UV 1299/10,000 The Death of the Righteous
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Psalm 116 v 15
A lightning once struck a palm tree in the neighbourhood. The tree top withered and it looked as if nothing would ever grow on its trunk thereafter. But recently I noticed that the palm tree was flourishing again. Though we are reduced to ashes and the dust that we are, the Lord can give us beauty for ashes. He resurrects His saints from death. We may not comprehend the reason why it happened prematurely or why it was so sudden and violent. But we need to remember this uni-verse and affirm that He makes no mistakes. Jesus Himself is the one who died but is now alive again. The blood that is shed in a violent or untimely death is not shed in vain as long as the person died while in an ongoing personal relationship with the Lord.
A senior Secretary to the Government of the state and a dear sister in faith has died a tragic death in a road mishap. The car accident took the life of the person driving as well as her brother-in-law. Her sister and niece were seriously injured. She was a God-fearing and faithful person. She was much loved by both family and friends. The question arises in many believers’ minds, “ Why did it happen?” With our limited knowledge of the total reality, we may wonder at the purpose of such a terrible catastrophe that has devastated both her family and friends. From God’s perspective, He values the death as well as every aspect of the circumstances of our lives and deaths. It is valuable as He looks forward to welcoming home those who have been faithful to Him the best part of their lives. Death is a gateway for their entrance into their heavenly mansions. It is not the end but only a bend to take us to our eternal destiny. Sometimes, whole families go through fiery trials. The purpose is to refine and perfect our faith just as gold is both tested and purified in the furnace. While we are going through the fire it is extremely painful and difficult but eventually if they emerge stronger and closer to the Lord and to each other, the Lord will deem it worth the pain and suffering.
It is the Lord’s sovereign will to determine the timing as well as manner of our deaths. But there is an inscrutable or incomprehensible purpose behind it. The death of those who are righteous by faith is not in vain. It could be that He was planning the sowing of the body for a greater good or to prevent the person from suffering an evil or some other inexplicable reason. When tragedies such as this happen, it is a test of our faith. We need to re-examine our lives and our priorities vis a vis the Lord’s perspective. We need to think that each day is the last day of our lives except the Lord grant us. He will then extend our lives day by day. We need to surrender our lives to the sovereign will of the Lord. What He gives us He has the right and prerogative to take. He sometimes tests the extent of our faith by asking of us that which is precious in our eyes. For example, Abraham was asked to sacrifice his precious son Isaac. He restrained the hand of Abraham even as He allowed His own precious Son Jesus to walk the steps of Calvary and die in our place. Sometimes our faith should endure the difficult test of the lives of our nearest being taken. With our limited knowledge and understanding of eternal purpose, we cannot understand what good will come of it. As Job said, “ Though You slay me, yet shall I love You.” It is not as if Job did not value his own life but that He trusted the wisdom and love of God. This is the ultimate test of our faith and commitment to God.
Prateep V Philip
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
The Diamond Nib
UV 1298/10,000 The Diamond Nib
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
Ezra 7 v 6
Ezra was commissioned by king Artaxerxes to teach the people of Israel the statutes of the God of Israel. Artaxerxes is referred to by Ezra as king of kings but today we know that the title King of Kings belongs to Jesus and Jesus alone. Ezra was tasked by God to teach the law of Moses and so enable the people to understand the statutes of God that they must follow. Today, like me many are called to be a ready scribe for the Lord. The Syrian word for “ready scribe” is” sophro chochmo ” or wise scribe or one who is eminently skillful in expounding the law of God. We need to analyse the Word of God and unearth or mine the hidden meaning, the deeper meaning, the wonderful truths that will enable people to align their lives with the will of God and so please Him who made us in His image and once we sinned, further redeemed us by paying the price of His son. It is God who choses us and anoints us to be skillful communicators for Him. Our communication should be wise, wholesome and beneficial to our listeners, readers or audience. We ourselves should spend time listening to the Holy Spirit in order to interpret the Word accurately and without error.
The hand of the Lord was upon Ezra and so he won the favour of the powers that be of that age. When the hand of the Lord is likewise upon us, the contemporaneous powers that be will look with favour upon all our request and grant it. The Lord will send a favourable wind to drive the sails of our ship to the port where He wants us to reach. We are a pen in the hands of the Lord. Even the words we speak are like the Word of God. Our tongues too are an iron pen with a diamond end in the hands of the Lord. What we speak and write will remain deeply etched in the memories and spirits of the people we minister or lead or mentor. It will motivate them, cause them to grow in knowledge and wisdom, encourage them when they are down and steady them when they are “high”, enable them to know the Lord and the length, breadth and depth of His love.
Jesus told His disciples to be ready scribes, “ teaching them to observe all that I have taught and lo, I will be with you till the end of the world.” Jesus promises us that as we are faithful in learning and teaching all that He commands, He would personally be with us till the end of the age. The word “ observe” implies teaching people how to practice all that Jesus taught. We need to write and teach not only the meaning of scripture but we need to teach people to relate each portion of scripture to the practical aspects of life. Then only can we be described as “sophro chochmo” . God does not expect us to be great theologians or deep thinkers but practitioners of the Word in everyday life. When we do so, He will pour His grace upon us to increase or multiply our influence and grant all that we request Him. To be a ready scribe, one needs a pattern of regular daily discipline and an unswerving commitment whatever happens, whether people give feedback or not, to keep writing, speaking and teaching . For nearly 1300 days now, I have been studying scripture day after day, morning after morning, allowing the Holy Spirit to interpret the deeper meanings to me, then allowing my mind to go down in the shafts of the gold mine of scripture and come up with the refined treasure, ingots of pure truth, concepts and precepts to build the faith and love of people.
Prateep V Philip
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
Ezra 7 v 6
Ezra was commissioned by king Artaxerxes to teach the people of Israel the statutes of the God of Israel. Artaxerxes is referred to by Ezra as king of kings but today we know that the title King of Kings belongs to Jesus and Jesus alone. Ezra was tasked by God to teach the law of Moses and so enable the people to understand the statutes of God that they must follow. Today, like me many are called to be a ready scribe for the Lord. The Syrian word for “ready scribe” is” sophro chochmo ” or wise scribe or one who is eminently skillful in expounding the law of God. We need to analyse the Word of God and unearth or mine the hidden meaning, the deeper meaning, the wonderful truths that will enable people to align their lives with the will of God and so please Him who made us in His image and once we sinned, further redeemed us by paying the price of His son. It is God who choses us and anoints us to be skillful communicators for Him. Our communication should be wise, wholesome and beneficial to our listeners, readers or audience. We ourselves should spend time listening to the Holy Spirit in order to interpret the Word accurately and without error.
The hand of the Lord was upon Ezra and so he won the favour of the powers that be of that age. When the hand of the Lord is likewise upon us, the contemporaneous powers that be will look with favour upon all our request and grant it. The Lord will send a favourable wind to drive the sails of our ship to the port where He wants us to reach. We are a pen in the hands of the Lord. Even the words we speak are like the Word of God. Our tongues too are an iron pen with a diamond end in the hands of the Lord. What we speak and write will remain deeply etched in the memories and spirits of the people we minister or lead or mentor. It will motivate them, cause them to grow in knowledge and wisdom, encourage them when they are down and steady them when they are “high”, enable them to know the Lord and the length, breadth and depth of His love.
Jesus told His disciples to be ready scribes, “ teaching them to observe all that I have taught and lo, I will be with you till the end of the world.” Jesus promises us that as we are faithful in learning and teaching all that He commands, He would personally be with us till the end of the age. The word “ observe” implies teaching people how to practice all that Jesus taught. We need to write and teach not only the meaning of scripture but we need to teach people to relate each portion of scripture to the practical aspects of life. Then only can we be described as “sophro chochmo” . God does not expect us to be great theologians or deep thinkers but practitioners of the Word in everyday life. When we do so, He will pour His grace upon us to increase or multiply our influence and grant all that we request Him. To be a ready scribe, one needs a pattern of regular daily discipline and an unswerving commitment whatever happens, whether people give feedback or not, to keep writing, speaking and teaching . For nearly 1300 days now, I have been studying scripture day after day, morning after morning, allowing the Holy Spirit to interpret the deeper meanings to me, then allowing my mind to go down in the shafts of the gold mine of scripture and come up with the refined treasure, ingots of pure truth, concepts and precepts to build the faith and love of people.
Prateep V Philip
Monday, January 12, 2015
Every Oppression- An Opposite and Unequal Reaction
UV 1297/10,000 Every Action- an Opposite and Unequal Reaction
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
Exodus 1 v 12
The Egyptians and their ruler, the Pharaoh had forgotten the good that Joseph the ancestor of the Jews had done them and how he had virtually saved the nation from a disastrous and prolonged famine of seven years. The Israelite descendants of Jacob and of Joseph had multiplied and prospered in the land. The Pharaoh threatened by their growth and blessing enslaved them. After so enslaving them and causing them to do hard and forced labour for them, the Egyptian taskmasters further increased their violence and oppression of the Jewish people. But the more they were persecuted, tortured, afflicted, the stronger, the healthier and more numerous they became. For God was with them and seeing the injustice meted out to them blessed them in this manner. Indeed, when God blesses us, who can curse us? When He is kind to us, of what avail is oppression? When He is favourable to us, who can prevent us from multiplying, becoming influential and successful in all fields?
It is a lesson of biblical history that the more the persecution, the more the wanton affliction and oppression, the more faithful those who belong to God become. The more faithful we are, the more the fruit of the spirit multiplies among us and the greater will be our impact and influence. We are currently facing a period of famine and oppression but the Lord will use this as a time to multiply both our numbers and our influence in the nation. The nation of Israel cried out to the Lord and God sent a savior to them in the person of Moses and later, Joshua. When we cry out to the Lord, He sends Jesus the savior not just to save us but also the numbers of those who choose to oppress us. It is a time of pruning that the divine Farmer has willed, a time of leaving the field fallow, a time of lying low to allow for greater fruitfulness in the days , seasons and years to come. It has an effect on the oppressed and the oppressor. One will be purified, unified and strengthened and the other will be touched and transformed.
The days will come when the oppressors will be alarmed at the growth of the faithful in terms of both sheer quantity as well as in terms of blessedness or quality. They will be disarmed by the opposite result of their actions. They will realize that this is not natural but supernatural, that without divine intervention this could not have happened. The manifold grace of God towards His chosen will be multiplied and so His will be done like the surprise ending of an O Henry short story. Instead of diminishing or weakening, the faithful will be multiplied. For God’s math is multiplication while the enemy plans division and subtraction.
Prateep V Philip
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Success Re-defined and Re-discovered
UV 1296/10,000 Success Re-defined and Re-discovered
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Gen 41 v 52
In Jesus all the identities of every positive Biblical personality is subsumed in us. This is the reason Jesus said, “ Even the least in the kingdom of Heaven shall be greater than him”, referring to the comparative greatness of John the Baptist. In this context, each of us is a Joseph. Like Joseph, we too should see dreams and visions and be able to interpret as well as be a willing participant in their fulfillment. Joseph’s name itself is a prayer that “Jehovah add or give increase.” The name of the second son was “Ephraim” meaning fruitful. The blessing that Jacob the patriarch gave to Joseph was also reminiscent of his fruitful life despite being greatly afflicted from the days of his youth. Jacob affirmed the destiny of his beloved son Joseph thus, “ Joseph is a fruitful bough beside a well whose branches overhang a wall.”
From his childhood, a wellspring of living water of faith in Jehovah and His goodness toward him had fed and sustained him. When he was afflicted due to the jealousy and insecurity of his brothers and the archers shot their fiery arrows at him, God strengthened his bow and his arms. God delivered him out of all his afflictions. He used Joseph to deliver not just his brothers and father from affliction, starvation and death by famine but whole nations. His fruitful branches overflowed the wall of affliction. Each affliction and challenge takes us to the next level in our relationship with God and man as well as in the fulfillment of our divinely ordained purpose. The afflictions taught Joseph to be secure in his faith in God. It pruned and made him more fruitful. Our afflictions point out to us the direction in which we should be serving God and man. We should rise above the walls of the affliction that confine us and keep our vision restricted and constrained. Jesus is the wall of our protection, the fencing around our faith, the hope of our lives, the strength that sustains us. We are called to be a fruitful blessing to satisfy the spiritual hunger of the nations.
The uni-verse states unambiguously that God was the cause or stimulus or source of Joseph’s fruitfulness. He was the One who watered him from the well of His blessings and counsel in the desert of his afflictions. We too as modern Josephs are called to be fruitful despite our afflictions and limitations as well as on account of our afflictions and limitations. We are to rely on God as a fruitful bough rests on a wall. We are to be watered by the promises and the Word of God for these soften our otherwise hardened, aggrieved and bitter hearts. We will draw with joy water from the well of the Lord. Jehovah will add and cause us to increase step by step, measure by measure. The very wall that was meant to obstruct us will become the perch for our success and fulfillment. We will realize that it is more significant to be blessed and fruitful than to be successful or prosperous.
Prateep V Philip
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Gen 41 v 52
In Jesus all the identities of every positive Biblical personality is subsumed in us. This is the reason Jesus said, “ Even the least in the kingdom of Heaven shall be greater than him”, referring to the comparative greatness of John the Baptist. In this context, each of us is a Joseph. Like Joseph, we too should see dreams and visions and be able to interpret as well as be a willing participant in their fulfillment. Joseph’s name itself is a prayer that “Jehovah add or give increase.” The name of the second son was “Ephraim” meaning fruitful. The blessing that Jacob the patriarch gave to Joseph was also reminiscent of his fruitful life despite being greatly afflicted from the days of his youth. Jacob affirmed the destiny of his beloved son Joseph thus, “ Joseph is a fruitful bough beside a well whose branches overhang a wall.”
From his childhood, a wellspring of living water of faith in Jehovah and His goodness toward him had fed and sustained him. When he was afflicted due to the jealousy and insecurity of his brothers and the archers shot their fiery arrows at him, God strengthened his bow and his arms. God delivered him out of all his afflictions. He used Joseph to deliver not just his brothers and father from affliction, starvation and death by famine but whole nations. His fruitful branches overflowed the wall of affliction. Each affliction and challenge takes us to the next level in our relationship with God and man as well as in the fulfillment of our divinely ordained purpose. The afflictions taught Joseph to be secure in his faith in God. It pruned and made him more fruitful. Our afflictions point out to us the direction in which we should be serving God and man. We should rise above the walls of the affliction that confine us and keep our vision restricted and constrained. Jesus is the wall of our protection, the fencing around our faith, the hope of our lives, the strength that sustains us. We are called to be a fruitful blessing to satisfy the spiritual hunger of the nations.
The uni-verse states unambiguously that God was the cause or stimulus or source of Joseph’s fruitfulness. He was the One who watered him from the well of His blessings and counsel in the desert of his afflictions. We too as modern Josephs are called to be fruitful despite our afflictions and limitations as well as on account of our afflictions and limitations. We are to rely on God as a fruitful bough rests on a wall. We are to be watered by the promises and the Word of God for these soften our otherwise hardened, aggrieved and bitter hearts. We will draw with joy water from the well of the Lord. Jehovah will add and cause us to increase step by step, measure by measure. The very wall that was meant to obstruct us will become the perch for our success and fulfillment. We will realize that it is more significant to be blessed and fruitful than to be successful or prosperous.
Prateep V Philip
Saturday, January 10, 2015
The Concentric Circles of Peace
UV 1295/10,000 The Concentric Circles of Peace
For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Psalm 122 v 8
The concentric circles of peace begin with peace in each of us. That peace comes when God’s flag or banner of love is installed. The kingdom of God is ushered in. The first circle is peace with God through Christ, the center of all the circles. The next circle is peace with self that flows from the first circle. In this circle we are at peace with our past, present and future. We are at peace with regard to time beyond all tense- eternity. The third circle is peace with family or peace with spouse and peace with children, brothers and sisters, peace at home. It is followed closely by peace with one’s fellow believers: brothers and sisters in faith. Then comes the peace with significant others at workplace and in social circles. The fourth circle is peace with all others including strangers- the world at large. The fifth circle is peace with one’s known and unknown enemies- human, of course. The peace of the first circle overflows into the other concentric circles. Each circle reinforces the other. The uni-verse states that it is not a selfish peace desiring only the gratification of our own desires but it overflows like a cascade to intensely desire and pray for peace for all people and especially, our brothers and sisters in faith.
Scripture says that peace for one’s brethren or fellow believers is a sign and evidence of having passed from death to eternal life. By our bond of love, unity and peace with brethren in faith, we declare to the rest of the world that we belong to the Lord and that we are redeemed. We need to focus only on Jesus being the Centre of the Circles or COC and all the rest will fall in place. Concentrate on Jesus and all the concentric circles will be fine. He is the locus of our being. We get our eternal bearings from Him. It is the peace of the house of God for we become the very tabernacle of God. It is a growing peace for it is not static but dynamic and ever growing. It is a living peace and not the peace of the grave.
All these concentric circles of peace are marked by a peace that the world cannot give, take away or even understand. It is the peace of Jesus. Jesus is the Prince of Peace while satan, by contrast is the prince of strife. It is His prerogative to give peace to His followers. It is the peace that we cannot earn or purchase. It is the peace that is obtained by the blood of Jesus. It is the peace that passes human understanding. It is a peace that strengthens and endures every circumstance. It is a peace that unites. It is a peace that is deep and eternal. It is a peace that is holistic and comprehensive- it includes in it the shalom blessings of health, longevity, journey’s mercies, wisdom, forgiveness, security, success, prosperity, well being, joy, gladness and eternal life.
Prateep V Philip
For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Psalm 122 v 8
The concentric circles of peace begin with peace in each of us. That peace comes when God’s flag or banner of love is installed. The kingdom of God is ushered in. The first circle is peace with God through Christ, the center of all the circles. The next circle is peace with self that flows from the first circle. In this circle we are at peace with our past, present and future. We are at peace with regard to time beyond all tense- eternity. The third circle is peace with family or peace with spouse and peace with children, brothers and sisters, peace at home. It is followed closely by peace with one’s fellow believers: brothers and sisters in faith. Then comes the peace with significant others at workplace and in social circles. The fourth circle is peace with all others including strangers- the world at large. The fifth circle is peace with one’s known and unknown enemies- human, of course. The peace of the first circle overflows into the other concentric circles. Each circle reinforces the other. The uni-verse states that it is not a selfish peace desiring only the gratification of our own desires but it overflows like a cascade to intensely desire and pray for peace for all people and especially, our brothers and sisters in faith.
Scripture says that peace for one’s brethren or fellow believers is a sign and evidence of having passed from death to eternal life. By our bond of love, unity and peace with brethren in faith, we declare to the rest of the world that we belong to the Lord and that we are redeemed. We need to focus only on Jesus being the Centre of the Circles or COC and all the rest will fall in place. Concentrate on Jesus and all the concentric circles will be fine. He is the locus of our being. We get our eternal bearings from Him. It is the peace of the house of God for we become the very tabernacle of God. It is a growing peace for it is not static but dynamic and ever growing. It is a living peace and not the peace of the grave.
All these concentric circles of peace are marked by a peace that the world cannot give, take away or even understand. It is the peace of Jesus. Jesus is the Prince of Peace while satan, by contrast is the prince of strife. It is His prerogative to give peace to His followers. It is the peace that we cannot earn or purchase. It is the peace that is obtained by the blood of Jesus. It is the peace that passes human understanding. It is a peace that strengthens and endures every circumstance. It is a peace that unites. It is a peace that is deep and eternal. It is a peace that is holistic and comprehensive- it includes in it the shalom blessings of health, longevity, journey’s mercies, wisdom, forgiveness, security, success, prosperity, well being, joy, gladness and eternal life.
Prateep V Philip
Stories with Happy Endings
UV 1294/10,000 Stories with Happy Endings
For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed
Esther 10 v 3
The testimonies of the faithful always have happy endings. We might go through great tests, tribulations and troubles but the Lord will ensure that in the end we come out good. Mordecai faced the threat to his position as well as his life from Haman who was Prime Minister to king Ahasuerus. Haman was a Jew-hater and Jew-baiter. Similarly, there are many people who will rise up against us, egged on by a deep-seated animosity and anger against us often without any cause. But the Lord will deliver us as long as we cling to Him and His promises. Our enemies become the footstool on whom we rise even as Mordecai rose even as Haman fell to don his robes, his ring, mount his horse and occupy his position. God will raise us to a position of leadership and influence among our people. He will bestow greatness and grace upon us.
Mordecai as a leader genuinely sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to his countrymen. He was empathetic, compassionate, humble, God fearing and God -believing. Mordecai was a blessing to his people. He had done all he could to save the Jewish people from utter destruction. God had prepared ahead of time for the salvation of the Jews by enabling his adopted daughter Esther to find favour and be selected as queen of the kingdom. God had prepared ahead of time for Mordecai to find favour with the king by enabling him to take steps to protect the king’s life when it was under threat. He truly orchestrates things and events for our rise and success. He is the God of second chances, happy endings and promising beginnings. When our lives are threatened or faces grave danger and we are saved by the grace of God, it is a certain sign that God is preparing us for greatness, to do great things and to deliver people from grave dangers like Moses and Jesus Himself.
Jesus moves among us today as a Mordecai. He holds a position in heaven next only to the Father. He is the greatest name in all of history. He seeks the well being of the faithful and He speaks blessings of peace, healing and prosperity or Shalom into our lives. He will deal with all the physical and spiritual Hamans who rise against us. He will cause them to fall in the very pit they were digging for us, to be hanged on the gallows they were preparing for us.
Prateep V Philip
For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed
Esther 10 v 3
The testimonies of the faithful always have happy endings. We might go through great tests, tribulations and troubles but the Lord will ensure that in the end we come out good. Mordecai faced the threat to his position as well as his life from Haman who was Prime Minister to king Ahasuerus. Haman was a Jew-hater and Jew-baiter. Similarly, there are many people who will rise up against us, egged on by a deep-seated animosity and anger against us often without any cause. But the Lord will deliver us as long as we cling to Him and His promises. Our enemies become the footstool on whom we rise even as Mordecai rose even as Haman fell to don his robes, his ring, mount his horse and occupy his position. God will raise us to a position of leadership and influence among our people. He will bestow greatness and grace upon us.
Mordecai as a leader genuinely sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to his countrymen. He was empathetic, compassionate, humble, God fearing and God -believing. Mordecai was a blessing to his people. He had done all he could to save the Jewish people from utter destruction. God had prepared ahead of time for the salvation of the Jews by enabling his adopted daughter Esther to find favour and be selected as queen of the kingdom. God had prepared ahead of time for Mordecai to find favour with the king by enabling him to take steps to protect the king’s life when it was under threat. He truly orchestrates things and events for our rise and success. He is the God of second chances, happy endings and promising beginnings. When our lives are threatened or faces grave danger and we are saved by the grace of God, it is a certain sign that God is preparing us for greatness, to do great things and to deliver people from grave dangers like Moses and Jesus Himself.
Jesus moves among us today as a Mordecai. He holds a position in heaven next only to the Father. He is the greatest name in all of history. He seeks the well being of the faithful and He speaks blessings of peace, healing and prosperity or Shalom into our lives. He will deal with all the physical and spiritual Hamans who rise against us. He will cause them to fall in the very pit they were digging for us, to be hanged on the gallows they were preparing for us.
Prateep V Philip
Thursday, January 8, 2015
God as Ebenezer
UV 1293/10,000 God As Ebenezer
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121 v 2
All of us from our earliest days to our last days get some help from someone or other like our parents, family members, friends and even strangers. But the Lord is the most consistent person who helps us. We have help in the very name of God. This is the reason one of the names of God is Ebenezer or One who Helps. When we remember the different names or titles of Jehovah or Jesus or the Holy Spirit, we are invoking that kind of help. When we worship Him as Jehovah Nissi, we are seeking and obtaining His help to be victorious or successful in whatever goal or mission or struggle we are currently facing. When we remember Him as Jehovah Jireh, we are seeking His help in provision. When we remember Him as Jehovah Rohi or Shepherd, we are seeking His help in terms of guidance.
When we are claiming a particular rhema verse or specific promise, we are seeking the help of God in that manner. The Lord is acknowledged as the Maker and the Master of heaven and earth as a sign of our faith that there is no limitation to His power or His providence. Every resource of heaven and earth are at His command. Hence, there is no limitation or inability on the part of God to help us. Our constant access to Him through the grace and mercy of Jesus is what enables us to avail His present help continually all through our days. He will help us overcome every challenge of heaven and of earth in His time. We need not fear what man can do to us. Our confidence and trust is in the combination of the might and mercy of God. Grace is the combination of the might and mercy of God. His mercy keeps Him from withholding His favour or His might towards us. But though He can manifest Himself in terms of His great and unlimited might, He mostly manifests His help not in might or in power but by His spirit.
The complete knowledge of God of the details of our lives, our character, our needs enables Him to give us timely and sufficient help. His commitment to our present and eternal well being is apparent all through scripture. He is vigilant and watchful over each of us. He watches over our coming and going. He watches over us while we are resting. He protects us from the visible and invisible, known and unknown threats. He knows our every thought and motive behind every thought and preserves us from evil that lurks in our own nature. Since He indwells in us as the Holy Spirit, His help is not even at arm’s length but right within our hearts and minds.
Prateep V Philip
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121 v 2
All of us from our earliest days to our last days get some help from someone or other like our parents, family members, friends and even strangers. But the Lord is the most consistent person who helps us. We have help in the very name of God. This is the reason one of the names of God is Ebenezer or One who Helps. When we remember the different names or titles of Jehovah or Jesus or the Holy Spirit, we are invoking that kind of help. When we worship Him as Jehovah Nissi, we are seeking and obtaining His help to be victorious or successful in whatever goal or mission or struggle we are currently facing. When we remember Him as Jehovah Jireh, we are seeking His help in provision. When we remember Him as Jehovah Rohi or Shepherd, we are seeking His help in terms of guidance.
When we are claiming a particular rhema verse or specific promise, we are seeking the help of God in that manner. The Lord is acknowledged as the Maker and the Master of heaven and earth as a sign of our faith that there is no limitation to His power or His providence. Every resource of heaven and earth are at His command. Hence, there is no limitation or inability on the part of God to help us. Our constant access to Him through the grace and mercy of Jesus is what enables us to avail His present help continually all through our days. He will help us overcome every challenge of heaven and of earth in His time. We need not fear what man can do to us. Our confidence and trust is in the combination of the might and mercy of God. Grace is the combination of the might and mercy of God. His mercy keeps Him from withholding His favour or His might towards us. But though He can manifest Himself in terms of His great and unlimited might, He mostly manifests His help not in might or in power but by His spirit.
The complete knowledge of God of the details of our lives, our character, our needs enables Him to give us timely and sufficient help. His commitment to our present and eternal well being is apparent all through scripture. He is vigilant and watchful over each of us. He watches over our coming and going. He watches over us while we are resting. He protects us from the visible and invisible, known and unknown threats. He knows our every thought and motive behind every thought and preserves us from evil that lurks in our own nature. Since He indwells in us as the Holy Spirit, His help is not even at arm’s length but right within our hearts and minds.
Prateep V Philip
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