"GREATLY LOVED"

The Bible is replete with the names of persons who found favor in the sight of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Here are just a few names: We read in Genesis 5:23,24, that Enoch “”walked with God; and he was not, for God took him”; and, Elijah “went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (2 Kings 2:11). Thus these two men of God did not die as mentioned in Hebrews 9:27. Abraham trusted in God inasmuch he was willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:1-18). The writer of the book of Hebrews (11:17); and, James in his epistle (2:21), declared that in God’s sight, he did offer up his son. Abraham was truly a “friend of God” (2:23). God told the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). The angel announced that Mary, who “was betrothed to Joseph”,would “bring forth a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” Matthew 1:20, 21). The apostle John, was, without doubt, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 19:26). It is written that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister (Martha) and Lazarus” (John 11:5, 36). There were five men mentioned in the Old Testament who had endeared themselves to God. They were Moses, Samuel (Jeremiah 15:1), Noah, Daniel and Job (Ezekiel 14:14, 16, 18, 19). The Lord said that if these men stood before Him, and prayed to Him on the behalf of the children of Israel, His people would not be spared because of the depth and darkness of their sin and rebellious ways. These godly men “would deliver only themselves by their righteousness” Among the five men previously mentioned by the Lord, I want to observe what He said about Daniel. In Daniel 9:20-23, while Daniel was praying on the behalf of his people, Gabriel spoke to him, saying, “At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you for you are greatly loved…” (ESV,emphasis mine,re). This expression, “greatly loved”, regarding Daniel is used again in Daniel 10:11, 19. In Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible, we read, “and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved; or, "art desires" (p); all desire, exceedingly desired; very lovely, amiable, and delightful, in the sight of God, and all good men: or, "that thou art greatly beloved" (q); thus the angel came from God, out of heaven, to show it to him, to make it appear that he was highly in the favour of God, in that he made known his secrets to him” How wonderful that such an expression should be used for any child of God! Though our names are not found in the Word of God, we can know with all assurance they are written in the “book of life” (Revelation 3:5: 21:27), provided we have been saved by the grace of God, and the blood of His son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Ephesians 1:7). How great was God’s love for us? “For God SO loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV, John 3:16, 17, emphasis mine,re). “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God gave His precious Son to die for us on Calvary’s cross! His love is immeasurable. Praise be to our Heavenly Father, and the Lamb of God, by whose blood we have been cleansed from our sins (Revelation 1:5)!

"BLESS THE LORD"

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefit…” (Psalm 103:1, 2). For whatever reason that David had experienced in his life, he was moved to write this beautiful Psalm (Of course, guided by the Holy Spirit). His heart was overflowing with the need of blessing the Lord for all that God had done for him. Should we not possess the same kind of heart as David? Consider all that the Lord has done for us, physically and especially spiritually. All the perfect and good gifts come from God (James 1:18). His Son, Jesus Christ, died for us on Calvary’s cross, so that we could be forgiven by His precious blood (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7). I want to encourage our brethren who lead our minds in prayers during our worship assemblies to include expressions of praise and gratitude for all that God has done, and is doing for us. It is sad to note there are times when prayers are led wherein brethren fail to express thanks for God’s grace, mercy, love, lovingkindness, and His longsuffering. How can this be? Petitions, supplications and intercessions are expressed; however, there is a great need of our expressions of gratitude! (1 Timothy 2:1; Philippians 4:6) in our prayers. Let us “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name, For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:4, 5).