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Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Search Home Verse Of The Day 1 Corinthians 13:13 ◄ What Does 1 Corinthians 13:13 Mean? ► But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13(NASB) Verse Thoughts Of all the gifts and graces that are poured out in great abundance into the lives of believers, there are three that out-shine and out-last all others. When prophecy is complete, languages cease, signs are silenced… and miracles of health, healing, provision, and protection are no longer needed. We are told that these three, spiritual fruit of God’s amazing grace will continue and will remain and abide into the eternal state – faith, hope, and love. In this earthly life, faith must remain a high priority. Faith is vital, for we live by faith and not by sight, and the blessed hope we have in Christ, and His soon return, does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to all who trust in Christ for salvation. While faith and hope will certainly continue throughout the eternal ages, for our faith and hope will always be in our heavenly Father, it is love that will increase and multiply when we see Jesus face to face – for we see Him as He is and we shall be like Him. The eternal God is perfect love and the perfect love of God has been eternally poured into our hearts, through faith in Christ, for we have been made His children, through faith. But in this present world, we are taking our first steps on the pathway of love – a journey of love that will only increase through time and into eternity, as we bathe in His presence and gaze into His lovely face.  Both faith and hope are a beautiful manifestation of the love of God in the life of a believer, because we live by faith and not by sight; and we live in hope of our promised, eternal state…for we live in incorruptible bodies. But love is the greatest of all, for it will not only remain but it will enlarge and expand,. It will increase, and then it will grow even more – not only in this present age but in the eternal ages to come. When heaven is reached, the faith and hope we exercised in this life will be brought to a beautiful completion. Their respective purposes will be rewarded with sight – yet we will always maintain faith in our God and hope in our heavenly Father, Who will continue to sustain us into the eternity of eternities – for He upholds everything by the might of His majestic hand. But love is a gift of God, and love is the primary a fruit of the Spirit that will continue to grow and expand, beyond our wildest imaginings. The eternal love of God that has been poured into our hearts will continue to increase and multiply – for the love of God is eternal. The love of God is broader than the measure of our mind. The loving heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind. In the earthly realm, both faith and hope will last, for without faith it is impossible to please God and without hope, we could not endure, as seeing Him, Who is invisible. But love is the loveliest grace of all, for during our sojourn on earth we are being conformed into the lovely image and likeness of the lovely Lord Jesus Christ, Who is incarnate love. And it is by reflecting His love that we are to resemble the Lord – for God is Love and the love of God is broader than the span of our greatest imaginations, and the fondness of our Father towards us goes beyond our wildest dreams. But this life is the first step into an eternity of love with God; the love of God and our love for God, and these three graces of faith, hope and love must of necessity all continue beyond this mortal sphere, for the attributes of God are incomparable in their beauty, His perfections are unlimited in their number, His excellence is everlasting in its duration and splendour is absolute in its span. We, who have been saved by grace are to enter into the glories of the celestial sphere and our understanding and knowledge of God must continue throughout the ages to come. Our faith in Him will stand fast forever, and our hope in Him will be forever realised. But it is the love of God that He has for us that will move us ever closer to the love that we have for Him – as we abide in Him and He in us, through time and into eternity. My Prayer Thank You Father for Your gift of salvation by grace alone – simply because we believe in Your Son. Thank You for the hope that is set before us and thank You for the love of the Lord Jesus, which was demonstrated to us on a wooden cross, 2000 years ago. May His love flood our hearts and pour through us into the lives of others, that they may know Your love, have faith in Your finished work and receive that blessed hope in their hearts, that only comes from You, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN. ◄ Previous: 1 Corinthians 13:8 Next: 1-Corinthians 14:8 ► Choose a Verse from 1 Corinthians 13 12345678910111213 Proverbs 2:1 Psalm 13:5 2 Corinthians 1:5 Jude 1:14 Follow us 1 Corinthians 13:13 Further Study 1 Corinthians 13:13 in the Parallel Bible 1 Corinthians 13:13 in the Thematic Bible 1 Corinthians 13:13 Cross References 1 Corinthians 13:13 Treasury of Scripture Knowing 1 Corinthians 13:13 Sermons 1 Corinthians 13:13 Prayers 1 Corinthians 13:13 Images 1 Corinthians 13:13 Devotionals Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals Curse of the Earth Touch Isaiah 51:1 Isaiah 61:10 The Last Is First The Fruitfulness Of Friendship The Salvation of the Lord – Perfect MAN Eternal SON (8) Illusion or Disillusion Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us © Copyright [2011 – 2020] Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved

Toggle navigation Search Browse The Bible Toggle Dropdown Search The Bible Find it! How to Seek God with a “Broken and Contrite Heart” Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies Clarence L. Haynes Jr. | Contributing Writer Monday, August 24, 2020 Share Tweet Save “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). It’s quite possible you have heard this verse of Scripture before. You may have even applied it in some way or fashion to your life or circumstance. To gain true understanding of this verse it requires an answer to the question: what is a contrite heart and spirit? Psalm 51:17 says God won’t despise this, so clearly this is something we should have or desire to have. If there is something that we can offer to God that he wants, than that is absolutely worth investigating. I believe grasping the full meaning of this verse will require us to consider it from two perspectives. So let’s get started. What Is a Contrite Heart and Spirit?  Perspective 1 – Surrender to God’s Will There are a few key words in this verse. Let’s examine what they mean. Broken – Comes from the Hebrew word meaning to break or break in pieces.  Contrite – Comes from the Hebrew word meaning to crush. Heart – Comes from the Hebrew word meaning inner man, mind, or will. Spirit – Comes from the Hebrew word meaning breath or wind. Let’s put all of these definitions together so we can understand what a contrite heart and spirit really is. A contrite heart or spirit is when a person’s inner man or will has been broken so they no longer run after the things they want, but surrender to the things that God wants. A broken heart or will says I will no longer do this my way or on my terms but I will surrender to your ways. This type of heart, that is fully surrendered to God, he will never turn away. I know conceptually that may make sense to you. However, how does this look in real life application? In a practical sense this may mean surrendering your career choices, your ministry choices, your marriage choices, basically running every aspect of your life through the sieve of God’s purpose and plan for your life.  What is also important in this verse are the words “my sacrifice.” Sacrifice only works if you are willing to offer up something of real value to you. If what you are offering has no value, then it is not a sacrifice. Consider this question for a moment. Are you willing to lay down everything you are and everything you want, which includes your hopes, dreams, plans, and your future? When you come to the place where you can lay down everything you want to take on what God wants for your life, you are offering something of real value to God. Is it any wonder that he would not reject this type of sacrifice? What Is the Context of This Verse?  Prospective 2 – Brokenness over Sin Understanding the context of this verse will give you another way of looking at this verse and will help you understand even more what a contrite heart and spirit is. Psalm 51 was written after Nathan had confronted David with his sin. If you are not familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba, go read 2 Samuel 11-12. Long story short, David committed adultery with Bathsheba and she got pregnant. He then had her husband killed to cover the tracks of his sin. Since no sin is hidden from God, Nathan confronts David. In his repentance, David penned Psalm 51. Within this Psalm you will see another answer to the question of what a contrite heart and spirit is. Psalm 51 is all about David being broken over his sin against God, which is another aspect of a contrite heart. How do you respond when you have sinned? David was crushed in his spirit when confronted with his sin. This is the response to sin that God desires in you and me.  I also want you to consider Psalm 51:16: “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.” God doesn’t just want you going through some ritual that you think will appease him, especially if it is dealing with repentance. Simply put, God doesn’t just want outward transactions; God wants inward transformation. If we are not careful we can make the whole experience of serving God transactional. You read your Bible, go to church, pay your offerings and do all the transactional things that are required. The problem is the transactions can become ritualistic, almost like a checklist. Even though you may check the boxes, there is no real transformation. This is not what God is after. He desires true transformation which only comes when there is a change on the inside, aka within the heart or spirit of a man or woman.  This is what God is looking for. When you come with a heart that is crushed and broken over your sin and have a true desire for repentance, God will never despise that. Let me put it in even plainer language, God doesn’t want your stuff or anything you can do for him more than he wants you and your heart. Don’t bring your service, your gifts, your time, your talents, or your treasure unless you have brought your heart first. When you lead with bringing your broken heart, you are bringing the type of sacrifice that God will not turn away. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Predrag Images How Do Other Translations Word This Verse? When you look at this verse in other translations you begin to see this verse in its complete meaning. It brings full clarity and answers the question of what a contrite heart and spirit is. Here is Psalm 51:17 in a few different translations: AMP – My [only] sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise. CSB – The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God. CEV – The way to please you is to feel sorrow deep in our hearts. This is the kind of sacrifice you won’t refuse. ERV – The sacrifice that God wants is a humble spirit. God, you will not turn away someone who comes with a humble heart and is willing to obey you. MSG – Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice. TPT – The fountain of your pleasure is found in the sacrifice of my shattered heart before you. You will not despise my tenderness as I humbly bow down at your feet. What Does It Look Like for Us to Have a “Contrite Heart and Spirit”? When you consider Psalm 51:17 there are two questions I want you to think about. I believe how you answer them will give you some insight into what’s going on in your heart today. 1. What is your attitude towards sin in your life? 2. What is your attitude towards following God’s plan for your life? What God desires is a heart that is contrite. A heart that is crushed over any presence of sin in your life and surrendered to the plan he has for your life. If you will live your life with these two things at the forefront, if you will allow them to guide how you live and how you make decisions, you will put your heart in a position that God will never despise. More and more as I read Scripture, I realize that it’s not about just getting the facts right or gathering information. Don’t get me wrong, it is extremely important to get the facts and information right because they do matter. What I am discovering however is that facts alone are not enough. After all, didn’t the Pharisees and teachers of the laws have all the facts? What God is after is not just Christians who know the facts, who can quote all the verses, who may even know all the Greek or Hebrew. All that is great and wonderful. However, as wonderful as that is, what God is after is your heart. The truth is if your heart is not yielded, broken, and contrite, then knowing the facts doesn’t mean that much. I challenge and encourage you to be a person who knows the facts but more importantly who yields their heart. At the end of the day the yielded heart, which is your sacrifice, is the type of heart that God will never turn away. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Katarzyna Bialasiewicz Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, author and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. He has spent more than 30 years serving the body of Christ in various capacities and has just released his first book, The Pursuit of Purpose. If you have ever struggled trying to find God’s will, this book will help you discover the different ways God leads you into his perfect will. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com.  Promoted Stories Ads by Revcontent Doctors Stunned: This Melts Belly Fat Like Crazy! 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Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Search Home Verse Of The Day Acts 4:12 ◄ What Does Acts 4:12 Mean? ► “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12(NASB) Picture courtesy of Sweet Publishing Verse Thoughts The world at large and man, in particular, has for thousands of years been on a desperate search for meaning in life – for love and health, for peace and prosperity, for youth and beauty, and for a perfect dwelling place of eternal bliss and over-abounding happiness. Humanity as a whole and each individual personally is looking for salvation from the evils of this world. Each one longs to escape the pain, suffering, and disappointments that are the inevitable product of a fallen race living in a cursed creation – separated from their Creator. Man was made in the image of God, Whose perfect character and eternal attributes encompass all that man desires and needs, but the world in general, and man in particular, is separated from the one source that gives meaning to this life, and in the eternal ages to come… life everlasting. The only salvation that can bring the world in general, and sinners in particular, back into fellowship with the only source of life, light, love, and peace, is found in the one name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved – the Lord Jesus Christ. Men seek salvation without the need to turn from sin. They long for eternal life and never-ending beauty but refuse to acknowledge their sinfulness and need of salvation. Men long for the glory without the Cross. They crave after all this world offers, without realising the satanic trap into which they will fall – for if they do not accept salvation on God’s terms, they will face the pit of hell and the lake of eternal fire. The early Church had heard Christ’s teaching, witnessed His miracles, watched as He was nailed to the Cross, and rejoiced, three days later, when He rose from the dead. They knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and that in Him were the words of eternal life, and light, and truth, and love. They knew that Jesus alone was their blessed hope and so they proclaimed the good news far and wide – with great boldness. But their message was an affront to the Jewish rulers who attempted to silence their voices, for had they accepted the truth of the glorious gospel, their authority would have been challenged because the old order had been set aside and a new order had started – the dispensation of the grace of God. Had they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, their finances would have dried up and their positions of power would have evaporated. But the early Church could not be silent and when Peter and John exercised power from on high, by healing a paralyzed man, the Jewish leaders became fearful, arrested the apostles, and brought them before the Sanhedrin for trial. But Peter could not remain silent and boldly proclaimed, “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—Whom you crucified and Whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you – healthy. This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders. He has become the cornerstone and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved. Peter did not tell of one way to be saved. He declared the ONLY way. Salvation is only found in Christ alone, for His shed blood paid the price for the sin of every man. And those who believe in the Person and Work of Christ WILL be saved. But men seek for salvation without the Saviour. They crave forgiveness without trusting the one Person Who is qualified to save them – Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God and righteous Son of Man. The world in general and man, in particular, have spent thousands of years constructing a wide variety of ways to be saved. They have built a range of false illusions which they suppose will bring meaning to life, but all are empty vessels. They are vain perceptions that have been born from a race that is at enmity with its Creator. How blessed are we who have been rescued from man’s unachievable quest to save himself. How blessed we are, that through God’s grace, we have been given the free gift of salvation, simply by believing on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us glory in that wonderful name of JESUS and resist the deceit of the world, the lusts of the flesh, and the wiles of the enemy, by keeping the eyes of our heart fixed upon Him and the ears of our understanding ever open to His still small voice. We are saved… spirit, soul, and body, when we believe on Christ. We are saved once and forever when we trust in Him, “for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” My Prayer I thank You, Father, for Jesus my Saviour. Thank You for Your gift of salvation that has been given to me through Christ alone. Thank You that salvation is so simple, that even a little child can understand it. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Acts 4:8 Next: Acts 4:31 ► Choose a Verse from Acts 4 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637 Jonah 1:17 Isaiah 53:2 John 5:25 2 Thessalonians 2:17 Follow us Acts 4:12 Further Study Acts 4:12 in the Parallel Bible Acts 4:12 in the Thematic Bible Acts 4:12 Cross References Acts 4:12 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Acts 4:12 Sermons Acts 4:12 Prayers Acts 4:12 Images Acts 4:12 Devotionals Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals According to Christ Jeremiah 31:3 Isaiah 46:4 The Fruit Of Grace Prayer Choice And Prayer Conflict The Indescribable Gift – Perfect MAN Eternal SON (6) The Mystery of Christ Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us © Copyright [2011 – 2020] Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved

Toggle navigation Search Browse The Bible Toggle Dropdown Search The Bible Find it! Why Does God Want Justice to Roll Down Like a River? Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies Share Tweet Save Bethany Verrett Saturday, August 22, 2020 The prophets of the Old Testament obeyed their God, communicating His messages, His commands, and His prophecies. Some carried messages only for Israel, others to the whole world. Some were born to be prophets, while others heard the call later in life. Amos carried messages to several audiences after years of working as a shepherd. His book of prophecy touches on contemporary issues in Damascus, Tyre, and Jerusalem. It recounts visions and judgment. It also chastises Israel for worshipping false gods and mistreating the poor. During one of these chastisements, it is declared, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). In context, God wanted His chosen people to obey Him, by ruling justly and behaving righteously, to stop living as hypocrites and idolaters and return to Him. Photo credit: Pexels/Johannes Plenio What Is the Context of Amos 5:24? In chapter 5 in the Book of Amos, God is speaking to Israel. He communicates several messages, and “thus says the Lord” repeats three times. After David and Solomon, there were some good kings of Israel and Judah, but there were many who turned from the precepts of the Lord. By the time these messages were communicated, the culture had devolved into idol worship and wickedness. First, the Lord foretells the exile of the Israelites, talking about the future reduction in the population. The second message from the Lord in this chapter encourages the nation to, “seek the Lord and live” (Amos 5:6a). He says, “let justice roll like a river” in the third message. The phrase is not on its own. In its full context, the message reads, “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:21-24). Here, God emphasizes each of the events and sacrifices mandated by Levitical law – feasts, assembling together, burnt offerings, grain offering, and peace offerings – and rejects them. Centuries earlier, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the Levitical Law to show how to live a righteous life, govern justly, and to atone for sins. Even though the people were enacting these religious rituals, they did so without love for God, or love for their neighbor. Earlier in the chapter God said, “They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them” (Amos 5:10-11). Israel was clinging to its routine, but did not have the love and compassion that marked them as people of God.  Here, God clarified that He would prefer to see them conduct their affairs justly, and live righteously, before He would accept their offerings. In the New Testament, the Apostle John would reinforce and clarify this point, saying “anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). God called on His people to have the love for Him and for others that they once did. Photo credit: ©Sparrowstock What Does “Let Justice Roll Like a River” Mean? Understanding the nuance of this verse requires seeing it in two parts: what does justice mean in context? What does it mean for it to roll like a river? The word in the Hebrew for justice is mishpat (מִשְׁפָט). This word has legal implications. Some definitions from various concordances include, “an act of deciding a case,” “case or cause presented for judgment,” “judgment,” and “the execution of judgment or justice.” Of course, some judgments are not just. So choosing to translate the word mishpat as justice when talking about judgment that aligns with God’s justice can be seen as an appropriate translation; most translations chose to do so. The other part of this phrase is the idea that justice should roll like a river. This imagery brings forth the image of constant movement. The river is always rushing towards a larger body of water. In this way, correct judgment, or justice, in human matters should have been constant, something Israel always should have strived to achieve. They turned away from the Lord’s justice, instead behaving in a way characterized as, “you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate” (Amos 5:12b). Instead of being an oasis in the dessert, where God’s nature was demonstrated through the lives of Israel, it had become a sad trickle, where injustice was common. There is little variance in the way this verse is translated, though there are some slight differences. These differences are semantic, either alternating between judgment or justice, changing the adjective in front of “stream,” or similar changes that do not alter the meaning of the verse.  Examples: KJV: “But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” CSB: “But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.” GNT: “Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.” Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Utah778 Who Wrote Amos? Amos was a prophet of Israel as a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea. At this point in Israel’s history, there were two kingdoms, the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Amos was from Judah, but became a prophet to the north. It is generally accepted that Amos was the first of the prophets to write his message, and that he wrote them himself, implying a good education. He is also an example of someone who God called to ministry later in life, as a type of second career. Of himself, Amos wrote, “Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, ‘I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel’” (Amos 7:14-15). He did not come from a special line of prophets or priests. He was a tradesman who God called to a faraway land to give warnings about the results of disobedience.  The Book of Amos is broken into three sections. The first chapter has judgments against Israel’s neighbors Damascus, Gaza, Tyrr, Edom, and the Ammonites. The second are judgments against Israel and Judah. Chapters 3-5 are styled as sermons which outline the transgressions of the people in the first half of each chapter, and the second half contains the decreed judgment. The remaining chapters are the visions God sent Amos which represented coming disasters and judgments in Israel’s future. It emphasizes that Israel is as accountable for their sins, and the state of their hearts as their neighbor. They worshipped the same idols and treated the poor as badly as their neighbors; going through the motions of sacrifices and feasts did not change the state of their hearts. It also shows that God wants justice for all people. To the unjust He said, “Seek the Lord and live, lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel, O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth!” (Amos 5:7). It is important to note that God expects His chosen people to live up to this standard, because they know how they should treat others. Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White What Does God’s Justice Look Like? God’s justice is perfect. He understands the depth of a sin, and the appropriate response. He calls on His people, which today includes the church, to strive to treat one another fairly and deliver appropriate justice. One of the ways He does this is by setting up governments. The Apostle Paul wrote, “…for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:4-5). It is the primary purpose of the government to fulfill laws that punish crime to enact earthly justice. Because man is sinful, governments often fail at achieving this perfect justice. All societies have failed at this task. One behavior that is not God’s justice is taking justice into one’s own hands. It is not for man to seek retribution or revenge. “ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19). Even when people behave wrongly, or when the government fails, believers should not try to rectify the situation themselves. God will one day sit on a throne of judgment, where He will dispense perfect justice. In light of the day of judgment, God has tempered His right to perfect justice with His perfect mercy. Romans 3 states that all deserve to receive punishment, and fail to live up to God’s holiness by sinning against Him and others. While it can be easy to look at others and hope that God will dispense justice against them, or for them, it is important to remember that if God only acted as the true judge, all would be found guilty in His court. Photo credit: Unsplash/Rawpixel God’s Unfailing Justice When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for mankind’s sin. For those who accept this free gift of mercy and grace, they are pardoned, and will not be judged for their sins, but only for their deeds. For those who already believe in the power of the cross, and are saved from the judgment of their sins, they are commissioned, like Israel was, to love God, love others, and share the good news about redemption.  Striving to be a person who values justice, and to be a community where justice flows like a river, is important. Doing what is right and ensuring that wrongs are addressed is part of God’s design for people while they live in this sin-filled world. Like God did for us, tempering this justice with mercy, and knowing that flawed humans will never truly achieve it is also important. Look to God for true justice and eternal mercy, because He does not fail. One of the commands to Israel in the Book of Amos is equally applicable today: ”Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph” (Amos 5:15). Sources: Baxter, J. Sidlow. Explore the Book. Grand Rapids: Academie Books, 1960. Birch, Bruce. Hosea, Joel, and Amos. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.  Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Updated and Expanded Edition. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC, 2007. Wilmington, H.L. Wilmington’s Guide To the Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers Inc., 1981. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Gordon Images Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer and editor. She maintains a faith and lifestyle blog graceandgrowing.com, where she muses about the Lord, life, culture, and ministry. Around The Web Ads by Revcontent Drink This Before Bed, Watch Your Body Fat Melt Like Crazy Healthier Living Club 1 Corinthians 4:7 – For who makes you different from anyone else? W… Doing This Melts Belly Fat So Crazily That Doctors Are Stunned! USA Healthy News 4 Ways to Seek Peace Like Jesus Did – Topical Studies One Simple Method To Keep Your Blood Sugar Below 100 WeeklyPenny.com Load More Popular Articles 4 Ways ‘Help My Unbelief!’ Is a Powerful Prayer Heather Adams Why Does God Want Justice to Roll Down Like a River? Bethany Verrett Ehud: The Most Interesting Judge You’ve Never Heard Of Hope Bolinger Understanding the Work of the Holy Spirit Clarence L. Haynes Jr. Why Is John the “Disciple Whom Jesus Loved”? Hope Bolinger How Did Methuselah Live for Hundreds of Years? Bethany Verrett Featured Verse Topics Healing Bible Verses Worry and Anxiety Bible Verses Prayer Bible Verses Bible Verses for Overcoming Grief Comforting Bible Verses Bible Verses About Protection God’s Promises – Verses in the Bible Bible Verses For Faith in Hard Times Encouraging Bible Verses Hope Bible Verses Friendship Bible Verses Forgiveness Bible Verses Strength Bible Verses Love Bible Verses Inspirational Bible Verses Do Not Sell My Info (CA only)

Toggle navigation Search Browse The Bible Toggle Dropdown Search The Bible Find it! Why Does God Want Justice to Roll Down Like a River? Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies Share Tweet Save Bethany Verrett Saturday, August 22, 2020 The prophets of the Old Testament obeyed their God, communicating His messages, His commands, and His prophecies. Some carried messages only for Israel, others to the whole world. Some were born to be prophets, while others heard the call later in life. Amos carried messages to several audiences after years of working as a shepherd. His book of prophecy touches on contemporary issues in Damascus, Tyre, and Jerusalem. It recounts visions and judgment. It also chastises Israel for worshipping false gods and mistreating the poor. During one of these chastisements, it is declared, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). In context, God wanted His chosen people to obey Him, by ruling justly and behaving righteously, to stop living as hypocrites and idolaters and return to Him. Photo credit: Pexels/Johannes Plenio What Is the Context of Amos 5:24? In chapter 5 in the Book of Amos, God is speaking to Israel. He communicates several messages, and “thus says the Lord” repeats three times. After David and Solomon, there were some good kings of Israel and Judah, but there were many who turned from the precepts of the Lord. By the time these messages were communicated, the culture had devolved into idol worship and wickedness. First, the Lord foretells the exile of the Israelites, talking about the future reduction in the population. The second message from the Lord in this chapter encourages the nation to, “seek the Lord and live” (Amos 5:6a). He says, “let justice roll like a river” in the third message. The phrase is not on its own. In its full context, the message reads, “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:21-24). Here, God emphasizes each of the events and sacrifices mandated by Levitical law – feasts, assembling together, burnt offerings, grain offering, and peace offerings – and rejects them. Centuries earlier, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the Levitical Law to show how to live a righteous life, govern justly, and to atone for sins. Even though the people were enacting these religious rituals, they did so without love for God, or love for their neighbor. Earlier in the chapter God said, “They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them” (Amos 5:10-11). Israel was clinging to its routine, but did not have the love and compassion that marked them as people of God.  Here, God clarified that He would prefer to see them conduct their affairs justly, and live righteously, before He would accept their offerings. In the New Testament, the Apostle John would reinforce and clarify this point, saying “anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). God called on His people to have the love for Him and for others that they once did. Photo credit: ©Sparrowstock What Does “Let Justice Roll Like a River” Mean? Understanding the nuance of this verse requires seeing it in two parts: what does justice mean in context? What does it mean for it to roll like a river? The word in the Hebrew for justice is mishpat (מִשְׁפָט). This word has legal implications. Some definitions from various concordances include, “an act of deciding a case,” “case or cause presented for judgment,” “judgment,” and “the execution of judgment or justice.” Of course, some judgments are not just. So choosing to translate the word mishpat as justice when talking about judgment that aligns with God’s justice can be seen as an appropriate translation; most translations chose to do so. The other part of this phrase is the idea that justice should roll like a river. This imagery brings forth the image of constant movement. The river is always rushing towards a larger body of water. In this way, correct judgment, or justice, in human matters should have been constant, something Israel always should have strived to achieve. They turned away from the Lord’s justice, instead behaving in a way characterized as, “you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate” (Amos 5:12b). Instead of being an oasis in the dessert, where God’s nature was demonstrated through the lives of Israel, it had become a sad trickle, where injustice was common. There is little variance in the way this verse is translated, though there are some slight differences. These differences are semantic, either alternating between judgment or justice, changing the adjective in front of “stream,” or similar changes that do not alter the meaning of the verse.  Examples: KJV: “But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” CSB: “But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.” GNT: “Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.” Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Utah778 Who Wrote Amos? Amos was a prophet of Israel as a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea. At this point in Israel’s history, there were two kingdoms, the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Amos was from Judah, but became a prophet to the north. It is generally accepted that Amos was the first of the prophets to write his message, and that he wrote them himself, implying a good education. He is also an example of someone who God called to ministry later in life, as a type of second career. Of himself, Amos wrote, “Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, ‘I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel’” (Amos 7:14-15). He did not come from a special line of prophets or priests. He was a tradesman who God called to a faraway land to give warnings about the results of disobedience.  The Book of Amos is broken into three sections. The first chapter has judgments against Israel’s neighbors Damascus, Gaza, Tyrr, Edom, and the Ammonites. The second are judgments against Israel and Judah. Chapters 3-5 are styled as sermons which outline the transgressions of the people in the first half of each chapter, and the second half contains the decreed judgment. The remaining chapters are the visions God sent Amos which represented coming disasters and judgments in Israel’s future. It emphasizes that Israel is as accountable for their sins, and the state of their hearts as their neighbor. They worshipped the same idols and treated the poor as badly as their neighbors; going through the motions of sacrifices and feasts did not change the state of their hearts. It also shows that God wants justice for all people. To the unjust He said, “Seek the Lord and live, lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel, O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth!” (Amos 5:7). It is important to note that God expects His chosen people to live up to this standard, because they know how they should treat others. Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White What Does God’s Justice Look Like? God’s justice is perfect. He understands the depth of a sin, and the appropriate response. He calls on His people, which today includes the church, to strive to treat one another fairly and deliver appropriate justice. One of the ways He does this is by setting up governments. The Apostle Paul wrote, “…for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:4-5). It is the primary purpose of the government to fulfill laws that punish crime to enact earthly justice. Because man is sinful, governments often fail at achieving this perfect justice. All societies have failed at this task. One behavior that is not God’s justice is taking justice into one’s own hands. It is not for man to seek retribution or revenge. “ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19). Even when people behave wrongly, or when the government fails, believers should not try to rectify the situation themselves. God will one day sit on a throne of judgment, where He will dispense perfect justice. In light of the day of judgment, God has tempered His right to perfect justice with His perfect mercy. Romans 3 states that all deserve to receive punishment, and fail to live up to God’s holiness by sinning against Him and others. While it can be easy to look at others and hope that God will dispense justice against them, or for them, it is important to remember that if God only acted as the true judge, all would be found guilty in His court. Photo credit: Unsplash/Rawpixel God’s Unfailing Justice When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for mankind’s sin. For those who accept this free gift of mercy and grace, they are pardoned, and will not be judged for their sins, but only for their deeds. For those who already believe in the power of the cross, and are saved from the judgment of their sins, they are commissioned, like Israel was, to love God, love others, and share the good news about redemption.  Striving to be a person who values justice, and to be a community where justice flows like a river, is important. Doing what is right and ensuring that wrongs are addressed is part of God’s design for people while they live in this sin-filled world. Like God did for us, tempering this justice with mercy, and knowing that flawed humans will never truly achieve it is also important. Look to God for true justice and eternal mercy, because He does not fail. One of the commands to Israel in the Book of Amos is equally applicable today: ”Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph” (Amos 5:15). Sources: Baxter, J. Sidlow. Explore the Book. Grand Rapids: Academie Books, 1960. Birch, Bruce. Hosea, Joel, and Amos. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.  Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Updated and Expanded Edition. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC, 2007. Wilmington, H.L. Wilmington’s Guide To the Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers Inc., 1981. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Gordon Images Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer and editor. She maintains a faith and lifestyle blog graceandgrowing.com, where she muses about the Lord, life, culture, and ministry. Around The Web Ads by Revcontent Drink This Before Bed, Watch Your Body Fat Melt Like Crazy Healthier Living Club 1 Corinthians 4:7 – For who makes you different from anyone else? W… Doing This Melts Belly Fat So Crazily That Doctors Are Stunned! USA Healthy News 4 Ways to Seek Peace Like Jesus Did – Topical Studies One Simple Method To Keep Your Blood Sugar Below 100 WeeklyPenny.com Load More Popular Articles 4 Ways ‘Help My Unbelief!’ Is a Powerful Prayer Heather Adams Why Does God Want Justice to Roll Down Like a River? Bethany Verrett Ehud: The Most Interesting Judge You’ve Never Heard Of Hope Bolinger Understanding the Work of the Holy Spirit Clarence L. Haynes Jr. Why Is John the “Disciple Whom Jesus Loved”? Hope Bolinger How Did Methuselah Live for Hundreds of Years? Bethany Verrett Featured Verse Topics Healing Bible Verses Worry and Anxiety Bible Verses Prayer Bible Verses Bible Verses for Overcoming Grief Comforting Bible Verses Bible Verses About Protection God’s Promises – Verses in the Bible Bible Verses For Faith in Hard Times Encouraging Bible Verses Hope Bible Verses Friendship Bible Verses Forgiveness Bible Verses Strength Bible Verses Love Bible Verses Inspirational Bible Verses Do Not Sell My Info (CA only)

Spiritual Growth and Encouragement for Christian Women   Toggle navigation 10 Things I Have to Tell Myself Everyday Aretha Grant 2020 21 Aug “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (Joshua 1:8) Meditating on the word of God is essential to Believers. With all the negativity we’re seeing in the news today, we must meditate on the scriptures and speak them over our lives. When we study His word, meditate on it, and apply the verses to our lives, we’ll see spiritual growth and renewed strength. Further, meditating on the word will guard our hearts against anger, hatred, unforgiveness, etc. Let’s take a look at 10 scriptures that we can speak over ourselves daily. Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao 1. I am a child of God. “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:16) Beauty is vain, but being God’s child is not. Beauty fades, but being God’s child is forever if our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Your adoption into God’s family is much more important than what you look like, the amount of money you make, or the family into which you were born. It’s both an honor and a privilege to be one of God’s precious children. Daily remind yourself of your relationship with the Creator of the universe. 2. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14) I’ve come across many people who belittle themselves because they were born out of wedlock. We can’t control how we were born, and quite frankly, it doesn’t matter. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. If you ever feel like your birth was an accident, remind yourself of how you were truly created: by God. Photo Credit: © Getty Images/fizkes 3. Beauty is vain. Proverbs 31:30 teaches, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” All of us want to be beautiful, but idolizing physical beauty is vanity. Christian girls and women should focus on who we are in Christ instead of outward beauty. When we focus on Christ and our relationships with Him, we’re strengthened and encouraged. And we’ll stop comparing ourselves to the vain standards of beauty that society dictates us. It’s time to break free from the bondage of comparison and live freely in the liberty that’s ours in Christ Jesus. One of the best ways to walk in that liberty is by reminding ourselves of who we are in Jesus. 4. I am filled with God’s Spirit. “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) God the Father, took of His Spirit, and placed it inside His children. You carry greatness. Think about that for a second. God loved you so much that He gave you the Comforter to help you walk the Christian walk. Whenever you feel down about yourself, remember that you’re filled with the Holy Spirit. Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Alexandru Zdrobau 5. I am a doer of the word. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” (James 1:22) The word of God means a lot to God’s children. We don’t merely hear the word; we strive to do what the word commands. Although you may not get it right every time, God honors your desire to obey His word. We need to remind ourselves about that. We may not be perfect, but we are being perfected and transformed through God’s word. 6. Pray for my enemies. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) This verse cuts like a knife every time I read it, but I’m determined to obey it. And I’m sure you are too. We must remember the importance of praying for our enemies. We don’t have to treat our enemies the way they treat us. We don’t have to seek vengeance. We don’t have to retaliate. We can and must pray for them. This is an important scripture to remember today with so much hatred in the world. Pray for your enemies. Photo Credit: © Sparrowstock 7. I don’t have to be anxious. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Children of God don’t have to be anxious. We can relax in God. We can trust Him and rely upon Him. We don’t have to stress ourselves out about anything we’re facing. Indeed, we can walk in a peace “…which surpasses all comprehension” (Philippians 4:7). 8. This is working together for my good. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) God’s children can rest assured that the trial or test they’re facing is working together for their good. Although the trial is harsh, God can use it to produce good fruit. We should remind ourselves of this scripture every day, regardless of the intensity of the obstacle we’re enduring. Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Jeremy Perkins 9. I can do it! “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) I started exercising and eating healthfully last month. Every time I want to give up and throw in the towel, I have to remind myself that I can do it. Whenever you want to quit, remember that you can do anything through Christ who strengthens you. 10. Put on the full armor. “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13) The devil is busy, but God didn’t leave us unprepared or defenseless. God is our protector, and He tells us in Ephesians 6:13-18 how to combat the enemy. We should remind ourselves every day to guard ourselves against the devil. We mustn’t let down our defenses. We must remind ourselves to put on the full armor. Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Sammie Vasquez 11. Jesus came to give us abundant life. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) We mustn’t forget that Jesus came so that we can have an abundant life. Our lives can be filled with joy, peace, love, forgiveness, and hope because Jesus came and died to give them to us. No matter what you face, remember, the abundant life is yours. 12. I’m not who I used to be. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Daily we must remind ourselves and the enemy that we aren’t who we used to be. We are new in Christ. We must learn to use our pasts only as a testimony of God’s healing and delivering power. We mustn’t allow our pasts to control us or hold us in bondage. Your past has passed away. You’re new in Jesus. These aren’t the only scriptures on which you can meditate daily. The Bible is filled with encouraging verses that will guard your heart and mind against the tricks of the devil and strengthen your relationship with God and your fellow brothers and sisters-in-Christ. Whenever you experience difficulties, remember who you are in Christ and the power in the Word. You can and will overcome. Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Merlas Aretha Grant serves her local church as a bible teacher and elder. She loves writing and is the author of Overcomer: 25 Keys to Walking Victoriously. Aretha resides in Hagerstown, MD with her husband and two youngest children. You can read Aretha’s blog at http://www.arethagrant.com. Georgia Drivers With No DUI’s Getting A Pay Day On Saturday Comparisons.org Sponsored by Revcontent Find Out More > 92,314 NEXT: 6 Powerful Life Lessons from the Book of Esther About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Crosswalk App California – Do not sell my information California – CCPA Notice

Spiritual Growth and Encouragement for Christian Women   Toggle navigation 10 Things I Have to Tell Myself Everyday Aretha Grant 2020 21 Aug “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (Joshua 1:8) Meditating on the word of God is essential to Believers. With all the negativity we’re seeing in the news today, we must meditate on the scriptures and speak them over our lives. When we study His word, meditate on it, and apply the verses to our lives, we’ll see spiritual growth and renewed strength. Further, meditating on the word will guard our hearts against anger, hatred, unforgiveness, etc. Let’s take a look at 10 scriptures that we can speak over ourselves daily. Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao 1. I am a child of God. “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:16) Beauty is vain, but being God’s child is not. Beauty fades, but being God’s child is forever if our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Your adoption into God’s family is much more important than what you look like, the amount of money you make, or the family into which you were born. It’s both an honor and a privilege to be one of God’s precious children. Daily remind yourself of your relationship with the Creator of the universe. 2. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14) I’ve come across many people who belittle themselves because they were born out of wedlock. We can’t control how we were born, and quite frankly, it doesn’t matter. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. If you ever feel like your birth was an accident, remind yourself of how you were truly created: by God. Photo Credit: © Getty Images/fizkes 3. Beauty is vain. Proverbs 31:30 teaches, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” All of us want to be beautiful, but idolizing physical beauty is vanity. Christian girls and women should focus on who we are in Christ instead of outward beauty. When we focus on Christ and our relationships with Him, we’re strengthened and encouraged. And we’ll stop comparing ourselves to the vain standards of beauty that society dictates us. It’s time to break free from the bondage of comparison and live freely in the liberty that’s ours in Christ Jesus. One of the best ways to walk in that liberty is by reminding ourselves of who we are in Jesus. 4. I am filled with God’s Spirit. “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) God the Father, took of His Spirit, and placed it inside His children. You carry greatness. Think about that for a second. God loved you so much that He gave you the Comforter to help you walk the Christian walk. Whenever you feel down about yourself, remember that you’re filled with the Holy Spirit. Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Alexandru Zdrobau 5. I am a doer of the word. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” (James 1:22) The word of God means a lot to God’s children. We don’t merely hear the word; we strive to do what the word commands. Although you may not get it right every time, God honors your desire to obey His word. We need to remind ourselves about that. We may not be perfect, but we are being perfected and transformed through God’s word. 6. Pray for my enemies. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) This verse cuts like a knife every time I read it, but I’m determined to obey it. And I’m sure you are too. We must remember the importance of praying for our enemies. We don’t have to treat our enemies the way they treat us. We don’t have to seek vengeance. We don’t have to retaliate. We can and must pray for them. This is an important scripture to remember today with so much hatred in the world. Pray for your enemies. Photo Credit: © Sparrowstock 7. I don’t have to be anxious. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Children of God don’t have to be anxious. We can relax in God. We can trust Him and rely upon Him. We don’t have to stress ourselves out about anything we’re facing. Indeed, we can walk in a peace “…which surpasses all comprehension” (Philippians 4:7). 8. This is working together for my good. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) God’s children can rest assured that the trial or test they’re facing is working together for their good. Although the trial is harsh, God can use it to produce good fruit. We should remind ourselves of this scripture every day, regardless of the intensity of the obstacle we’re enduring. Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Jeremy Perkins 9. I can do it! “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) I started exercising and eating healthfully last month. Every time I want to give up and throw in the towel, I have to remind myself that I can do it. Whenever you want to quit, remember that you can do anything through Christ who strengthens you. 10. Put on the full armor. “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13) The devil is busy, but God didn’t leave us unprepared or defenseless. God is our protector, and He tells us in Ephesians 6:13-18 how to combat the enemy. We should remind ourselves every day to guard ourselves against the devil. We mustn’t let down our defenses. We must remind ourselves to put on the full armor. Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Sammie Vasquez 11. Jesus came to give us abundant life. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) We mustn’t forget that Jesus came so that we can have an abundant life. Our lives can be filled with joy, peace, love, forgiveness, and hope because Jesus came and died to give them to us. No matter what you face, remember, the abundant life is yours. 12. I’m not who I used to be. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Daily we must remind ourselves and the enemy that we aren’t who we used to be. We are new in Christ. We must learn to use our pasts only as a testimony of God’s healing and delivering power. We mustn’t allow our pasts to control us or hold us in bondage. Your past has passed away. You’re new in Jesus. These aren’t the only scriptures on which you can meditate daily. The Bible is filled with encouraging verses that will guard your heart and mind against the tricks of the devil and strengthen your relationship with God and your fellow brothers and sisters-in-Christ. Whenever you experience difficulties, remember who you are in Christ and the power in the Word. You can and will overcome. Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Merlas Aretha Grant serves her local church as a bible teacher and elder. She loves writing and is the author of Overcomer: 25 Keys to Walking Victoriously. Aretha resides in Hagerstown, MD with her husband and two youngest children. You can read Aretha’s blog at http://www.arethagrant.com. Georgia Drivers With No DUI’s Getting A Pay Day On Saturday Comparisons.org Sponsored by Revcontent Find Out More > 92,314 NEXT: 6 Powerful Life Lessons from the Book of Esther About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Crosswalk App California – Do not sell my information California – CCPA Notice

Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Search Home Verse Of The Day Psalm 103:13 ◄ What Does Psalm 103:13 Mean? ► Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13(NASB) Verse Thoughts So much exciting truth has been condensed into a few short verses in Psalm 103, that it should rejoice our heart, still our soul, provide encouragement, and cause us to gaze in utter wonderment and awe at the God Who created us, redeemed us, and upholds us moment by moment by the might of His powerful hand. We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs under His table, and yet we have been raised up together with Christ and seated together with Him in heavenly places – no wonder David blessed the holy name of the Lord with his whole being. And it is no surprise that he called to mind God’s kindness towards us, and wrote in verse 13… “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” The same God Who knit us together in our mother’s womb, is tender-hearted towards all who fear Him. He pardons all our iniquities, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from the pit, and by grace has crowned us with lovingkindness, tender mercies, and great goodness. His compassion never fails and His mercies are new every morning – great is His faithfulness. The very God of gods, Who is eternal in substance and holy in nature, leads us beside still waters, and provides the refreshment we need – spirit, soul, and body, as we travel through life. He never fails to satisfy our days and years with good things – for moment by moment we are kept secure in His love. The Lord’s concern for each one of us is likened to the tenderness a father has for his beloved son or daughter. He restores our soul and leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle. His grace is sufficient for His strength is made perfect in our weakness.. so that through Him, we may run the race of life and not be weary, we may walk in storms of difficulty and danger and not faint. Oh yes, David certainly compressed the benefits we receive from our caring, compassionate Lord into the few short verses of this psalm. David could have described God with a multitude of alternative comparisons – the boldness of a lion, the strength of the wind, the gentleness of a dove, the sweetness of honey. But he chose to use the love and compassion of a caring and considerate human father towards his child, in order to convey the love, compassion, pity, and grace of God towards those who believe in Him. Pity or compassion may seem an unusual attribute for the psalmist to emphasise, but it brings to mind the yearning heart of a father towards the frailty and weakness of the child he loves. The sleeping child needs to be sheltered by his father, the weary child needs to be carried. The hungry child needs the father’s provision of food to sustain him, while the wandering child needs to be sought after, brought home, and shown great understanding. The disobedient child needs to be chastened, and the child that is wounded and afraid needs the loving compassion that can only come from the heart of a father who truly cares for the child of his love. The loving compassion of every earthly father is completely eclipsed by the tender-hearted pity and grace that God shows to each of His own. He knows our various weaknesses. He knows our human frame, our inner frailties, and is mindful that we are but dust. Yet in His mercy and grace, He has rescued us from a miry pit and bestowed on us such riches of His grace, that we should be forever glorifying His holy name. Let us never fail to bless the Lord with our whole being, and not forget all His benefits – for He pardons all our iniquities, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from the pit, crowns us with lovingkindness and compassion, and satisfies our years with good things. Let us never forget that just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on all of us who fear Him – and He is worthy to receive ALL the honour and praise, forever and ever. My Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You that you are such a wonderful, compassionate Father to all Your blood-bought children. Thank You that You know our inner frailties and remember that we are but dust. I praise and thank You for the many benefits and graces that You bestow on us day by day and moment by moment. Thank You for the loving care you have towards us and for the many benefits that are ours, by faith in Jesus. May I never hold these things lightly and bless Your holy name for Your goodness and grace. This I pray in Jesus’ name, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Psalm 103:12 Next: Psalm 103:19 ► Choose a Verse from Psalm 103 12345678910111213141516171819202122 Proverbs 16:31 Job 1:21 Matthew 6:5 Hebrews 6:10 Follow us Psalm 103:13 Further Study Psalm 103:13 in the Parallel Bible Psalm 103:13 in the Thematic Bible Psalm 103:13 Cross References Psalm 103:13 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Psalm 103:13 Prayers Psalm 103:13 Images Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals People That Do Exploits Romans 14:7 1 Kings 4:29 He Dares To Discipline! “I Indeed… But He” The Coming King – Perfect MAN Eternal SON (5) Submission OR Insubordination Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us © Copyright [2011 – 2020] Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved

Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Search Home Verse Of The Day Revelation 6:6 ◄ What Does Revelation 6:6 Mean? ► And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.” Revelation 6:6(NASB) Verse Thoughts The seven seals of Revelation 6 begin to lay-out the chronological progression of the Great Tribulation. The first four judgments depict four horsemen, who gallop onto the world scene bringing devastation and distress to a world that has rejected God’s offer of salvation, through faith in Christ’s sacrificial death on Calvary and His glorious resurrection from the dead. For 6000 years God has given man the opportunity to turn to Him for the salvation of their soul, but the opening of the seal judgments will indicate that the Day of the Lord, has finally started – when God will pour out His wrath on a Christ-rejecting, sinful world. Sin must be punished, and those who refuse to seek forgiveness of their sin NOW… in the Age of Grace, will have to face the wrath of God during the Great Tribulation.  Christ took the punishment for our sin. Christians are not appointed to wrath because God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus in our stead – 2000 years ago. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of God’s wrath was upon Him in place of us and with His stripes, we are healed. Because we are identified with Him, our sin has already been judged and the penalty has already been paid. But how terrible for the unsaved, who will see the Day of the Lord arrive and witness the unsealing of those seven seal judgments. Following in the pattern of the previous two horsemen, John watched as the Lamb on the throne broke the third seal. He heard the third living creature give the sombre command to “Come”. And as John watched the black horse enter the scene, he saw that its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. – “I heard something like a voice in the centre of the four living creatures.” John wrote, “saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.'” The third seal depicts the shocking, global famine that will sweep through a world that has been ravaged by the second rider, on his red horse, who brings great carnage to the world through war. This third charger is an ominous black horse, who brings in his wake unprecedented food shortages across the globe, and his rider will usher in a time of great hardship, terrible scarcity, and unprecedented death. Its formidable rider makes his presence known after the third living creature gives his command to, “Come and see.” He carries a pair of balance scales, to signal the approach of the most terrible famine the world has ever experienced. During this time, food will become very scarce. Every grain of wheat and barley will be measured out and starvation will touch the lives of both the rich and the poor. Throughout history there have been wars and famine, starvation and plagues, death and great suffering, but the shocking happenings that are to take place in this coming time of trouble, will be a period unequalled in the history of the world. While there are those today, who suffer and die as a result of war and starvation, the black horse and his sinister rider will bring to the world a famine that has far-reaching effects, as the finely balanced ecology of the world crashes down, and plunges the globe into a period of scarcity, hitherto unknown in our current world of plenty. Worldwide famine will cause drastic food shortages and the cost of food will spiral to unbelievable heights. Even those fortunate enough to have a job will be affected, for a day’s wage will only buy a meagre amount of food. A daily wage will only buy sufficient for one person – for one day. The inevitable result of terrible war is terrible famine, great depression, unprecedented misery – and the final result must be starvation and death for multitudes. There are those that ask why God allows things like war and famine to happen. The short answer is SIN, and the culprit is SATAN. Only good and perfect things come from our Father above, but during this time of Tribulation, His hand of protection will be withheld and the restraining power of praying Christians will have ceased – for only after the Rapture of the Church will the man of sin be revealed, and the four horsemen released to spread their carnage over the world, as the seals of judgment begin to be broken.  While the cost of wheat and the less expensive barley reaches hugely inflated prices, we hear  a commanding voice in the centre of the four living creatures giving an order that has baffled many scholars, “and do not damage the oil and the wine.” Some suggest that this means that the wealthy will still be able to enjoy their luxuries, while others suggest it is connected with the need for consecrated oil, for sacrifices to God. However, I would suggest that this is one more demonstration of God’s amazing grace towards rebellious mankind. The story of Job makes it clear that God places limits on Satan’s ability to kill and to maim. And God in His wisdom has limited this time of Great Tribulation to 7 years – but how terrible for those that watch these four horsemen gallop onto the world scene, in the not too distant future. May we do all we can in the time we have left to tell out the news of the gospel of grace and pluck many from the fires of judgement that are soon to fall. Sponsored by Advertising Partner Sponsored Video Watch to learn more My Prayer Loving Heavenly Father, as I consider the fast-approaching time of world-wide judgement, when deception, war, famine, death, and great tribulation will engulf the world in the near future, I pray that You would have mercy on many souls that are yet unsaved. I pray that the gospel would be preached in the corner-shops, the streets, people’s work, and on the internet, so that many would come to faith during this Church-age of grace, and I pray that a multitude without number would be saved from the Great Tribulation that is yet to come. This I pray in Jesus’ name and for His greater glory, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Revelation 6:5 Next: Revelation 7:9 ► Choose a Verse from Revelation 6 1234567891011121314151617 Romans 10:14 Proverbs 13:10 Acts 7:60 Acts 2:32 Follow us Revelation 6:6 Further Study Revelation 6:6 in the Parallel Bible Revelation 6:6 in the Thematic Bible Revelation 6:6 Cross References Revelation 6:6 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Revelation 6:6 Sermons Revelation 6:6 Prayers Revelation 6:6 Images Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals The Cross Way of Life Numbers 23:19 Proverbs 24:10 Up Here! 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Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Search Home Verse Of The Day Psalm 42:1 ◄ What Does Psalm 42:1 Mean? ► As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. Psalm 42:1(NASB) Verse Thoughts A depth of urgency and deep pathos is captured in these verses as the metaphor of a weary hind, parched from the blistering heat of the day, is exhausted from the pounding pursuit of howling hounds, who are relentlessly hot on her trail and baying for her blood. In the blistering heat of the noonday sun, together with her inner turmoil from the baying dogs, and a pounding heart of trembling fear, the little panting hind’s longing for a waterhole, is compared with the gaping need in the heart of a believer, yearning for his God. No wonder the psalmist began to write, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God,” – sentiments to which each of us can often relate. It is a soul in desperation that pants after God. It is the inner man that is dry, and fearful, and unable to flee from the pressures of life that pursue us unrelentingly, that discerns their need of God. It is the very core of our being, the entire person, the innermost self that aches for God with a deep, deep thirst that cries out to the Lord for help. It is then that we come to the end of our self, and realise that the broken cisterns of this aggressive world can never provide what we need. It is the thirsty, panting, weary soul, that in recognising their spiritual lack, is overwhelmed with a deep craving for God’s streams of living water. It is the man or woman who has reached the end of their tether, that gasps for the still pools of deep refreshment that no one but the Good Shepherd of the sheep provides for all those who are His. He is the fountain of life and He is the well-spring of satisfaction for the weary soul. He is the God of comfort and the Prince of peace, Who alone can calm every pounding heart and still every fearful thought. The living water that sustains the soul of a man only comes from God, Who alone can satisfy the exhausted saint. Without the reviving water-pool, the little deer would be overwhelmed by its craving thirst, or overtaken by the deadly attack of the cruel enemy. And without the water of life, that streams into our hearts from above, and provides health and healing for the whole man, we too would be nothing more than a spiritual corpse that is left exposed and naked, with nowhere to hide. It was the sons of Korah who penned this beautiful song. The suffering, pain, misery, and distress they were evidently experiencing from the hands of their enemies, brought them to the precipice of despair, but it also caused them to cry out to the Lord a prayer of desperation. And as they poured out their soul to their Father in heaven, they remembered His never-failing goodness and began to rejoice in the assurance of His grace. The sons of Korah had learned that when our soul is in deep despair, we are to remember the Lord and remind ourselves of His past goodness. We are to recall that His mercies are new every morning – great is His faithfulness. And so they concluded their song by praising God in the knowledge that He would deliver them from all that would harm them, and provide all they needed for life and godliness. Like the sons of Korah, we too are to recall that the Lord is our strength and stay, that He is our present help in times of trouble, that He is the Rock of our salvation, and the only shelter that can protect us from our enemy and that He is the only refreshment that can sustain our fainting soul. Unless overshadowed by the Lord our God and refreshed and revived from His living water, we too would find ourselves spent by the heat of life’s difficulties and exhausted from the enemy’s unbroken onslaught – because we live in a Christ-rejecting, sinful world. Times are hard, and times are getting harder, but the Lord never changes. God alone is the only One that can satiate our hunger and satisfy our thirsty soul. He alone can protect our hearts and minds from the deep deception that is coming on the earth and satisfy our fainting soul. Let us take this metaphor to heart and pant after Jesus – the Living Water, as urgently as the exhausted deer pants for the water-brooks. My Prayer Loving Father, I realise more and more how much I need You to be the Restorer of my soul. I need the living water from on high to refresh my heart and sustain my spirit. Times are hard, Father, and sometimes the pressures of life seem to encompass me on every side, but I praise Your name that You are my shelter from the heat and You alone revive my weary soul. Keep me and those I love under the shadow of Your wing. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Psalm 40:8 Next: Psalm 42:2 ► Choose a Verse from Psalm 42 1234567891011 1 Timothy 2:9 Genesis 22:1 Romans 7:24 Psalm 53:1 Follow us Psalm 42:1 Further Study Psalm 42:1 in the Parallel Bible Psalm 42:1 in the Thematic Bible Psalm 42:1 Cross References Psalm 42:1 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Psalm 42:1 Prayers Psalm 42:1 Images Psalm 42:1 Devotionals Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals Servant and Service of the Lord 1 Peter 1:15 Isaiah 45:11 Reign In Pain Self-Consciousness The Everlasting King – Perfect MAN Eternal SON (2) God Appointments Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us © Copyright [2011 – 2020] Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved