Published by admin on 01 May 2009 at 08:11 pm
WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE?
With all the talk going around about the next world epidemic likely being the Swine Flu, this seems a good time to take inventory concerning our relationship with God. We know the Hong Kong Flu several years back killed thousands, and most likely we didn’t hear the true numbers that died, for fear of starting a panic among the people. Isn’t that a good enough excuse to stick in the old dipstick and check our faith level?
Deuteronomy 10:12-15 says, And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
Now, right off the bat we see the commandments given by the LORD are for our good, not to take away anything from us, but to give something to us: namely blessings, health, long life, and then eternal life with Him when our physical life on earth is done. Everything the LORD does is for our good. Now, when the Lord Jesus went on the cross for our sins, He became a curse for us, thereby redeeming us from the curse. Friends, the Flu is a curse, and if you’ve ever had it, you’ll be quick to agree! However, if you are born again, a child of the MOST HIGH GOD, then the Flu is not for you, for you have been redeemed from the curse.
Lately, I’ve heard people saying don’t go here or there because the Flu is going around. Yes, it is going around; it’s going around me. One of my favorite passages in the Holy Bible is Psalm 91, because it says who the LORD is to me, and who I am to Him, and what He provides me as a result of my love for Him. Let’s read it together:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
I think if you have never given serious thought to memorizing a Psalm, this would be the time to do so. This Psalm is your covenant, your blood line in the sand of life that protects you as a child of God from the destruction the devil wants bring upon you. Put Psalm 91 in your heart, then when you hear news of destruction around you, fear can’t enter into your heart, for your heart is set upon the LORD. You can solidly trust Him, for you know He loves you with an everlasting love. Fear is the devil’s greatest weapon. But if your trust is in the LORD, you will not even give fear an inch of space in your life. You will hear the LORD’s words as He speaks to you, “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh THEE!”
Have you ever seen a “bug zapper”? There is a light that attracts bugs, then when they come in to investigate, they fly into a metal screen that is charged with electricity that fries them the instant they touch it. Well, the devil has a “bug zapper” and guess what? you’re the bug. He spreads the fear of the latest disaster, or epidemic, or doctor’s report to draw you in. And when you start giving place to the fear, coming in to hear about what the devil is doing, you’re zapped! You’re history. You’re toast. Simple as that.
And then you’re in fear, calling everyone to pray for you, but don’t you know God doesn’t answer “scared prayers”? Well, there’s one He answers, and that’s the one from an unsaved person asking Him to save them. But God’s children shouldn’t have any fear whatsoever, for their Father is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, who never loses, and never forsakes His children who trust Him. Now, that’s not to say you’re automatically protected if you asked God one time long ago to be your Lord, and just went on with your life. No, you must CONTINUE your relationship with Him, if you expect the promises to work for you.
Remember a while ago I said this would be a good time to insert the dipstick and check your faith level? Why? Because if for some reason you quit walking with the LORD at some point, the devil is just waiting for his opportunity to destroy you, for he has painted a target on your back, and he’s sharpening his arrows right now.
Right now, if your relationship with the LORD isn’t what it should be, and you know, then the how and why you aren’t walking close to the LORD isn’t important. The important thing is that you get yourself back under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY right now, where your protection and blessing is.
And if you don’t know the LORD, that “empty spot” in your heart right now that is begging to be filled, is the “LORD” spot, and only HE can fill it. Don’t ignore Him.
You may be trying to fill that empty spot with material things, or pursuing the next new adventure, or seeking fame and fortune, or the love of another person. Know this; there is only one thing that truly satisfies, and that is a close, loving, day-to-day relationship with Jesus Christ. What does the LORD require of you? Everything! all your love, all your devotion, and your obedience.
What do you get in return? Simply the best deal in heaven and earth: the LORD’s love and protection and blessing! Once you have that, the devil has nothing in his arsenal that can hurt you. When the news of the next bad thing is going around, you’ll know you’re exempt, just like when the Jews put the blood of the Passover Lamb upon their doorposts, the destroyer couldn’t touch them, but had to “pass over” them!
What are you waiting for, an engraved invitation? OK, here it is: the Lord Jesus said, Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. He offers you freedom, real freedom, which is freedom from all fear.
Now, it’s YOUR move. What is your choice: freedom or fear?
R. Smallacombe on 01 May 2009 at 9:23 pm #
I really enjoyed reading this tonight. It’s been a rough few days and I did indeed feel as though there was a target painted on my back. I just kept reminding myself of the blessings that God had strewn in my path, and what He was leading us into. Including refinancing , a move to another province, new business, and a home. Everywhere we turn has been something to set us back, however, I look and see miraculous things, a business partner that has the knowledge we need, that the equipment we needed, to the tune of over $30000 has been provided. Banks are being reluctant, and we’ve had a few rough blows, but I look at the equipment ad say “God finishes what He starts” and He didn’t give me all this to back out, since it was all miracles.
My daughter and fiance just got back from Mexico and have been waiting on the results of testing as they came down sick. My friend was worrying about me being exposed to them. I started to laugh and gave her the scripture about “No plague shall come night my dwelling”.
When I opened my email, your letter was there and I checked out the newsletter, and started to cry. Talk about confirmation.
May God bless you
R.