THE HELPLESS AND THE HELPER

“When Ephraim spoke, trembling, He exalted himself in Israel; But when he offended through Baal worship, he died… When the tribe of Ephraim spoke, the people shook with fear, for that tribe was important in Israel. But the people of Ephraim sinned by worshiping Baal and thus sealed their destruction” (Hos 13:1; NKJ; NLT). As the leading tribe of the northern kingdom, Ephraim came to represent Israel itself, possessing fertile territory, political influence, and military strength. Israel’s early leaders included great Ephraimites such as Joshua and Jeroboam I, the first king of the Northern Kingdom. When Ephraim spoke, people “trembled”. His words once carried weight; other tribes listened with respect. Such privilege carried responsibility to lead the nation in covenant faithfulness to God. But Ephraim abandoned the God who had exalted him and embraced Baal worship. Ephraim was a leader. But this privilege made him proud. Instead of pointing people God, he trusted Political power and alliances, military strength and idolatry, a religion that pleased the masses. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (PV 16:18). The voice that once made men tremble is now silenced. In the past, he trembled before God and worshipped Him. But he has turned away from the source of His success, protection, provision and authority. He turned to Baal who could not deliver himself from sin. When leaders turn away from God, they lead others astray. Sin, particularly idolatry, has severe consequences. We see the importance of repentance. Faithfulness to God is vital in keeping the place of Leadership.

“Now they sin more and more, and have made for themselves moulded images, Idols of their silver, according to their skill; All of it is the work of craftsmen. They say of them, “Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves! Therefore, they shall be like the morning cloud and like the early dew that passes away, like chaff blown off from a threshing floor and like smoke from a chimney” (Hos 13:3,4). God gave His people the skill of craftmanship, to build His temple. But Ephraim used that same skill to make idols. He worshipped the work of his hands. Sinners trust idols hoping these can protect and provide for them. We must worship God alone! We love people! We use things! When we backslide, we stop worshipping God, we love things and we use people. The backslider sacrifices his true identity as God’s creation and His worshipper. When we refuse God’s help, we deny our destiny. For we cannot become all that we were meant to be without God’s help! Refusing to worship God leads to death. Sinners simply disappear from the earth. They become like the clouds, the dew, the chaff and the smoke, disappearing with the wind. If we say no to God for a long time, finally, we are unable to say yes to Him. That is a real tragedy!

“Yet I am the Lord your God ever since the land of Egypt; you shall know no God but Me; for there is no saviour besides Me” (Hos 13:4).

Israel’s national life began with the Lord’s mighty deliverance from Egyptian bondage. He redeemed and led them through the wilderness, gave them His law, and established His covenant with them. Though Israel had repeatedly forgotten Him, the LORD had not stopped to be their God. The Exodus is an enduring proof that Jehovah possesses both the power and the faithfulness to save His people. The covenant required Israel’s exclusive allegiance to the God who had revealed Himself at Sinai. Surrounded by nations devoted to Baal and other false gods, Israel was not permitted to divide its worship or trust competing powers. The LORD alone had made Himself known to them and alone deserved their obedience. “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exo 20:3). God says: “There is no saviour besides Me!” The declaration is first-person. The Lord, Jehovah God is speaking. God rules out any rival, human or angelic. God doesn’t tolerate competition. Salvation is found in God alone. Even in this darkness and loss, God is “yet” talking to them, offering hope to backsliders. God’s character proves that only God can save man. He alone has the saving power. He alone is faithful to His promises. God has saved His people in the past and He still saves people today. God alone has compassion, Mercy, and Grace. God alone is sinless and holy. God does not need help from anyone to save His people. Neither idols, military strength, nor political alliances with Egypt or Assyria could rescue Israel from God’s judgment or secure its future. The LORD had been their Savior from the beginning, and every true deliverance came from His hand. Isaiah declares that “apart from the LORD there is no Savior” (Is 43:11). God’s saving purpose reaches its fullness in Jesus Christ, through whom forgiveness and eternal life are given, for “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)!

“O Israel, you are destroyed, but your help is from Me” (Hos 13:9). Isreal was in trouble, but the people refused to come to God in repentance. They insisted on their self-confidence, addicted to proud independence. They were afraid that if they come to God, He will change them, taking away the control over their lives. They were helpless and still refuse God’s help. Lesson: We must trust God alone!“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber” (Ps 121:1-3). God is the genuine and faithful Helper. He has absolute power—He spoke galaxies into existence. Help in God is personal, “my help.” The covenant God involves Himself directly with His people. Help is present—comes, not “came” or “will come.” He stands ready to help in present time. Help is unlimited—He is “the Maker of heaven and earth,” so nothing lies outside His control. Help is exclusive—the psalmist turns from all lesser hills and trusts the LORD alone. The simple confession, “My help comes from the LORD,” reveals a God who is personally attentive, always available, infinitely capable, and committed to His covenant. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1). God is our Helper, not just a hopeful wish but a settled reality grounded in His unchanging character. All saints are witnesses of His Help. Amen! Pray: Lord, help me!!!

JESUS HEALS A POSSESSED BOY (Matt 17:14-21)

“Lord, have mercy on my son”. The father approaches Jesus with reverence, humility; He calls Jesus “Lord”. He recognizes that his son’s need lies beyond human ability to cure. His appeal for mercy rests on Jesus’ compassion and authority. He comes in humble dependence upon Christ. The father speaks as an intercessor for his child, bearing the burden of his son’s suffering before Jesus. The boy’s condition is linked to spiritual oppression. His action reflects the responsibility and privilege of parents to bring their children’s needs to the Lord. The disciples’ inability to heal the boy teaches us about the importance of faith and trusting God’s power rather than our own abilities.

This father is a humble man. He offers no excuses, and no self-defence. He pleads for mercy, not merit, recognizing he has nothing to bargain with. Humility opens the door to God’s power because it aligns with God’s character: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Jam 4:6). “The LORD is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Ps 34:18). Humility clears away self-reliance. It honours Jesus as the ultimate authority, releasing His power into the situation. Humble faith brings the real need to Jesus. It does not pretend that all is well. It is submissive, a kneeling heart and a body before Jesus. It has trust in Christ’s mercy. It persists despite obstacles but without entitlement (like the Canaantie woman who interceded for her daughter). The father’s prayer reveals that this is a desperate situation. The boy is in continuous danger (“fire…water”). The father is completely honest. He does not hide his pain. He sees Jesus as his only hope. Jesus has the power and the mercy to heal. Mercy is compassion, a desire to help. Jesus wants to help you! Selah!

These are some revelations about the compassion (mercy) of Jesus:

*Compassion is moved to help by honest need. “When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt 9:36; NLT).

*Compassion listens to prayer and welcomes intercession before it responds. Jesus allows the father to tell his story. Jesus feels the pain.

*Compassion treats every person as precious. Jesus is the good shepherd that goes to find the 100th sheep.

*Compassion is eager to remove the suffering. Immediately after the father pleads, Jesus rebukes the demon and the child is healed.

“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” Away from the crowd and the public failure, the disciples went to Jesus for instruction. This reflects both humility and close relationship of students to their Teacher. Jesus had previously given them authority over unclean spirits (Matt 10:1). Their failure to drive the demon demanded an explanation. Lessons: Ministry cannot rest on past experiences or delegated authority treated as a personal possession. Christ’s servants must always stay humble and depend on God. Strength and success in spiritual matters come from God, not from our own abilities.

“So, Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you”. Jesus rebuked the disciples after they failed to deliver the boy tormented by a demon. Their failure did not reveal a lack of spiritual technique but a faith that had not been actively resting in the Lord’s power. Faith is essential to pleasing God and to effectively serving in His name. A mustard seed was small, yet it contained life and the capacity for remarkable growth. Jesus did not require a great quantity of faith as though faith itself were a human achievement. Even small but genuine faith, directed toward the living God, receives strength from the One in whom it trusts. Such faith grows through prayer, obedience, and continued dependence on Christ. Mountains are obstacles beyond human power to remove. Jesus declared that God could accomplish what appears impossible when His people trust Him and act according to His will. Jesus promised that no obstacle can finally withstand faith that depends on God’s power. Faith is not passive. Faith involves action—speaking to the mountain. True faith acknowledges human limitations and relies on God’s unlimited power. It is not about the size of our faith but the greatness of the God in whom we place our faith. Jesus was stressing quality over quantity: authentic, God-centred trust has impact far beyond its size. The statement is literal and spiritual. God can move actual mountains if He chooses.

Lessons:

*Approach Jesus first, not as a last resort. Name your need honestly—He already knows it. Humble yourself! Bow the heart before bending the knee. Expect mercy, not wages. God’s help is a gift, never a payment. Keep the posture of humility before and after the answer comes, remembering that every victory is His. Listen for the pain beneath people’s words. Intercede quickly, specifically, trusting Jesus’ willingness to act. Step toward suffering, not away from it. Expect real change, because the same compassionate Savior still reigns. Jesus is the same!

*God Himself is the Author of the miracle. He does the moving; faith is the channel, not the engine.

*Even the weakest believer can access divine power because the power is God’s, not ours. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2Cor 4:7).

*“Nothing will be impossible” is limited only by God’s revealed will and character (1Jn 5:14).

*Faith grows with use; mustard-seed faith planted today can become tree tomorrow. “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe, but solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb 5:13,14).

“[But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]” (Matt 17:21; AMP). Jesus’ diagnosis of unbelief or little faith, and His mustard-seed picture corrects a transactional view of miracles. Faith is not giant power you drum into a situation, but relational trust in the character and promises of God. Even little faith, when rightly placed in God, produces miracles. Misplaced fervent confidence fails!!! Jesus challenges modern notions that technique, emotional intensity, or religious ritual manipulates divine power. We must pursue intimacy, not technique! Study God’s Word, fast and pray! Question: How often do the disciples lack power when doing ministry and Jesus is not with them? Answer: Quite often! We need the Pentecost! Jesus said: “you shall receive Power when the Holy Ghost comes upon you” (Ac 1:8). The level of our faith is not constant. Faith fluctuates. People break our trust in them. We assume that God is the same. This kind stubborn demon comes out only by fasting and prayer. In ministry, we cannot use “automatic pilot”. We always need to seek God’s face. The failure to deliver this boy exposed the disciples’ need for a deeper dependence on God. The demon could not be expelled by human effort or by treating spiritual authority as a formula. Jesus Himself regularly withdrew to pray, and His disciples were to serve in the same dependence upon the Father. Faith is essential in exercising spiritual authority. Jesus highlights that certain spiritual victories require a deeper level of faith, cultivated through intimacy with God, thru His Word! Worship the Lord!

I WILL MARRY YOU IN LOVINGKINDNESS AND MERCY
“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; 20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord” (Hos 2:19,20).
God promises to restore Israel to Himself in a covenant relationship that will never again be broken. Betrothal in Israel was a binding commitment leading to marriage. This is the declaration of God’s faithful purpose toward a people who had pursued other gods. Judgment does not have the final word; the Lord will show mercy. He will cleanse, restore, and secure His people in lasting fellowship with Himself. The restored relationship will rest upon God’s own holy character. Israel’s idolatry led to moral corruption, oppression, and injustice, but the Lord will establish His people in righteousness and justice. He will act rightly toward them, transforming them to reflect His ways. God’s covenant love stays steadfast even after Israel’s grievous unfaithfulness. His mercy moves Him to forgive, heal, and receive His people rather than abandon them. The coming reign of the Messiah fulfills this hope. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face” (Ps 89:14). Mercy is fully displayed in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice provides forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Thru the New Covenant, in Christ, God forgives sin and writes His law upon the hearts of His people. Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church is the Bride! They are One forever!

This is God’s Promise to His people:
*“I will betroth you”—God initiates the covenant by His Grace, taking the role of the faithful Groom. Israel didn’t negotiate this.
*“to Me”—the relationship is exclusive; there are no rivals, no substitutes.
*“forever”—There is no trial period. The bond cannot be annulled. This is an unending marriage of eternal love and life.
*“in righteousness and justice”—His moral perfection guarantees the covenant’s integrity. The covenant can’t become corrupt.
*“in lovingkindness and mercy”— It’s a warm relationship; steadfast love and tender mercy are at the heart of this legal commitment.

Our relationship with God is not legalistic. It is not just a matter of rules and regulations, but of Agape Love. Our commitment to God goes beyond mere religious duty. Because God has shown us love and mercy, we extend mercy to others who are in need. Because God is faithful to His Word, we have Confidence in Prayer: We approach God knowing He will keep His word. Even when circumstances change, our hope is sure, as an anchor connecting our spirits to heaven itself. Because God is faithful, we too are inspired to be faithful to God and man. Because our Bridegroom is holy, we desire to be holy. We pay the price for sanctification and pursue purity of heart. Because our Bridegroom hates idols, we repent and forsake anything or anybody who competes with our love for God in our hearts. Every season of discipline carries the promise of restoration, because His covenant love endures. In Christ, we have hope! Amen!

JESUS IS THE BRIDEGROOM
“Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” 34 And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days” (Lk 5:33-35)

Jesus answered the challenge about His disciples’ failure to follow customary fasting practices. His question exposed the failure of the Pharisees to recognize that the Messiah had come, and that God’s promised salvation was unfolding before their eyes. A Jewish wedding feast was marked by rejoicing, fellowship, and celebration. The Bible portrays the Lord as the Bridegroom of His people. The disciples were like wedding guests because they were living in the joyful presence of the Christ who had come to redeem His people. Fasting accompanied seeking God, mourning, repentance, and urgent prayer. It did not suit the days when Jesus ministered openly among His disciples. His words also anticipated the time when He would be taken from them through His death, resurrection, and ascension. Fasting would then have a fitting place in the life of His followers, not as empty religious display, but as humble dependence on the risen Lord. When The Bridegroom is present, fasting’s mood is replaced by feasting’s joy. Our Joy is rooted in Christ’s finished work and sustained by His indwelling Spirit. Daily, we practice gratitude, worship, and work in the community These keep joy vibrant. We guard against legalism, unconfessed sin, and worldly noise that muffle the Bridegroom’s song. Even in trials, believers choose joy, knowing a greater celebration is guaranteed. “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps 16:11).

The church enjoys covenant union with Christ now and anticipates a future, fuller feast when He returns. The wedding feast symbolizing disciples living in direct, joyful fellowship with the Bridegroom. Their presence at the feast proclaims that where Jesus is, fullness has arrived, turning religious rituals of longing into celebrations of fulfillment. “And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God” (Rev 19:6-9). Halleluiah!

“For as a young man marries a virgin, So shall your sons marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you” (Isa 62:5). Zion’s sons, scattered through judgment and exile, will return to inhabit the land God gave them. The land once called Forsaken will again be filled with God’s people, united to their inheritance as a happy bride joined her husband. A bridegroom’s joy reflects the public celebration of the covenant union. God’s restoration of Jerusalem arises from His faithful love, not just from Israel’s repentance. God rejoicing over His people is fulfilled in the joyful restoration of His kingdom. “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph 3:17).

John the Baptist said: “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled” (Jn 3:29). Jewish wedding customs included a trusted friend who served the bridegroom’s interests and assisted in the wedding arrangements. These days, that friend is called The Best man. John the Baptist understood his calling in those terms. He had been sent ahead of the Messiah to prepare Israel through preaching repentance and pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God (Jn 1:23, 29). His place was near the Bridegroom, not in the Bridegroom’s place. The bridegroom’s arrival brought the friend’s service to its intended completion and began the wedding celebration. John’s joy arose from hearing and seeing Jesus openly doing His saving work. He was not jealous. His ministry had fulfilled its God-given purpose: his satisfaction rested not in public influence but in Christ’s exaltation. Such joy marks faithful service, because every true servant of God finds fulfillment in seeing Jesus honoured and His people drawn to Him, not in personal fame. Our joy is complete when we are in communion with Jesus. This image shows personal relationship, not mere religion; the bridegroom comes for a bride, not for admirers. Selah!

JESUS HEALS A PARALYSED MAN (Jn 5:1-15)
“When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” (5:6). Jesus took notice of a man whom suffering had left among the crowds at Bethesda. The helpless were not hidden from Him. His approach displays the compassion of the One who came to seek and save the lost, bringing God’s mercy to those unable to save themselves. Jesus knew the length of the man’s affliction without needing an explanation. The 38 years reveal a condition beyond human remedy and a life marked by disappointment. The Lord’s knowledge was not detached observation; He came near to act in grace. Jesus drew the man into a personal response rather than treating him as merely another case in the crowd. The question exposed whether he would be willing to look beyond the uncertain hope of a pool to the One standing before him. Christ’s healing reveals His authority over disease and points to the deeper restoration He brings from sin. Jesus’ question, “Do you want to get well?” challenges us to examine our own desires for spiritual and physical healing. Are we truly seeking transformation, or are we comfortable in our current state and all we need is just cosmetic surgery? The invalid man’s response to Jesus’ question required faith and a willingness to act. Our faith also should lead us to take steps toward the healing, and the change God offers. The healing on the Sabbath reveals the tension between Jesus’ ministry and the legalistic interpretations of the law. It encourages us to prioritize compassion and mercy over rigid obedience to rules.

Jesus’ question exposes things of the heart:
*Complacency: after nearly four decades, the man’s condition may have become a settled identity.
*Our desire: healing begins when we admit we actually want change, not just finding relief.
*It exposes excuses: the man blames lack of help; Jesus’ question removes every excuse
*It reveals Jesus’ authority: only the One who can actually heal dares to ask such a deep question.

Why do We Struggle to Admit Our Need? *Pride: “I can manage on my own” *Fear of exposure: healing means bringing hidden sin into the light. *Misplaced or weakened hope: trusting methods or people more than Christ. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (PV 13:12)

“The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me” (Jn 5:7). The man addresses Jesus with respect, recognizing that He may be able to help, though he does not yet understand Jesus’ full identity. Many sick people waited in hope of healing. The man’s words reveal not only physical weakness but deep isolation. Some believed that an angel stirred the waters and that the first person entering was healed. This man had placed his hope in reaching the water. His condition made him unable to compete with those who could move more quickly. For almost four decades, every opportunity had passed him by. His helplessness prepares the way for Jesus to show that healing does not depend on human strength, favourable circumstances, or access to a pool, but on the authority and mercy of the Son of God. Jesus redirected his attention from the pool to Himself as the true source of healing. Jesus’ command to “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk” demonstrates His authority over physical sickness. The man’s response to Jesus’ command required faith, showing that faith precedes the manifestation of God’s power.

This is a description of the man’s mindset: His eyes are fixed on a method (the pool) and a mediator (a helpful person). He measures hope by how quickly another man can move him. He makes no request for Jesus’ direct intervention, though the Healer stands before him. He assumes that if people fail him, healing is impossible. To him, human help is limited by strength, availability, and competition with others. Divine help has unlimited authority—Jesus simply says, “Get up!” See the power of God’s Word! This man had a great need. He did not know that the Healer was standing before him. There was no need for money or for standing in line. His long disappointment had trained him to think horizontally, not vertically. This was a man captive to the belief that healing demands human assistance, but Jesus proves that divine help has no limitations. Our calling is to lift our expectations from people and methods to the One whose word alone is enough.

“Later, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you”.
Jesus deliberately sought out the man after healing him at the Pool of Bethesda. The temple was the centre of Israel’s worship and a fitting place for the healed man to return in gratitude and renewed fellowship with God’s people. Jesus’ pursuit shows that His work extends beyond bodily restoration to the condition of the soul. Jesus called the man to repentance and a changed life. He did not state that a particular sin had caused the man’s long infirmity, but He made clear that physical healing must be followed by obedience to God. “Sin no more” shows that continuing in sin will bring greater danger to the man. If he does not repent and turn to God, he will go to hell. “Sin no more!” is not a suggestion, but a clear, direct command of Jesus. The verb indicates ongoing, habitual action. In other words, “cease the practice of sin”. His command is a loving word, not a harsh rebuke. By commanding repentance immediately after granting mercy, Jesus shows that grace is never permission to remain in sin (Rom 6:1,2). Jesus is both compassionate healer and the righteous judge. His dual role calls us to embrace His grace while also heeding His warnings. “Therefore, glorify God with your body” (1 Cor 6:20). The Result is an immediate transformation, an ongoing growth in holiness and a life of worship (not entitlement). “What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD” (Ps 116:12,13). Worship the Lord!

IN WRATH, REMEMBER MERCY! (4)

“O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy” (Hab 3:2). Habakkuk lives in a time of national corruption and looming judgment. He knows God must punish sin. He does not deny God’s justice. Yet, he appeals to God’s heart of compassion who has repeatedly saved His rebellious people. This short prayer for revival balances two divine attributes that never clash: God’s righteous wrath and His steadfast mercy. God’s judgment through Babylon would not cancel His promises. His mercy will be revealed by bringing back a remnant. The present-day Israelites are descendants of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi. The other “10 tribes” were lost in Assyria.  Ultimately, God’s mercy would be displayed in the salvation He provides through Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!

Mercy is defined as showing kindness, compassion, or forgiveness to your enemy when it is within your power to punish him. Compassion means helping those who are suffering, the poor, or the vulnerable. In Hebrew, the word mercy (compassion) is “rahamim”. It means tender feelings from the deepest part, like a mother’s womb sired for her child. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely, they may forget, Yet I will not forget you” (Isa 49:15). There is difference between Mercy and Grace. Mercy is not getting the punishment that you actually deserve. Grace is receiving a good gift or blessings that you did not earn or deserve. Sin is real. God’s mercy is equally real and freely given. Grace is associated with men in their sins. Mercy is especially associated with men in their misery. Grace sees the sins. Mercy sees the whole, including the consequences of sins. Mercy has compassion, pity, on the suffering sinner but it is not just a feeling, it is active help. Why is God’s Mercy certain? Because it is grounded on God’s nature and not on human merit. God is indeed merciful! Mercy is promised to all who truly repent of their sins and turn to God. God’s wrath and mercy coexist in perfect harmony, and they met at the Cross! Jesus died so that God’s mercy flows to sinners (Tit3:4,5)

WHAT TO DO WHEN FEET STUMBLE?

“Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Ps 73:1-3). Asaph, a Levite appointed by David to lead Israel’s worship, wrote from the perspective of one who knew both the sanctuary and the struggles of faith. He writes here how he experienced painful confusion over the prosperity of the wicked and transitioned to renewed confidence in God’s justice and mercy. These feelings may have come by looking at the worship service in Solomon’s temple in the midst of growing corruption in society. Asaph was envious of the arrogant and disturbed by the prosperity of the wicked. He assumed that if you are upright and pure in heart, cleansed by His grace, then God would be good to you, take care of you, and watch over you. Instead, the wicked around him seemed to prosper. This situation created deep resentment and envy in his heart. He found himself threatened with unbelief. His feet had almost slipped; he had almost stumbled. He was almost ready to renounce his faith. Even now, there are many Christians who are troubled like this. They have been shaken by the seeming logic of unbelievers or the atheists who say: “If God has all Power and God is Love, why does God not correct injustices? Why does God allow His people to suffer so much while the unbelievers become successful in life?” These are the issues we must study now…  

Asaph begins with the settled truth that directs the entire psalm. God’s goodness toward Israel rests on His covenant faithfulness, displayed in redemption, provision, protection and discipline. Even when circumstances appear to contradict His goodness, the Lord remains faithful to His people. The truth is that God’s favour belongs to those who are pure in heart. These are the sincere and honest believers who are devoted to God from their hearts. Purity of heart does not describe sinless perfection, but an undivided commitment to God, rejecting hypocrisy and seeking God above all earthly advantage. The Lord sees beyond outward worship to the motives, desires, and faith of His people. Lessons: Despite life’s challenges and the apparent prosperity of the wicked, God’s goodness, faithfulness, mercy, grace, love remain constant. We can trust in His character and His promises. A pure heart is essential for experiencing God’s goodness. “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God” (Matt 5:8; AMP). God’s goodness extends to all who are in Christ Jesus! Praise the Lord!

Asaph turns from the settled truth of God’s goodness to Israel to the inner conflict that shakes his own faith. His honesty reveals that even a worship leader may struggle to reconcile God’s righteousness with what he sees in the world. Envy over the prosperity of the wicked had nearly shaken his confidence in divine justice. Asaph had not abandoned the Lord, but he came close to losing spiritual stability. The crisis would be answered when he entered God’s sanctuary seeing the present circumstances thru God’s perspective, when considering the end of the wicked and the believer’s eternal portion in God. Lessons: It is important to attend a living church, for fellowship, to worship and seek God’s presence together for clarity and strength. We see that despite appearances, God’s justice prevails. We must trust in God’s ultimate plan and His timing. Cultivating contentment and gratitude helps maintain a firm spiritual footing. Recognize early warning signs of stumbling: covetousness, comparison, envy, greed, bitterness. Focus on God’s character and His eternal justice. Trust God to help you!

Celebrate God’s preserving mercy and grace. He catches us before we fall. “If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up” (Ps 94:18). To say: “My foot slips” reveals a moment of instability, weakness and vulnerability, just before falling into sin or bowing down to fear when passing great trials. We must acknowledge human weakness and the constant threat of stumbling in life’s journey. We all need divine help in maintaining spiritual focus. Asaph recognizes that God’s mercy kept him. God’s faithful covenant love meets His people at the point of their weakness. The LORD does not abandon those who call upon Him, even when circumstances appear unstable. His mercy rests on His unchanging character and His commitment to preserve those who belong to Him. God actively upholds the believer before the fall becomes final. “The LORD upholds all those [of His own] who fall And raises up all those who are bowed down” (Ps 145:14; AMP). The LORD acts with compassion toward those crushed by affliction, humbled by repentance, or burdened under oppression. Israel knew seasons of bondage, exile, warfare, and grief; God’s character assured them that He sees the lowly and raises them in His time. On earth, Jesus displayed His mercy in His ministry to the weary, afflicted, and repentant, inviting all who labor and are heavy laden to find rest in Him (Matt 11:28). Now, Jesus helps the weak who draw close to Him by His intercession as our Great High Priest in Heaven (Heb 7:25).

“If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children” (Ps 73:15). Asaph had wrestled openly before God with the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. Yet he recognized that publicly declaring his doubts as settled truth would misrepresent God’s faithfulness and shake the faith of other believers. His restraint shows wisdom, since words can wound faith or strengthen it, especially when spoken by one entrusted with leading God’s people in worship. Rather than spreading confusion, Asaph brought his burden into God’s presence, where his perspective was corrected and his confidence in God restored. His hesitation to speak reflects a deep awareness of his responsibility as a spiritual leader. Lessons: Our words have the potential to build up or tear down the faith of others. As believers, we must be careful not to lead others astray with our doubts or struggles. Selah!

“When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me. 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end” (Ps 73:16,17). Asaph’s painful comparison between the righteous and the prosperous wicked was corrected as he came before the Lord in the sanctuary, at the place appointed for worship, sacrifice and the revelation of God’s Word. He saw it that the wicked may flourish for a season, but apart from God’s mercy, their life ends in destruction. Their prosperity and security are unstable and their downfall is sudden. God’s justice, thoughts and plans are beyond our immediate understanding. Human wisdom alone is limited and leaves us frustrated. This is The Turning Point for Asaph: “Until I went into the sanctuary of God. Then I understood their end”. The word “until” marks the decisive change. Clarity began the moment when he stepped into God’s presence. “The Sanctuary” is where God revealed Himself through His Word. Here Asaph’s perspective shifted from temporal appearances to eternal realities. We see that understanding is granted, and not self-generated. It flows from worship and communion with the Lord. “For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light” (Ps 36:9).

Truth received in worship stabilizes the heart, turning envy into eternal hope!

How to enter God’s sanctuary now? Study and mediate on God’s Word. Fast and pray. Attend a local living church. Submit to God’s Word for the revelation to be released and to be transformed. Reject rebellion in your heart. These are some Promises Connected with Seeking God’s Presence: 1-God guides you and make your paths straight (PV 3:6). 2- God gives you wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… and it will be given to him” (Jam 1:5). 3-God gives Joy, Peace, Assurance of salvation and strength. “You fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand” (Ps 16:11); “Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength” (Is 40:31).

“Surely, You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors” (Ps 73:18,19). The downfall of the wicked may come suddenly in history, as Babylon and other proud nations have discovered. The prosperity of the wicked is temporary and deceptive. In Hebrew, the word “slippery places” means any type of success built apart from God. It is something that will betray you, is unpredictable and unstable ground, where it is impossible to stand on for long. These are examples of present slippery grounds: Financial empires built on fraud; Celebrity status, fame gained thru immorality; Political power rooted in corruption, and any wealth made by breaking God’s commands. All these appear stable, yet at the sovereign moment they collapse, sometimes publicly, sometimes privately, but always decisively. God Himself places the wicked there; their downfall is not random but divinely appointed. The judgment is swift. God judges all rebellion against Him. We must trust in God’s timing for justice. This revelation points to the final judgment of all who remain opposed to God. This is the warning of Love!

Finally, Asaph was revived. He has the right perspective now.  He left the sanctuary encouraged, aware of God’s justice and his own secure destiny. The same assurance is available to us today. Whatever challenges arise, truth encountered in God’s presence reorients the mind, calms the heart, and fuels steadfast obedience and faithfulness! “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked” (Gal 6:7). What looks like delay is God’s Mercy, giving space for repentance. But when His set time arrives, for the unrepentant, the fall is irreversible. What glitters today may vanish tomorrow, but those who anchor themselves in the Lord stand firm forever!

JESUS HEALS A CENTURION’S SERVANT Matt 8:5-13

A centurion was a military officer with authority over 100 soldiers, serving in the Roman Empire. He is like a Captain in the army these days. Such an officer possessed social standing and power, yet he came personally to Jesus. Luke records that he loved the Jewish people and had helped build their synagogue (Lk 7:2–5). The centurion brought his need to Jesus with humility rather than command. Though used to give orders, he recognized Christ’s higher authority. His appeal for his suffering servant shows unusual compassion for a man of his rank. He had faith, and confidence that Jesus heals by His word. He sees Jesus as Lord, God, and Supreme Power. He takes great risk by calling Jesus Lord, above Ceasar, his master on earth. The centurion’s faith transcends cultural and religious boundaries, showing that true faith is recognized by God regardless of one’s background. The centurion acknowledges Jesus’ authority, understanding that His word alone is sufficient to heal. The centurion pleading shows the importance of interceding for others in prayer. His concern for his servant shows a model of compassionate leadership that values and cares for those under one’s authority. The servant’s suffering has brought a private crisis into the centurion’s household. The officer cannot remedy the situation through military authority, wealth, or Roman resources, so he turns to Jesus. Human strength reaches its limit before sickness and death, but Christ’s authority does not. Lessons: Jesus does not remain distant from human pain. His healing power shows God’s mercy pointing forward to His bearing of human grief and sin through the cross!

“Lord, I am not worthy…” Though used to commanding others, he confessed his personal unworthiness before Jesus. His humility showed that he understood Jesus was not just a healer but One whose holiness and power placed Him above every earthly rank. “But just say the word, and my servant will be healed”. The centurion believed that Jesus exercised authority without limitation of distance. As a soldier he understood that commands were carried out because of the authority behind them. He knew that sickness obeys the command of Christ. As a solider, he understood the Authority of Jesus. He has genuine faith in Jesus and His Word, trusting the unseen realm over visible assurances. “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]” (Heb 11:1; AMP).

This is how the Centurion had faith in Jesus: 1- There is a Military Chain of Command – As a commander of 100 soldiers, he issues orders that travel instantly down the ranks. Obedience follows! There is no negotiation! He recognizes that Jesus operates with the same, but higher authority in the spiritual realm. 2- The Spoken Word is a Command – “Just say the word” shows that for a solider, a verbal order carries full weight and must be obeyed. Distance is irrelevant. Healing at a distance shows faith that Jesus created the universe (Gen 1:3). “He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions” (Ps 107:20). Jesus has mercy and still heals men by faith His Word. 3- He has Confidence in Christ’s Sovereignty. He believes Jesus commands illness the way an army general commands his troops.

“He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Col 1:15-17). The word “consist” means that in Christ, all things hold together. He is the controlling factor of the whole universe in a harmonious whole. The order, endurance, and purpose of creation depend upon His present rule, not merely upon an act completed in the past. Christ is not distant from the world nor subordinate to any created power; all things remain under His authority and are directed toward His purposes. Worship the Lord!

Jesus commends his faith as greater and purer than what He had found in Israel. This is because he is a foreigner to the covenant of Isreal. He did not trust human help or religious words. He trusted Christ and His Word alone! The Jewish elders demanded signs (Matt 12:38) for Jesus to prove Himself as the Messiah. Yet, the centurion asks for no sign. The Leper asked healing by the touch of Jesus (Matt 8:2). The centurion asks only for the commanding word. The disciples in the boat panicked during the storm. This foreign officer simply rests in Jesus’ authority with no anxiety. The centurion becomes a model for genuine faith unhindered by religious ritual, sight, or heritage, and rooted only in Christ’s word! He points to the Gentiles who will be members of God’s Kingdom.

Lessons: We must trust God’s Word above all circumstances. God’s promises remain effective irrespective of distance, time or visible sings. Come to Jesus with humble boldness. Acknowledge your unworthiness yet draw near, trusting His power and mercy. Recognize Jesus’ Ultimate Authority over sickness, sin, or storms, His command is final. “Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matt 28:18; AMP). Our faith must be humble, strong, centred on God’s Word, seeing the unseen King of kings, and bowing to His matchless eternal authority! Worship the Lord!

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name!

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand!

All other ground is sinking sand!

(By Edward Mote, 1863)

IN WRATH, REMEMBER MERCY! (3)

“O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy” (Hab 3:2). Habakkuk lives in a time of national corruption and looming judgment. He knows God must punish sin. He does not deny God’s justice. Yet, he appeals to God’s heart of compassion who has repeatedly saved His rebellious people. This short prayer for revival balances two divine attributes that never clash: God’s righteous wrath and His steadfast mercy. God’s judgment through Babylon would not cancel His promises. His mercy will be revealed by bringing back a remnant. Ultimately, God’s mercy would be displayed in the salvation He provides through Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord! Mercy is defined as showing kindness, compassion, or forgiveness to your enemy when it is within your power to punish him. Compassion means helping those who are suffering, the poor, or the vulnerable. In the legal system, a judge can reduce a prisoner’s sentence (who is throwing himself on the “mercy of the court”). There is difference between Mercy and Grace. Mercy is not getting the punishment that you actually deserve. Grace is receiving a good gift or blessings that you did not earn or deserve.

Sin is real. God’s mercy is equally real and freely given. Why is God’s Mercy certain?

*Because it is grounded on God’s nature and not on human merit. God is indeed merciful! “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse, nor harbor His anger forever” (Ps 103:8,9).

*Mercy is promised to all who truly repent of their sins and turn to God. “So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:13).

*God’s wrath and mercy coexist in perfect harmony, and they met at the Cross! Jesus died so that God’s mercy flows to sinners (Tit3:4,5)

GOD’S WRATH AND MERCY IN EDEN

“And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Gen 3:15). This scripture is called “the First Gospel” in the Bible. In it we see God’s Mercy triumphing of God’s wrath against sin. This is the first time in the Bible that God gives hope to sinners and promises victory over the devil thru the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ, and His death on the Cross, to save the sinful men. The mention of the “seed of the woman” shows the significant role women play in God’s redemptive plan. There are immediate implications for Adam and Eve: God’s setting the enmity breaks any possibility for them to join the devil in his wicked work. From now on, they know that rebellion against God is sin, and sin is an enemy. In their despair, as God manifests His judgment, God also reveals His mercy, by giving hope to them. They now see that God loves them and He will not allow the devil to take full control of the humanity He has created for His purpose and glory! God introduces the hope of the Gospel of Christ, crucified and resurrected. Christ, the Messiah, is the woman’s Seed. Christ’s victory means bruising the serpent’s head. This is a decisive, fatal blow. The Serpent’s strike points to the Cross. Jesus experienced real suffering, yet not final defeat. God’s plan for salvation and redemption is not an after thought. God clearly announced it from the beginning of sin. Praise the Lord!

The word “enmity” means deep hatred and anger, long-lasting hostility between two people that often manifests as violent attacks between them. It means to be a permanent enemy, and not just to have a temporary misunderstanding. It is the exact opposite of Friendship and Love. God’s judgment establishes an enduring hostility between the serpent, who served as Satan’s instrument, and the woman, Eve, the mother of the human race. The conflict that begun in Eden reaches beyond humanity’s natural aversion to serpents and reveals the spiritual war between Satan’s rebellion and God’s redemptive purpose for man. This enmity is not a simple competition. It is more than dislike; it is a deep-seated hostility initiated by God, and not by human choice. This enmity permanently separates the serpent (Satan) from the woman (Eve and her lineage). It announces an ongoing conflict that will shape all human history, a spiritual war initiated by God to reduce Satan’s influence on men. From the very beginning the Lord declares that evil will never merge peacefully with humanity and it will always be opposed by His purpose. “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev 12:17). Amen!

The struggle is between two lines of “seed”. The serpent’s seed include those who embrace Satan’s deception and persist in rebellion against God. The woman’s Seed is the promised Deliverer, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It also includes all the elect Children of God. The promised Seed would come as a true human, born of a woman, and finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary. “Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Gal 4:1-5). In the Bible, we see the divide between seeds: Cain and Abel, Israel and Egypt, Christ and the Pharisees. Once a sinner becomes born again, he is translated from darkness to light and joins the ongoing battle.

In Hebrew, the word “bruise” means to strike and crush, or to overwhelm. On the Cross, Christ would deal Satan a decisive and fatal blow, by bruising Satan’s head. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus broke the power of sin, death, and the devil. Satan would inflict real suffering upon the promised Redeemer, culminating in Christ’s crucifixion. Yet the wound would not be final; Jesus rose from the dead, demonstrating that Satan’s apparent victory had become the means of his defeat. “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (the Cross)” (Col 2:15). The victory won by Christ at the Cross will be fully displayed when Satan is finally judged, and believers share in that triumph through their union with Him. “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen” (Rom 16:20). Halleluiah!

Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan to find knowledge outside a personal relationship with God, to live independent lives from God. But they they could not escape from God’s love. They hid behind the trees, but God came after them. They were created for God’s glory, and God already had a plan of redemption. God drove them from the beautiful, peaceful Eden. For now, life is hard. Work is hard. Marriage is hard. To have children is hard. This is the position we all find ourselves in. All men are born sinners. The wrath of God is upon all men. The solution is still with the God man has offended. God is all powerful and God is merciful. Our only hope is to repent from sin and ask God for His mercy found in Christ alone. That is the only way to peace, prosperity and eternal life. There is an Ongoing clash between the people of God and forces of evil. It is seen in persecution, temptation, and false teachings. As believers, expect opposition when aligning with Christ; hostility is normal. Stand firm! The victory is already secured in Jesus’ finished work on the Cross. Stay alert to Satan’s tactics: fear, deceit, doubt, distortion of God’s Word. Fear not! Preach the Word in season and outside season! God’s declaration of enmity turns each moment of failure into a promise of triumph. The serpent’s apparent advantage becomes the stage for Christ’s decisive victory. Glory to God!

GOD IS RICH IN MERCY

Read Ephesians 2:1-7. God’s saving work begins with His own loving character, not with any worthiness in those dead in sin. His love moved Him to give His Son for sinners to fulfill His purpose to redeem a people for Himself. As God chose Israel by His love and covenant faithfulness, God’s mercy is rich, abundant and sufficient to forgive, restore, and give new life through Christ. We gave God no reason to love us. We must stop trying to make ourselves lovable to God and simply receive His great love while recognizing that we are unworthy of it. This is the great secret of the Christian life. Our response should be a life of thanksgiving, obedience, and love towards others, sharing the mercy we have received.

Mercy is the first thing the sinner needs as he comes to God. The sinner has nothing and he needs all from God. Come to God as a humble sinner. Bring nothing to God except yourself, having faith in God’s power and Mercy. God’s mercy manifests by looking at the pit of sin from where He pulls us out. Look at the height of glory He carries us to sit with Him in heavenly places. Mercy is called rich and Love is called Great. Think of the amount of Mercy God shares to millions of sinners every day. His mercy comes to men while they are spiritually dead in sins and manifests itself thru His love for men. God’s mercy manifests not just by forgiving our sins. He gives us a new identity and a new vision of life. By His Spirit, God changes us to be like Jesus. He gives us wisdom, strength, courage, peace and joy, to inspire others.

I’ve heard a story… In a home, the family is seated at the table and they eat dinner. The family dog stands and waits, watching his master. If the master gives him crumbs of bread or some bones, he eats them immediately. But if the master takes the big plate with the whole fried chicken and places it on the floor, the dog draws back. Even if the master says “Come, Come!” the dog is afraid to eat it. Why? It is too much for him. It is the same with God’s children. They can happily eat crumbs but are afraid to trust God for the “glorious riches in Christ Jesus”. But God wants you to come boldly to His throne of mercy and grace and eat!

THE PRODIGAL SON RECEIVES MERCY (Lk 15:11-32).

The Prodigal’s Journey: He covets his father’s wealth, but he does not want his father’s authority. He dreams of fame abroad. He demands his inheritance while his father is still alive. He wastes everything in “wild living”, ending in poverty, famine, emptiness, loneliness and despair. He has reached “rock bottom”, the absolute lowest in a personal situation, the most desperate point when things cannot go worse. It is at this place of death that a proud sinner asks for help. The Turning point is at his lowest. He Comes to his senses. He recognizes his sin and his need for mercy. He remembered that his father is good and loving. That he has compassion for the poor. The son begins to rehearse a speech, asking for mercy. Humbly, he goes back to his father without any sense of entitlement. His father runs towards him, embraces, restores and celebrates him as his son and not as his servant. He gives him the ring, robe, sandals and organizes a feast. These are all symbols of full reinstatement. This is a great picture of God’s Mercy, Grace and Love in action.

The younger son is a picture of pride. He covets his father’s wealth. As Christians, we depend on the revelation of God’s Word. Pride is the desire to live independently of God, to want things my own way. I don’t want to be accountable to God. The secret of restoration is the son’s repentance. Mercy precedes condemnation. Forgiveness is free to the sinner but costly to the father. It is immediate, complete. No half measures. No probation period. Amen!

Lessons:

*The danger of selfish independence! Living separated from God is sin, loneliness, and despair.  

*The reality of consequences. We can choose an action, but we cannot choose the consequences of that action. 

*The Power of genuine repentance. Coming to God in humble repentance brings down mercy and grace and a new beginning!

*The power of the unconditional and unfailing Love, Mercy and Grace of God the Father. No one can out-sin God’s grace! (Rom 5:10).

*The trap of self-righteousness. The older brother has a religious spirit. He obeys his father’s laws but he has no Love, Mercy or Grace.

We see the Father’s Heart revealed. The father was waiting for his son’s return. He sees him first “while still in the distance”. His mercy is active: he runs toward his son. Grace restores the son to his position of honor, not as a servant in the house. Grace beautifies what mercy forgives. The father leads the joyful celebration. “Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents” (Lk 15:7,10). The celebration in heaven is not in honor of the sinner; it’s in honor of the Savior who died that dead sinners may live, that the lost may be found! Worship the Lord!

IN WRATH, REMEMBER MERCY! (2)

“O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy” (Hab 3:2). Habakkuk lives in a time of national corruption and looming judgment. He knows God must punish sin. He does not deny God’s justice. Yet, he appeals to God’s heart of compassion who has repeatedly saved His rebellious people. This short prayer for revival balances two divine attributes that never clash: God’s righteous wrath and His steadfast mercy. Habakkuk remembers God’s mighty acts in Israel’s history: the exodus from Egypt, the covenant at Sinai, the wilderness provision, and the conquest of Canaan. God’s past deliverances assured His people that He remained sovereign over nations and faithful to His covenant. These were not just memories; they revealed God’s unchanging character and gave hope in a time of national crisis. The prophet responds with holy fear before the Almighty God who judges evil and saves His people. With Babylonian judgment approaching, Habakkuk asks the Lord to display His saving power anew in his own generation. He pleads that God makes His righteousness, power, and faithfulness visible among His people and before all the nations. God’s judgment through Babylon would not cancel His promises. His mercy will be revealed by bringing back a remnant. Ultimately, God’s mercy would be displayed in the salvation He provides through Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!

Mercy is defined as showing kindness, compassion, or forgiveness to your enemy when it is within your power to punish him. Compassion means helping those who are suffering, the poor, or the vulnerable. In the legal system, a judge can reduce a prisoner’s sentence (who is throwing himself on the “mercy of the court”). There is difference between Mercy and Grace. Mercy is not getting the punishment that you actually deserve. Grace is receiving a good gift or blessings that you did not earn or deserve.

Sin is real. God’s mercy is equally real and freely given. Why is God’s Mercy certain?

*Because it is grounded on God’s nature and not on human merit. God is indeed merciful! “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse, nor harbor His anger forever” (Ps 103:8,9). “Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning” (Lam 3:22,23).

*Mercy is promised to all who truly repent of their sins and turn to God. “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:12,13).

*God’s wrath and mercy coexist in perfect harmony. “In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loving devotion I will have compassion on you” (Isa 54:8).

*God’s justice and mercy met at the Cross. Jesus died so that God’s Mercy flows to sinners. “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4,5)

GOD’S WRATH AND MERCY IN THE WILDERNESS (Numbers 11:1-35)

In the first 10 chapters of Numbers, Israel was ordered, organized, cleansed, blessed, taught how to give, and given God’s presence to lead them. Now, after just a few days the people started complaining. We do not know the reason, but as a people, they had no reason to complain at all. God was with them leading them to the Promised Land. To complain or to grumble, means to express anger, dis-content. You say that something is not good enough, or wrong. Their complaining “displeased” God. Complaining hearts often displease God, because they reveal unbelief and ungratefulness. The fire of the LORD came down. Israel had valued the pillar of God’s fire with them every night. It gave them light, warmth and protected them from their enemies. Here, the fire and presence of God became a two-edged sword. God’s fire dealt with their sin. The fire did not spread to the camp itself but at the edges. This was God’s Mercy warning them to repent from grumbling and ingratitude. The people cried to Moses. Moses prays and the fire stops. That is God’s mercy again!

“A mixed multitude [of non-Israelites from foreign nations] also went with them, along with both flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock” (Exo 12:38, AMP). Not everyone in the great crowd that came out of Egypt was an Israelite. Some were foreign slaves in Egypt who took advantage of the Exodus, impressed that the God of Israel showed Himself more powerful than the Egyptians gods. Other were wealthy, having much livestock. It means they were not just some adventurers. They had some interest in migrating to a better land. Their wealth was possibly the reason why the Israelites allowed them to follow. But now, because of the harsh conditions in the desert, and not knowing God personally, they started grumbling. This rebellious attitude spread to the Israelites.

The mixed multitude “yielded to intense craving”. This is a sinful desire of covetousness manifested as grumbling. They remembered the times in Egypt when they prepared food for their Egyptian masters. That desire now became an sinful obsession and the grumbling started. They said: “Who will give us meat to eat?” This is a strange question. All this time, God provided food (Manna), water, protection and guidance for them. It means that they were looking for another Provider. And they started weeping… Tears of repentance or joy in the LORD can be beautiful. However, it is also possible for God’s people to shed tears over childish disappointments. God did not stop them to hunt animals in the wilderness. They also had flocks, which could be slaughtered. But they wanted to keep their cattle so that they can breed them in The Promised Land. They did not want to do anything about their desire for meat, except to grumble and weep about it!

The first thing they complained about was the fish they occasionally ate in Egypt. This is because fish cannot be found in the desert. As the people claimed to remember their so-called good life in Egypt, they sinned with ingratitude, selective memory, and twisting the past to justify their present complaints. There was no doubt some good meals in Egypt, but in general their masters made their lives “bitter with hard bondage” (Exo 1:14). They forgot that! Lessons: It is a trap to remember only the good (or only the bad) from the past and not be balanced in your memory. Covetousness is never happy, always wants something else, like Ahab, dreaming of eating salad because of Naboth’s plot of land next to his palace. We need to forget the past, endure the present hardship and looking to the glory ahead. Apostle Paul said: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13,14).

They also complained about Manna, called Bread from Heaven or Angels’ food. God gave them Manna to test their obedience (Exo 16:4). Manna was eaten by Israel for 40 years until they entered Canaan (Exo 16:35). It was an excellent provision. It tested like bread-like pastry cooked with oil (like a donut or pancake). They thought that Manna was too boring. “Now our whole being is dried up”. These words sound over-dramatic from a people who ate manna that morning. God provided for their every need, but not their every desire. They didn’t have the fish and vegetables. However, they completely forgot what they did have, the daily, miraculous, nutritious provision from God that fed a nation in the desert. God said that they “despised Him” (Nu11:20). To despise what He provides is to despise Him. It is not God’s job to entertain or excite us. God saves us in His own way. We either submit to His leading and provision, or we can’t be saved! Selah!

Moses gets frustrated with the people complaining. God tells Moses to pick 70 leaders to support him. These are men already known as elders because of their wisdom, conduct, and ministry to others. Elders are made by God but recognized by men. God’s mercy comes to Moses through sending helpers, by the support of godly men. This is the usual way God meets our needs even now.

God has heard the people’s weeping. He knew that these were tears of doubt, selfishness and ingratitude. God will give them meat to eat. But this is not a blessing. It was judgment. Sometimes God disciplines His people by giving them what their intense craving cries out for. God promised to give them so much meat that they will become sick of it. God sent the quail. These birds came all around the camp. The scene must have been like a riot; people screaming, birds everywhere, catching them like crazy. During this mad exercise. They forgot God. “But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was aroused against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very great plague”. People died. Even now, God’s mercy restrained His judgment. Sometimes the worst discipline is getting what we insist on. “But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tested God in the desert. 15 And He gave them their request But sent leanness into their soul” (Ps 106:14,15). God did not even wait for them to finish eating. The judgment came at once. God sent “leanness into their souls”. The word “leanness” means wasting, something offensive, feeling like vomiting. They hated the meat! God said: You will eat it “for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and is disgusting to you—because you have rejected and despised the LORD who is among you, and have wept [in self-pity] before Him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?” (Nu 11:20; AMP).

God’s judgement came because of their constant complaining. This complain was not done occasionally. It was like a spiritual plague that affected all people. This demon did something to them. They became bitter, wicked, ungrateful. It climaxed at the edge of the Promised Land, at Kadesh Barnea. When the ten spies brought a negative report they all started crying and complaining, saying that they want to go back to Egypt. Because of indulging in complains for such a long time, at the point of testing, they crashed. God was angry and sent them back into the desert for 40 years. Lesson: becoming bitter, complaining, rebellious, ungrateful, disqualifies you to fulfil God’s destiny for you. God is still going on with His plan to bless them, to give them the Promised Land. He does not give up on them. But this generation missed something. God called Isreal to be a special holy nation, God’s own people. This was the greatest blessing given to any nation. But Isreal did not appreciate God’s plan for them. They turned their backs to their destiny. Discontent with your spiritual calling is dangerous!!!

The fire that fell from God was a form of mercy and a warning to the complainers. But they ignored it. It is true that the mixed multitude started the grumbling, but God was angry especially with Isreal. He punished His people not just the false brethren because they rejected the manna and their spiritual calling. Manna, the Word of God, is a taste of heaven to a believer and a taste of hell to the unbeliever. To appreciate heavenly food, you must have a heavenly appreciation for it, you must be born again! Selah!

LESSONS:

*God’s hatred of sin calls us to repentance rather than presumption. Confess sin quickly, trusting God’s to forgive and show mercy.

*Meditate on the mighty works of God in history and in your personal lives. It leads to deeper reverence and trust in God’s sovereignty.

*Pray for Revival in your personal life, families, church and communities.

*Like God, we must Balance Justice and Mercy, showing compassion while still standing by the truth.

*Seek God’s help even in trials. Trust God’s timing and His ultimate plan. Even under discipline, we can appeal to God’s compassion.

*For His people, Divine wrath is temporary, but His mercy is everlasting. “For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning” (Ps 30:5)

*Extend mercy to others. “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32)

*When God forbids something for our good, this is an act of mercy. Unbelief and ingratitude can lead to spiritual and physical decline.

*The same word “spirit or wind” is used for both coming on the elders to help Moses, and for bringing quail to the people. See the difference: When the Holy Spirit was poured out, it drew men into the centre of the camp. To get quail, they had to go outside the camp!

*God defends His honor and disciplines His people for stubborn unbelief. There is big difference between humble petition and rebellious complaint. Job cried to God because of his pain. God did not punish him. But complaining is a bitter negative speech, rejecting God.

“And do not grumble, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel” (1Cor 10:10). “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage” (Jude 1:16)

*Be content with God’s provision. Jesus proclaimed that He was God’s true or ultimate bread from heaven (John 6:29-35). Like the manna in the wilderness, this was God’s provision and there was nothing else to eat. Israel was sustained only by manna in the wilderness, and the disciple is sustained only by Jesus and nothing else. It is better to be spiritually fed and lack in fancy physical food. Worship the Lord!

JESUS HEALS BLIND BARTIMAEUS (Mark 10:46-52)

Bartimaeus was a blind beggar sitting by the roadside in Jericho. His physical blindness symbolizes spiritual blindness, and his cry for mercy represents a deep faith in Jesus’ power to heal and save. To others, Jesus was just a teacher. But The Blind man addressed Jesus by His Messianic name. Bartimaeus appealed not to personal merit but to Jesus’ compassion and authority. His request included physical healing, but mercy from the Messiah reaches deeper than bodily need, bringing restoration to those who come in humble faith. Lessons:

*Mercy is power. Bartimaeus cried: “Have mercy on me!” This was not a demand for wages earned, or for a reward, but a plea for undeserved compassion. Mercy assumes power: only someone able to heal can bestow it. Mercy is an ultimate expression of power because it requires the absolute ability to punish or harm someone, coupled with self-control to forgive instead. A judge can show mercy. You cannot show mercy if you lack the authority, means, or position to execute justice or Retaliation. Mercy operates on freedom, meaning the person holding power decides to pardon completely on his own terms. God has all power and He is merciful. With men, power without mercy becomes oppression. It is destructive. Mercy balances and elevates power.

*True faith is Humble and Persistent. Bartimaeus was persistent in calling out to Jesus despite being rebuked by the crowd. He did not let obstacles stop him from seeking help from Jesus. Be persistent in your prayers. God hears you and will respond in His perfect timing.

*Faith has Healing Power. Jesus tells him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Bartimaeus’ complete belief in Jesus’ ability to heal him resulted in his sight being restored. We should have faith in God’s power and mercy, trusting that He hears our cries and responds to our needs.

*Faith lets go of the comfort zone. His cloak was his identity and security as a beggar. He threw away his cloak and went to Jesus!

*The miracle happened “immediately”. There was no partial healing, no delay.  Jesus has full authority over everything.

*The Joy of Following Jesus. After receiving his sight, Bartimaeus “followed Jesus along the road.” Walking with Jesus brings purpose, joy, and a sense of belonging that nothing else can provide. Sight leads to worship! Worship the Lord!

IN WRATH, REMEMBER MERCY! (1)

“O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy” (Hab 3:2). Habakkuk lives in a time of national corruption and looming judgment. He knows God must punish sin. He does not deny God’s justice. Yet, he appeals to God’s heart of compassion who has repeatedly saved His rebellious people. This short prayer for revival balances two divine attributes that never clash: God’s righteous wrath and His steadfast mercy. Habakkuk remembers God’s mighty acts in Israel’s history: the exodus from Egypt, the covenant at Sinai, the wilderness provision, and the conquest of Canaan. God’s past deliverances assured His people that He remained sovereign over nations and faithful to His covenant. These were not just memories; they revealed God’s unchanging character and gave hope in a time of national crisis. The prophet responds with holy fear before the Almighty God who judges evil and saves His people. With Babylonian judgment approaching, Habakkuk asks the Lord to display His saving power anew in his own generation. He pleads that God makes His righteousness, power, and faithfulness visible among His people and before all the nations. God’s judgment through Babylon would not cancel His promises. His mercy will be revealed by bringing back a remnant. Ultimately, God’s mercy would be displayed in the salvation He provides through Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!

These are some important points about the character of God:

1-Holiness. God is holy, completely unique, set apart from all creation, morally perfect, free from any sin or evil. God must judge sin!

2-Justice. As Judge, God is perfectly righteous, fair in all His ways, never biased by men’s status. He treats every man according to Truth. He holds all creation accountable to His moral standard. God’s Wrath is not uncontrolled rage, but measured, deserved, and purposeful.

3-Love defines who God is at His deepest level. Every action He takes, even His justice flow perfectly from His loving character. God’s Love is Unconditional, Everlasting, does not depend on human performance or moral perfection. His commitment to men never fails, fade, or end.

4-Patience. God is longsuffering. His loving self-restraint and delay of judgment give people time to repent from sin and find salvation.

5-Covenant Faithfulness means God’s unshakeable, lifelong commitment to keep His promises, stands even when men fail.

6-Redemptive Intent is God’s overall active plan, from Genesis to Revelation, to rescue men from sin and restore them into fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ. His goal is not destruction for its own sake but restoration of His people.

GOD’S WRATH

“God is a righteous judge, a God who displays His wrath every day” (Ps 7:11). Wrath is defined as “the emotional response to perceived wrong and injustice”. It is often translated as anger. Both men and God express wrath. But there is vast difference between them. God’s wrath is holy and always justified; man’s wrath is never holy and rarely justified. God’s wrath is real, righteous and comes with His mercy. The doctrine of God’s Wrath is not often preached. Most preachers speak about God’s Love and mercy but forget that God is Holy and He manifests His wrath against sin and unrepentant sinners. God’s love is not weak or wayward as human love. It is intimately connected with His holiness and His justice. He must therefore manifest anger when confronted with sin and evil. The doctrine of God’s wrath separates God from His creation. Sin wants to close the gap, but it is not possible. God’s wrath is necessary for men to fear God, which is the beginning of wisdom. In the Old Testament, God’s wrath is His response to men’s sin. Idolatry and rebellion were most often the occasions for divine wrath. God’s wrath against sin is perfectly justified because His plan for mankind is holy and perfect, just as God Himself is holy and perfect. To reject that perfect plan is to reject God’s love, mercy, grace and favour and experience His righteous wrath. When men commit sin, God provided a way. Repentance is the only way that turns God’s wrath away from the sinner and releases mercy and love.

Why is God’s Wrath Necessary? To prove God’s moral order! Evil and sin are not ignored. It Protects the oppressed! God’s wrath answers injustice against the victims. It Magnifies Grace. Mercy has value only against the backdrop of deserved judgment.

THE REVELATION OF GOD’S WRATH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

God’s wrath is fearful thing. Only those who have been covered by the blood of Christ, shed for sinners on the cross, can be assured that God’s wrath will never fall on them. “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (Jn 3:35,36). “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” (Rom 5:9).

“For The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18). God’s holy opposition to sin is not only in the future, at the last Judgment. It’s already evident in His righteous judgment against rebellion. The flood in Noah’s day, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah reveal that God does not overlook evil indefinitely. Judgment comes from heaven because God alone possesses perfect holiness, authority, and knowledge of every human heart. His wrath is never uncontrolled anger but His settled response against all that defies His character. Man’s sin includes both rejection of God and evil conduct toward men. Ungodliness is the refusal to worship, obey, and show gratitude to the Creator. Unrighteousness is wickedness towards men, displayed in thoughts, words or deeds. Since Adam’s fall, sin has corrupted the entire human race. No nation, culture, or individual stands exempt from God’s moral judgment. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Selah!

God has revealed sufficient truth about Himself through His creation and through men’s consciences. Rather than receiving that truth with repentance and worship, sinful people resist, distort, and conceal it in order to continue in rebellion. Suppressing God’s truth does not remove accountability; it deepens guilt and prepares the way for the fuller judgment from which only the gospel of Christ can save. Sin is real. It is not just a personal failing but an offense against God’s order. Recognizing the seriousness of sin is crucial for understanding the need for salvation. Understanding the wrath of God should lead us to repentance and a desire to align our lives with His will. Sinful men “supress the Truth”. Paul is talking about a particular Truth: The reality of God’s existence, power, and divine nature; God’s moral law He has written on every heart and conscience (Rom 2:14-15), and the natural creation that points to His glory (Ps 19:1-4). In Greek, the word “Supress” means to press down, to restrain, to keep from being expressed; like a cover forced on a boiling pot: the contents insist on rising, but a determined hand pushes them back. Men don’t lack evidence; they actively resist it, supressing the truth by their “unrighteousness”.

How do sinners supress the truth?

*They re-interpret clear evidence. “For this they wilfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water” (2Pet 3:5)

*They change truth according to their liking. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa 5:20)

*They choose sin knowing it is wrong. “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (Jn 3:19,20).

*They silence conscience not to feel convicted. “Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1Tim 4:2)

“To suppress the truth” in Romans 1:18 means deliberately holding down the clear, God-given testimony to His existence, authority, and moral standards. This active resistance springs from unrighteous desires, leads to darkened minds and deeper sin, and ultimately invites God’s righteous wrath. The only escape is humble submission to the truth revealed in creation, conscience, and supremely in Christ.

A GENTILE WOMAN RECEIVES MERCY AND MIRACLE (Matthew 15:21-28)

This is the story of God’s judgment and covenant mercy shown to a woman of Canaan. She belongs to the peoples who had occupied the land before Israel entered it under Joshua. God commanded Isreal to kill the people of Canaan, because they serve idols and were terribly wicked. Her ancestors should have died. But Isreal disobeyed God’s order. This is how this woman and her family survived. The people of Isreal and the Canaanites had a long history of hatred and fighting with each other. As a woman, coming to ask help directly from Jesus, a Jewish teacher and Isreal’s Messiah, she crossed established social and religious boundaries. She had no claim upon Jesus, but her need drove her to Him, to persevere in faith for a miracle. Her public cries reveal her deep pain over her daughter’s suffering. She addressed Jesus with titles that recognized His royal Messianic authority. The Son of David was the promised King through whom God would fulfill His covenant purposes for Israel. This Gentile woman shows that she understands Jesus better than many Israelites.

Her request for mercy rested not on any personal merit or national privilege, but strictly on Jesus’ power and compassion. Her daughter’s condition involved real demonic oppression and severe torment. Jesus’ authority over demons shows that God’s mercy reaches beyond Israel to all who come to Him in humble, persistent faith. By approaching a Jewish rabbi, she risks insults. Genuine Faith transcends social boundaries because it focuses on the sufficiency of Christ, not on the approval of people. Faith begins with the right belief: she trusts the One who fulfills God’s covenant promises. This woman cried loudly for mercy. It was a disturbing urgent appeal. Mercy means being totally dependent on Jesus. She brings nothing but her need, only relying on Jesus’ compassion. Like the widow in Luke 18, this woman is persistent. Genuine faith does not quit when answers delay. In intercession, you need to identify with another’s pain. To make it personal. She cried: “Have mercy on me… My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” She connects her daughter’s suffering to her own heart. This is the same way the blind and the leprous people were healed. Together these accounts show that recognizing Jesus’ identity and depending on His compassion activate His healing power. She believes that Jesus’ power over demons extends to her child miles away.

Lessons: Jesus acknowledged that her faith was great! She is a teacher and mentor of faith in Jesus that receives her miracle!

*Faith confesses who Jesus truly is—both Lord and the promised Messiah. Nothing is impossible for Jesus!

*Faith looks beyond origin. Her national identity disqualified her from a miracle from Jesus. She broke loose from false identity.

*Faith discovers Jesus. Jesus was on a quiet mission. This woman “heard about Jesus came and fell at His feet” (Mk 7:25)

*Faith is humble. Instead of taking offense at harsh comparison, she humbly accepted her position and used it to prove her faith.

*Faith is bold, ready to break social, cultural, or spiritual barriers and even to receive rejection from men.

*Faith is Persistent, Resilient (able to bounce back). The woman refused to give up despite Jesus’ initial silence and pushback.

*Faith is wise. She refused to allow her emotions overpower her to make her foolish. She spoke the right words to Jesus!

*Faith Loves and intercedes for Others: Her entire mission was selfless intercession to heal her suffering daughter.

*Faith believes Jesus’ authority extends beyond time, space, and circumstance.

*Faith relies entirely on God’s mercy, not on personal merit!

Therefore, this woman’s faith shines bright as a confident, informed, humble, and persistent faith in the healing power of Jesus Christ. This story setts the stage for Jesus’ teaching on faith and inclusion of Jews and Gentiles for salvation. Worship the Lord!

HOT OVEN AND SLEEPING BAKER

“They are all adulterers. Like an oven heated by a baker— He ceases stirring the fire after kneading the dough, Until it is leavened. 5 In the day of our king Princes have made him sick, inflamed with wine; He stretched out his hand with scoffers. 6 They prepare their heart like an oven, While they lie in wait; Their baker sleeps all night; In the morning it burns like a flaming fire. 7 They are all hot, like an oven, And have devoured their judges; All their kings have fallen. None among them calls upon Me” (Hosea 7:4-7)

An Ancient Oven was a clay or stone cylinder, heated from within. The baker kindled a strong fire, then let the smouldering coals keep the chamber hot for hours. No further fuel was needed; the stored heat was intense and ready to bake bread at any moment. Hosea compares the people of Israel to an overheated oven and a lazy baker, symbolizing their wild sinful passions and the spiritual neglect of their leaders. The baker stops stirring the fire and rests while the dough rises. This is a picture showing how authority figures neglect their duty and allow sin to ferment unchecked until it erupted into destruction. The Overheated Oven is a picture of Israel’s inner desires and sinful passions of adultery and rebellion against God. These are burning hot and are self-kindled. The Lord had bound Himself to Israel by a covenant, as a husband to his wife. Worshiping other gods is spiritual adultery. Israel’s unfaithfulness to the Lord had now become widespread and habitual. Hosea also exposes the heated selfish ambitions, conspiracies, drunkenness, and violence that marked Israel’s rulers and citizens. Sin had become so deeply established that no outside temptation was necessary to sustain it. Like a heated oven, Israel’s heart continued producing evil from within, having rejected the knowledge and fear of God. What was cultivated privately in the heart eventually appeared openly in idolatry, injustice, violence and betrayal. Such corruption will bear bitter fruit in national instability and divine judgment. Selah!

A day intended to honor the king becomes an occasion for indulgence and shame. Israel’s monarchy, established under God’s authority, was meant to uphold His law and guide the nation in covenant faithfulness. Instead, royal celebration exposes the spiritual decay of the court and the nation it leads. The king gives his favour to scoffers rather than resisting their wicked counsel. By sharing fellowship with those who despise righteousness, he strengthens their influence and joins their contempt for God’s ways. The king’s failure stands in sharp contrast to Christ, the righteous King, who received sinners in order to call them to repentance and salvation!

Why did Hosea use the picture of a heated Oven? Because it is an Everyday object: Every home had one, so the picture was instantly clear to Hosea’s listeners. It was a Controlled environment: An oven is designed to hold heat inside, perfect for describing hidden sin. It also shows Sudden intensity: Once the baker opens the door, the heat rushes out; likewise, Israel’s sin erupts when opportunity comes. The Oven is a picture of intense sinful passions. Israel’s leaders deliberately nurtured evil desires until their hearts were heated with passion for deceit, violence, and rebellion. Wickedness was not merely impulsive; they plotted against others in secret. Israel’s history was marked by conspiracies, assassinations, and unstable kings. Bitterness was allowed to remain, growing in the night. What was concealed in the heart continued to burn until it controlled their words and actions, a destructive violence, like “flaming fire”. The image warns that unrestrained anger and secret evil do not remain hidden; they break forth and bring God’s judgment. We must remain alert and prayerful.  Corruption begins inside before it burns the outside. The Pharisees polished exterior hides the same smouldering fire Hosea described. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matt 23:27,28). Jesus point to internal corruption before it erupts. Anger equals murder and lust equals adultery in seed form. The works of the flesh are the coals of fire in the oven heart (Gal 5:19-21). The cure is repentance, being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Lessons:

*Like a Hot Oven, unrepented sin is self-sustained passion. Hearts inflamed with lust and idolatry keep themselves hot without outside fuel. Even without temptation, their hearts are always prepared for the next sin. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt 15:19). The result is spiritual adultery, political and social collapse.

*Like the oven, sin can grow and consume us if we do not actively resist it and repent. Guard the heart before the first spark. Sin once tolerated becomes self-fuelling—cut it off early. “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (PV 4:23)

*The baker’s negligence is a warning to spiritual leaders to diligently tend to their flocks, to spiritually nourish them and protect them.

*God’s Call to Repentance: Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, God’s desire is for His people to return to Him.

*Only God’s Spirit can quench the inner fire of rebellion and kindle holy zeal instead. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal 5:16).

APOSTLE PAUL CONVICTED OF COVETOUSNESS 

“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died” (Rom 7:7-9). God’s law is not sinful! Rather, it reveals sin. “Therefore, the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good” (Rom 7:12). “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom 3:19,20). The Law’s role is to convict and lead sinners to recognize their need for the Savior, Jesus Christ! The law exposes sin in the heart. When a command is understood, conscience awakens and guilt comes. What once felt normal now is seen as transgression. God’s Law comes without mercy or cure for sin. “The law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression” (Rom 4:15). The law is like a doctor that diagnoses but offers no cure. It “makes sin utterly sinful” (Rom 7:13). It lacks the power to free from sin’s grip. The Law is Like a mirror (Jam 1:23-25), it shows the dirt on the face but cannot wash it off. “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Jn 1:17). “But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Gal 3:23-25). The Law leads to frustration preparing the heart to accept Christ by Grace alone so to be saved!

This is sin’s strategy thru God’s Holy Law:

*Sin exploits a Holy thing! Sin is an opportunist. Sin takes God’s holy law and twists it into a platform for rebellion.

*Sin awakens forbidden desires against God. The moment the Law said, “you shall not covet”, the dormant flesh is stirred to covet more.

*Apart from the Law sin is dead. It does not mean sin did not exist in the heart, but it was inactive, dormant. Sin is exposed to bring a sinner to Jesus, to plead for mercy and Grace. For example: you tell a child: “don’t eat the cake!” For him, the cake now looks very sweet!

Sin existed before the Mosaic Law, but the law brought its guilt and rebellion into clear view. Without a known command, sin does not confront the conscience with the same explicit transgression or provoke the same defiant response. The law therefore cannot justify sinners; it makes sin known and demonstrates the need for the Savior who delivers from sin’s power and condemnation.

Paul uses the specific example of coveting (one of the Ten Commandments – Exodus 20:17) to illustrate how the law reveals sin. Coveting, an intense internal desire, shows that sin is not only about external actions but also about the heart’s intentions. Sin is an active power that deceives and exploits God’s good command to awaken resistance in the fallen human heart. The prohibition in Eden became the point Satan used to entice Adam and Eve toward disobedience (Gen 3:1–6). God’s law does not create evil; it exposes the rebellion against God already present in man’s heart. The commandment against coveting uncovered desires that had been hidden within Paul. Coveting reaches beyond outward acts to the heart’s discontent with God’s provision and its desire to possess what belongs to another. Such desire becomes idolatry when created things take the place of God as the heart’s supreme treasure (Col 3:5).

Before he got saved, Paul struggled with the sin of covetousness. He is saying that through the strength of Christ, he is able to win his battle against covetousness.  When he doesn’t have anything, no problem. Through Christ’s strength, he can be content and not be greedy.  Likewise, when he’s fully provided for, no problem. Through Christ’s strength, he’s able to defeat materialism. He said: “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:12,13). Through Jesus, he can defeat any temptation! Selah!

This is the Freedom we find in Christ: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:1,2). The law still defines sin, but it no longer condemns those who are in Christ. By walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16-18) we experience victory: sin loses its power, and the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled in us.

THE GREEDY JUDAS

Read John 12:1-8. Mary has just anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, an extravagant act of worship. Judas Iscariot objects, pretending religious concern for the poor. Judas’s words sound compassionate, but his heart’s motive was selfish. Greed can hide behind spiritual language. Covetousness damages the conscience. It starts internally, in the heart, but then it manifests thru actions. Judas “used to take” shows an ongoing action. What started as little stealing became a habitual theft, culminating with selling Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Greed damages perception: Judas calls Mary’s worship “waste”. When money become the master, worshipping God looks like foolishness. Jesus said: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Lk 12:15).  Judas was seated beside Jesus, who is God in the flesh, and still felt entitled to steal. Lesson: unrepented greed deceives the mind, hardens the heart, and ultimately separates us from the Savior. Guard your heart! Be generous! Let love for Christ be greater than all the world!

Jesus: “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me” (Jn13:18-20). The contrast here is between the knowledge of Jesus and the ignorant unbelief of Judas. Jesus knew from the Scriptures that one among those close to Him would betray Him. “Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Ps 41:9). Jesus knew from the beginning that it was Judas. But Judas didn’t know that. Judas was ignorantly following the greed of his own heart, and he was resisting every effort Jesus made to reach him. Now he was at the point of that final act of rejection that would plunge him into the abyss of hell. Judas took the bread from Jesus’ hand. That was the final chance he had to repent. When he did that, Satan entered into him (Lk 22:3). From now on, Judas was no longer his own master. Satan has taken control of him. Jesus understands what will happen. He says:  “I’m telling you this before it happens, so when it does, you will know I am the one this Scripture describes”. Judas, on the other hand, didn’t know what was happening to him, or how he had fallen into Satan’s snare. He was now at the edge of hell. You can see how these two positions stand opposed one to another. Jesus sacrificed Himself to save His disciples; Judas sacrificed Jesus to save himself, but he failed. These two philosophies still dominate the world today. The last word was addressed to Judas: “He who receives me receives Him who sent me (God the Father)”. There is no other way to the Father but by Jesus. This is the truth Jesus declares again, and it is the great truth that Judas sought to avoid. He tried to live his life before God without relating at all to the ministry and salvation offered by Jesus. He wanted God but did not want Jesus!!! He blindly goes on, not realizing that he is facing the most important crisis of his life, and only Jesus can bring him to God. Judas rejected Jesus’ last effort to reach him before it was too late. This is how Judas, once a follower of Jesus, “the son of perdition” (Jn 17:12) went to hell. This is the warning of Love! Worship the Lord!

THE SILLY DOVE

“Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense— They call to Egypt, They go to Assyria. 12 Wherever they go, I will spread My net on them;

I will bring them down like birds of the air; I will chastise them according to what their congregation has heard. 13 “Woe to them, for they have fled from Me! Destruction to them, Because they have transgressed against Me! Though I redeemed them, Yet they have spoken lies against Me” (Hos 7:11-13). In the Bible, the Dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, gentle, pure and defenceless. But here, the same dove appears in a negative light, as naive, unstable, foolish and confused. As a natural bird, the dove has some weaknesses. It is generally overanxious, easily disturbed. The dove looks heavy but is a strong flier, up to 55 miles per hour. Once in the air, the dove loses focus and becomes distracted. It can change direction in mid flight. The dove is foolish. It easily enters the net of the hunter and gets trapped. The dove is a terrible nest builder. As a mother, it has no skills or sense of danger. She builds her nest with just some few sticks, not comfortable for her chicks. The nest is mostly on unstable thin branches, on the windshield of parked cars or on the roofs. A little wind and the eggs or the chicks fall and die. A silly dove is easily deceived. She can land on any branch, unaware of the snares.

Ephraim is not compared with the eagle, who flies high as the king of the birds. He is not compared with the hawk, an unclean bird. He is compared with the Dove, a clean but foolish bird, who flies in all directions without a sense of home. He is quick to panic and trust the wrong refuge, and slow to repent and return home. In the same way, God’s people forgot God and the home He has prepared for them. They got infatuated with idols. They looked at the mighty pagan countries like Egypt and Assyria in search of fulfilment in life. Their search ended in disappointment and disgrace. They clearly did not know God. Only God provides eternal satisfaction and joy in this life. Like a dove flying anxiously from place to place, Israel lacked spiritual discernment and ignored the covenant God had made with them. Egypt represented both their former bondage and a constant temptation to trust human strength rather than the Lord. King Hoshea appealed to Egypt for support against Assyria. Israel also pursued favour with Assyria, paying tribute and seeking security from the very empire that would conquer them. Samaria was defeated in 722 BC and all God’s people carried to Assyria (2Kg 17:4-6). Their shifting alliances exposed the instability and doubt produced by idolatry. This is spiritual adultery and God must punish it.

See God’s pain and tension in His heart. His people transgressed against Him. He must chastise them. This is His justice talking. At the same time, God says: I will redeem them. This is His mercy talking (Hosea 7:13). There is tension in God’s heart. Just the way a husband is angry with his wife who left him for lovers, God is angry with Isreal and with the pagan nations that deceived His people to abandon their faith in Him. Contrast this foolishness with God’s Wisdom. Jesus sends His disciples “as wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matt 10:16). We must combine purity with shrewd discernment, the very qualities Isreal lacked. God promised to give us wisdom if we need it (James 1:5)!

These are some manifestations of foolish behaviour:

*Rebellion. They make friends without prayer or the leading of the Holy Spirit. “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin; 2 Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt! 3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh Shall be your shame, And trust in the shadow of Egypt shall be your humiliation” (Isa 30:1-3)

*Forgetting God. They forget God’s mighty works. Egypt once enslaved them. Assyria will soon conquer them.

*Forgetting God’s Word! They ignore the prophetic warnings. Study God’s Word and be filled with the Holy Spirit before crises arise.

Lessons:

*Worldly help looks powerful but is spiritually bankrupt. It deepens bondage. God will discipline us! “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14)

*Turning away from the Lord for help is foolish. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (PV 14:12).

*Blessings come by refusing the counsel of the wicked (Ps 1:1). Reject unbiblical guidance, even if culturally or politically influential!

*Trust in the LORD “with all your heart”; He directs our paths (PV 3:5,6)!

*Doubt is an enemy! Those who doubt God become “unstable in all their ways,” just the fluttering dove (Jam 1:5-8)

*Fear is an enemy! Emotional panic often drives believers toward quick fixes instead of prayerful obedience.

*Spiritually maturity in dangerous times is the antidote against being foolish. Not suspicion of everything but steadfast devotion to Jesus.  Anchored in the eternal Word, strengthened by the Spirit, surrounded by godly counsel, we can stay strong in Christ. “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves… Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ” (Eph 4:14,15)

THE GULLIBLE WOMEN

“For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts” (2Tim 3:6). The word “gullible” means to be foolish, silly, naive, unsuspecting of danger, weak willed; easily cheated because you are too willing to believe what other people say. You accept stories without asking questions or checking the facts. Scammers (yahoo-boys) often target gullible people to steal their money with fake promises. The description of being gullible applies to both women and men.

False teachers do not come to preach in the living Church. They have their own secret way to quietly infiltrate homes, seeking influence thru private conversations. Christian households were often used as places of fellowship, prayer and Bible studies making them important targets for those who opposed apostolic truth. Their creeping recalls the serpent’s approach to Eve, working through deception rather than faithful obedience to God’s word (Gen 3:1–6). Paul is not referring to all women in the world, but to some women who were deceived by these impostors thru flattery. The women lacked true spiritual foundation, had unresolved guilt, inferiority complexes and were isolated from the Body of Christ. Unconfessed and unrepented sin brings real guilt and bondage before God. These false teachers exploit shame by offering false gospels. These women were led away by various sexual lusts, greed, pride, envy, covetousness, fear, craving for spiritual experiences apart from obedience to God. Lusts give birth to sin and sin produces death (Jam 1:14,15). Sound doctrine directs believers toward self-control, holiness, peace, joy, and the freedom found in submitting every desire to Christ. Praise the Lord!

These are open doors to deception: Spiritual immaturity, lack of discernment, doubts, a conscience burdened with unconfessed sin that produces guilt, shame and fear. Unrestrained, not satisfied appetites. Covetousness. Lack of contentment. Isolation from solid teaching. Why are some women romantically scammed by men? Cyber Criminals pretend to initiate a relationship with the intention to defraud their victims of large sums of money. Scammers create fake profiles on social networking sites with stolen pictures of attractive models and a made-up identity. They “groom” the victim, by developing a hyper personal relationship, until they feel that she is ready to part with her money. This scam is a “double hit”–a financial loss and painful emotional loss of a relationship.

THE SIN OF DAVID AND BATHSHEBA

This chapter (2 Samuel 11) shows the beginning of David’s fall. He never recovers his fame as a younger man, loving God. It is a reminder of the original fall of Adam. His fall is a warning! Anyone can fall into sin, backslide and damage his testimony. “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12). In that part of the world, wars were not normally fought during the winter months because cold weather made travelling difficult. Fighting resumed in the spring. David sent Joab…. David should have been out at the battle, but he remained behind. In 2 Samuel 10 Joab and the army were preserved against the enemy, but they did not win. The decisive victory came when David led the battle. By tradition and experience God told David, “You need to be at the battle.” But David remained at Jerusalem.

Sin starts with an unrepented desire (lust) in the heart. When the right opportunity comes, that desire becomes the monster called sin. When sin becomes mature, it leads to death (Jam 1:14,15). This is God’s Law: “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). If David’s attention had been where God wanted it, he would never have fallen into sin. While Joab is busy in attacking Rabbah, Satan was busy attacking David. He succeeded. The fall to sexual temptation did not start with Beersheba. It was only the climax. For about 20 years, David did not restrain himself sexually. Contrary to God’s will, he added wives. The corrupt seed planted long ago was producing now a bitter harvest. Staying at home from war only provided the time and opportunity to covet, commit adultery and murder.

It was evening. David arose from his bed and walked on the roof. He could not sleep because he had no peace. He was not where God wanted him to be. He saw a beautiful woman bathing. It is possible that Beersheba acted immodestly. In the Bible, women are told to dress modestly (1Tim 2:9). But David is totally responsible for the way he acted. His sin was not seeing a naked woman. He did not plan to see her. His sin was in allowing his eyes to gaze on her, to covet her, and because he had the power, to take her to himself. He had many wives. But he was not satisfied. This is because the sins of the flesh and the eyes are rebellious and cannot be satisfied except with what God provides. David and Solomon show us that if one woman is not enough, 1000 women are also not enough. Selah!

“The woman was very beautiful to behold”. Bathsheba’s great beauty made the sight tempting. But the real strength of temptation does not lie in the quality of the tempting object, but in the state of heart of the one being tempted. David was “prepared” to fail at this point. Even so, this temptation was not too strong for David, no matter how beautiful Bathsheba was. For example, Joseph was more severely tempted to commit sexual immorality than David was here, but he fled that temptation. David looked at Bathsheba and saw beauty. God saw this as ugly. We call it “an affair”. God calls it “adultery”. We call it “love”. God calls it “lust”. We call it “sexy”. God calls it sin!

David should have rejected the temptation here. But he went ahead and inquired about the woman going closer to sin. He discovered that Beersheba came from a notable family. Her father, Eliam was one of David’s men of valour. Her grandfather was Ahithophel, one of his chief counsellors. She was married to Uriah, also one of David’s men of valour, who at that time was away in the battle against where David should have been. The knowledge that he can get away with his sin was planted in David’s mind. He committed adultery in his mind while on the roof. That was bad enough. Adultery in practice is even worse. David should have received the news of the woman’s identity as a warning. In taking Bathsheba, David sinned against Uriah, Eliam, and Ahithophel – each man was close and important to David.

If David knew the price he must pay for one sexual sin. It resulted in an unwanted pregnancy, the murder of a trusted friend, a dead baby, a daughter raped by his son, one son murdered by another son, a civil war led by one son. Ahithophel, betrayed him. Solomon, who also lacked self- control and led Isreal away from God! At this moment David agreed with the world’s purpose of sex, seeing as pleasure. He did not understand the purpose for sex: God gave it as gift to “weld” the marriage relationship between a husband and his wife. Bathsheba became pregnant. This was an unwanted pregnancy. By the law, both should be stoned to death. David tries to cover his sin by killing Uriah. Our sin is never hidden before God. The solution is repentance and confession of sin. If you have sinned secretly, then confess secretly to God. If you have sinned publicly, then confess publicly but keep the details to yourself. If you have sinned spiritually, against the church, thru slander, unbelief, gossip, then confess it to the church leaders. David arranged for Uriah to be killed. David married Bathsheba. But we are told “The thing David has done displeased the Lord”. This is the first mention of God in this chapter.

From now on, the Holy Spirit convicts David of sin. He wrote: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah!” (Ps 34:1-5). David was in that terrible place where he had too much sin to be happy in God and he knew God too much to be happy in sin. The better the man is, the greater the price he pays for a moment of sinful pleasure. Lessons:

*David’s sin started with his neglect of duty. He delegated Joab to lead the army to war, and he stayed behind in Jerusalem. Be careful with idleness. Be where God wants you to be. Nobody hides sin from God. Covetousness is a terrible sin in the heart. It steals, kills and destroys.

*David’s willingness to abuse power was another way thru which sin came. Many successful people fall into this trap. Abuse of power is when one in a position of authority forces or harms others for personal gain; by bullying subordinates, demanding illegal favours, breaking the laws, taking bribes, threatening others with job loss, arresting people, using financial or emotional manipulation or intimidation. As a king, David had the power to control people and commit sin. But he did not have the power to control the effects of his sin! Selah!

*Run from sexual sins! Be warned! Even looking at the nakedness of others is in itself a sin. Pornography is not harmless entertainment. “Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?” (1 Cor 6:18-19). Above all, don’t be deceived! God cannot be mocked! Sin leads to death!  David’s sin was rooted in covetousness. Like with Eve in the garden, sin started with his eyes. He sent and took the woman for himself. Visual impact is very powerful. Control your eyes like Job. “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1). The punishment for sexual lust in men is bondage of the wife and poverty (destruction of harvest) (Job 31:1-12).

Beauty in a woman is a blessing and a curse, if not surrendered to God. Because of the many compliments she receives, it is easy to become proud and hard for her to invest in godly character, which requires humility. Only the Holy Spirit can humble a beautiful woman. Sexual intimacy belongs only in the marriage covenant established by God. Sin is a deliberate crossing of boundaries God has established. Sin is not just a personal issue but it affects the community. God treats families with utmost seriousness. While the law highlights sin, the New Testament offers redemption through Christ, who forgives and restores those who repent. Selah! Worship the Lord!

STOP COVETING! START LOVING! (5)

“You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour” (Exo 20:17; AMP)

Coveting is defined as having a strong desire of envy and greed to possess something that belongs to another, his property, spouse or status. It is often accompanied by dis-contentment with what you currently have. Covetousness is not a simple desire for what others have but a passionate and selfish longing that leads to other sins like theft, adultery or crime. Coveting damages relationships thru envy and bitterness. The sin of coveting is hidden. It starts in the heart. It is not only manifested in actions but in desires and thoughts. In the Garden of Eden, Eve desired the forbidden fruit. It led to disobedience and affected all humanity. God judged and punished that sin.  

The antidote against coveting is faith in God’s provision and Contentment. “Be content with what you have” (Heb 13:5). Redirecting desires towards spiritual growth and eternal treasures gives a godly perspective. Agape Love is the best weapon against envy and coveting. “Love does not envy” (1Cor 13:4). Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these” (Mk 12:30,31).

These are some visible signs of coveting:

*You do not rejoice with those who rejoice!

*You pay more attention to people’s things (their money) than to the people’s souls (hearts)!

*Your prayers for material things are not answered. This is because you pray amiss, to satisfy your flesh! Covetousness blocks prayer.

*You think that Bigger is always better!

*You always complain about your house, spouse or job to others.

*You don’t care how you make money! (“The end justifies the means”).

The solution is to exchange your desire for material things and status with seeking God. You give yourself a new vision, a new purpose in life. As God becomes your greatest desire, coveting disappears. You learn that godliness and contentment is great gain! Praise the Lord!

JOSEPH FORGIVES HIS BROTHERS (Genesis 45)

1-Forgivness is powerful! Letting go of past grudges leads to healing and restoration, for ourselves and for those who have wronged us.

2-God is sovereign over our lives. His plans are better than our plans!

3-Reconciliation transforms relationships and bring profound joy, showing the importance of seeking peace and unity with others.

4-God provides in Times of Need. God uses us to meet the needs of others, encouraging us to be generous.

5-Family is important! Despite the betrayal he experienced, Joseph’s love for his family remains strong.

6-Trust in God’s Timing even when we cannot see the full picture.

7-Godly Leadership is a gift and a blessing from God. Like Joseph, we must lead with humility and purpose in our own spheres of influence.

8-We must embrace God’s Promises and His Purpose. Embracing God’s purpose for us brings clarity, boldness and direction.

9- Repentance is God’s powerful gift, and it leads to peace and joy.

VICTIM MENTALITY

Joseph was free from the negative thinking pattern called “Victim mentality”. A victim is one who has suffered harm, injury, damage or death from a crime, accident, natural disaster, sickness or deception from a con artist. Victim mentality is a persistent, harmful, negative mindset when you see life as unfair, always attacked by others and powerless to help yourself. VM often develops during childhood, after painful experiences. It is a survival strategy to gain attention and to be free from responsibility to change, to become mature. This is an exhausting mentality, and it negatively affects your relationships with others. It leads to anxiety, loneliness and depression. These are some sings: you see life as unfair. You feel hopeless. There is emotional stagnation. You deflect responsibility and blame others. You dwell on the painful events of the past, to try to justify the present. You refuse advice, seeing it as an attack to you. True victims are different. They suffered, but they isolated the pain, learned from the experience, became better and wiser, and now they move on. People with VM they use that as a shield to protect their hearts. It is hard for them to be free because they need to be vulnerable and take responsibility for their mistakes. This is hard for them to do. They need to pray deliverance for themselves. With God, all things are possible.

Jacob was told that Joseph was dead, and he believed it (Gen 37:31-35). Then he was told Joseph was alive, and he did not believe it until his sons told him the words of Joseph and showed him the blessings that came to them through Joseph. Only then did old Jacob believe that Joseph was alive, though he had not yet seen him. Lesson: the only way people will know that Jesus is alive is if we tell them His words and show them His blessings in their lives. Israel (no longer Jacob) said: “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive!” Knowing that his favoured son was alive – like back from the dead, – changed Israel’s testimony from “all these things are against me” (Gen 42:36) to “it is enough”! As Jacob, he was a selfish, covetous man. He often fought his fears and doubts. Now, Jacob has changed. He is Isreal, Prince with God, the man who struggled with God and was conquered by God. This testimony of faith in Joseph did not come to Jacob but to Isreal. He believed in Joseph the way we should believe in Jesus. Isreal believed and he acted because he had enough evidence to convince him to move on! Worship the Lord!

STOP COVETING! START LOVING! (2)

Coveting is defined as having a strong, excessive desire of envy and greed, longing to possess something that belongs to another, his property, spouse or status. It is accompanied by dis-contentment with what you currently have. Coveting is the strong desire to obtain something that God has not given you! “Do not covet” is the only commandment that can be broken on the heart level (Exo 20:17) Covetousness is not a simple desire for what others have but a selfish longing that leads to other sins like theft, adultery or crime. Coveting damages relationships thru envy and bitterness. The sin of coveting is hidden. It starts in the heart. It is not only manifested in actions but in desires and thoughts. In the Garden of Eden, Eve desired the forbidden fruit. It led to disobedience and affected all humanity. God judged and punished that sin. The antidote against coveting is faith in God’s provision and Contentment. Redirecting desires towards spiritual growth gives a godly perspective. Agape Love is the best weapon against envy and coveting. “Love does not envy” (1Cor 13:4).

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Heb 13:5,6). True contentment is found not in material wealth but in Christ, in the assurance of God’s presence and His provision. God’s promise to never leave or forsake us is a source of comfort and strength, encouraging us to depend on Him rather than material possessions. To live free from covetousness means to see ourselves as stewards of God’s property on earth, love God more than loving money, support God’s work and help the needy.

Why are we warned against the love of money, greed and covetousness? Mammon, Love of money, competes with our love for God. Covetousness is idolatry (Col 3:5). It feeds dis-contentment, grumbling, making God’s provision seem insufficient. It creates a false sense of security that replaces trust in the Lord. It opens the door to many other sins: “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim 6:9-10). It blinds us to eternal priorities, chaining our hearts to the temporary. The antidote to greed is faith and confidence that God Himself is enough: “Never will I leave you.” His unchanging presence gives us what money never can buy: true peace, purpose, joy, and eternal life.

This is God’s promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you!” God the Holy Spirit is literarily with us. “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want!” (Ps 23:1). No matter the situation, Faith in God’s promise brings Peace that passes all understanding and reduces the power of anxiety. Before buying anything, pause and ask: “Will this draw my heart nearer to Christ or tempt me to rely on stuff?” Celebrate others’ blessings out loud, turning envy into intercession. You must daily replace greed with thanksgiving. “Lord, because You will never forsake me, I choose contentment right now.” Contentment grows as you seek God. The more it grows, the less room remains for restless greed.

Finally, money itself is neutral, just a tool. The heart’s attachment is the danger! God’s constant presence is greater treasure than any money. True contentment flows from trusting God for His faithful provision and protection. Men can wound and can kill but cannot change destinies. God’s omnipotence and protection surpass any earthly danger and gives strength and courage. Fight fear with Faith! Amen!

These are some visible signs of coveting:

*You do not rejoice with those who rejoice!

*You pay more attention to people’s things (their money) than to the people’s souls (hearts)!

*Your prayers for material things are not answered. This is because you pray amiss, to satisfy your flesh! Covetousness blocks prayer.

The solution is to exchange your desire for things and status with seeking God. In that way you give yourself a new vision, a new purpose in life. As God becomes your greatest desire, coveting disappears. You learn that godliness and contentment is great gain! Praise the Lord!

Note: Many Nigerians covet the life they imagine abroad. They sell their properties in Nigeria and take the risk to “Japa” (a Yoruba word meaning to escape, to run away. They base their decisions on false hopes, love of money and fear of poverty. Many are disappointed!!!

FEAR FREE

“Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2Tim 1:6,7). Fear is a powerful, unpleasant emotion triggered by the perception of danger. It initiates a rapid “fight- or flee-or freeze” response, preparing you to confront the danger or run away to safety. It manifests as loss of courage. Fear is not limited to physical dangers like facing a predator but manifests in other types of threats: meeting a wild animal or a snake; being in an accident; fear of failure, poverty or rejection. Anxiety or worry is a form of general fear that has no particular threat.

In the Bible, the word “fear” appears more the 500 times. Here, in Greek, the word fear is “deilia” meaning timidity or cowardice. Is an evil spirit that attacks the mind. It destroys faith in God and the courage to make progress. Fear and doubt are twins. The attack of the spirit of fear produces weakness of the body, loss of love and confusion in the mind. Fear is a tool of the devil to weaken us, to disobey God.

*God has given us Power, not just physical strength but spiritual authority and capability to fulfill God’s purposes. Jesus promises the disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, enabling them to be His witnesses (Ac 1:8). This power shows in the bold proclamation of the gospel and the performance of miracles and equips believers to overcome challenges to live victoriously.

*God has given us Love! Jesus commands us to love God and others. This is agape love, characterized by selflessness and sacrifice, as demonstrated by God’s love for humanity (John 3:16). This love is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) and is essential for effective ministry and relationships within the body of Christ. Love is a powerful force casting out fear, producing unity and peace in the Body of Christ (1Jn 4:18).

*God has given us sound mind or self-control! This is the ability to exercise restraint and make wise decisions. It is another fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:23) and is crucial for living a disciplined Christian life. In the early church, self-control was highly valued, especially in contrast to the moral excesses of the pagan society. This quality helps us to resist temptation and maintain integrity, reflecting the character of Christ. It is essential for effective leadership and personal growth, to align our actions with God’s will.

To fight fear is not thru self manufactured courage, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds Timothy “to stir up the gift of God”. The words “to stir up” can mean “to fan into flame”, like a small fire that needs to be revived. The lesson here is that spiritual gifts require active usage and effort to be effective as ministry in the church. A dying small fire needs fresh air and movement to grow. Spiritual gifts behave the same way; if unused, they die down; if used, they blaze. This connects with the biblical principle of stewardship. Believers are called to actively develop and use their God-given abilities because God will ask for an account.

Each believer has at least one gift from God the Holy Spirit. The gift is a product of God’s Grace and not a personal talent (Jam 1:17). It was imparted at salvation and often confirmed by leaders in the church. The gift can be material or spiritual blessings to be used to serve God. Because the Giver is faithful, the gift is reliable. God never wakes up with second thoughts about what He has promised to His people. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom 11:29). The word “irrevocable” means forever settled, impossible to change. The action is final and binding. God’s gifts and call can’t be withdrawn or annulled. This shows the faithfulness and unchanging nature of God. “I the LORD do not change” (Mal 3:6). God’s covenant with Isreal and salvation in Christ are irrevocable gifts of Grace! Selah!

God’s gifts are not temporary or conditional; they are given with a purpose and remain with us throughout our lives. We are encouraged knowing that God’s call on our lives is sure and unchanging, regardless of circumstances or our weaknesses. Even during times of doubt, failure or backsliding, God’s call and gifts are not withdrawn. We must stay faithful to God and persevere during hard times, knowing that God’s call to you has not expired. Every promise God has made stands unshaken, and utterly reliable. “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2Cor 1:20). Every promise is Yes and Amen! Not maybe! Knowing that God will not retract His call empowers you to press on even when progress feels slow. Trials are refining tools, not threats to your relationship with Him. “He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim 2:13). Each  morning, give God thanks for your gift and call on your life!

LESSONS FROM DAVID AND GOLIATH

These are some lessons taken from David as he confronted and killed the Giant (1Sam 17:1-58). David stands for Jesus, King Saul and Eliab, stand for Christian backsliders and Goliath stands for Satan. We must speak and act like David! What was David’s secret of victory?

1-David knew the heart of God! He was one with God! He was offended because God was offended. He was jealous for God’s reputation among men. “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1Sam 17:26). Question: When was the last time you carried a burden for God and you got angry when God’s name was insulted?

2-David was spiritually prepared for battle by learning how to win in the secret place. He learned to conquer his fears. Before David met Goliath, he did impossible things in everyday life when only God was watching. He killed the lion and the bear who tried to steal his lambs. Lesson: your preparation in the quiet place will one day be rewarded by God in public!

3-David did not stop doing the right things by discouragement and criticism. David knew his father’s rejection. When Prophet Samuel came to look for the next king, David’s own father did not even call him to be considered. He also knew his brothers’ rejection. Eliab, his older brother, criticized him publicly, not privately (1 Sam 17:33). Even King Saul did not believe that David can win the Battle. Lesson: When you get ready to stand against any giant, do not look for men’s applause. Men will try to discourage you and reject you. We should keep our eyes on Jesus and the victory is sure!

4-David rejected Saul’s armour. Why? The armour was Saul’s and not David’s. David did not covet Saul’s status. David removed Saul’s armour because it was unfit, untested, and unnecessary for a battle the LORD had already claimed. The armour did not fit him (Saul was taller). David did not test it before using it. David distanced himself from Saul’s methods who was increasingly depending on outward show. Standing without the man-made armour, David is a symbol of salvation by Grace alone and not by works. David decided to trust God alone, using the sling he was used to. Have the courage to stand alone. Honor leaders but do not copy any man. Be original in your faith journey, using the gifts and skills God has given you. God can use our weakness to demonstrate His power and glory!

5-David was a humble man of Faith! He gave God all the glory! He knew God’s Word! He knew that he cannot win, but that God can kill the giant. The truth is that David did not kill the Giant. God went with the stone and knocked the giant down. Victory and glory belong to God alone! According to the promises God made to Abraham, when Goliath cursed David by his gods, God cursed him back. “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen 12:3).  Lesson: When you preach, pray or prophesy, your words are your stones. May your words not fall to the ground! May God direct and activate your stones to bring down all giants opposing you! For the glory of His name! Amen! Worship the Lord!

STOP STEALING! START WORKING!

“You shall not steal” (Exo 20:15). God commands us not to steal! It is one of the Ten Commandments. A thief takes something from another person without permission and without desire to return the stolen property. A thief takes credit for something he did not do. A thief steals material or spiritual things. Spiritual thieves can damage your peace of mind, your joy of living or your testimony as God’s servant. This demon does great damage to families or congregations, because when property is missing and the thief is not found people become suspicious and afraid of one another, destroying the unity of the Spirit. Stealing hurts people, makes them sad and breaks trust between them. Stealing disobeys God and brings curses on peoples and families! It takes courage to repent from stealing, to stand against sin, especially when it involves those we know. Seek God’s strength to uphold justice and truth.

Stealing is done secretly or openly, using physical force. Like a drug, stealing is addictive. Most of the time it is a habitual practice. Stealing is the most common crime. Most people go to prison because of stealing. The root of stealing is a combination of greed, laziness, anger, jealousy, and wickedness. A thief is angry against God and man. In every culture, people agree that stealing is wrong, but they still do it. Even children steal. They do it without learning how to do it. We are born sinners; we are born thieves. Therefore, we all want to get free things, without working. But God’s Law convicts us all! The commandments are all connected. For example, the 4th command says: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work” (Ex 20:9). Work is God’s command. Thieves hate work. That is why they steal. Adultery is another form of stealing. You steal another man’s wife, and you destroy the love and joy in that marriage.

Stealing is sin. To practice stealing you must be an apprentice to the devil. Both victim and thief suffer. God does not bless any thief. He will eventually lose the stolen property. The thief’s desire is to live from the labor of others. He hates work. The thief sees the needy, the vulnerable as his easy victims; he uses their weaknesses to his advantage, to steal from them. The thief must repent from wickedness, laziness and begin to work. He now views the needs of others as an opportunity to manifest God’s love to men, reaching out to help them, giving from his own resources. Nothing more demonstrates the radical change of conversion in a sinner than when a thief stops stealing and becomes generous to others. Child of God, if something does not belong to you, always ask first! Return what is not yours. Learn to be generous and share! Work hard for what you want! And God will bless you! It is only in Christ that freedom from this demon may be found!

THE DEVIL IS THE GREATEST THIEF

Jesus said: “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]” (Jn 10:10). The devil is the greatest Thief! Anything or anyone that leads you away from Christ is stealing your destiny. You must understand the Thief’s Intentions. Satan’s goal is your destruction. The thieves are the false teachers and the false prophets. You must develop Spiritual Discernment to separate between the voices of the Good Shepherd (Jesus) and of the thieves and hirelings. The life Jesus offers is not just about having material goods, but especially having spiritual wealth, peace, and joy. Jesus gives you eternal life. The devil hates you and wants to destroy your life. Trust in Jesus’ guidance and protection. He loves you deeply. Selah!

Spiritually, the thief attacks what God, by His Grace, freely gives to His people. His strategies are subtle, daily, and personal.

*Fellowship with God. The devil deceived Eve and Adam. They both sinned. They lost the sweet intimate fellowship with God (Gen 3:8-13).

*God’s Word, Truth and sound doctrine (Matt 13:19).

*Eternal rewards. “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (Rev 3:11).

*Joy and replaces it with grumbling (Philipp 2:14). Peace, by increasing worry and fear (Philipp 4:6-7).

*Time, thru distractions and procrastination. “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:16).

*Identity, by whispering lies about who we are in Christ… Satan told Jesus: “If You are the Son of God…” (Matt 4:3)

*Relationships, marriages, by gossip, division. “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends” (PV 16:28; NLT)

*Purpose in life by shifting focus from God-given calling to worldly success. “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matt 16:23).

*Faith in God’s Word and assurance of salvation in Christ. He sows doubt in God’s Word. “Has God indeed said…” (Gen 3:1)

“I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering” (Is 61:8). God hates stealing, especially done by religious people. God is sovereign and self-sufficient. Everything belongs to God. Stealing is a negative picture saying that God needs something else that He does not have. That is an insult on God! When man steals, he insults Jehovah Jireh who has promised to supply all man’s needs.

CHEATING IN BUSINESS: “Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures, both of them are detestable and offensive to the LORD” (PV 20:10; AMP). Why do people cheat in business? First, because it is easy to do it and hard to be caught. Secondly, when people want to succeed in life and fail to do so by honest means, they turn to deception. They think that fake dreams are better than no dreams at all. They see cheating as an exciting adventure. Cheating is learned from others. It is hard but not impossible for a cheater to become an honest worker, or for a thief to become a generous person. Only in Christ there is hope, deliverance, and victory! 

REFUSING TO PAY DEBTS IS STEALING: “The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives” (Ps 37:21). When you refuse or delay in paying debts, loans, or bills, you are stealing. Refusing to return borrowed goods (books etc) is stealing. Selah!

MONEY LENDING WITH HIGH INTEREST IS STEALING: “If you make money by charging high interest rates, you will lose it all to someone who cares for the poor” (PV 28:8; CEV). If you give a loan to somebody in need, be sure that it is not with a wicked mind to exploit that man. Be kind to the poor. Making profit or interest is not a sin. Having a wicked heart, oppressing men to make money, that is sin! Selah!

NOT PAYING TITHES AND OFFERINGS IS STEALING (Malachi 3:8-12). Many Christians ignore God’s command to tithe. Be careful! God never argues with His creation. Christianity is a work of faith. No matter what man says, God’s Word tells us to tithe. We owe God the first tenth of our pay or profit. When we do not give God His due, we are robbing God. God promises special spiritual and material blessings to those who tithe. God increases and protects your harvest from ‘the devourer’ (the one who eats your harvest). The testimony of millions who tithe faithfully is a confirmation that God’s Word is true.

THE EFFECTS OF STEALING: Disgrace is the portion of the thief and his family. “The thief is ashamed when he is found out” (Jer 2:26). Stealing is punished by God, and it leads to failure in life. The demon of poverty enters the thief and his family. “People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house” (PV 6:30,31). This is a warning against all thieves. You can never become wealthy through stealing. Selah!

WORK TO PUT BREAD ON THE TABLE! BE GENEROUS!

“The thief [who has become a believer] must no longer steal, but instead he must work hard [making an honest living], producing that which is good with his own hands, so that he will have something to share with those in need” (Eph 4:28; AMP). The Christian may not stop stealing immediately. Sanctification is a process. The Christian must pray for the strength to resist and conquer the power of sin. If a man says he is saved and he continues to steal habitually, that one is not yet saved. A man steals because he is idle and lazy. Now, things must change. Most thieves waste their money thru drugs, alcohol, and fornication. The former thief who is now a believer, must learn to work hard. In Greek, the word ‘work’ describes a man who labours hard until he sweats. By working hard, the ex-thief learns to respect honest labor. He also discovers that God blesses the work of his hands. He starts making good money, enough to share with others who are in need. He learns the power of the unity of the Spirit with others, in his family and in his church.

STEALING IN NIGERIA

“Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (PV 14:34;AMP).

Nigeria is known abroad as a place where stealing and corruption is almost a culture. Many Nigerians are very religious but also like to steal. They combine the worship of God with stealing from men. Many people have tried to explain the reasons why stealing is so common. These are some reasons I have found on the internet. Nigerians hate poverty with a passion. They say that poverty has no relatives or friends. At the same time, Nigerians love wealth and visible success. Many pastors preach the so called ‘prosperity Gospel’. It affects the people who attend these churches. They imagine that God overlooks sin in the process of them becoming wealthy. In Nigeria, honesty, modesty in dressing, contentment in life and working hard are not always celebrated. Becoming rich quickly is fashionable. Cybercriminals are called ‘Yahoo Boys’. Nigeria is ranked first in African and third globally in cybercrime. Over 40% of undergraduates and 60% of unemployed graduates in Nigeria are involved. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high unemployment, greed, materialism, contemporary youth culture, and extravagant lifestyles drive some to engage in cybercrime. Peer influence plays some role in cybercrime. Joining the crime is wilful and not by force. Parents’ unwillingness to report the crime, as well as their acceptance of the proceeds, suggests that they do approve of cyber-crime. This is the sad story of a beautiful country. May revival come to this land! Amen!

MY TESTIMONY

Long ago my husband and I made a covenant with God that if anyone steals our things, that one must surrender to Christ. That is why I do not feel cheated when people steal my things. For me, by paying tithes, offerings and helping the needy I have been able to conquer the spirit of stealing. I loved my work as a medical doctor. I now love my work as a pastor! God has blessed both my works! Worship the Lord!

GOD IS LOVE – THE LOOK OF THE MASTER

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1Jn 4:8). This is an amazing declaration: God is love. No matter how difficult this revelation appears to us, the fountain of all God’s activity is this kind of self-giving sacrificial Agape love. Even His rebukes come to us from love. Judgment is not something separate from love. If you convince me that a holy, loving God cannot judge a sinful person, then you will also convince me that He cannot love a sinful person. In God’s holy love there is a strong opposition toward anything that hurts the object of His love. God is a purifying fire, consuming and burning away the dross in order that He might preserve the gold. “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29). Because of this very quality of fire, Love is not always easy to live with. Allow Love to change you! God’s Love is filled with Grace, including all kinds of people, without looking for merit on the part of the object loved. That is the Agape love of God!

A BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise” (Ps 51:17). In the Temple at Jerusalem, animal sacrifices were central to worship God. But here we see that God values the repentant heart much more that religious ceremonies. The words “broken and contrite” show deep sorrow for sin, repentance, humility before God and a true desire to reconcile with God. God knows when repentance is genuine or fake. In Christ, we receive grace and mercy to come to God, to repent and be saved. God is faithful. He will surely accept and forgive anyone who truly repents of his sins, for Christ’ sake. A “broken spirit” is a spirit that bows low in honest recognition to its sin. He totally depends on God for mercy and does not depend on self. It is an internal attitude that refuses to hide, excuse, justify or manage sin but brings it into God’s light. The will is surrendered to God’s will. What is the evidence a spirit is becoming broken? The believer is quick to repent rather than justifying his sin. He becomes softer toward other people’s failures. He loses the hardness of the heart caused by sin. He extends mercy to others. He does not have confidence in himself. He rejoices in knowing the Grace of God and not in his works. God never despises a heart that comes low before Him. How do you know that God has accepted your sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart, of a true repentance? God will give you the Peace that passes all understanding! Selah!

Why does God value a broken spirit? Because the spirit honours God’s holiness and His verdict on sin. Humility invites God’s Grace and intimate fellowship with Him. The stronghold of pride is removed. Therefore, the soul can freely worship God. The path of continual repentance is the path of continual revival. As we stay near the Cross, His Spirit shapes in us the very brokenness He delights to bless, making room for deeper intimacy, stronger obedience, and lasting joy. Because the Lord has already provided atonement in the Son, He delights to welcome anyone who approaches Him in humble faith. Jesus promised to receive anyone who comes to Him with a true repentant heart. “Whoever comes to Me I will never cast out” (Jn 6:37). The Devil whispers that our sins are too great and God will reject us. But this word gives us confidence: God does not despise repentant sinners; He embraces them! Selah! On the Cross, Jesus died of a broken heart. When the Roman solider punctured his heart with his spear, blood and water poured out (Jn 19:34). Only a broken heart pours out Blood and Water. The sin of the mankind broke the heart of Jesus. Because God the Father did not despise the sacrifice of His only begotten Son on the Cross, He does not despise a broken and a contrite heart. Selah!

GOD’S JUDGEMENT STARTS IN THE CHURCH

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (1Pet 4:17-19). This word speaks about the discipline and judgment of backsliders, not about condemnation for sin already forgiven in Christ. It’s God’s inspection, a purifying process that separates the genuine from the false and designed to mature true faith in the believers. There is a sense of urgency concerning the judgment of God. Jesus promised to come again. He will finally destroy the devil and all that is evil. Judgement starts in the church, in the house of God. God purifies His people first, so that they live according to His will. His judgement will “begin in My Sanctuary” (Ezekiel 9:6). This reflects the principle that those who have received greater revelation and responsibility are held to a higher standard (Luke 12:48). The judgment here means correction, pruning, so that the believers’ faith is strengthened and church becomes pure.

This is the revelation: believers are not exempt from God’s inspection and correction. The early church faced persecution and trials, which were seen as part of this judgment process. The trials served to test and to strengthen their faith. God’s people are often tested to prove their faithfulness, as seen in the stories of Job and Abraham. For the unbelievers, for those who reject Christ, the judgment is more severe. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (Jn 3:36). This is a reminder of the need for repentance and the urgency of evangelism. God’s fire purifies the believers and destroys the unbelievers. Nominal Christians cannot survive God’s fire.

Why does judgment start with us? Because God is holy, His people must be holy like him (Lev 11:44). Our witness is credible only when is refined; hypocrisy dishonours the gospel. A loving Father disciplines His children to share His righteousness (Heb 12:5-11). During times of discipline, we have the assurance that God’s discipline is a sign of love and not of wrath. In Christ, we stand secure. God’s fire consumes the dross and not the vessel. A purified church is a brighter light to a dark world and is a ready Bride for the Bridegroom’s return (Eph 5:25-27).

PETER’S DENIAL, REPENTANCE AND RECONCILIATION

(Mark 14:27-31; 65-72; Luke 22:31-34; 59-62)

“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Lk 22:31,32). Jesus, by calling Peter’s name twice, shows that this is an important message and an urgent warning. This picture is like in a court room where one of the lawyers, Satan, asks the judge for permission to speak and act. It was the same in the case of Job (Job 1:6-12). Lessons: God is sovereign. Without permission from God, Satan can’t attack a believer. God allows Satan to test Christians for His own divine purposes. The test is like “sifting the wheat”. This is the process by which the grain is separated from the chaff. It involves vigorous shaking. It is a severe trial or testing that ends in stronger and purer faith. Spiritual warfare is real. Satan attacks our faith in God. Watch and pray. Trials and challenging, but they are opportunities for spiritual growth and strengthening of faith. God uses them to purify our love for Him. Jesus’ warning to Peter comes with His intercession. We are comforted knowing that Jesus intercedes for us in our trials. After overcoming trials, we are called to support and strengthen others in their faith journey, as Peter was instructed to do. The warning of Jesus is a proof of His love for us. Spiritual attacks are real, personal, and often timed at moments of transition before promotions or breakthroughs in life. Satan’s goal is to uproot faith, but Jesus’ goal is to refine it. Jesus gives hope to Peter telling him what to do once he overcomes the trial – “when you have returned to Me”.

These Satan’s tactics: Accusation and condemnation (Rev 12:10). Deception, confusion about your identity as God’s child (“If You are the Son of God…” Lk 4:3). Isolation from the fellowship, loneliness (“Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecc 4:12). Pride (Peter boasted: “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death” Lk 22:33). How do we prepare? Admit your weakness. Totally depend on God. Be careful especially in times of fatigue, success, loneliness and conflict. Pray in English, in tongues and with God’s Word. “Watch and pray, so that you will not enter into temptation.” (Matt26:41). Clothe yourself with God’s Armor (Eph 6:10-18). Belt of truth: fight Satan’s lies with what God says. Breastplate of righteousness: stand in Christ’s finished work. Gospel shoes: keep moving, not fear. Forward ever! Shield of faith: extinguish fiery darts of fear and doubt. Helmet of salvation: guard your mind with faith and peace. Sword of the Spirit: active weapon. “It is written!” (Matt 4:1-11). Pray in the Spirit!

Strengthen Your position through the Fellowship of the brethren. Confess your sins and pray with trusted believers (Jam 5:16). Submit to your pastors and elders’. They watch for your soul. “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb 13:17). Serve others; do good deeds. Warfare often becomes easier when focus shifts outward! Satan is real and active, seeking to “sift” believers, to shake them until their faith fails. Jesus is fully aware of every attack before it happens. Nothing escapes His sovereign eye. The Lord does not just observe. He intercedes: “I have prayed for you.” His prayer is directed to the most essential thing: Peter’s faith. If faith stands, the believer stands! Jesus’ petition is always effectual. What He asks the Father, the Father gives to Him. The goal is restoration and ministry. Jesus is constantly interceding. “He always lives to intercede for them” (Heb 7:25). Our failures are not the end of our Christian race. Peter denied Jesus, yet he was restored. Present stumbles cannot cancel future usefulness. Testing refines, not ruins. Live Ready, Not Fearful! Expect conflict but rest in Christ’ victory. Use hardship as training for ministry. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of faith (Heb 12:2). Prepared believers don’t avoid trials, but come out purer, wiser, stronger, and able to strengthen others.

Jesus told Peter: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times”. Roosters crow early morning. Jesus predicted exactly Peter’s denial. When the rooster crows the second time, Peter remembers the words of Jesus. He now sees Jesus as the Omniscient Lord. It is a moment of sudden spiritual light, producing instant repentance and transformation. Peter broke down and wept. His emotional response of weeping is of deep godly sorrow and repentance. This moment of brokenness is a turning point in his spiritual journey, the beginning of his restoration until his eventual reinstatement by Jesus after the resurrection. It shows the transformative power of repentance and forgiveness. Peter’s denial serves as a reminder of human weakness and even with the best intentions, how easy it is to fall into sin. Peter’s later restoration by Jesus shows that failure is not the end, and God can use our weaknesses for His glory. Halleluiah! 

Some of the emotions of Peter:

*Shock and guilt. Only hours earlier, Peter had boldly declared, “Even if I must die with You, I will never deny You” (Mk 14:31). The second crow split the night air and jolted Peter’s memory. Peter felt Guilty. It was a personal failure at the very thing he promised never to do.

*Shame before His Lord. “The Lord turned and looked at Peter” (Lk 22:61). One look from Jesus pierced and broke Peter’s heart. Peter has publicly disowned the One he loved. It caused profound embarrassment.

*Fear and Confusion. Jerusalem was filled with hatred against Jesus. Peter was trying to hide his identity to save himself. Now, Peter was exposed, as a backslider. He was afraid that he has lost his relationship with Jesus.

*Love and Hope. Despite his shame and his failure, Peter still loved Jesus. That love increased his pain. He had a little hope. Earlier, Jesus prayed for him: “I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Lk 22:32). This prayer offered a faint hope beneath the ashes of failure. Jesus gave him work to do after “turning back”. The rooster’s crow marked the lowest point, yet also the turning point towards hope of reconciliation and further ministry.

*Godly sorrow that led to repentance “not to be regretted” (2 Cor 7:8-11). After the resurrection, Jesus would restore Peter on a Galilean shore (Jn 21:15-17), proving that godly sorrow truly leads to life. Once you realize that you are weak by yourself, you are ready to become who God wants you to be! “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2Cor 12:10). This is the secret power of Christianity. Worship the Lord!

THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE

As we read the story of Hosea (Hosea 1-3) we feel his pain. He obeyed God and married Gomer. But his heart was broken because of his adulterous wife. Strangely, that was what God wanted. Hosea felt God’s pain when His people, Isreal, abandoned Him and went to serve idols. Because of his pain, Hosea understood the deep things of God. Gomer left her husband to follow lovers. At a time, Gomer, felt some guilt about her sinful ways. She wanted to go back to her husband “as at first” but she did not go. She had remorse but did not repent!

True repentance is not just some feeling of regret. In the Bible, the word “repent” in Greek is Metanoia. It means “to change your mind” resulting in a change of action. You totally turn away from sin and you turn towards God! Paul declares, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20). Concerning salvation, repentance means to change your mind especially regarding sin and the Lord Jesus Christ. You have “second thoughts” about your former mindset. There is a new way of thinking about God, sin, grace, holiness, justice and about doing God’s will. True repentance is prompted by “godly sorrow,” and it “leads to salvation” (2 Cor 7:10). Selah!

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance… So, produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behaviour that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]” (Matt 3:8; NKJ; AMP). John the Baptist, a prophet and a forerunner of Jesus Christ, was known for his call to repentance and baptism in the Jordan River. He is addressing the religious leaders of the time who came to him to be baptized. They are often described as hypocritical and resistant to true repentance. Genuine repentance begins in the heart, leading to a sincere turning away from sin and towards God, resulting in visible fruit. Repentance is not merely a verbal declaration but must be accompanied by a change in behaviour that reflects a transformed heart. Repentance is not a one-time event but a continual process of aligning your life with God’s will, producing ongoing spiritual fruit.

“The people asked John the Baptist, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So, he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages” (Lk 3:10-14)

When the people asked about repentance, John’s answers were practical and specific. True repentance manifest in:

*Relationships: you forgive quickly, pursue reconciliation and you desire peace with all men. 

*Speech: you speak truthful, edifying words—not gossip, not slander, or rough talk.

*Finances: you are wise and generous with your money, and fair in business deals.

*Work ethic: you work honest hours, you put quality effort, you refuse to exploit people, and you respect authority.

*Sexual purity: you honour marriage and flee immorality.

*Serving God thru Compassion, helping the needy, the poor, and the vulnerable.

True repentance means to openly acknowledge sin without excuses. When King David repented from his sin of adultery and murder, he openly confessed it to God: “For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned,

And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge” (Ps 51:3,4).

True repentance means to completely turn away from your sin, and turn towards God, in your mind, heart, will, speech and actions. “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon” (Isa 55:7). True repentance leads to Restitution and reconciliation. Whenever possible, you must correct the wrongs, like Zacchaeus who repaid fourfold the money he stole (Lk 19:8). The former thief now works to give (Eph 4:28).

True repentance means accepting and confessing the truth that you have sinned and only in Christ there is mercy, forgiveness and cleansing of the conscience. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8,9). The result is that there is a changed conduct, visible obedience to God’s Word, a new godly character and persistent spiritual growth. True repentance manifests as active Love for others, humility, and a willingness to be taught. A repentant heart welcomes correction instead of resisting it. “Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it..,” (Ps 141:5). True repentance manifests as serving God thru witnessing, sharing your testimony, preaching God’s word and helping people. Good works cause others to “glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:16). Encourage yourself! Stay humble! Celebrate progress, repent of setbacks, and keep walking!   

True repentance manifests as spiritual fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). These nine qualities are family traits of those who are filled with the Holy Spirit. These fruits grow together; are not “slices” or decorations. They manifest in real-life situations, not just in theory. The fruit God is looking for is the life of Christ expressed thru ours. “Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philip 1:11). Why Fruit Matters to God? By our character and deeds, we prove that the message we preach is true. Fruits demonstrates the power of the gospel to save sinners. It protects the community from hypocrisy. It Glorifies God: “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit” (Jn 15:8). God desires spiritual fruit in our lives! Continuous transformation is not only possible; it is expected. Selah!

UNFRUITFULNESS BRINGS GOD JUDGEMENT

“I will surely consume them,” says the Lord. “No grapes shall be on the vine, Nor figs on the fig tree, And the leaf shall fade; And the things I have given them shall pass away from them” (Jer 8:13). These are words of divine judgment and the removal of blessings. Jeremiah warns the people of Judah that persistent disobedience and idolatry, refusing to repent of sin, leads to God’s judgment. God will remove the material prosperity. These words show the authority of God! The absence of grapes and figs means no wine, no joy, no celebrations. The fading of the leaves suggests a complete lack of life and strength. God removes His blessings, including the Promised Land. God blesses the faithful and curses those who are rebellious against Him. He gives and takes away according to His righteous purposes. Selah! We are created to bear fruit. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…” (Gen 1:27,28). God’s loving discipline is a wake-up call to repent and come back to Him! Bareness is not neutral. It invites God’s judgment, removing what hides spiritual decay. Yet the same God who judges can in His mercy restore and multiply fruit!

THE PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE (Mk 11:11-26)

Jesus was hungry. He expects to see figs on the tree that has mature leaves, but He finds no fruits. He curses it. The tree dries from its roots. This story is difficult to explain. Many say that Jesus was selfish to curse a tree that had no fruits for Him to eat. It was not even the season for figs. The cursing of the fig tree is a miracle of destruction. In all other miracles Jesus heals and delivers, but this is a different type of miracle. This is a prophetic parable of judgment over Jerusalem which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. To make His point, Jesus could have cursed a Jew, but He decided to curse a fig tree. His judgment was restrained. What are some of the lessons?  

God warns against hypocrisy. As Creator of the universe, God has the right to expect fruits from the trees on this earth. He is disappointed at unfulfilled potential. His disappointment turns to judgment. The mature leaves are a symbol of hypocrisy. Jesus condemns the hypocrisy more than the lack of fruit. It is dangerous to pretend that you are fruitful when you are not. Like the activity in the temple courts during Passover, the fig tree was putting on a good show. And that made worse. It’s one thing to lack fruit out of season. It’s another thing to pretend that you have it. Many people look like this tree, leaves but no fruit. Our leaves are like that of great champions, leaders in the church, winners in business with perfect families. But the root may be withered. There are no fruits of holiness and no intimacy with God. Our religious activities, the leaves, may fool many people. What’s worse, our leaves may even fool us. And our churches can do the same. A church’s leaves may look impressive: great attendance, big accounts, successful outreaches, active pastors, and impressive music. But what will the Lord find upon close inspection? Will He find only leaves? Or will he find figs, too? God’s warnings are not empty threats!

God warns against spiritual bareness. A barren tree has lost its purpose. God judges it. Jesus inspects the tree and He is immediately disappointed. All leaves, no fruit. All expectation, no satisfaction. While the rest of the nations—the other fig trees—are not yet in season, this one tree is “in leaf”. God wants to see fruits on His people so that they become a blessing to all the nations. A lack of fruitfulness is a sign of God’s curse for their rebellion. “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you” (Deut11:16,17). Jesus enters Jerusalem. The Passover celebration, the crowds, the singing and dancing, it’s all only a show. Jesus enters God’s house of prayer and finds it “a den of robbers” (Mk 11:17). Lots of action, noise, but no righteousness, no love for God and man. These are all leaves and no fruit! Upon inspecting the fruitless tree, Jesus pours out divine judgment. The fig tree cursing is not just about Israel. It’s about us, the people of God throughout time. Selah!

As Gentiles who are saved in Christ, we are grafted into the trunk of tree (Rom 11:19-23). Dear believer is Christ, do not be proud. You do not support the root, but the root supports the tree. Unbelief made God break Isreal branches away. Faith keeps you in the tree. God can cut off anyone because of Unbelief. The barren fig tree is a symbol of ceremonial legalistic religion without truth and faith. Unbelief sees the Bible as only a book of laws, rules and regulation. True Christianity lives by faith, repentance, forgiveness and fruitfulness.   

Sin is defined as any plan, thought or action done against God. The root of sin is unbelief. The Holy Spirit exposes sin as Unbelief in Jesus Christ (Jn 16:8,9). The problem with sin is not merely wrong behaviour but rejecting God’s revealed remedy. This puts faith in Christ at the very centre of the moral universe. Sin means rejecting God’s light in Christ because sinners love darkness. Unbelief treats God’s testimony about His Son as false (1Jn 5:10). Jesus said: “That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn 8:24). It is not enough to be religious, to believe in God. Unbelief in Jesus Christ takes the sinner to hell! Selah!

Jesus looks towards to future with hope! The next day, Peter is amazed that the fig tree is dried. Jesus ignores his comment and speaks about something else. He talks about the power of God, prayer, faith and forgiveness. These are very different topics from the look of the dry tree, that was a picture of His judgment. It is good to study and admire the Creative mind of Jesus. We need to have such a mind who knows when to ignore the past, acknowledge the present and look to the future with hope. A creative mind knows the perfect timing of things. Jesus knew when to change the subject and to move on. Also, a creative mind does not dwell on the negatives. From the dry fig tree Jesus turns to God, and prayer and faith. He changes the view of the disciples. From the sad, limited view of God’s judgment Jesus tell them to look at the bigger, better things of the glorious future. Like Jesus, we need to use the sad present to look by faith at the glory ahead; to use negative to create positive, and the simple stories to explain the profound. Jesus tells them that Prayer to God has unlimited power because all power belongs to God. Faith is the key that opens the door of prayer. Jesus gives three reasons why the unlimited power of prayer can be limited by us: The Will of God limits our prayers, because we cannot pray outside His will. Doubt limits the power of prayer. Unforgiveness limits the power of prayer. May we repent of our ignorance of God, doubt and unforgiveness. Then we can fly as eagles in the open sky of prayers answered. “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:9-11). Worship the Lord!

THE NEVER-ENDING LOVE OF HOSEA ( 8 ) – GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES
“For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore, you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (Mal 3:6). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jam 2:17). “God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (Nu 23:19). God does not change. He is immutable, incapable of being changed, altered, or modified over time. The immutability of God is a central Biblical doctrine and a great source of comfort and assurance for believers. It says that God’s character, His Love and His Promises remain constant. God’s character is fixed; He is today exactly who He has always been. His covenant faithfulness stands independent of man’s behaviour. Both Judgment and Mercy are administered from a steady, righteous core, and not from shifting emotions. Isreal was often rebellious, but God’s love, patience, mercy and grace stayed constant and sustained them. Our security for the future lies not in our own strength but in God’s unchanging nature. This revelation leads to repentance and a renewed commitment to live according to His will.

God’s Word does not change. “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever” (Isa 40:8). The knowledge that God does not change helps us especially during times of trial. It gives us stability in Chaos. Circumstances may be wild, but God does not shake. Trials may feel like earthquakes, but God is the Unmovable Rock of Ages and the Ancient of Days! God’s promise is solid even when we do not see immediate good. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). God’s Love never gets tired. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lam 3:22,23; ESV). God loved you yesterday, loves you today and will love you tomorrow, exactly in the same way. He cannot love you more because His love is perfect. God’s purpose outlives your pain. What He planned for you still holds; your suffering cannot change His design. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11; NIV)! “Love never fails” (1 Cor 13:8). Amen!

God Himself does not change. But He reveals different aspects of His character at different moments in His redemptive plan. In the Old Testament, by His law, God establishes His holiness and justice to Isreal. In the New Testament, He fulfills His Law revealing His mercy in redemption through the person of Christ. From Genesis to Revelation, we are watching one unified story unfold, and through it all, we encounter the same God that has the same heart. From the very beginning, God was forming a people to reflect His character in a violent, idolatrous world. Because God is perfectly holy, He did not—and could not—ignore evil. He confronted it with righteous judgment. We read of the flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the fall of Jericho. This is not divine erratic anger, but expressions of God’s unshakable justice. It reveals the pain of God, the terrible cost of sin and why men desperately need a Savior to reconcile them with God.

When we turn to the New Testament, we meet Jesus—God in the flesh (John 1:14). Jesus is full of compassion. He welcomes the outcast, touches the unclean, feeds the hungry, heals the sick, and forgives the guilty. He moves toward sinners, not away from them. We may think that Jesus is more kind than God the Father. But that is not true. God is the same. This same Jesus also confronts sin. He rebukes the self-righteous, clears the temple with His righteous anger and often speaks about judgment, hell, and the urgency of repentance. He weeps over Jerusalem even as He warns of its coming judgment. Then we come to the Cross, the place where God’s justice and mercy collide in breathtaking harmony. At the cross, God does not overlook sin. He deals with it fully. But instead of placing His judgment on us, He places it on Christ. Jesus absorbs the wrath we deserve so we can receive the mercy we don’t deserve. That is Love! It is the only way a holy God can save sinful people without compromising who He is. It is the climax of the one-story the Bible has always been telling. God is Love!

The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New. He has always been just and always been merciful. In the Old Testament, we see God’s mercy in the ark that spares Noah’s family, in His forgiveness of David after adultery and murder, in His long-suffering patience with Israel’s rebellion. Likewise, we see His Justice in the New Testament when Ananias and Sapphira are struck down and when Revelation ends with the final judgment and the renewal of all things. The Bible is not the story of two gods. We meet the same God, uncompromising in holiness, unstoppable in love, one consistent, covenant-keeping God whose justice and mercy are perfectly united in Christ. Glory to God!
What about God is unchanging? His Essential Attributes, Character, Sovereign Will by which He rules the universe, His Word, His Revelation Truth, and His covenant faithfulness. In these ways, God always remains the same. Creatures change, but God does not. God does not increase in knowledge or power. He is supremely perfect in all His attributes and utterly trustworthy in all that He promises. Immutability refers to everything that God fully is. That means if God is love, God is fully love. If God is holy, He is fully holy. If God is good, He is the fullness of goodness. And if He’s the fullness of those things, any change in Him would be to reduce Him. God cannot change His character but in relations to men, because men change, He changes His response to them. God says: If you obey me, I will bless you! If you disobey me, I will punish you. “With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd” (Ps 18:25,26). Therefore, God changes His response to men according to the way men behave. But God’s character is always the same. God is forever faithful to Himself. Halleluiah!

Why God’s Immutability matters to us? It increases our faith in God! When we pray, we trust the God of the whole Bible. The God of the Old Testament is the same as the God of the New Testament. Jehovah God and Jesus are one! The same God who answered Elijah listens to us. All the promises and moral standards of the Bible remain constant. Because God does not change, we have the assurance of salvation. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 13:8). For example, the promise Jesus gave 2000 years ago, stands unchanged up till now and forever. “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one” (Jn 10:28,29). God’s immutability turns fear of judgment into hope and assurance for mercy. We encourage others with God’s historic faithfulness. We share testimonies of past provision as evidence of future reliability. We maintain long-term commitments (marriage, church, integrity at work) as reflections of the Lord’s steadfast nature. Because He cannot drift, His people are not “consumed”. They are preserved forever and carried by Him to fulfill destiny! This is an amazing assurance for us! Glory to God!

HOSEA, THE BROKEN-HEARTED PROPHET OF GOD
As we read the story of Hosea (Hosea 1-3) we feel his pain. He obeyed God and married Gomer. But his heart was broken because of his adulterous wife. Strangely, that was what God wanted. He felt God’s pain when His people, Isreal, abandoned Him and went to serve idols. Because of his pain, Hosea understood the deep things of God. Gomer left her husband to follow lovers. At a time, Gomer, felt some guilt about her sinful ways. She wanted to go back to her husband “as at first” but she did not go. She had remorse but did not repent!

True repentance is not just some feeling of regret. In the Bible, the word repent means “to change your mind” resulting in a change of actions. You totally turn away from sin and turn towards God! Paul declares, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20). Concerning salvation, repentance means to change your mind regarding sin and Jesus Christ. It involves recognizing that you have thought wrongly in the past and now, you chose to think rightly in the future. The repentant person has “second thoughts” about the mindset he formerly embraced. There is a new way of thinking about God, about sin, about holiness, and about doing God’s will. True repentance is prompted by “godly sorrow,” and it “leads to salvation” (2 Cor 7:10). Selah!

Love is an action word. It is a Verb. Love responds not only with words, but with actions. The word “therefore” appears 3 times in chapter 2 (Hosea 2:6,9,14). “Therefore”, how does a loving holy God reacts to Isreal’s sin? By showing Mercy in Judgement!

1-Love judges and punishes rebellious Isreal. Sin always takes you farther than you want to go; it keeps you longer than you want to stay and will charge you higher than you want to pay.
2-Love shows mercy and starts doing good to Isreal again. Love gives Isreal another chance. “At that time, you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph 2:12,13). As sinners, we were without hope. Now, in the valley of Achor (trouble) God opens a Door of Hope. Jesus is that Door of Hope. Jesus said: “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep” (Jn 10:7). As the good Shepherd, Jesus sleeps in the Door of the sheepfold to block the way so that wild animals do not enter to kill the sheep. Jesus lay down His life and shared His Blood to save us from sin, eternal death and hell. He is our only door of Hope! God alone changes Trouble into Testimony!
God gives Isreal another chance, by declaring “I will marry you forever”! God wants to renew His vows to His people. He wants to say again: “I love you!” “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me, In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; 20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord” (Hos 2:19,20). God pours on Isreal new blessings. He changes the meaning of the name Jezreel, from “scattered” to Blessings! God promises Isreal His Protection, Provision and His Presence. What manner of Man is Jesus? Halleluiah! You can defy the Love of God, but you can’t defeat the Love of God! Glory to God!

Hosea was turned between two loves: the Love for righteousness and the love for his wife. She is wicked, unfaithful but Hosea still loves her. God commanded Hosea: Go and LOVE that woman again!!! Love responds! Love pays the price. Love Redeems! God tells Hosea to go and buy Gomer for 15 shekels of silver and 1,5 homers of barely (the food she ate while she was a slave). Love pays the price to Love! Hosea bought Gomer with money. Jesus redeemed us from the slavery of sin and death with His Blood. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Cor 6:19,20). Christ paid the highest conceivable price for you. Every heartbeat, breath, and movement can echo gratitude when deliberately directed to glorify the One who owns you. Honor Him today in your mind, emotions, deeds and words, by allowing Christ to shine thru you, a living proof of His redeeming love.

“And I said to her, “You shall stay with me for many days. You shall not play the prostitute nor shall you have a man; so I will also be toward you [until you have proved your faithfulness]” (Hos 3:3; AMP). Hosea speaks clearly, as a man of God, not just emotionally. He tells Gomer that from now on, there shall be no other man between them. They belong to one another. They must stay faithful to one another. This commitment to faithfulness will last “for many days”. In other words, marriage faithfulness is “until death do us part”. Faithfulness in marriage is Single-hearted devotion to one partner. No physical, emotional or spiritual adultery allowed. Reject all rival thrones. Love restores to a position of purity. Hosea said you live with me, but you do not sleep with any man, not even with me, for now. This is so that you learn how to be pure, how to love again. This is a probation period for Gomer to prove her true repentance and faithfulness to Hosea. Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, God remains committed to His covenant, just as Hosea remains committed to Gomer. See the depth of God’s love and His willingness to restore us. God’s desires a faithful relationship with His people. This discipline is the place of grace. Grace not only but saves trains unto sanctification. Grace can save anyone, no matter how sinful. But you must repent of sin! Gomer, Israel, you must see meditate at how much God has wasted and sacrificed because of you, the price He paid for you to be redeemed!!!

Lastly, God restores completely! “Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days” (Hosea 3:5). In Christ, our future is better than our past. By His Word and the Holy Spirit, God gives us all that we need to stay faithful and have godly, happy and successful marriages. No matter how great our sins, God’s grace is greater, and He is ready to forgive and cleanse us when we come to Him in repentance. Religion says: we can change the God who loves us. The Gospel says: God’s Love changes us, forever! What a Love!!! Worship the Lord!!!

THE NEVER-ENDING LOVE OF HOSEA (7) – LET ME SING TO MY BELOVED

Prophet Isaiah wrote a prophetic love song, a poetic expression of God’s love and care for His chosen people (Isa 5:1-12). The song is about His expectations for Isreal, His wife. It is a lament for her failure to produce good fruit. God is called “The Beloved”. This is an intimate name of love. God is not a distant landlord but One who lovingly watches over His own property and people. The Vineyard refers to Isreal. This song shows the deep covenant relationship between God and Isreal, a nation chosen and cultivated by God. In Israel, vineyards were valuable and required much caring to produce fruits. A vineyard speaks of intentional cultivation; vines do not thrive by accident. God is the owner, keeper and judge of His people. The vineyard was planted on “a very fruitful hill”, a high place of great potential, set apart by God for His purposes. Everything was perfect. Isreal had the best rich soil, proper drainage, and abundant sun, ideal conditions. God’s blessings and opportunities for Isreal were to thrive spiritually and physically. This is another picture of The Promised Land. God had high expectations of fruitfulness. When the expectations were cut off, God’s pain and disappointment was great. You can feel God’s pain!

God is the Lover of Isreal. “The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, with lovingkindness I have drawn you” (Jer 31:3). God is also the Owner of the vineyard. God never abandons what is His. “For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance” (Ps 94:14). God, the Owner of the Vineyard, “dug it and clear out the stones”. This shows the great effort involved to plant the vines. The removal of stones means removal of obstacles, impurities, idolatry and foreign influence. God wanted Isreal to be a pure, holy nation. God planted the choicest, the best vines. God gave Isreal His Word, prophets and priests to teach them how to worship Him. God chose the best people so that they can be holy like Him, and His own special possession. God gave Isreal every blessing and advantage, to thrive spiritually and morally. He built a watch tower in the middle of the vineyard, to protect against thieves and wild animals. He then made a winepress in it. God waited and expected good grapes to produce weet wine, a symbol of joy. But He was disappointed at the harvest of wild grapes… His work was in vain…

There are at least 3 moral fruits God seeks: 1-personal holiness. “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” (Lev 19:2); 2- Social justice: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). 3- Covenant faithfulness: “Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him” (Exo 40:16). This shows God’s desire for His people to live in obedience to His commands, to be a light to the nations. The waiting period is a time when baby Christians mature spiritually. But God was disappointed. The good vines planted by God produced sour, wild grapes. Isreal failed to live up to God’s expectations. God wanted to see righteousness and holiness in His people, to show forth His character. What He found was sin, and moral corruption. The wild fruit points to the need for redemption through Christ, who enables believers to produce the fruit of righteousness. Jesus is the Vine; we are the branches (Jn 15:1). We are supposed to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22,23). Selah!

Like a pained husband, God is calling the inhabitants of Jerusalem to judge between Himself and His people (His wife). God wants them to examine His dealings with them, because His ways are always perfectly just. He expects an honest verdict that will expose Israel’s failure to bear good fruit, not a failure on His part to provide every blessing. Lesson: Examine God’s faithfulness against our commitment to Him!

GOD’S EXPECTATIONS FROM US:

*God expects spiritual fruit, not just empty religion. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit” (John 15:8).

*God expects us to be responsible as stewards of His gifts to us. “But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Lk 12:48). Covenant privileges never cancel accountability!

*God wants us to repent when we sin. God wants us to declare how good and just He is and how bad sin is. “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He” (Deut 32:4). Amen!

God looked for justice but saw oppression. God’s justice means fairness, right judgments in courts, and protection of the vulnerable (the poor, widows, fatherless and the foreigners); leaders refusing bribes, business deals free of fraud or oppression, fast correction of wrongs. But God’s people practiced spiritual adultery and became morally corrupt. Righteousness means living in right relationship with God and others, doing what is right even when nobody is watching, speaking the truth in love, clean hands and a pure heart; faithful obedience to God’s commands and generosity towards the needy. But instead of righteousness, God hears “a cry for help”. This is a picture the suffering, exploitation and oppression, like the cries God heard from the Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 3:7). The failure to produce righteousness shows the people’s rebellion against God’s covenant, leading to divine judgment. This is a warning against backsliding!  

GOD PUNISHES HIS REBELLIOUS PEOPLE

God is now ready to punish His people because of their unfruitfulness and spiritual adultery against Him. Due to unrepentant sin, God removes the hedge, His protection, leaving His people exposed and vulnerable. The enemies will trample and burn the vineyard, a sign of destruction and humiliation. God’s actions show His sovereignty and justice. God is patient but will not tolerate unfaithfulness indefinitely. In History, Assyria and Babylon conquered Isreal and Judah, burnt Jerusalem and carried God’s people into exile.

God Withdraws His blessings. This exposes how divine favour can be lost when fruit is absent! Selah!

*No Protection- God had “built a watchtower”. By removing the hedge, the field is left exposed.

*No pruning – No more loving discipline given to us so that the vine becomes more fruitful

*No cultivating – The soil of our hearts is no longer turned, softened, or enriched.

*No rain – Heaven’s refreshment is shut off; growth withers for lack of God-given supply.

*Accelerated Decay- “Briers and thorns” symbolize the curse on the ground (Gen 3:17-18). Man must work harder for his daily bread.

*Irreversible Barrenness – When God removes His favour, the vineyard cannot self-heal. Apart from God, no harvest emerges. Jesus said: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5)

Just as a vineyard requires pruning and care, our spiritual lives need regular attention through prayer, study of the Word, and fellowship with other believers to prevent backsliding. The picture of a wasteland and the absence of rain show the serious consequences of turning away from God. Spiritual barrenness results from neglecting our relationship with God. The passage speaks of judgment but it also points to the possibility of restoration. God’s discipline is meant to bring His people back to Him, offering hope for revival and fruitfulness.

LESSONS FOR US:

*God’s Word is a warning against spiritual bareness. Jesus said: “Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down” (Matt 7:19)!!!

*God still owns the vineyard, our lives, families, churches. He still protects us with a “hedge” of grace: His Word, His Spirit, and fellowship.

*God still expects spiritual fruits from us. His detailed investment shows both His love and His right to expect fruit from us, holiness, justice and faithfulness, not just empty religion. Failure to produce fruits invites discipline and judgement. Obedience brings blessing and witness. When we are saved, God plants us in Christ, the chosen ground where we can bear fruits. The Holy Spirit supplies all we need for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. God is the Gardener. He prunes the branches thru discipline so that we become more fruitful (John 15).

*God inspects the quality of the fruits. This reminding us that grace and responsibility go together. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2Cor 5:10). Spiritual fruitfulness is very important. Christians are called to live lives that reflect God’s character and produce spiritual fruit.

*Regular self-examination prevents the drift that turned Israel’s vineyard to become wild. God has done everything necessary for us.

*Judgment begins “with the household of God” (1 Pet 4:17). Judgement is a present reality, not only a future event.

*Stay rooted in the Word. Study the Bible and pray daily. Submit to the Gardener’s care. Continually surrender to the Holy Spirit. Remove obstacles: confess sin promptly to prevent hard soil. Serve others: fruit ripens as we invest in people—acts of love, witness, generosity.

*There is hope with God, who loves to turn deserts into gardens. “The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail” (Is 58:11). Amen!

JESUS AND THE RICH YOUNG POWERFUL RELGIOUS MAN (Mark 10:17-31)

This is a story about salvation. Thers is a young, religious, rich man, a leader in the synagogue and his community. He has achieved great wealth by his wisdom. He is a self-made man, happy of his success in life. Many people who become rich and famous, become proud. Not this young man. He still desires to have a brighter future. He has achieved many of his dreams. But he has not stopped dreaming… He has been thinking, what else can I have to make myself happier? What new crown can I purchase to place on my head? Somehow, I thought of having a special place in heaven… He heard that Jesus teaches about Eternal Life. He may not have known Jesus well but he started looking for Jesus. When he saw Jesus from distance, he ran towards Him and bowed before Him. This running tells us that one of his strategies for success is to have a goal and to run towards it. He was not a lazy man. He was an achiever. He then flattered Jesus calling Him “Good teacher”. All these humble methods used to work for him in the past. No man rejected him. But Jesus corrected him saying: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God”. Jesus corrected his idea that goodness can be achieved on earth, by becoming a teacher or a mentor. Jesus said that Goodness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and can only be received from God alone. No sinner is good!

Jesus then directs his attention to God’s Law: “Do now commit adultery, do not murder…”. The man was proud of his religious standing and answered: “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth!” He was confident that he has impressed Jesus. If this man gave his life to Christ, he could have been a candidate to replace Apostle Paul. But Jesus saw that the idol in this man’s heart is his wealth. Jesus does not say that all people should be poor to become saved. Abraham, Joseph of Arimathea, these were wealthy men. According to the idol in his heart, Jesus let him know the cost of Eternal Life. The cost is everything he has, his wealth, fame, position in the church and society. The man did not know that price and cost are not the same. If you want to buy an item, the price is written in Naira. But some things in this world, are priceless. Love is priceless. For this man to have eternal life, it cost God everything. He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for sinners. As God gave everything, man must surrender everything. The young man must let go of all his money, power and fame. But when he calculated the cost, he decided to forget heaven. He chose money instead of Jesus. This is the worse business transaction he ever made. His mistake was to think that all things can be bought with money. He did not understand the value of Love and Grace. It is difficult for a rich man to be saved because wealth without Jesus is an idol, it is heavy bondage. It keeps man connected to the earth. The man cannot rise, cannot fly! He went away sorrowful towards hell.

The disciples were surprised. They asked: who then can be saved? Jesus answered: “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible”. This is the best definition of Grace Jesus gave to us. Man cannot save himself. Only God’s Grace can do it! Then Jesus told His disciples: “But many who are first will be last, and the last first”. Before the Cross, the ground is level. The rich men on earth, if they die without Jesus, are last on the list. The poor men on earth, if they become saved by Grace, they take the lead. Salvation is a mystery and God’s gift. It costs the Blood of Jesus for us to be saved. Salvation, treasures in heaven, spiritual rewards are all priceless. Can you give all you have to gain what money cannot buy? As for me: “take the world and give me Jesus! I am satisfied!” Worship the Lord!

THE NEVER-ENDING LOVE OF HOSEA (5) – DIVINE OBSTRUCTION

Here we see God blocking the path rebellious Isreal has taken, trying to run away from Him (Hosea 2:6-8). The hedge of thorns is a barrier, a painful restraint; every step toward sin meets with resistance. This is a form of discipline. Thorns symbolize pain and difficulty resulting from the curse of sin (Gen 3:18). The barrier is placed by God to prevent progress, to stop Isreal from continuing towards idolatry. The next blockage is a wall, a more permanent and difficult barrier to overcome. God is determined to stop Isreal’s backsliding. He isolates Isreal from going on her sinful paths. This caging is not to destroy Isreal, but to arrest him, so that he can repent and come back to God. This is a proof that God disciplines His children. He actively intervenes when His people backslide. Because of God’s hindrance on the path, Israel is unable to pursue her own foolish desires. The inability to “find her way” means loss of direction and purpose, a common consequence of turning away from God. All backsliders become spiritually blind and confused. “We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places” (Isa 59:10). God’s blocking is an act of judgment mixed with mercy. Spiritual barriers are meant to redirect us towards God, not just to punish or frustrate us. God’s discipline is a sign of His love for our ultimate good and for God’s glory!

BACKSLIDING

Backsliding refers to the act of relapsing into bad habits, undesirable behaviours, or lower standards of morality and performance after a period of improvement or commitment to better behaviour. It means to go back, “one step front and two steps back”.  In Christianity, it refers to a believer going back into sin, falling away from faith, or ignoring spiritual habits. It is an interruption in spiritual growth. In other words, backsliding means to walk in the flesh. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). It is God’s will that all “baby Christians” walk in the faith, and pay the price to grow spiritually, becoming mothers and fathers in Christ.  Backsliding is a serious sin because it is failure to grow up spiritually, doing God’s will. Spiritually, you either grow, moving forward, or you backslide. You cannot stay neutral. It is only a child of God that can backslide. An unbeliever cannot backslide because he was always living in sin. A child of God cannot lose his salvation. God promised to chastise His children and bring the backsliders back to Him. A backslider does not lose his salvation. But a backslider always loses blessings. He loses the joy of his salvation, fellowship with God and man, opportunities for ministry, and rewards. These are serious losses, but he has not lost his identity as a child of God. If “a backslider” dies in sin, and does not repent before his death, it means that he was never saved. He was a religious unbeliever. When backsliders decide to return to Christ, they find that they do not pick up where they left off. Instead, they have slid backwards and soon discover that they are less spiritual now than when they first began to slide. Backsliding is not a sin that cannot be forgiven. The cure for backsliding is to return to Christ as Lord and reconcile with Him with all your heart. Selah!

SIGNS OF BACKSLIDING (Deut 4:25-31)

These are the gradual steps towards backsliding: internal corruption, making idols and living in open sins:

*Moral Corruption happens when departing from God’s laws. It means lowering the standard of your conscience. You know what is best in life and you aim towards that standard. Then the devil tempts you to lower that standard. Immediately you become spiritually and morally corrupted. Corruption is a decay of character and testimony. It is characterized by dishonesty, deception, selfishness, lack of remorse, rationalization of sin, and abandonment of integrity for personal gain or power. Corruption has a “Moral Numbing” Effect. Initially, immoral actions create discomfort, but over time, men become desensitized, making repeated sins easier to justify. It always negatively impacts the environment, leading to misuse of power (bribery, favouritism) for selfish gain, eroding public confidence and damaging society. Corruption connects with idolatry. Moral corruption is the opposite of Holiness. God is holy and He commanded us to be holy!

*Making idols: Anything in the heart that competes with God is an idol. A corrupted heart is an idol producing machine.

*Sinful open behaviour without feeling of shame or guilt.  

What is the Hope for an open backslider? Repentance! Coming back to God and asking for mercy! God has promised to receive you!

EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF BACKSLIDING FROM GOMER’S STORY

*Restlessness. You become impatient, anxious. Like the waves of the sea, you can’t sit down still, can’t sleep well; you want to go out, do shopping, to have a change of scenery. You are moody and complaining. You are not grateful. You constantly chase after financial success or romantic breakthroughs, yet they never arrive. Observe these cycles: temporary highs followed by failure and emptiness.

*Secrecy. You are hiding your plans for success from mature spiritual people. You don’t want godly counsel. “Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, And their works are in the dark; They say, “Who sees us?” and “Who knows us?” (Isa 29:15). This secrecy is not a mistake, but intentional rebellion, a “deeply hidden” effort to conceal plans and actions. This is foolish for none can hide from God. It is a sign of pride. “Woe” warns of judgment upon those who hide in darkness. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God after their disobedience. Jezebel used secret meetings, false witnesses, and lies to achieve her goals, but she was seen and punished by God.

I AM ENCLOSED BY GOD

“You have enclosed me behind and before, And [You have] placed Your hand upon me. Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it” (Ps 139:5,6; AMP). The Believer is enclosed, encircled, surrounded behind and before, by God Himself. This shows complete protection and guidance. He is like a city surrounded by high walls of defence. God protects “behind and before” because He is eternal, knowing past, present and future. Christ is the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning and the end (Rev 22:13). God’s hand in upon the believer. This shows present personal intimate touch, imparting authority and blessing. The hand of God represents power, provision, and protection. Believers lay hands on others in prayer, healing deliverance and blessings. God surrounds on every side—past (“behind”), future (“before”), and present (“hand upon me”).

The picture of being enclosed shows God’s control over circumstances, reminding us that nothing happens outside His will. Knowing that God has “laid His hand upon us” inspires us to trust His plan, even when we cannot see the full picture, especially in times of fear and uncertainty. God’s Cage means safety (nothing reaches us without first passing thru Him). When Satan wanted to attack Job, he could not do it because God surrounded him. Satan complained to God: “Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land” (Job 1:10). God’s surrounding presence is like the mother eagle’s wings carrying his babies. It gives us stability even when we are weak. “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut 33:27). During evil attacks, God defends us and we experience supernatural deliverance. “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him” (Ps 34:7). Praise the Lord!

Lessons: because God is “behind” we shall have no regrets. God has redeemed what we cannot change. He has covered our mistakes. Because God is “before” we are not afraid of the future. He guides our steps in paths of righteousness. Because God’s hand is upon us, He supplies strength in our present weakness. Nobody can break God’s protection from us. Jesus said: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one” (Jn 10:28-30). Worship the Lord!

GOD IS FOREVER FAITHFUL

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim 2:13). Because we are born sinners, we all struggle with keeping our faith in God. Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, denied knowing Him. Thomas doubted Jesus. As Christians, we need to always depend on God’s strength, not only during the times of weakness. God is always faithful to Himself, and to His Word. For example, God promised Abraham that he and Sarah will have a son. They were both too old to have children. But God’s promise remained. After waiting 25 years, Sarah, at 90, and Abraham at 100, she delivered their son, Isaac. God is faithful. This is God’s Word: “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore, you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (Mal 3:6). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). This assurance that God is faithful gives us strength to trust in God’s Word. God cannot be unfaithful. He cannot act contrary to His very essence. “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Nu 23:19). God’s Love endures even when we betray Him! God’s faithfulness remains even when ours fails; His covenant of love keeps the door open for return of the prodigals. Worship the Lord!

THE NEVER-ENDING LOVE OF HOSEA (4) – THE THIRST OF GOD

“Bring charges against your mother, bring charges; For she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband! Let her put away her harlotries from her sight, And her adulteries from between her breasts; 3 Lest I strip her naked And expose her, as in the day she was born, And make her like a wilderness, And set her like a dry land, And slay her with thirst” (Hos 2:2,3).

This is the sad story of unfaithful and ungrateful Israel. God brought them out from Egypt, the land of slavery. He split the Red Sea for them and drowned the Egyptians. God gave them His Laws and made a covenant of love with them at Mount Sinai. After 40 years of going in circles in the desert, they finally enter the Promised Land. Each one of them is now a free landowner. They were supposed to live there serving God alone and working the land. God has promised to bless them and give them rain from heaven. They will work less than others and have greater harvests. They will become prosperous, having time and energy to serve Jehovah God alone. God warned them against serving other gods alongside Him. Idolatry will end in poverty and death (Deut 11:10-17). But Isreal forgot God!!! Because they were inexperienced farmers, they asked the remaining Canaanites to teach them how to farm the land. They were supposed to eliminate the Canaanites and not associate with them. They thought them farming but also how to serve their idols, especially Baal, the god of fertility, and harvest. This is how Isreal fell into the terrible snare of idolatry. God took it personal, and became angry, just as a loving husband is grieved when his wife becomes unfaithful to him. The Book of Hosea is a picture of God’s pain as Isreal betrayed Him in the Promised Land.

In the ancient culture, nakedness was associated with disgrace, humiliation, the removal of protection and honour. Gomer, Hosea’s unfaithful wife, is now naked, for sale as a slave. This represents God’s severe judgment on Israel, God’s unfaithful wife. She will be as in “the day when she was born”. Like a newborn baby, Isreal will return to a state of helplessness and dependency. God warns that He will reverse the blessings of Isreal. He will withdraw the rains. From the Land of Milk and Honey, Isreal will become a wilderness, a place of bareness, and desolation. God is the source of Living Water. The consequence of Going away from God is tormenting spiritual thirst. In the Bible, deserts are often places of testing and judgment, as seen in the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness. This desolation can be seen as a reversal of the blessings promised to Israel. This prophetic message warns of the physical and spiritual drought that results from turning away from God. Thirst in the Bible often symbolizes a deep spiritual longing. Dying of thirst represents the ultimate consequence of Israel’s separation from God, who is the source of living water. In the New Testament Jesus Christ is the Living Water (Jn 4:10-14), offering eternal satisfaction to those who believe in Him. On the Cross, as He became sin for us, Jesus cried out: “I thirst!” (Jn 19:28). God’s judgment on the sin of spiritual adultery is mixed with mercy. It is a call to repentance, to come back to God, the only Source of Living Water. Selah!

TWO EVILS OF SPIRITUAL ADULTERY

“Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the Lord. “For My people have committed two evils:

They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jer2:12,13).

The heavens are called to be a witness at the terrible behaviour of Isreal, Jehovah’s unfaithful wife. God’s reaction shows the seriousness of turning away from Him. The heavens’ witness is a call to wake Isreal from the sleep of sin, to repent and come back to God. Despite the gravity of their sin, God calls them back to Him. The two evils represent a complete turning away from God, in attitude and actions. Selah!

1-First Evil – Forsaking the only Fountain of Living Water

God says: “They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water.” God is the only Fountain of Living Water, an ever-flowing spring, with pure, fresh, and sufficient water. In ancient Israel, water was a precious resource. By forsaking God Isreal rejects the only reliable, life-giving source. This spiritual rebellion leads to death. This sin is not just neglect but an active abandonment, a personal betrayal against God.

2-Second Evil – Digging broken cisterns that cannot hold water

God says: They have “hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water”. Cisterns are man-made pits to collect rainwater. Digging cisterns is very hard. But all the effort is useless because the cisterns easily crack and leak, leaving only frustration and emptiness. It is foolish to leave an ever-flowing mountain spring of living water to collect water in cracked clay pots. Isreal’s broken cisterns stand for idols, trusting political alliances, man-made systems that can never satisfy. Turning away from God results in inevitable disappointment and spiritual drought. Modern-day “broken cisterns” are Love of money, pleasure, success, power, or anything that takes precedence over God. Despite our failures, God continually invites us back to Him, offering forgiveness and restoration.

Why are these two evils so dangerous? They reverse the created order: people are made to draw life from God not attempt to manufacture containers. These two sins are inseparable: turning away from God inevitably means turning toward idols. Spiritual adultery provokes God’s righteous judgment. Spiritual drought will follow. We also see God’s heartbroken plea for the return of the backsliders. Jesus offers living water from a well that never runs dry, offering eternal life and satisfaction to all who trust in Him (Jn 4:10-14; 7:37,38). Halleluiah!

THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY COME AND DRINK THE LIVING WATER!

“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev 22:17). The Holy Spirit and the Bride of Christ (the Church) are heaven and earth’s evangelistic choir. They invite everyone to freely take of the living water, fulfilling what Isreal has rejected. We see here the Unity between The Holy Spirit and the Church, the Body or the Bride of Christ. The invitation “Come!” is a call to salvation, to intimacy with God. It is also a longing for Christ’ return when the marriage of the Lamb and His Bride will be celebrated in heaven. Those who hear the call also say “Come!”. The believers invite others to come to Jesus. This is the ministry of evangelism, the great commission, when Jesus commands believers to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19,20). The call is both vertical (toward Christ’s return) and horizontal (toward lost souls). “Come” is present-tense, urgent, open to all. None is excluded. The invitation is purely based on Grace found in Christ alone!

This call reveals the responsibility of believers to spread of the Gospel message. The call to “Come” is not just for the initial hearers but is meant to be passed on, creating a chain of invitation thru all generations. The repeated call to “Come!” shows the urgency of responding to God’s invitation. Today is the day of salvation, and we must not delay in coming to Christ. The people who come are those who experience spiritual thirst. This is a deep desire to know God and His righteousness, to be like Jesus, to receive what only Jesus can give. The promise is that they will be filled and fulfilled with the water of life! Eternal life is God’s gift, freely offered to all who desire it. It cannot be earned but must be received with a humble heart. Salvation is by Grace alone, thru faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. Amen!

Lessons for us: Preach the Gospel to anyone you can. The Holy Spirit will help you! Have hope! Christ can come back even today! Our heavenly wedding can happen today! Repent from spiritual laziness. The invitation is passionate and urgent! Be holy as God is holy! Only a Holy Bride can pay the price for faithfulness as she waits of her Bridegroom’s return! This call gives us courage to persevere during trials. Our faith and joy are not related to circumstances, but to Christ, the Lover of our souls. The invitation is not limited. No sin is too great. The verb is singular! The invitation is personal. The water of Life is eternal Life and total satisfaction. God calls people to Himself. The Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household” (Gen 7:1). Jesus said: “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). Hear the call of both heaven and church. Receive the free-living water. Then echo the cry to a parched world while watching for your soon-appearing Bridegroom. “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20).

AS THE DEER PANTS FOR THE WATER BROOKS

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” (Ps 42:1-3)

In the Bible, the deer is a clean animal because she has a divided hoof, a symbol of separation from the world. The camel, for example, is an unclean animal because she has an undivided hoof (Lev 11:3,4). She stores water in her hump. The camel does not thirst after water. She represents unbelievers. The deer is thirsty and does not stop until she finds water. She will sooner die looking for water than to stop. The deer does not pant for the stagnant water, for lakes, or cisterns made by men. She pants after running water, like the clean freshwater brooks. In the same way, the Christian desires to hear the living word of God, not stagnant philosophies. It is possible that King David wrote this Psalm when he was running from his rebellious son, Absalom. David was feeling lonely, like a child who lost his father. He did not miss Jerusalem city, or his throne, his crown or his wealth in the palace. He was missing the presence of God in the temple. That is why he was thirsty like a running deer in the forest. Selah!

It is possible that David wrote this Psalm when he was running from his rebellious son, Absalom. He was panting as a deer looking for fresh water. David was not longing after Jerusalem city, after his palace or his throne, after the wives and children he left behind. He was longing after the presence of God found in the Temple, in the Holy of holies. Hunger, thirst, panting, each picture shows bodily desperation that will not be denied. They speak of an inner pain that cannot be satisfied by the material world. To pant after righteousness is to pant for God’s presence, because He alone is perfect righteousness. Come to Jesus and live! Amen!

BLESSED ARE THOSE TO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR GOD

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled” (Matt 5:6. “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (Jn 7:37,38). These words speak of a deep, spiritual longing to be like God. This desperate desire is like hunger and thirst. In biblical times, hunger and thirst were common experiences due to the scarcity of resources, making this call so powerful. In the Bible, righteousness refers to living in God’s presence, in accordance with God’s will and commands. It means to live right and to do right. This longing is not merely a desire for personal moral improvement but a longing for God’s justice and holiness to prevail in a world of sin. The promise is that those who hunger and thirst for God shall be filled. The Greek word used here for “filled” suggests an overflow, a complete and abundant satisfaction, much like a feast. This promise of being filled is a present experience and also, believers’ hope that God’s kingdom will bring righteousness and ultimate justice to all those who have suffered for Christ’ sake. “So, he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev 7:14-17). Amen!

To live righteously means to live a life that pleases God. God Himself created the desire, the longing, the thirst. “It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13). We cooperate by refusing to satisfy our souls with lesser things, with idols. This is a spiritual law: Whatever feeds me shapes me. Study your spiritual appetite and thirst. Righteousness is not a side dish; it is the main course of a life centred on Christ. Study the Bible and pray daily. Have your own little altar where you go to have your quiet time. Read the Word aloud to yourself. Faith and spiritual appetite come by hearing God’s Word. Ask God to do a deep work in you. Pray: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Ps 51:10). Fast as much as you can. An empty stomach makes us hungry not only for physical food, but for God. Choose your friends and mentors wisely. Learn from those who have a godly established testimony.  Join a local living church study where righteousness is the common pursuit. Serve God in your local church. Serve people. Be generous with your energy, time and money. Righteousness lived out is love in action. Praise the Lord!

Lessons for us: Learn to identify your spiritual hunger and thirst. Resist numbing it with lesser things. Turn longing to living! Turn panting into prayerful pursuit. Read Scripture daily expecting an encounter with God. Practice obedience to God’s Word. Righteousness grows as our choices submit to God’s revealed will. Attend a local living church. Corporate worship is shared longing. It sharpens individual appetite Trust the promise of fulfillment. Even in seasons of dryness, the promised stands and must be fulfilled. Worship The Lord!