It seems a lot of people focus on their works for God. Many church groups enslave people to a work-based dogma or theology that requires people to submit to biblical teachings that have been “weaponized” by these church groups. The motive of these church groups, that present a work-based relationship for salvation theology, is to establish means and method for salvation only they can provide.

The reason these church groups establish a work for salvation theology is to elevate the need for a “middleman” relationship with them to provide you with your “works” that will allow you to find peace with God. The message they present is simple – God is angry at you and has a judgment reserved for you at your death and if you are seeking to have peace with an angry God you need them to bridge the gap.

This is like a painting by Picasso; all the parts are there only in the wrong places. Many seekers of God are hindered in their attempts in finding a relationship with God by the religious teachings of many church groups. Baptism of the born-again is a biblical teaching that has been twisted into a requirement if you are to be saved from your sin. Church membership has been elevated to be necessary to gain entrance into God’s presence as well.

The work's of humanity are the reason why we need a Saviour.

Why would anyone teach that the same creature who is earned by sin and sentenced to death could do any action that would undo the curse of sin? Jesus is the “strait gate”. Not your church group.

The Bible is clear on the teaching of the work of the Saviour versus the works of humanity:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:8-10)

Religious works fall short of the gate to Heaven. Religion leads not to the “strait gate” but to the broad way of destruction. When Jesus said, “reasonable center ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Mat 7:13-14), He was not defining a religious theology but was referring to the gospel of Jesus that would be preached to the world.

Religion makes us proudful, “lest any man should boast.” You did not work your way to salvation. God graced you into His Kingdom. Whenever we take credit for God’s grace we become self-righteous and proudful. Whenever we give God the glory for our salvation, we become thankful and obedient.

Religious works make us someone else’s workmanship. The born-again believer gives God the glory and credit for the hope they have of a home in heaven. The religious give credit for their spiritual condition to a theology, church group or pastor.

Only when we are born again by God’s grace can we produce works that God acknowledges and blesses. All other labor is in vain.

Are you working for God for the hope of your salvation? When will you do enough to gain God’s favor and find joy in your salvation? David, King of Israel, giving testimony of the works of God said only His works can make you whole:

“For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. (Psa 92:4)

Has God made you “glad” or are you living a life in which you are hoping you will have enough works to please an angry God? Today, lay down the tools of religion you are employing to find favor with God and trust in the Gospel of Jesus.

“Strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the Lord’s house.” Jeremiah 51:51

The prophet Jeremiah was grieved and repulsed by the intrusion of the ungodly into the holy places where the priests of God were only allowed to enter. He was upset because people were not seeking to know God and His love.

Jeremiah said:

“We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD'S house.” (Jer 51:51)

The word ‘confounded’ is to be understood as ‘ashamed’. The people of God were not just upset but also ashamed that the godless had access to the most holy places in the possession of earth.

We, as the born-again people of God, are the “holy place” that God dwells. The scripture teaches:

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Co 3:16)

God no longer visits mankind in a temple built by the hands of men but lives in the hearts of the ones who have been born-again by the work of the Saviour.

This “holy place” extends beyond just you. The “holy place” is, by this scripture, enlarged to the all of the redeemed:

“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Eph 2:21-22)

When we find the gathered followers of Jesus in the scripture we find that the word ‘Church’ is used to describe this event. The church is never used to reference a place but a people. When the church is used to describe the gathering of the people of God the word ‘church’ is understood as the called out.

When we as the “called out” come together in one place we became an enlarged “temple of God.” Jesus makes this promise to the “called out,”  "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mat 18:20)

Just as when the high priest entered into the holy place and God would show up to receive the offering, Jesus engages us in the “temple of God” when we gather together in His name. We are not just the temple of God; we are the holy place where God meets with His people to receive their worship.

The question arises, is the assembly of the called out a place for the ungodly to join?  We know that the godless was in the company of the believers in the New Testament church– the question is how were they received?

The church in Corinth had not only allowed but had accepted the ungodly into the “called out” assembly and the born-again were rebuked by the Apostle Paul with these words, “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Co 5:4-5) 

This seems rather harsh for the church not to allow the ungodly in the “called out” assemblies of the born-again but what is at risk is not their feelings or our feelings but their eternal soul. It is common in church groups to not only encourage the ungodly to join in the assembly of the called out but like the Corinth church to defend their behavior.

The Apostle Paul said the born-again in this church had become, “puffed up” (1 Co 4:18) or were proud of their acceptance of the ungodly in their midst.

Many church groups have conflicted the “called out” assembly of believers with evangelism. To create an atmosphere where the ungodly are comfortable is only possible by diluting the word of God. The gospel of Jesus is to be preached to the world.

Jesus said the gift of power from the Holy Spirit was for this purpose, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The purpose of and the exercise of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit are to edify the Lord’s “called out ” And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Eph 4:11-12)

Has your church conflicted the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus with “edifying of the body of Christ?” Are you or your church leaders trying to make your church “user friendly” by accepting or even promoting life choices that God does not endorse?

The scripture makes the mandate to proclaim God’s word clear:

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:27-28)

Is your church group teaching “all the counsel of God” or an abbreviated version? It is not what is said, it is what is left out that determines if “all the counsel of God” is preached.

Remember the purpose of the Lord’s Church is not to be concerned with feelings of people but with the condition of their eternal souls. Preach the gospel of hope to the lost and teach the complete counsel of God’s word in the assembly of the “called out.”

The prophet, encouraging the children of Israel as they were living in oppression and suppression and exiled in a foreign land, said:

“Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.” (Isa 54:1)

Isaiah was encouraging the suffering people of God with words that were hard to understand because the words spoken were not possible with human understanding. With God, less is more. With Gideon, it was not 30,000 that God used it was 300 that won the victory. It was Elijah alone that won the battle against the godless government of Ahab and Jezebel.

When the Prophet said, “Sing, O barren” he was simply making the same observation that Jesus made about living a life not only believing in God but trusting in Him:

“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Mat 19:26)

Living a life for Jesus often seems fruitless. We live in the present, wonder about the past and worry about the future. Jesus gives His followers this advice:

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Mat 6:34)

As a follower, “We see through a glass, darkly.” (1 Co 13:12) Satan seeks to discourage you from living a life as a witness and proclaimer of the grace of God because we cannot see the full effects of our desire to share the love of God to the lost and undone. We are encouraged to not falter in our service to God with these words:

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal 6:9)

We seldom see the effects of a kind word spoken to a stranger or the effects of the gospel shared in the lives of the lost and undone. Many people are discouraged having never seen the harvest of a soul in the planting of the seeds of hope. Rest assured:

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa 55:11)

Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are only sowers of the hope of the Gospel of Jesus:

“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Co 3:7)

As long as you are a planter or a waterer of the gospel you are not fruitless in your labor in the work of the Gospel of Jesus. Our faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus, as we proclaim God’s love for His creation, should be our way of life. We do not share the gospel because we are encouraged by others. We share the gospel because we are empowered by God’s Spirit for this very purpose.

Jesus said when the Holy Spirit was given to you it empowered you as well as indwelled you. As Jesus ascended to Heaven He said:

“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Act 1:8)

You are living a life of faith, walking by faith, seeing by faith. Trusting God, not only for your eternal future, but your “here and now.” Are you living a life of faith and  not looking for daily results or verifiable evidence that God is indeed using you in His work?

We must not measure our value to God’s work by the “harvest” we see. We must by faith serve our Lord, friend and brother without validation but because of who He is. The Word of God encourages you to:

“Not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Gal 6:9)

Let’s do what the old gospel hymn tells us:

We’ll work till Jesus comes,

We’ll work till Jesus comes,

We’ll work till Jesus comes,

And we’ll be gathered home.

 “Oil for the light.” Exodus 25:6

God knows all our needs before the needs arrive.  God instructed Moses not only to build the tabernacle but how to build His dwelling place. The blueprint for the place of worship was divine and given by God. The resources to build it was temporal and would be supplied by the people of God.

God instructed Moses to, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering.” Not every gift was to be received by Moses. God qualified the gifts should be given "of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” (Exo 25:2)

The motivation of the giver of the gifts to the place of worship was to be evaluated and was to be accepted only if there was a willingness of the heart and the mind of the giver. God reveals with this statement that the condition of the heart of the person in giving his gifts is as important as the gift itself.

God never requires of His people more than they are able. The place of worship did not just need gold and silver but also oil. Jesus makes this clear when He said about the widows offering:

“And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” (Luke 21:3-4)

God measures the gift, not by how much you give but how much you have left after the gift is given.

God does not measure how much you give but He also assesses the state of your heart and mind in giving the gift. Jesus, teaching “Kingdom of God” attitudes and how His subjects in His kingdom should behave, said:

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Mat 5:23-24)

God is not discouraging giving the gift, He was discouraging giving the gift if people are not at peace with both Him and others. Notice Jesus said, “… and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee.” We indeed are our “brother's keeper” to the mind of God.

The Apostle Paul, on this subject, said, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” (Rom 15:1) We have an obligation to seek out and restore relationships that have been damaged, not only at our own fault. We must seek out the ones who have “ought against” us to restore them to fellowship.

When Jesus said, “Leave there thy gift before the altar…” He was teaching the receiving of the gift by God was tangent to proper “Kingdom” living. Giving a gift to God that God will receive is a privilege that we earn as we live the life that God desires for us.

Religious institutions will receive the gifts from saints and sinners alike. Many church groups seek gifts from the community to assist them in their ministry’s needs. Often these groups cloak these events with the cover of outreach to the lost.

Hosting rummage sales, bean suppers, carwashes seeking gifts from merchants for VBS and other activities is not how God’s work is sponsored. God’s people are the ones who have the privilege to provide the gifts to do God’s will.   

How are you giving to God’s work? Are you supplying the “gold” or the “oil” that is needed to do the temporal work of God in the world? If you are, is God receiving these gifts to do His work or is the religious institutions who will receive gifts from any for their purpose benefiting from your offerings?

The way a follower of God should offer their gifts to God is revealed in these words:

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Co 9:7) 

Give to God with a heart that has the right purpose and be a “cheerful giver” and you will be blessed by God. Remember when you give to God with the right heart and purpose you will be in God’s favor. Jesus said:

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38)

God, observing the behavior of the people He delivered from the darkness of slavery in Egypt, was not only disturbed but angered at their unwillingness to trust in Him. God, speaking to Moses said:

“How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?” (Num 14:11)

God said the people whom He loved and delivered had provoked Him. God, using the word 'provoked' reveals the truth about people who do not exercise faith in Him. The word 'provoke' is understood as to abhor or despise which are both acts of blasphemy.

Faith in God rests at the very core of your relationship with Him. It is faith that moves God from the non-tangible realm of folklore and fantasy that unbelievers have cast onto Him and into the tangible world of sight, sound and touch.

God’s word makes this truth clear with these words:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1)

Substance and evidence of God are only obtained by faith. No one will ever be assured of God's existence or be received into His presence unless they approach God in faith.

The scripture, speaking on the subject of acceptance by God, states:

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb 11:6)

People engage in religious activities and are not sure that what they have been taught about God is real. Others will “test drive” Christianity only to reject the teachings of God’s word. The words of rejection come in many terms but they all reduce down to the fact that they did not agree with God because they never were in His presence. 

Faith is a gift from God. “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith,” (Rom 12:3) and once received must be guarded against the liar and deceiver, Satan. Jesus, speaking to Peter, said:

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)

Faith is the power given by God to not only know Him but the power to serve Him. Saving faith becomes serving faith when the people of God not only believe in Him but also trust “He is a rewarder” when we set our hearts on Him as we seek to know Him.

The Lord’s church is not a building built by men but the souls of the called out and redeemed gathered together. Jesus said:

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mat 18:20)

It is to this church, His church Jesus makes this promise, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mat 16:18)

There is no doubt the Lord’s church will endure and He will keep this promise:

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)

Jesus is coming to “catch away” the church He died for and when He comes the question is not "Will the church be here?" but rather, “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

Are you living a life in faith? Are you able to say with assurance that indeed you are being rewarded by God? Remember, you start your journey with God in faith, you live your life serving Him in faith and when you face the final hours you will by faith receive the promise made by Jesus to:

 “…receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)

“Have mercy upon me, O God.” Psalm 51:1

The cry of the sinner is simple, “Have mercy upon me, O God.” David King of Israel had been confronted by God about his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. The word of God, from the mouth of the prophet Nathan, forced David to admit to God his sin. When Nathan said, “Thou art the man,” David had to admit or deny his sin.

Now, with his sin exposed, David had to choose how he would address his forever damaged life that was the outcome of his sin. Nathan told David:

“Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.” (2 Sa 12:10-12) 

God was not necessarily placing punishment on the King for his sin but informing David that sinful behavior produces it’s own tragedy, torment and troubles. Nathan simply was revealing the future effects of David’s sin. David’s indiscretion with Bathsheba and the net of evil that was woven trying to hide his sin would produce a “sword” of evil that would forever be a shadow over his life.

God did not stop with revealing to David the “sword” of destruction that sin brings into the life of a sinner but he also revealed His grace that He directs to all sinners. The word of God from Nathan that extended to the king was full of grace when he said:

“The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.” (2 Sa 12:13)

How should a sinner respond when he is confronted with his sin? Some justify their sin because of the situation they were placed in. Others justify their sin by claiming they are no worse than anyone else. Some even justify their sin by blaming God.

David received grace from God for one reason and one reason only. When confronted with his sin David said:

“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD.” (2 Sa 12:13)

David simply came into agreement with God that he was a sinner in need of forgiveness. 

David, after admitting his sin before the prophet, went to his “prayer closet” and poured out his broken life and heart before God. We find this prayer recorded in the 51^st Psalm. In his prayer, David admitted his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah was not just a physical sin that had temporal effects but was a spiritual sin that held eternal effects.

As David prayed he said:

“For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Psa 51:3-4)

Is there a lesson we can learn from David’s failure and confession? Yes. indeed we all sin. David shaped this truth with these words:

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psa 51:5)

We are instructed in the word of God that:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23)

You are a sinner regardless of the fact you agree with God or not. To receive God’s grace as David received it you must respond to your sin as he responded to his, “I acknowledge my transgressions.”

If you respond to God in your sin by acknowledging your sin; there is good news:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8)

Why is this important to you? Even in your sins God still loves you.

God’s love for you is so great that Jesus said:

“God so loved the world (you), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

God loves you and calls you to come to Him.

How should you respond to God’s call? In repentance of your sin and by faith, call on the name of His son Jesus. This is how the word of God describes how God’s love delivers you from sin and death:

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom 10:9-10)

Will you come into agreement with God today? Will you acknowledge not only your sin but your need for the Saviour, Jesus? Today you can be moved from the rank of the sinners condemned to the sinner who is saved if you will call on the name of Jesus!

"“All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.” Numbers 6:4

The vow of the Nazarite was a vow of separation. Separated from the world for the purpose of God. Not many would take this vow. Sad enough, many who did lived a life of duplicity. Samson, in his life, was not separated from the world. In fact, he desired the life and experiences a sinful world embraced.

In his dallying with Jezebel, a daughter of a Philistine, Samson reveals the truth of who he was in his confession to Jezebel of his perceived source of his strength:

“…he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” (Jdg 16:17) 

God used Samson even though he did not keep his vow of the separation of the Nazarite. Samson was raised up by God to be one of the twelve Judges who would deliver Israel from her enemies. It is sad that Samson, who was born and raised to be a powerful man of God, wasted his life in the sinful lifestyles of the world.

God is faithful and just and will keep His word even if we fail Him. God’s word indeed:

“…shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa 55:11)

God had sent His word that a man and woman would be the vessels that God would use to “accomplish” His purpose for the nation of Israel:

“For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." (Jdg 13:5)

“I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.” Hosea 11:4

The power of redemption is in the hands of God. No one is capable of seeking a relationship with God unless He first reveals Himself to them. Jesus makes this evident when He explains His place in the redemption of humanity:

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44)

God reveals Himself and draws people to Him in many different ways. God does not hide Himself from you. God makes Himself known to everyone in His creation and seeks to draw them into the light of His love from the darkness of sin and death.

The revelation of God can be found in His creation that surrounds us:

“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” (Rom 1:19-20)

God has created humanity with the knowledge of Him stamped into our DNA. God’s word states the knowledge of Him, “is manifested” to all His creation. Manifested is to be understood as shining or apparent. If this was not enough the scripture declares, “God hath shewed it unto them.” 

This revelation of God to you is not enough to bring redemption to you alone. The scripture reveals the need for you to recognize God’s power over His creation if you are to escape death and destruction that sin visits in the lives of all humanity.

Darkness comes over people who reject the authority of God. This darkness will block the understanding of God and will remove the revelation of God’s existence to you. This darkness is described in this verse:

“… when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Rom 1:21)

The darkness that falls on people who reject God’s authority is demonstrated in their posture towards God. The afore verse states when an ego-centric attitude towards God is demonstrated, “neither were thankful,” was the result of their unwillingness to glorify Him as God. This condition of the heart will cause you to become “vain” and you will become a follower of your “imaginations” about who and what God is.

What is the outcome of rejecting God’s authority? You become a “fool":

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” (Rom 1:22)

That alone would be a bad enough condition to find yourself in but there is one more horrifying and terrible experience for those who deny God’s authority. You will lose your mind.

When you reject God’s authority over your life there is no absolute authority to control the sin-driven behaviors that plague humanity The scripture states:

“…as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” (Rom 1:28)

A “reprobate mind” is one who has rejected the goodness and righteousness of God and has become worthless to their selves, others and God. Sin holds the power of death of the body but also the power of death of self-worth and the value of other people in your life.

It is to the ones who will “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isa 55:6) that God’s revelation to His creation can expel the darkness and death of sin and give light and hope.

Is God calling you, “with cords of a man, with bands of love”? If so, recognize His authority over your life and call out to Him and you will receive Jesus’ promise that He made to the ones that respond to God’s drawing, “and I will raise him up at the last day.”

“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1 Peter 2:3

Taste along with sight, sound, smell, and touch are how we experience the creation God has created for us. To taste is to partake. We can hear sounds and never engage the source of the sound, we can see people and never know them, we can accidentally touch someone and never engage them in a relationship, we can smell the scent of a flower without enjoying its beauty.

Have you, “tasted that the Lord is gracious?” Many have seen the work of God in His creation, others claim to have heard His voice but to taste the Lord you must take Him into your life. When the gospel of Jesus is at work in your life you are filled with His Spirit and it just “tastes” good.

When we engage God through the gospel of Jesus we become “partakers” of His goodness and righteousness. This same Apostle said in his second epistle:

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:4)

God’s love does not come with conditions that limit us but rather promises that set us on a life-course “tasting” the goodness of God’s wonder and grace. The promises offered to the people of God are not to motivate us to become religious but to endow God’s people with His nature and equip us to live a life that tastes good to both God and us. 

To “taste” God is to be “partakers” of His “goodness and righteousness.” God has given us a way to access the righteousness of His “divine nature” and to live a life that is delivered from the fallen Adamic race. The Apostle said God has offered you “great and precious promises” that will give you a victorious life in the sin-corrupted world you are passing through.

Discovering these precious promises is one of the ways we experience the goodness of God. The Wiseman Solman said:

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” (Pro 25:2)

God’s true nature and righteousness are hidden from the world. God’s word reveals to the seeker of His righteousness and reveals truth. It is “the honor” God has given you to seek out promises “concealed” in His word.

In God’s word, you will find the joy of knowing redemption, restoration and recognize the imputed righteousness gifted to you through the gospel of Jesus. In God’s word, you will find truth that will set you free from “fiery darts” of the devil. In God’s word, you will find power, strength and wisdom to navigate in this sin-darkened world.

Have you seen God? Have you heard God? Have you touched Him? It is not until you taste Him that you will know the true power and righteousness He has gifted His people. Today take Him into your life, let the power of the gospel of Jesus indwell you and then you will know indeed, “that the Lord is gracious".

“He led them forth by the right way.” Psalm 107:7

This declaration by the Psalmist was a testimony of God’s love and power to create a new direction in the lives of His people and lets us better understand how God creates a “new normal” for His people when they experience life-changing events. Our lives are not just affected by the work of God in our lives but how God has worked in the lives of other people.

The reflections of this Psalmist on how God’s intervention in the lives of the “fathers” had placed him in the land he lived. Recalling the history of Israel, the writer said:

“They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.” (Psa 107:4)

Giving a short account of their 40 years, they made their way out of the wilderness of disobedience he said, “ Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.” (Psa 107:5)

The exodus of the children of Israel was a journey that was filled with difficulties, sinful failures and suffering. God was faithful to these people even though they had been unfaithful to Him. When the people of God recognized they were powerless to understand or change their future, the scripture states:

“Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” (Psa 107:6)

Life-changing experiences bring with them a desire to question, understand or place responsibility or culpability on why we are facing troubled or difficult times. The only way we find peace with the changes that are taking place in our lives is when we cry out to the Lord for deliverance from the effects we are suffering in our lives.

People who have and who are trying to cope with the changes that are creating a new normal in their lives most often do not turn to God for relief or comfort at first. Many who are struggling with the life-changing event lack understanding as to  “why did this happen” or try to place blame on themselves or others as the new normal is being created in their lives.

When we seek to know the “whys” of life, we will fall into a pattern of predictable behavior that will delay or even prohibit spiritual and psychological healing. Many have been separated from the love of family and friends while in pursuit  of answers to the “whys of life.”

Job, questioning God about the “whys” of life, had this response when he recognized the power of God to determine the outcome of life’s difficulties and tragedy’s:

“Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.” (Job 40:4-5)

How we respond to the life-changing experience will determine how the new normal is created in our lives. Many souls who have suffered spend years in anger at God or other people because they have assigned blame to either people or God for the unwanted changes in their lives.

Many will wander for years in the wilderness of suffering, not finding peace with God and others because they have not found peace with God for the new life that has been created from the tragedy of difficulty that has befallen them.

Yet others will demand of God an answer as to why this event that has changed their lives has taken place. It is not easy to understand. Sometimes we have to see life through the rearview mirror of life before we can begin to understand the whys of life.

How should we respond when we are struggling with life-changing situations? More specifically how are you responding? Are you blaming God? Are you blaming yourself or others? Are you demanding an answer from God?

If you find yourself in one of the aforementioned groups, you will be lost in the “wilderness” of the change in your life and never arrive at the promised new normal that God has waiting for you. The Psalmist said:

“Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” (Psa 107:6)

It is when we trust God’s sovereign authority in and over our lives that we can find peace and joy return in our lives. Then and only then are the people of God able to find the promised “new normal” that God has for them. This verse should give all who are experiencing life-changing situations hope:

“And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.” (Psa 107:7)