Articles
How To Remain Faithful To God / A Word from Isaiah / Every Knee Will Bow
(by Kevin Heaton)
In studying from the book of Deuteronomy, I was inspired by what Moses said to the people in Deuteronomy 17:16-20. The context of these verses is in regards to any future king that Israel might have (God obviously foreseeing what would eventually occur in Israel’s coming years). This is what Moses commanded:
"Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the LORD has said to you, 'You shall never return that way again.'"
"And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away,"
"nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold."
"And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel."
If Israel was to continue to be blessed by God while being led by a king, then the king would have to lead the kingdom in righteousness.
These same instructions are applicable and much needed for us today, are they not?
1) We "must not acquire many horses" or go seeking help from "Egypt." That is, we are not to rely on the strength and wisdom of men. Instead we are to trust in GOD; His power, His might, His protection, His wisdom.
2) We must not let our "heart turn away." The king would have to protect himself from that which would lead his heart away from God. We too must protect ourselves from any and all things that would draw our hearts and attention away from God.
3) We must not seek "excessive silver and gold." There is nothing wrong with having wealth. What is wrong is letting the wealth have you. We are to seek treasures in Heaven which are far better than all the gold or silver of this world.
4) We must have God's word and do what the king was instructed to do: "And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left."
In the end the promise was that he would be blessed, along with his children. We have God's great and precious promises of eternal life. Follow His instructions and you will never stumble.
A Word from Isaiah
(by Kevin Heaton)
"Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him" (Isaiah 3:10-11).
With that in mind, also consider what Paul said in Galatians 6:7-8, "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
Are you sowing sin? Or are you sowing righteousness?
God is holy! We are to be too.
Every Knee Will Bow
(by Kevin Heaton)
Jesus left Heaven to come to this earth to die for us. To save us from our sins. He emptied Himself and was obedient to the Father. Willing to suffer and die. To pay the price for everyone’s sins. But not all believe. Not all love God. Not all see their need for saving. But notice what Philippians 2:9-11 says about Jesus Christ and the world He died for: “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Maybe not now, but it will happen come judgment day. EVERY knee will bow before Jesus. EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. You’ll get on your knee. I’ll get on mine. We’ll proclaim the greatness of our King & Lord Most High.
This kneeling and confessing will not be the same for everyone. For some, those who have believed and obeyed Jesus, they will kneel in gladness. They will confess with shouts of praise. For them it will be a time of celebration. Finally getting to be in the very presence of the King. The Savior. The One who died for our sins and rose from the dead. The One they’ve so longed to meet. They will kneel before God as faithful servants. They will confess His name much as they did on earth. However, for those who have not believed and obeyed Jesus, their kneeling and confessions will be in fear. They will see that all they have been denying and rejecting is actually very real. And it will be too late. They will be kneeling in shame. In guilt. In dread. They will confess Jesus as King. The King who will bring judgment and punishment on them for their unbelief. As they kneel they will realize their failure. But it will be too late.
That day is coming. When it does come how will you and I be kneeling? We will kneel before Jesus Christ. We will confess His holy name. Will it be in joy and hope? Or will it be in fear and regret? You will bow. I will bow. The world will bow. It will be a great day for some. But a tragic day for others. Let’s make sure that when we bow it will be as faithful followers of Christ. May it be in gladness and excitement. Don’t be found kneeling on that day as one who will be cast away from the presence of God. Believe. Have faith. Obey the Gospel. Obey Jesus. Live faithfully. Live righteously. Kneel before Jesus now. Confess His name every day. Live for Jesus. Jesus gave everything for us. Give your whole heart to Him.
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