Monday (6/22/09) I heard in the Spirit, Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all. The Lord sent this word to encourage me. I was stirred to share it today but the Spirit added a caveat of understanding; (which is this) many want to believe that they are righteous but by lack of faith are not “doers” of the word which proves that they are not “righteous”. Faith without works is dead. Works are as simple as giving a glass of water or repeating a word like this because the Spirit/God said to, then you are obedient in doing what you hear in your ear. (Faith pleases God, you are a doer of the word, God’s will is done, the yoke was easy and the burden was light.)
Not every glass of water given receives reward, just as not every word given is from God. Only the “ones” that God has spoken make us obedient to do His will. This is not to say that generally we shouldn’t be charitable, but that there is a difference between believing God specifically and generally. A biblical example is Abraham. He heard and believed God, did what he was told and it was accounted to him as righteousness. It’s that simple. If you believe that God does not speak or that you cannot hear him you cannot do His will, you cannot please God. Religion has all but destroyed true faith as God intended.
Most people who speak words like this are rejected because it is filtered (by the hearer) through a religious skeptical mind (what you have been taught). To God; it is the difference between the “Righteous” and the “unrighteous”; those who have been set free are free indeed (to hear). Being free from the doubt of religion, law and the flesh allows us to enter belief or rather faith that pleases God.
All this is God’s plan; the “Way”; His covenant with man; the “Covenant of Grace and Mercy”; the “Rest”; the “Promise of the Father”; if you believe God He will pour out His Spirit upon you and you can hear Him; if He has poured out His Spirit upon you, you have been accepted by God. If you fall back from this “belief” because of sin you become fearful or doubting; unworthy; the lamp oil has run out (Matt 25).
People who make issue of “old” or “new” testament when the Spirit speaks or gives wisdom and understanding are fighting against God; He has never changed. People who cannot hear the Holy Spirit cannot be lead into “All Truth”. People who love or hold to a “form” of Godliness rather than entering into “Truth” are as the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.) The “just”, will remain alive, by their believing God; taking Him at His words. God has not ever changed, only our opportunity to “know” Him has changed. This opportunity came by Jesus. This “opportunity” is running out; the days of saying “I believe” without the “fruit” of belief are at an end.
Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles…. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death…. 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his stead…. 21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered…. 28 He that trusts in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it unto them.
Romans 3:21… now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Man doesn’t live by bread alone, or rather, by believing Jesus existed (the devil believes); man lives by God’s will; because we believe Him and do His will (every word that comes out of His mouth); that is “RIGHTEOUSNESS”. That is why God hears us; why He delivers us from all our troubles.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. 4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
That’s “TABERNACLES”!
L,J,P&HG
Dave
Amen. True words, Dave. Thank you for the obedience.
I thank God that everything He gives is perfect and in due season. To those who will believe God that it may be accounted unto them for righteousness, this is a comfort….of course the Holy Spirit comforting us with words of truth.
This scripture stirred me as I read:
2 Timothy 3:5
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away
Many have a form of godliness, but only few walk according to the leading of the Spirit (i.e. the power to become witnesses, which is not denying the powere thereof). It seems that many lack the faith to believe that God is so for them , none can be against them….not even their own flesh or carnal mind. The time is coming when true Christians (wise virgins) will have to separate themselves from those who have denied the power of God.
Darkness comes, we can see it looming overhead. I pray that God causes His countenance to shine brightly upon us that we would shine as bright as the noon-day, bringing all glory and honor to His name.
Love in Christ,
Ryan