Father, I Adore You, and Psalm 31:1-4
My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and got my attention in Isaiah 61:7:
Isaiah 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Our Father promises “the double” restoration to the children of Abraham through Jacob:
“To comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations” (Isaiah 61:2c-4).
Jesus came to offer this blessing in “the acceptable year of the LORD” (Isaiah 61:2a). They refused the blessing intended for them (Matthew 21:43; Luke 19:41-42), and so they must wait for “the day of vengeance of our God” (Isaiah 61:2b; Luke 21:23; Zechariah 13:6 with 14:1-7, 8-21).
These things pertain to the children of Abraham according to the flesh, who receive their Messiah by faith (Romans 9:6). However, they are written for us, upon whom are the ends of the world (1 Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4). God intended that we should find in them ensamples (used to speak of a subjective representation), providing admonitions (warnings, reprimands, reminders) to guide us in our walk, and in our ways.
Many such admonitions may be discerned in the ensample we find in our text.
Along the still waters, I thought about one of them.
If we miss the acceptable year, from the ensample before us, we see that GOD, whose gifts and callings are without repentance (Romans 11:29—in context, illustrating this very thing), may be looked to for mercy in the “day of vengeance” (Isaiah 61:2).
Better to receive His favor in the acceptable year! But our God, Who said, “I love judgment,” said also, “I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:24), and at the close of the Old Testament, He said, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6). We change, but He does not!
If He, through loving chastisement (Hebrews 12:5-8), draws us back to Him, it is to say to our hearts: “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).
In the valley, I gazed upon Him Who said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). Lest we think He meant when He was lifted up into heaven (Acts 1:9), the Spirit added, “This he said, signifying what death he should die” (John 12:33). Here, upon the Cross, is where He drew me to Himself.
And so when I heard the “voice as the sound of many waters,” say, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23), I knelt at the “feet like unto fine brass,” (Revelation 1:15), and worshipped Him Who alone is Worthy, singing: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11).
At the table, my Shepherd anointed my eyes with His eyesalve (Revelation 3:18), and my head with His fresh oil (Psalms 23:5; 92:10). When I reached out to take my cup, I saw it overflowing with His grace (Psalm 23:5; 2 Corinthians 12:9). Goodness and mercy ran up and stood at attention behind me and marched along was we went together into the harvest.
Praying for revival! 🙏
Going live asap:
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