“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

Psalm 107 reveals the mercy of God. The first and last verses speak of it. The Psalm tells about four situations that show His mercy. These are in verses 1-8, 9-15, 16-21, and 22-31. In each, people found themselves in difficulties. In each, the people looked to God, and in each God delivered them. Each section ends with a note of praise to God.

In Psalm 107: 4,5, we read, “They (those who the Lord had redeemed from the enemy) wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.” This reminds of the wanderings of Israel after they left Egypt. They knew not where they were going, and needed food and drink. Continuing in verses 6 and 7 we read, “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.” Because they cried unto the LORD, God in His mercy provided them with what they needed and led them to where they were going.

Jesus said in Luke 12:27-30, “Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.” He knows what we need! In Matthew 6:8 Jesus said that God knows what we need before we ask. Just as God in His mercy cared for wandering Israel, so can we trust Him, too.

In Psalm 107:10-12 God wrote, “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.” Here we hear of those who are afflicted because they ignore God’s Words. Their hearts were brought down by labor, and when they fell down they had nobody to help them. These things God brought upon them because they ignored Him. Continuing, we read in verse 13 and 14, “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.” Though they were in their troubles for ignoring God, He came to their aid when they asked. What mercy!

In John 8:12 we read, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Those who follow Jesus do not sit in darkness because Jesus is the Light of the world. In Luke 4:4, Jesus, quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3, saying, “…It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” The real source of life is what God says, His words. Obeying Him is life. Ignoring Him brings labor and darkness.

Then in Psalm 107:17, 18 we read, “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.” This goes a step further from the previous. They ignored God’s word, so that they are in their iniquities, and are afflicted. Their souls were famished. They desired nothing of spiritual value. Continuing in verses 19 and 20 we read, “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” They appealed to God in their situation, and God heard and delivered them by sending to them back to the Word that they had ignored. Our souls are fed by spiritual food, God’s Word. Their relief came in paying attention to His Word and obeying Him.

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” God’s word is what mankind needs to live lives that honor God. And again we see that God was ready to help when they asked. Again we see His mercy.

Psalm 107:24-27 says, “They that go down into the sea see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.” A storm on the sea is terrifying. The trials of those who do business in the see were so severe, the storms were so great, that they were like drunken men. Continuing in verses 28 to 30 we read, “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” In this case, the trials are in the form of natural disasters which are beyond men’s control. In God’s mercy He is ready and able to help even in the storms.

 In Mark 4:37-39 we read, “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” The sea is under God’s control, it calms at His command.

Verses 6, 13, 19, and 28 are identical and tell of the people turning to God; “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” It is astounding, and reassuring, to see that no matter their situation, He delivered them from out of their distresses when they cried to Him. In each of these four cases we read of God’s mercy, care, and deliverance for the people.

Verses 8, 15, 21, and 31 are also identical. These verses are appeals to praise God. All of mankind should praise God for His goodness and for His wonderful works on their behalf. Oh, that they would! It is said four times in this psalm. Israel, and by extension, mankind, have gotten themselves into difficulties by ignoring God. Yet He sends relief! He reconciled mankind to Himself through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God’s heart toward mankind is revealed. What mercy! What grace! What love! What praise is due to Him!

Spiritually speaking, mankind is wandering, under death, under sin, and beset by things that are out of our control. Ultimately, our only hope is to call upon God in our distresses. Psalm 107 reveals that God hears every feeble cry of dependence on Him, and works to deliver those that trust Him. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

The writer ended the psalm with, “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness (mercy) of the LORD.” This is Who God is. He rightly deserves praise from us, and He is merciful to us. It is wisdom to depend on God even in our failures. He is merciful!

God is good! I will not fear
The trials that await me here;
His promises are true and sure;
His Word forever must endure.

Refrain

O blessèd hope, O joy indeed,
His mercy covers all my need!
God is good! His love to me
Is broad and boundless as the sea.

God is good! His hand supplies;
I cannot need what He denies.
I’ll trust His love from day to day,
And follow where He leads the way.

Refrain

God is good! He will not fail,
Tho’ Satan’s fiery darts assail;
I trust His grace from hour to hour,
And do not fear the tempter’s power.

Refrain (Charles H. Gabriel)

“For the Lord will not cast off for ever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.”

Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations during a dark time in the history of the kingdom of Judah and the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was under siege. Nebuchadnezzar surrounded the city with the army of Babylon and Jeremiah wrote Lamentations as a record of the happenings, enduring the siege with the other residents.

This difficult turn of events in Jerusalem was because of their idolatry; a violation of the first commandment. Time and again, through many prophets, the Lord warned them that He would judge them because of it. And every time they ignored His appeals. God’s patience lasted long, but the time came when His justice had to be satisfied. So, He sent Nebuchadnezzar to Jerusalem. This was necessary because they refused to obey His law. He told them that if they obeyed, they would live. But they had the same problem that all mankind has. Having a law to obey does not bring with it the ability to obey. In fact, having a law brings about in us all kinds of determination to disobey it. Paul teaches this in Romans 7. And from God’s own words, the soul that sins shall die.

In the middle of what he wrote, Jeremiah expressed an astounding realization about God’s character, which is recorded in Lamentations 3:19-36. Verses 22 and 23 tell us, “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” The verses above are further insights into Who God is.

Verse 31 says that the Lord will not cast off forever. The words “cast off” could also be translated as forsake or reject. God’s intention with what He sent their way was for them to again look to and trust Him, not to eliminate them. As noted earlier, all the prophets spoke of God’s impending judgment for idolatry. But they all also spoke of Israel being restored to Him. In fact, they said that God would take in hand to restore them to Himself. Jeremiah may have had this in mind when he wrote the verses above. God would not cast off forever. And though at the time things looked dark and impossible, Jeremiah said things that were right about God.

This reminds of what Job said after receiving wave after wave of losses, all in a short time. Job 1: 20-22 tells us that, “…Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” He endured great difficulties, but in them he worshipped God, trusting Him, and did not blame Him for how things had gone. It is clear from reading the book that what had befallen Job had nothing to do with his lifestyle or bad choices. In God’s plan and sovereignty Job suffered. But he did not charge God foolishly. He trusted God.

Unlike Job, what Judah and Jerusalem endured were because of their sin against God. But praise the LORD for His faithfulness to them! Praise God that He would not cast off forever!

In Lamentations 3:32 Jeremiah said, “…but though He cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.” As noted, the grief He brought on Jerusalem was intended to get them to turn away from their idolatry and to look to Him. Their sin needed to be judged and the sentence carried out. But though He cause grief, yet would He have compassion. Verse 31 reveals that God is not brutal. Verse 32 reveals that He is compassionate and merciful. Lamentations 3:22 says, “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.”

David wrote in Psalm 103:10, 11, “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” Judah and Jerusalem were not consumed in their situation because God is great in mercy and compassion.

In our everyday lives events may come our way that seem to be as difficult as was the siege of Jerusalem. The Lord’s people still have the absolute assurance that He has neither left them not forsaken them. Death, divorce, illness, natural disaster are not out of God’s almighty control. Romans 8:28, 29 tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” The Lord’s people still have the absolute assurance that, “…the Lord will not cast off for ever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.”

God moves in a mys­te­ri­ous way
His won­ders to per­form;
He plants His foot­steps in the sea
And rides up­on the storm.

Deep in un­fa­thom­able mines
Of ne­ver fail­ing skill
He trea­sures up His bright de­signs
And works His so­ver­eign will.

Ye fear­ful saints, fresh cour­age take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mer­cy and shall break
In bless­ings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by fee­ble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frown­ing pro­vi­dence
He hides a smil­ing face.

His pur­pos­es will rip­en fast,
Unfolding ev­ery hour;
The bud may have a bit­ter taste,
But sweet will be the flow­er.

Blind unbe­lief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own in­ter­pret­er,
And He will make it plain. (William Cowper)

“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces. And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire…”

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the most important event in the history of mankind. Through His sacrifice sinful men and women can be atoned, or reconciled to God. The disobedience of Adam and Eve put the nature of sin on all of their descendants. This has put us all at odds with God: under His justice, and bound for His judgment. Jesus bore the judgment that sinners deserve and satisfied God’s justice. His was a sacrifice with eternal consequences for all of mankind. All of the sacrifices that God gave to Israel in some way reveal the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The sacrifice described above is the burnt sacrifice which, the LORD told Moses, was to be wholly burned on the altar. All of it was for God. This reminds of Philippians 2 where we are told that the Lord Jesus Christ emptied Himself of His glory, and was obedient, to His Father, unto death, even the death of the cross. At Gethsemane He told His Father, Not my will, but thine be done. He gave Himself wholly to His Father in accordance with His Father’s will. Similarly, the burnt offering was wholly for God.

This sacrifice was to be a male without blemish. This is also a reminder of the Lord Jesus Christ. He spent three years living life around the people of Israel. Everyone saw that He was sinless. He always did that which pleased His Father. Nobody could blame Him or lay anything to His charge. By the end of three years of public scrutiny there was no evidence on which they could convict Him of any crime against God or man, not to mention end His life. He was not guilty, but He was hung on the cross anyway. “Let Him be crucified” is what they screamed against an innocent Man.

We also read above that the sacrifice was to be brought voluntarily. Once it was brought to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, the one who brought it was to lay his hand on the head of it, and he was to slay it. Putting his hand on the head of the animal identified him with the sacrifice. After killing the animal, he was to skin it, and cut it into pieces. This reminds of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ because the people beat Him, spit on Him, stripped Him of His clothes, flogged Him, drove a crown of thorns into His head, and hung Him on a cross. No matter what age He might have come, the reception would have been the same. Israel accused Him and gave Him a mock trial for crimes that He never committed. The Gentiles hung Him on the cross. All of mankind was guilty in the death of Jesus Christ. And as He hung in the darkness that day, He cried, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” In a mysterious moment, Jesus was forsaken by His Father in addition to the rejection of the people. In His death the Lord Jesus Christ took all the wrath that we deserve for the sin that we had committed. He was judged in our place, and He took what we deserved.

From here that which the Lord commanded Israel was different from the sacrifice of Christ. In the verses above, after the sacrifice was slain, flayed, and cut in pieces, the priests took it and burned it on the altar. By God’s command nobody was allowed through the door of the tabernacle of the congregation except for the priests. They were the ones that took the blood of the sacrifice and put it on the altar, and burned its pieces on the altar. These things were done before God: wholly for Him. The one who voluntarily brought the sacrifice was not allowed in, and did not witness the sacrifice. But the Lord Jesus Christ hung on the cross between heaven and earth in full view of God and mankind. Men walking by mocked Him as He hung there. Some sat and watched. His sacrifice was in plain view of all, outside of the city on the hill Calvary.

Hebrews 10:4, 10, 12, and 14 remind us, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins…, By God’s will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…, But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God…, For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.”

Surely there is much more about Jesus that can be seen in these sacrifices. May these things encourage us in seeing Him in all of the Word!

Blest be the ev­er­last­ing God,
The Fa­ther of our Lord;
Be His abound­ing mer­cy praised,
His ma­jes­ty adored.

When from the dead He raised His Son,
And called Him to the sky,
He gave our souls a live­ly hope
That they should ne­ver die.

What though our in­bred sins re­quire
Our flesh to see the dust,
Yet as the Lord our Sav­ior rose,
So all His fol­low­ers must.

There’s an in­her­it­ance di­vine
Reserved against that day;
’Tis un­cor­rupt­ed, un­de­filed,
And can­not waste away.

Saints by the pow­er of God are kept
Till the sal­va­tion come;
We walk by faith as stran­gers here,
Till Christ shall call us home. (Isaac Watts)

“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.”

At the end of Exodus 4, Moses and Aaron presented themselves to the leaders of Israel as the Lord commanded, and proclaimed God’s promise of deliverance for them. They did the miracles God had told them to do: “And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.” (Exodus 4:31) The deliverance they were hoping for was coming!

At the beginning of chapter 5 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and requested that Israel be allowed to go into the wilderness three-day’s journey to worship the Lord, and sacrifice unto Him. Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:2)

Pharaoh decided He that their request indicated idleness. So, he commanded that their tasks be made heavier. Pharaoh told their taskmasters to discontinue the supply of straw for their brickmaking. He also insisted that the number of bricks they produced not be any less despite the additional work. The leaders of the Israelites were even beaten when the number of bricks was less.

So, it looked as if it were all for nothing. Moses was sent by the LORD, and the people believed that He had sent him. They worshipped God for His promised deliverance. But now things were worse. Their work was harder, the leaders were beaten, and Pharaoh refused to let them go. The people came to Moses and complained about their situation. The verses above were Moses’ complaint to the LORD.

Consider what he said. “Wherefore has thou so evil entreated this people?” Their work was made harder, the leaders were beaten. Moses did everything that the LORD had told him to do. He went when the Lord said, he spoke the words that the LORD gave him, and he did the miracles that the LORD told him to do. But things were worse. With his question Moses revealed doubt of God, perhaps even accused Him.

Then Moses wanted to know, “Why is it that thou hast sent me?” He thought that God was mistaken to send him. He remembered that he told the LORD that he was not the right man for the job. Or perhaps he thought that it was a failing on his part that things turned out like they did.

Then he said, “…since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people…” This was something the LORD already knew. When Moses was given this task, the LORD said that Pharaoh would not let them go right away. Moses certainly had expectations about how God would do things. And this was not what he thought.

And Moses said, “…neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.” But God said that was what He would do. The LORD said that their deliverance from Egypt would be a process. He said that He would show all His might against them. So far, nothing had happened. Moses just made the first request.

As events proceeded in Exodus through the book of Joshua, we find that God did indeed deliver His people, God did indeed bring them to the land that He had promised. The trials they endured were part of what needed to be done to accomplish God’s complete plan for Israel. Romans 8:28, 29 reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” In addition, the LORD’s dealings with Israel were also His dealings with the nations. They, too, are being governed by God to bring glory to His own name (Genesis 15:16).

Interestingly, in Exodus 6:1, the very next verse after the two above, we find that the Lord did not even speak to the points that Moses raised. The LORD said “… Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.” God’s plan continued regardless of how things looked at that moment.

Moses’ challenge to God was that He had done evil to the people, that He had made a mistake in sending Moses, and that He did not keep His promise. Like Moses, are we confused about what God is doing? Have we had what seemed to be clear direction from Him, only to have things turn in an unexpected direction, or bring an unexpected result? Is it because we have expectations of God that are not realistic? Is God a person who has His own plans, in which He includes us? Will His plans bring results that only He knows?

Through all of this Moses ultimately learned that he could trust the LORD. And so will we.

Come, eve­ry soul by sin op­pressed;
There’s mer­cy with the Lord,
And He will sure­ly give you rest
By trust­ing in His Word.

Refrain

Only trust Him, on­ly trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.

For Je­sus shed His pre­cious blood
Rich bless­ings to be­stow;
Plunge now in­to the crim­son flood
That wash­es white as snow.

Refrain

Yes, Je­sus is the truth, the way,
That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him with­out de­lay
And you are ful­ly blessed.

Refrain

Come, then, and join this ho­ly band,
And on to glo­ry go
To dwell in that ce­les­ti­al land
Where joys im­mor­tal flow.

Refrain

O Je­sus, bless­èd Je­sus, dear,
I’m com­ing now to Thee;
Since Thou hast made the way so clear
And full sal­va­tion free.

Refrain (John H. Stockton)

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

If there is one thing about which people want to know it is the future. Untold amounts of money are spent on fortune tellers or mediums, or other means to try to discern it. In the Bible, some were told specifics about their lives, such as Peter who was told how he would die (John 21:18, 19). Or, Paul who was told how great things he would suffer for the Lord (Acts 9:16).

One upcoming event, told in the verses above, is the coming of the day of the Lord. It will include the heavens passing away with a great noise, and the earth melting with fervent heat. The start of it all will be the removal of God’s people from the earth. Then the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to reign on the earth. One scripture in which His return was promised is found in Acts 1:10, 11 where we read, “And while (the disciples) looked steadfastly toward heaven as (Jesus) went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

Starting with His return Jesus will reign on this earth for one thousand years. After that, the current heavens and earth will be burned up, as Peter tells it above, and be replaced with a new heavens and a new earth. In Revelation 22:13 Jesus said of Himself, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” John 1:3 tells us that without Jesus was nothing made that was made (He is the beginning). And in Revelation He said He is the ending. The end of all things described above will not come until He says it will. But it will come.

So, after His return to rule the earth, and after the thousand years, Jesus’ command to end the heavens and the earth will come. The verses above use graphic language to describe the event, “…the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat…” and verse 10 says that, “…the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” Since it is impossible for God to lie, these events will certainly happen.

In verse 11, Peter asks the obvious question: “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness…” Knowing that He is coming back is not the important part of this passage. The important part is what are we going to do with that information? Having learned these promises, how will we order our lives?

This life is temporary. Even if we make it through our life before these things are dissolved, it will surely end for us. The things of the next life are eternal. Every one of us will face the Lord. Peter is appealing to his readers to be taken up with holy conversation and godliness while we live this life. Holy conversation, or holy behavior, is living in accordance with what God requires. The writer of Hebrews said, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” 1 Timothy 6:11 says, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” Galatians 5:22, 23 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” And Proverbs 16:6 says, “… by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” In the new heavens and new earth will dwell righteousness. Living like that now will have eternal impact!

The overwhelming might of God will come to bear on the current heavens and earth, and nothing will be left. Then He will put the new in place, as described in Revelation 21 and 22. Since this will all be dissolved, what kind of people ought we to be? May we determine to live for the glory of God. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Lift up your heads, pil­grims awea­ry,
See day’s ap­proach now crim­son the sky;
Night sha­dows flee, and your Be­lov­èd,
Awaited with long­ing, at last draw­eth nigh.

Refrain

He is com­ing again, He is com­ing again,
The very same Je­sus, re­ject­ed of men;
He is com­ing again, He is com­ing again,
With pow­er and great glo­ry, He is com­ing again!

Dark was the night, sin warred against us;
Heavy the load of sor­row we bore;
But now we see signs of His com­ing;
Our hearts glow within us, joy’s cup runneth o’er!

Refrain

O bless­èd hope! O bliss­ful pro­mise!
Filling our hearts with rap­ture divine;
O day of days! Hail Thy ap­pear­ing!
Thy trans­cend­ent glo­ry for­ev­er shall shine.

Refrain

Even so, come, pre­cious Lord Je­sus;
Creation waits re­demp­tion to see;
Caught up in clouds, soon we shall meet Thee;
O bless­èd as­sur­ance, for­ev­er with Thee!

Refrain (Mabel J. Camp)

“For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: but even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”

Paul here reminded the Thessalonians of the day that he came among them to minister the gospel. He referred to how he and Timothy and Silvanus were treated as they ministered in Philippi. The story is told in Acts 16 and 17.

These men were sent by the Lord to Macedonia, a state of the country of Greece. Having arrived, they came to Philippi. As they went about preaching the gospel, they were followed by a young girl who mocked the gospel. The scripture tells us that through the working of satan she had a spirit of divination: she was enabled to predict events. We are told that through this she was able to bring great gain to her masters. As her mocking continued many days, Paul, being grieved, rebuked the spirit, commanding it out of her in the name of Jesus.

The spirit having left her, she no longer was able to predict events as she once was. So, her masters were angry with Paul and the others because their source of income was ruined. They grabbed the men, took them to the marketplace, and lied about them to the leaders of the city. They falsely accused Paul, Timothy, and Silvanus regarding why they were there and what they were teaching. The leaders with the help of a crowd beat the men, and commanded that they be put into prison. The jailor put them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Through this series of events, the gospel was preached to the jailor and his family, and they were all turned to the Lord! We are told that the jailor washed the wounds they received in the beating, and ministered to them with a meal. In Acts 17 we are told that Paul and his companions then left Philippi and went to Thessalonica.

Having come to Thessalonica, they met with similar treatment, and were hurried out of the city. From there they went to Berea. When the people of Thessalonica heard that he was there, they sent people to stir up that city against Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.

Sometime later Paul wrote this letter to the people in Thessalonica. In the verses above he reminded them of these events. Paul had endured great affliction bringing the gospel to them. In 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 7 Paul wrote, “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” Now, the people of Thessalonica endured affliction because of the gospel. Paul’s intent in reminding them of his own afflictions was to encourage them to continue in the gospel, even in their afflictions.

The wonderful example of Paul is worth considering. After the treatment he received, beating and prison, mocking and lies spoken about him, and all in the context of going where the Lord had sent him, Paul continued to preach to the Thessalonians. He was not silenced, he continued preaching the gospel. The abuses did not deter him. Above he said they were “…bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”

These things occur to this day. All believers have and do endure afflictions to varying degrees for their testimony in the gospel. Some have endured imprisonment like Paul. Some have endured mocking or shunning. Some have endured death. Jesus said that if the world hates us, we should remember that it hated Him, too. In fact, in Luke 6:22, 23, Jesus told His disciples, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

Though “…no chastening for the present seems joyous, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12:11). As we go in service for the Lord, even under His clear direction as Paul did, we endure what the world might bring against us. But we must not let these afflictions deter us from service, just like Paul. He was bold in God to speak the gospel. We must serve God no matter events, knowing and trusting that He will glorify Himself in us!

Simply trust­ing ev­ery day,
Trusting through a stor­my way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Je­sus, that is all.

Refrain

Trusting as the mo­ments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him what­e’er be­fall,
Trusting Je­sus, that is all.

Brightly does His Spir­it shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I can­not fall;
Trusting Je­sus, that is all.

Refrain

Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in dan­ger for Him call;
Trusting Je­sus, that is all.

Refrain

Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till with­in the jas­per wall,
Trusting Je­sus, that is all.

Refrain (Edgar P. Stites)

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:… therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

In this scripture Paul compared two men and the results of their lives. The comparison reveals the wonderful plan of salvation that the LORD has provided. Through one man, the human race fell into ruin. Through the other, reconciliation with God was accomplished. Those two men are Adam and Jesus.

Through Adam sin entered the world. The story is told in Genesis 3. He disobeyed the Lord’s command to not eat from the tree, which is recorded in Genesis 2:16, 17. Adam heard the Lord tell him this. But, when Eve was approached by the serpent, in Genesis 3: 2, 3, changes had been made to the command. So, she and Adam ate from the tree, disobeying God’s command. And Romans 5 makes it clear that Adam was the one who failed. Through him sin entered the world.

Ever since God gave commands to mankind, mankind has continually disobeyed God. It was true with Adam, it is true to this day. This is evidence of the sin nature that was passed from Adam and Eve to all of mankind. Sin has so impacted mankind that everything we touch is affected. No matter how well-built a building may be, it will one day be torn down and replaced. This is evidence of the sin nature. Further, our sinfulness is in the context of knowing God’s commands. Most people can quote the Ten Commandments, or at least their societies reveal the impact of the Ten Commandments on them. But, speaking of mankind, Paul wrote in Romans 1:32, “…who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Through Adam sin entered the world.

The Lord told Adam that the penalty for eating from the tree was, “in the day that you eat from it you will be doomed to die.” Above, Paul told the Romans that through Adam’s sin, “…death (entered the world) by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…” From the history of the human race we see that everyone will die. The ways and means of death are everywhere around us. We cannot hide from it. This is evidence of the sin nature that we all have. Even God Himself, when He came to earth, died.

Which gets us to the second person Paul Who was speaking of in Romans 5: Jesus. Paul said, “…by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” What a contrast of events. Adam’s disobedience had a result. Here we find that Jesus’ obedience also had a result.

Speaking of Jesus, Paul used the same word in Philippians 2:5-8 we read, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Obedience requires an object. And it was His Father who Jesus obeyed. This is clearly seen in the Garden of Gethsemane, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt… He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (Matthew 26:39, 42)” By the end of that day, He was obedient unto the death of the cross. But He did not die for any sin He had committed, because He knew no sin. He was made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).

So, through Adam’s disobedience many became sinners, and through Jesus’ obedience many were made righteous. Sinners made righteous! Dead made alive! Because of Jesus!

But this righteousness is not universally applied. John 1:12 tells us, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:…” And in John 3:17, 18 Jesus said, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

“…therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

Gone is all my debt of sin,
A great change is wrought with­in,
And to live I now be­gin,
Risen from the fall;
Yet the debt I did not pay—
Someone died for me one day,
Sweeping all the debt away—
Jesus paid it all.

Refrain

Jesus died and paid it all, yes,
On the cross of Cal­va­ry, Oh
And my sto­ny heart was melt­ed
At His dy­ing, dy­ing call;
Oh, His heart in shame was brok­en
On the tree for you and me, yes,
And the debt, the debt is can­celed,
Jesus paid it, paid it all.

Oh, I hope to please Him now,
Light of joy is on my brow,
As at His dear feet I bow,
Safe with­in His love.
Making His the debt I owed,
Freedom true He has be­stowed;
So I’m sing­ing on the road
To my home above.

Refrain

Sinner, not for me alone
Did the Son of God atone;
Your debt, too, He made His own,
On the cru­el tree.
Come to Him with all your sin;
Be as white as snow with­in;
Full sal­va­tion you may win
And re­joice with me.

Refrain (M. S. Shaffer)

“…because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

This is the last half of the last sentence of the sermon that Paul gave at Mars Hill in Athens. And, in this verse Paul spoke of two important matters.

The first is that a day of judgment is coming. It is an appointed day that the Lord has set, and it is known only to Him. While many details of it are described in scripture, particularly in the Revelation, the day of it is not known to us. It has been nearly 2,000 years since Paul said this to the people of Athens. The passage of time may make it seem that God is not really going to judge. But the delay does not mean that at all.

According to this verse, that day of judgment will be presided over by “that Man Whom He (God) hath ordained…” From scriptures it is certain that the Man that God ordained is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said in John 5:22, 23: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

Revelation 19 provides some details of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In verses 11-16 John wrote, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

What a spectacular event that will be. Revelation 1:7 says that every eye shall see Him. And, in Revelation 20:11-15 John wrote, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Yes, God is a God of justice. He will judge, and the day of judgment is certain. And Jesus is the Judge He has ordained.

Quoting from the above verse, the second matter of which Paul spoke is, “…whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” In the context of the promise of judgment, Paul spoke of assurance, or confidence. How can anyone have confidence before God when faced with His wrath? Especially with the words of Revelation 20 which talks about the lake of fire? The answer is that God has raised Jesus from the dead. The same One to Whom God has committed judgement has been raised from the dead! To be raised from the dead this One had to have died. Why would that happen?

God’s plan from before the creation was to provide a way to reconcile mankind to Himself. Philippians 2:5-8 reveals that Jesus came in obedience to His Father to carry out that plan. Verse 8 tells us that He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. But since He was never guilty of any sin, death could not hold Him. As Paul said it, “He has raised Him from the dead…”

Romans 5:7-9 says, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” And so, we can have assurance in that day of judgment!

Each of us needs to realize that Jesus died for them. Each of us needs to realize that we need this kind of intervention by God. Each of us needs to see that this is a gift from God for the taking (Ephesians 2:8). If He hadn’t intervened, we would still be under His wrath, awaiting the promised coming of Jesus to earth, and certain, fearful looking for of judgment, which shall devour the adversaries in the eternal lake of fire.

’Tis not by works that we have done,
Our souls re­deemed will be;
But by the blood of God’s dear Son,
Who died on Cal­va­ry.

Refrain

By grace are ye saved,
By grace are ye saved thro’ faith,
And that not of your­selves,
It is the gift of God.
By grace are ye saved,
By grace are ye saved thro’ faith,
And that not of yourselves,
It is the gift of God.

’Tis not by works that we can do,
Our right­eous­ness is vain;
But by what Christ Him­self hath done,
Eternal life we gain.

Refrain

’Tis not by works of ours that we
Can know our sins for­giv’n;
But by the liv­ing word of Him
Who pleads for us in Heav’n.

Refrain

’Tis not our works, but Christ’s alone,
Then rest thy anx­ious soul;
For safe thou art on Him, thy rock,
While end­less ag­es roll.

Refrain (Fanny Crosby)

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

In the end of his book John revealed his purpose for writing it. From the beginning to the end, he wrote so that his readers would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God.

John 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Speaking of the Word, John 1:14 tells us, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, …full of grace and truth.” So, in the first 14 verses John says that Jesus, called the Word, is God, Who created all things and Who became flesh. The rest of the book tells how He lived, died on a cross, and rose again from the dead.

In John 2, Jesus went to the city of Cana for a wedding. In John 2:6-10 John wrote, “And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins (about 18-27 gallons) apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: …the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.” Jesus turned 162 gallons of water into the best wine.

In John 4 a man from Capernaum came to Cana where Jesus was; a twenty-mile trip. In John 4:47-50 John wrote, “When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. …Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.” As he went, the man learned that his son had been healed, and he and his family believed on Jesus. The distance from Cana to Capernaum was no barrier to Jesus healing the boy.

In John 9 is the story of a man who was born blind. Jesus’ disciples wondered why the man was born blind. In John 9:3 Jesus said, “…Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” As the story continued, there was much controversy about what had happened. Stating the obvious, in John 9:25, the man himself “…answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” Then the leaders of the synagogue cast the man out of their gathering, and in John 9:35-38 we read, “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.” Jesus healed a man that was born blind!

We read in John 11 about Lazarus who took ill, and then died. Four days after his death Jesus came to his town. John wrote in John 11:39-45, “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. …He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.” Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead!

All 879 verses of John reveal that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. In these few examples Jesus changed water to wine, healed a sick man from a distance, healed a man born blind, and raised someone who had been dead for four days. Is not Jesus God?

John wrote his book so that his readers would believe this about Jesus because by believing they might have life through His name. This is eternal life, and it is available only by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. This means believing Who He said He was, Who His Works say He is, and why He came to earth. The last is told in John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” What will each of us do with Jesus? Eternal life is waiting!

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

Refrain

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem – just go to Him in pray’r.

Refrain

Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past,
We’ll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We’ll share the joys of heav’n – a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.

Refrain (Esther Kerr Rusthoi)

“Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.”

The man was from Capernaum. His son lay ill at home; at the point of death. Being a nobleman, the man likely spent as much as he could to have his son healed. But nothing availed. Then he heard that Jesus had come out of Galilee to Cana. He determined to make the twenty-mile journey to beseech Jesus for his son. He was certain that Jesus could do something, and he had run out of options.

And so he went. Finding Jesus, the man appealed to Him for his son. The conversation probably didn’t go the way that he had expected. Jesus seemed harsh, perhaps. He said, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” It cannot be that Jesus was harsh. He certainly brought this up for a reason. He had come to Cana from Sychar, where He had met the woman at the well. He went there on purpose to meet her. And this encounter was no different. Jesus had come to Cana to have this conversation. The nobleman answered the Lord by repeating his appeal for his son, “Sir, come down ere my child die.”

Then Jesus replied, “Go thy way; thy son lives.” Now the man was faced with a decision. All he had was Jesus’ word. What would he do? The scriptures tell us, “…the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.” Off he went! Another twenty miles were before him. The amount of time he spent with Jesus was perhaps only minutes. The conversation that is recorded would only require five minutes. But off the man went toward home. He believed Jesus’ word.

On the way back he met some of his servants that were coming his way. They brought the wonderful news that his son had recovered from the point of death! So he asked at what time that had happened, and was told that it was the day before, at the seventh hour. And he knew that that was when Jesus had told him that his son lived. We are told then, in verse 53, that he and his family believed on Jesus.

Taking God at His word is the essence of faith. This man’s trust in the Lord resulted in his son being healed, and the salvation of his whole family. The distance from Cana to Capernaum did not figure into the man’s thinking. Though twenty miles distant, at a time when walking was the main form transportation, the man sent to see Jesus, and headed home at the Lord’s word that his son was alive.

By contrast, the Lord clearly told His command to Adam and Eve. In Genesis 2:15-17 we read, “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

This command of God was no more difficult than what Jesus told the nobleman: “Go thy way.” Both commands required belief and obedience. Belief will result in obedience. God’s command to Adam was soon violated. He and Eve didn’t believe what God told them. Perhaps the unheard-of consequences made it unbelievable. But what should have made it believable should have been Who it was that said it. The nobleman expected Jesus to go with him, but He didn’t. He simply told him to go his way. Which one did God’s will?

What command of God stands before us? All of mankind is faced with Romans 10:9-11, “… if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Having believed this, the Christian life becomes a sort of school in which the believer learns to trust God more and more.

Come, eve­ry soul by sin op­pressed;
There’s mer­cy with the Lord,
And He will sure­ly give you rest
By trust­ing in His Word.

Refrain

Only trust Him, on­ly trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.

For Je­sus shed His pre­cious blood
Rich bless­ings to be­stow;
Plunge now in­to the crim­son flood
That wash­es white as snow.

Refrain

Yes, Je­sus is the truth, the way,
That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him with­out de­lay
And you are ful­ly blessed.

Refrain (John H. Stockton)