“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7 KJV). The OT Angel of the LORD is the Lord Jesus Christ, for Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), and the Angel of the LORD ceased to appear in the NT. We are told, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). Guardian angels are not a difficulty for the LORD, since He has appointed them “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). However the LORD chooses to deliver us is not the point; but, that He is willing to do so, is the issue. “Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob” (Psalm 44:4). Are we trusting God for whatever we will face, since we are certainly in conflict with the Devil and his demonic horde? Father, give us the faith to trust You as the flames draw closer to swallow us. May we be unwilling to bow to Bel, even if You chose not to deliver. But, may You be magnified, as we ask for grace to help in our time of need. Lord Jesus, return quickly and deliver us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Grace
Help, LORD (Psalm 12:1)
We are always a prayer away from help. God’s “throne of grace” is ever open to us in our “time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). Thrice, God rapidly responds, “I will help thee” (Isaiah 45:10, 13, 14). When our crisis is deepest, His help is closest. He knows we are then most open to a dramatic application of change in our teachable moment. Trust, try, and “prove Me now” (Malachi 3:10) is our Lord’s call to action. What thing in the back of our mind has the Spirit of God been whispering, “Change”? You, fill in the blank. “Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke [of man’s traditions], the putting forth of the finger [in scornfully pointing out those who do not comply with those traditions], and speaking vanity [using those false traditions]” (Isaiah 58:9). When the Spirit of God has sufficiently arrested our attention about whatever change He wants, He then challenges us, “Prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10). The surest path is “straight forward” (Ezekiel 1:9, 12), and we know the outcome will bring us safely Home. LORD, You are our help. Come to our aid. Supply what we have not. Open our eyes to receive the understanding we need. Thank You, and may Your name be praised evermore. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen.
Identity Crisis: Who Are You?
LORD, I am who You say I am (John 1:12). You are the Most High God (Genesis 14:18), the “High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity” (Isaiah 57:15 KJV), who has condescended to dwell with mankind (Revelation 21:3). You have created me in Your image (Genesis 1:27) that I may magnify You in choosing to walk with You in obedience (Genesis 17:1) and reverential trust (fear of the LORD: 2Chronicles 19:9). I am saved by Your grace through faith in You to walk in holiness (Ephesians 2:8-10). As a nation, we are blessed to be called by Your name to humbly pray and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways that You may turn (2Chronicles 7:14) and rain righteousness upon us (Hosea 10:12). As a Church, we are Your mirror to reflect Christ’s righteousness, love, and saving grace to the world (2Corinthians 3:18). A husband represents the headship of Christ to their wife (Ephesians 5:23). Parents represent Christ’s lordship to their children (Ephesians 6:1). Men ought to respect the biological uniqueness of women to bear the seed of humanity (1Timothy 2:15), as women need to respect the biological necessity of man providing the seed for the propagation of the human race (Genesis 2:18). LORD, may we understand who You are that we would know who we are. Magnify Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Can We Do Better?
We can absolutely do better, or we cannot grow. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 KJV). Until we stand in the presence of our Lord, we will be constrained by the limitations of our earthly circumstances. We will ache, become weary, mishear, misunderstand, and even miss our intended target. We certainly need a supernatural, good shepherd. LORD, lead us in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Amen and amen.
Why Doesn’t Everyone Finish?
Why doesn’t everyone finish their Pilgrim’s Progress journey to the Celestial City? “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14 KJV). A common saying in the world, ‘If it were easy, everyone would do it,’ makes a lot of practical sense. How does anyone know they are His chosen few? Peter answers that question. “2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity [Greek, agapē, love]. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2Peter 1:2-10 KJV). Maranatha!
What About Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?
When it comes to healing, what about Paul’s thorn in the flesh? “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2Corinthians 12:7 KJV). First, God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh to prevent him from becoming conceited about all his divine “revelations” (12:7). Second, “messenger” (12:7) is aggellos in the Greek for angel, which Paul described as the “messenger of Satan to buffet me” (12:7). This was not poetry or metaphor, but the evil presence of a Fallen Angel. Are all physical maladies necessarily demonic or a demonstration that we sinned? No. “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3 KJV). But, in this instance, Paul’s suffering was necessary in God’s Cosmic War. Remember, at other times, Paul prayed and secured healing for others (Acts 28:8) and encourages us “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6 KJV). This should not prevent us from seeking in prayer for the Lord to heal us; instead, it only justifies us for the grace, peace, and demonstration of the “power of Christ” (2Corinthians 12:9 KJV) to sustain us, when suffering is necessary. Our godly suffering then encourages the godly and frustrates the Enemy. Remember, our King wins this battle, and whenever we must suffer, it contributes to the Final Victory. Hallelujah!
We Need A Miracle 