Nine truths from the Word

This week’s post is a bit unusual as I could not simply write about one theme as I often do. I came across many truths as I was reading my bible and it became difficult to simply expand and write about one. So, I decided to give you an overview of the nine truths I saw in the bible this week. These truths are not written in a particular order of importance, rather they are written as they were gleaned.

1. You can’t expect to live in sin and have God’s blessings.

The Israelites did that. Their pride blinded their eyes and they thought they could carry on in sin and still enjoy the status of “God’s people”. This attitude is condemned by God and He promises to judge Israel by sending them in exile. What is astounding is that Israel never believed that this would happen to them as “God’s people”. Yet, that is what happened to them. In their pride, and prostitution, they somehow maintained the illusion that being God’s people would spare them from God’s judgement but that is not how God works (Jeremiah 2:27-28 or 1 Samuel 4).

2. There is no ‘right’ age to begin serving God.

You are never too young to do that nor too old. Josiah king of Judah became king at the age of 8 (2Kings 22:1). Throughout his service as king, he began serving God and his heart was whole towards God. He loved the things of God and God honoured that in him. He did such a great reform in Judah, destroying and removing idol worship, restoring true worship in the temple of God, celebrating the Passover and many others. What matters in Josiah’s story is not his age but simply his dedication. So, whatever age you are today, know that the time to serve the Lord is now, age is but a number and God is not limited by a number so take heart in that.

3. God has a history of using the ‘least of these’ to accomplish his purposes.

Jeremiah was from the least class of priests. He came from the linear of Abiathar who was the high priest Solomon ousted and banished to his home in Anathoth because he was part of the team that wanted Adonijah to become king instead of him. Therefore, it seems, priests that lived in Anathoth were of a second class, they carried that demotion with them. But that did not stop God from choosing Jeremiah. In fact, he is probably the only prophet to whom God says before he formed him in the womb, he knew him and set him apart (Jeremiah 1:5). Moreover, God gave Jeremiah a powerful ministry (Jeremiah1:10) and a long lasting one too (50+ years)!

4. God’s judgement will astonish nations.

In his judgment of sin, God will do things that surpass all knowledge and understanding. His judgement will be swift, sudden, and permanent as he overthrows nations who don’t love Him, whose reign seem everlasting in a heart’s beat. Moreover, God’s judgement will be fierce and total (Zephaniah 1).

5. Passover is very important to God.

The Passover was a feast God told the Israelites to celebrate in order to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt by His mighty hand. It was to be a lasting ordinance. Moreover, it was to be observed at a certain time and in a certain manner (Exodus 12:14-16). Unfortunately, there are not many records of the Passover being celebrated the right way in the bible by the Israelites. It seemed to have been celebrated rightly two or three times; during the time of Solomon when he dedicated the temple, and during the time of Josiah king of Judah. In fact, 2 chronicles 35:18 says of Josiah’s celebration of the Passover that it was one of the best and that no other kings had celebrated the Passover in this manner since the time of the prophet Samuel. God loves it when we celebrate the Passover. It is no wonder then that Jesus continued the tradition and asks us to perpetuate it. It is meant to be a lasting ordinance after all. It is important to God that we remember what He did because our salvation came at a great cost.

6. God desires to build generation men.

Throughout the bible and specifically as it pertains to the kings of Israel, David has no equal. He established a long lasting and good reputation. He was the model for generations and to this day he still is. Whenever a king was doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord, he was said to act like David. That is the kind of men God wants to build for his kingdom. Men whose reputation reflect His from generations because He himself is a model for all times.

7. Prophecies take time to get fulfilled.

Most prophets who prophesied never saw the fulfillment of their prophecies, yet their prophecies were meant to be believed by their hearers irrespective of their time span. One sure thing with prophecies is that they will be fulfilled. When they get to be fulfilled is not the most important thing, but the message they carry and the fact that they will surely come to pass is what should be of utmost importance.

8. Faith expects prophecies to get fulfilled at the appointed time.

Faith is not in a hurry to see a prophecy fulfilled; faith does not grow impatient when the prophecy takes time (see Habakkuk 3). Instead, faith is certain of the fulfilment of the prophecy and acts upon it. Therefore, faith becomes sight when the prophecy is fulfilled. When what was told and believed long ago becomes tangible, it means faith has become apparent to all.

9. God is the master of changing the impossible to the possible.

God is the master of situations. He alone is able to turn things around, make what seemed impossible possible. Look at how He restored Manasseh king of Judah after he returned to Him! Manasseh was bound in bronze chains and taken prisoner by Babylon (2 Chronicles 33:11). So, he was in captivity and exiled because of his sin before the Lord his God. Yet, when he humbled himself before God, God had compassion on him and restored him to his kingdom in Judah! How does one simply go from prisoner to king again? How does one go from exile to returning home? This can only be God’s doing.