Morning Moments

HIS NAME'S SAKE

(1 Sam 12:22) For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

(Psa 23:3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

* (Psa 106:8) Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

(Isa 66:5) Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

(1 Jn 2:12) I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

(3 Jn 1:7) Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

It seems that somehow, we tend to settle down in the present, sometimes forgetting the past and losing hope for the future. Although we do not know exactly who wrote this psalm (106), we can gain great insight into the faithfulness of God, even in the midst of the fearfulness of His people.

The Psalmist begins with Rejoicing in the goodness of God, then quickly moves to Repentance for the people of God for their doubt, discouragement, and disbelief. It is in the midst of this Repentance section that he writes, "Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known" (vs 8).

We must never forget that God has his eye on the world, but more especially upon Israel and upon the Church. He cherishes and chastens both! "Judgment begins at the household of God." Think about it! God could have destroyed the armies of Egypt before they ever got to the Red Sea. He could have led Israel directly into the Land of Promise without the Wilderness Journey. BUT HE DID NOT!

God gave the Egyptians every chance by demonstrating His mighty power, but they rejected Him and the people He had chosen. Pharoah could not conceal nor deny the amazing blessing upon these people who had been slaves of Egypt but who had become in his eyes a threat to Egypt.

The world in which we live does not understand that we (Christians) are not looking for a political system or party or person who will make everything right in the world, for that will not happen until Jesus Christ returns to rule in righteousness during the Millennium. We are no threat to the world, nor do we seek to be, but we do wish to share with the world that is in chaos that we can have an inner peace in the midst of the chaos through personal faith in Jesus Christ. The world today faces the very same challenge with Christianity that Rome faced and rather than embracing it, sought to extinguish and exterminate it.

Try as they may, this world cannot hinder the work of God with Israel nor with the Church, which is the Body of Christ. It may reject the Gospel, persecute the believers, seek to uproot and destroy Israel, but God will show His mighty power in spite of all the world throws against us because HE HAS PROMISED!

He WILL make His mighty power to be known through both Israel and the Church - both the physical and spiritual seed of Abraham, for He is not slack concerning His promise.

Israel's fear was unwarranted, but understandable. The fear of many today causes their love to grow cold. But in spite of it all, FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE, God will save us and make His might power to be known.

FEAR NOT!

BLESSINGS!