Today’s Scrip-Bit   7 January 2024 Micah 4:3b.

07 Jan 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Micah 4:3b.       nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

And it’s Sunday once more, the first of this new year of 2024, and although there’s been some decent snow activity, the sanctuaries of the Lord will still be overflowing with the uplifting and encouraging vibes and emotions of the recent Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Glory to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! Yes, our Triune God deserves all the accolades we can ascribe to them! 

Now, though our world hasn’t yet changed for the better, we still hold out hope that in this new year Christ’s church, that’s we believers, will make a substantial difference to the colour of our world. Instead of it being filled with the darkness and the evil of Satan, we will fill it with the light and LOVE of Jesus Christ, transform it through the power of the LOVE REVOLUTION! Yes friends, Christ expects big things from us this year, that means we have to get an early start to our revolutionary activities; like right now. 

And what better way to begin than with this old favourite, the African American Spiritual titled ‘Gonna Lay Down My Burdens’ or ‘Down by the Riverside’ or ‘Ain’t Gonna Study War No More.’ (smile) That’s how many names the song has, as well as many different verses, and obviously there is no known author, but it’s been recorded numerous times since the first recording by the Fisk University Jubilee Quartet in 1920. And it’s such a very appropriate song for the violent and warlike times our world is currently going through. So let’s offer up sweet and sincere sacrifices of praise to heaven with an up-tempo, rocking, scintillating modern version of the song. 

Singing: ‘I’m gonna lay down my burdens down by the riverside Down by the riverside down by the riverside Oh I’m gonna lay down my burdens down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war no more ain’t gonna study war no more Ain’t gonna study war no more I ain’t gonna study war… I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield down by the riverside Down by the riverside down by the riverside I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war… I ain’t gonna study war… 

I’m gonna put on my long white robe, down by the riverside, gonna put on my long white robe down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war no more ain’t gonna study war no more Ain’t gonna study war no more I ain’t gonna study war… I’m gonna try on my stary (golden) crown down by the riverside Down by the riverside down by the riverside I’m gonna try on my stary (golden) crown down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war…I ain’t gonna study war…Ain’t going to study war no more.’ 

And what a day that will be my fellow saints, when the study of war will be extinct like the dodo bird! The problem though, is that we can’t only wish for it to happen, we have to do something concrete and productive to make it happen, for the enemy will try to stop us in any way they can, as warmongering is to their benefit. And just like the slaves sang it before the civil war as ‘an expression of religious hope and an allusion to escaping slavery,’ we sing it with the same religious hope but alluding to ending the atrocities of war that’s plagued mankind since the beginning of time. 

Meanwhile the reference to the ‘riverside’ in the song seems to be referring to the Jordan River in the Bible, where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land, but was ostensibly a coded reference for the Ohio River that bordered the slave and free states, and where slaves could find a route of escape to the northern states and freedom…their Promised Land. And the words of the chorus ‘aint gonna study war no more,’ come from prophecies in the Old Testament; Isaiah 2:1-4, and Micah 4:1-5. The prophecies are almost word for word, but I prefer Micah’s version because he spells it out more fully and explicitly. (smile)

Let’s read: ‘But in the last days it shall come to pass, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in (on) the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and people (peoples) shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of (out of) Zion, and the world of the Lord from Jerusalem. 

And he shall judge among (between) many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks (pruning knives): nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree: and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.’ (Mic. 4:1-5) 

Oh how beautiful that will be my brethren! Sitting below your fig tree or vine, unafraid of the warmongers, for there will be no more warmongers, just peace LOVERS walking in the name of Christ! Can’t wait to experience that time! (smile) And this is what the scholars have to say on those verses. ‘The phrase in the last days, as well as a comparison with other prophecies (e.g. Is. 2:2-4), indicates that the prophet is looking beyond the restoration from the Babylonian captivity to the days of the Millennium when every promise given to Abraham will ultimately be fulfilled.’ 

But friends, we don’t have to wait that long to do something about the warlike nature of our world. In the meanwhile we can do stuff to reduce that warlike nature. And we had better do something very quickly because the war cries are ramping up pretty fast, with new theatres of war opening up almost daily. Not to mention that everyday we are building better weapons of mass destruction. 

So, if we want our grandchildren to see a somewhat green and luscious world, with normal and not emaciated people in it, we had better do something almost immediately, because when the nuclear holocaust erupts, and that can be any day now, there won’t be much of God’s great creations left. Much LOVE!

…the peculiarity of war is that everyone loses…even the supposed victor suffers serious loss…but yet…war dominates our planet… 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 June 2020 Isaiah 32:17.

18 Jun 2020 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Isaiah 32:17.    And the work of the righteous shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. 
 

So we greet another beautiful day with God’s LOVE, mercies and compassion! What a wonderful God He is; let’s rejoice, give thanks and be glad in it! And all God’s children said a loud and grateful ‘Amen! So let it be!’ Yes, the pandemic sickness and strife is still going on, possibly getting worse, but I have some good news for those of us who keep our focus on God, make him our number one priority, seek his kingdom and righteousness before anything else. And the good news is the coming reign of the righteous king. 

Isaiah saw it thus: ‘Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgement (justice). And a man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert (shelter) from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.’ (Is. 32:1-4) 

Oh my people, of course this has not happened as yet, otherwise our world would not be in such a disastrous state, but I assure us, it will happen one day, and possibly sooner than we think or expect. Isaiah foresees life to be pretty rough; ‘Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. Then judgement shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of the righteous shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. 

And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure (secure) dwellings, and in quiet resting places; When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place (brought low in humiliation). Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.’ (Is. 32:15-20) Yes faithful saints of Christ, one day it will be all right with our world. And in all the current tumult, you ask a nervous and expectant, WHEN? Unfortunately, I don’t know. Only our heavenly Father knows, for He’s set the times and places in His wisdom. 

But listen to how the scholars explain all of that scripture nuh. ‘32:1-20. The king who shall reign in righteousness is Christ Himself. The prophet foresees a time when government will exist that is totally characterized by righteousness and judgement (justice). Such a description does not fit even Hezekiah, the best of Judah’s kings. Rather, Isiah sees a much greater day coming when the godly character of Judah will be as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. This will be a time when the ignorant will understand knowledge (da‘at, moral discernment). He also sees a time of complete national conversion when the spirit will be poured upon us (cf. Joel 2:28).’ 

And the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, where it was made available to all mankind, already occurred on the day of Pentecost, but the rest is yet to come. And since we know that all God’s promises are true, we wait patiently and expectantly, we persevere until He decides it’s time for the Millennial kingdom to come. Now let’s see what that day of the Lord shall look like nuh. Isaiah says: ‘And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks (pruning knives): nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.’ (Is. 2:4) 

I know friends that we’re all waiting impatiently for that awesome day! (smile) Hear how Bruh Paul characterizes life in the Spirit world and God’s kingdom nuh. ‘For they that are after the flesh do mind (set their minds on) the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.’ (Rom. 8:5-6) And later on he declares: ‘For the kingdom of God is not meat (food) and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.’ (Rom. 14:17-18) 

Meanwhile James puts it this way. ‘For where envying and strife (self-seeking) is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated (willing to yield), full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.’ (James 3:16-18) And Cousin Sol adds his two cents worth: ‘My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.’ (Prov. 3:1-2) 

And finally, the psalmist tells us: ‘Great peace have they which LOVE thy law: and nothing shall offend them (cause them to stumble).’ (Ps. 119:165) It’s all God’s Word, so it has to be true, and if we’re wise and are God’s children as we claim, then we’ll follow it and proclaim peace all across the land! Now let’s go home declaring (ah Lord eh!) our Thursday Blessings, the wonderful blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us to do that work here on earth. 

Altogether, in strong voice with sincere hearts: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! 

I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

And please remember, those blessings are not for us to selfishly store, but for us to share with others, just as the Lord has generously shared them with us! Much LOVE!

…sow in LOVE…reap in peace…