bursting with joy | SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 47:7. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

It’s a beautiful morning, a wonderful Monday, Election day in the land! So, despite our many problems and differences of opinions, please be sure to get out and cast your vote, for it’s your biggest responsibility in our democratic way of life. And if you don’t vote, you are not doing your democratic duty. And if enough of us default on our duty, it can eventually lead to the downfall of the system. But we know that won’t happen, because we are all good and worthwhile citizens and take our duties seriously.

The problem is that we seem to have adopted the American way of campaigning, where it’s all about spending large sums of money on campaigns and slinging mud. The campaigns have become so nasty and personal, rather than concentrating on party-based promises, that it’s turning off a lot of good folks, who are not accustomed to such tactics, and don’t like them. And that’s exactly why we must get out there and vote and let our displeasure be known, vote for those who we believe will give us the most righteous and godly government.

And yes, I know that politics is looked upon as a godless and evil occupation, but that’s not totally true, for if we elect godly people, most of them will do the right thing. And that’s where the power of our democracy lies, in the power of the ballot box! The only problem there is to find enough godly people to elect. (smile) But if we believe that God is still the sovereign ruler of the universe, then we will have hope that things will get better rather than worse. That brings us to Psalm 93 – subtitled ‘The Lord is clothed with majesty.’ Exactly what we were just talking about.

So let’s pray it together nuh. ‘The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself; the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved (shaken). Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted (raised) up, O Lord, the floods have lifted (raised) up their voice; the floods lift (raise) up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh (adorns) thy house, O Lord, for ever.’ (Ps. 93:1-5)

And all God’s children said a loud and sincere ‘Amen!’ Yes friends, our God is still as great as He ever was, and will continue to be the sovereign ruler of His universe! No ifs, ands or buts about it! And the scholars offer this explanation. ‘Psalm 93. This second psalm of the divine kingdom (cf. 47; 96-99) speaks prophetically of the time when the Lord will rule on the earth in the person of the Messiah. The Lord’s kingship is described (vs. 1-2), revealed in nature (vs. 3-4) and present in His house, the temple (vs. 5).’

All those psalms mentioned above deal with the Lord’s sovereignty and the Messiah’s reign over the earth. So, let’s hear a few verses from Psalm 47 nuh. ‘O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible (awesome); he is a great king over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he LOVED. Selah.

God is gone up (ascended) with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen (gentiles): God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.’ (Ps. 47:1-9)

That’s all gospel truth my people! And if we say we believe in Almighty God, then we ought to believe all of that! And we do have the fulfillment of the first part of the promise; that’s the first coming of the Messiah, Christ Jesus, and we are eagerly awaiting His Second Coming to take us home with Him to those magnificent mansions in the sky. So we believers should be all filled with tons of hope and faith, bursting with joy, because we know that our great and wonderful God keeps all His promises.

Consequently, this fateful Monday morning, where we are beset by numerous problems, let’s not worry ourselves about the outcome of the elections or any of the stuff that’s causing us anxiety. Instead, let’s do as the Lord has commanded us, take our problems to Him in prayer. In strong and sincere voice then, let’s raise our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to heaven.

‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems.

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’

Let’s not forget though, that it all hinges on our sincere obedience to God’s divine will. Much LOVE!

…the earth is the Lord’s…and the fulness thereof… the world…and they that dwell therein… (Ps. 24:1))

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1 Peter 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us unto a lively (living, constant) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Well my faithful brethren, it’s Sunday once again, the Lord’s Day, and with it come certain commitments: namely to gather in the Lord’s sanctuary in true fellowship to praise and worship Him with humble and sincere hearts. And though we are scheduled to get a bundle of snow in the Toronto area today, we must not let that stop us from gathering in the Lord’s sanctuary to exalt and glorify His holy name and receive His strength, confidence and assurance for the upcoming week.

Glory to God my people! When believers get together to worship the Lord…Chuh! There’s nothing on earth like it. We sing and dance and pray and praise and listen to His awesome word that’s indisputable truth! Wow! How could any other gathering beat that eh?

And as always, we shall open today’s proceedings with song. The Lord likes prayer, but I believe He is partial and sentimental to getting His glory and praise delivered in song. (smile) And that’s exactly how all the elders and other heavenly populace constantly praise Him. So let’s do just that by offering up a sacrifice of praise with our lips as we sincerely belt out the old Isaacs Watts favourite, ‘Our God, our Help in ages past.’

And please note, it seems like Isaac wrote it as ‘Our God,’ and not ‘O,’ or ‘Oh God,’ as has become popular. And as our voices rise to heaven in sweet song, let’s consider each word and sentiment we sing and realize, admit that they are gospel truth.

As one earthly host now: ‘Our God, our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, our Shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal Home. Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense is sure. Before the hills in order stood or earth received its frame, from everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight are like an ev’ning gone, short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun. Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away; they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the op’ning day. Our God, our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, be Thou our Guide while life shall last, and our eternal Home!’

Yes friends, EVERY sentiment we just sang there is the living truth, and I hope it just melted our hearts, but simultaneously had it bursting with joy and LOVE for our wonderful God!

No wonder Peter could so confidently declare in our Bit and following: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us unto a lively (living, constant) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.’ (1 Pet.1:3-5)

Oh friends, if there is one thing we’re certain of is hope of salvation because of Jesus’ resurrection! Glory Be! Now listen to the scholars: ‘1:3-5. The portrayal of salvation looks to the future. The author of salvation is portrayed as the blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The work of salvation (vs.3-5) is described as to its effect.

Hath begotten us again refers to a new stage of life that begins at salvation. This lively hope has no element of uncertainty, for it is guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The believer’s inheritance is described as incorruptible, imperishable or indestructible, and undefiled (i.e., morally untainted).

That fadeth not away, means it is not subject to the ravages of time. Further it is reserved, that is, it has been preserved in the past and still is in heaven. Kept is a present passive participle – we are secure because we are continually guarded by God, who never relaxes His vigil. Salvation here refers to final salvation, that is, deliverance from the presence of sin, and into the presence of God.’

How could it get any better than that eh my people? When we place our sincere trust in Jesus we end up in a new stage of life, salvation, with an assured inheritance that cannot be corrupted, does not deteriorate, is morally untainted, and is specially reserved for us in heaven! And on top of all that, we are guarded night and day by an omnipotent Deity, who never sleeps.

Mama Mia! Now I don’t know about anybody else nuh, but to me, that’s an offer I cannot refuse! And I do hope that ALL of you reading today’s Bit will feel the same way, because the other option is a terrible one; separation from God, and companionship with the evil Lucifer and his legion of evil cohorts.

But to get that lively hope friends, we need to be born again. As Jesus explained to Nicodemus: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again (from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ (John 3:3)

And when Nicodemus looked puzzled and asked about physically entering again into one’s mother’s womb, and being born again, Jesus clarified it for him. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’ (John 3:5-6)

So friends, if we are not born of the Spirit, have a supernatural spiritual birth in the name of Jesus, most likely we will be excluded from heaven. And that is certainly the worst thing that could ever happen to a human being. So please be warned, and wisely take the necessary steps to assure that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, for therein lies salvation and eternal life. Much LOVE!

…as for me and mine…brother…we are definitely riding shotgun with Jesus…

SCRIP-BITS

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 September 2021 Psalm 47:7.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 February 2018 1 Peter 1:3.

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