SCRIP-BITS

Jeremiah 30:9.    But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
 
Oh Friends, can you believe it’s already January 4? The celebrations are winding down, and by next week we’ll have forgotten about Christmas and a Happy New Year, and moved on to the next big thing in the shopping calendar, Valentine’s Day. How sad it is that our lives are governed and ruled by one money-spending event after another, making the monetary aspect of our society its driving force and guiding light, rather than the adoration, worship and reverence of Almighty God! However faithful Friends, there’s no need to worry, for our God is still in control, and we don’t have to do everything or follow every worldly lust that the evil, ungodly proponents in our world put before us. That’s the beauty of being a believer; we live in this world, can enjoy its comforts and God-given blessings, without being a part of its ungodly aspects. Praise the Lord! That’s because we have great promises like our Bit, made to us by a faithful, omnipotent, omniscient, ever-LOVING God! ‘But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.’ Now yesterday we saw the beginning of that promise come true, where by decree of Cyrus, the Persian king of Babylon, those Israelites who desired to go back to Jerusalem and the land of their fathers were given permission to do so. And thus, under Ezra, Nehemiah and other volunteers, the rebuilding of Jerusalem and consequently Israel, began. But what of the scriptures surrounding this promise? Let’s check out some, starting with the free offer of mercy to all, advertised so splendidly and courageously by Isaiah. ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight in fatness (abundance). Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.’ (Is.55:1-7) Oh Friends, what more can we ask eh? The free gift of salvation, so generously bestowed by our God, is free to all and sundry; all we have to do is receive it. If you are spiritually hungry and thirsty, you can come and eat and drink for free. Included in all of that freeness is an eternal covenant with the Gentiles, just like the one He made with His chosen people, Israel. And, as the scholars so rightly declare; His invitation to all men is clearly stated by the appeal to ‘seek ye the Lord,’ and ‘call ye upon him.’ Wow! What a mighty and majestic, but also kind and LOVING Being is our God! And it just boggles my imagination that so many people turn down this great offer. I guess it’s partly because the offer is so overwhelming, and also free, that it scares us into thinking there must be something wrong somewhere. For something so good could not also be free. This comes from our man-made fear and caution that big and good things should be expensive, and if they’re ever offered for free, a warning sign immediately rises up, saying that it’s too good to be true, for nobody in their right mind gives away expensive, worthwhile things. And that’s usually true in man’s world my Friends, but here we’re dealing with the Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven, earth and all therein. He doesn’t need anything from us, except our obedience and worship, cause He made us, and everything in the world, including us, already belongs to Him. We have to get out of the mindset of dealing with immortal, Almighty God in the same manner in which we deal with mortal man, because they are two entirely different situations. Now hear Hosea: ‘Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days.’ (Hos.3:5) Yes my brethren, when Israel finally comes to her sense, she will turn from her idols back to the God of her fathers, truly reverence and worship Him, and enjoy His many blessings. Oh people, I believe that that prophesy can surely be applied to our present, evil, cruel, violent, idolatrous, ungodly times. We need to come to our senses and turn back to the One, True God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob because it’s the ONLY WAY that our world will escape the certain destruction we’re headed for in our mad rush for earthly wealth, power and glory. Ah friends, let’s stop being so stupid and stubborn nuh, trying to fight the omnipotent One who created us and LOVES us so much, He sacrificed His only Son so that we wouldn’t be eternally separated from Him. Now God willing, we’ll continue this topic tomorrow. Till then, take care, and live to LOVE and serve your God. Much LOVE!…it’s a fool’s wisdom…to fight against Almighty God…