the Jews, shepherds were held in low esteem.  Thus, it seems fitting that God would choose this humble order to hear this wonderful announcement.  So just outside Bethlehem these lowly men are the audience of a heavenly host bringing good news from heaven.

The substance of this angelic message is that a Savior, Christ, the Lord has been born.  This is the Anointed One of whom the prophets spoke and who David prefigured.  He is the one sent from God to perform the mercy promised to the fathers and to fulfill God’s holy covenant.  He came to earth offering redemption from sin.  

Such wonderful news is the occasion of great joy.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:13-14)  These angels proclaimed a most thrilling thought: sinful man can be reconciled to a Holy God.  Paul later wrote:  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)  This marvelous possibility is offered to all men.

As a sign of validity the shepherds were told they would find the child lying in a manger. (vs.12)  This announcement prompted them to quickly investigate the evidence. (Luke 2:15-17)  There in Bethlehem they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.  The gospel of Christ contains incredible claims backed by incredible evidence.  (John 20:30,31)

Having seen the child and being convinced of his identity, they anxiously shared the news with others.  It is one of man’s highest honors to impart God’s message of salvation with lost souls.  Those who need and have found the Savior are the only ones adapted to proclaim Him to the world.  Christ, the Lord must be the Lord of our lives.  Only in Him is abiding peace and great joy.

By George Slover