Stand Firm in Your Freedom

The Fruit of the Spirit of Joy, Part 2

Galatians 5:22-23

2. The Source of Joy

a. God is the source of joy.

1) Joy is an attribute of God.

2) God expresses joy. (Psalm 104:31; Zephaniah 3:17)

b. Our joy comes from God through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52; Romans 14:17)

1) The joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

2) Complete joy comes from complete obedience. (John 15:9-11)

3) Joy comes through trusting in God. (Romans 15:13)

4) Faith fills us with an inexpressible joy. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

5) Joy is the result of rejoicing.

3. The Expressions of Joy

a. We are commanded to rejoice in the Lord. (Psalm 32:11; Philippians 4:4)

b. Even inanimate nature is poetically called upon to rejoice in God. (Psalm 96:11-12; 98:4-9)

c. Some Hebrew words for “joy”:

1) Ranan – to sing for joy (Psalm 33:1; 67:4)

2) Alats – to jump for joy (Psalm 5:11; 68:3)

3) Teruw` ah – to shout for joy or raise a battle-cry (Psalm 27:6; 33:3)

4) Giyl – to spin around or dance for joy (Psalm 21:1; 31:7)

Zechariah 2:10-13 (NIV) - [10] “Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. [11] “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. [12] The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. [13] Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”

1. Be loud!

Joshua 6:5; 20-21 (NIV) [5] “When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud SHOUT; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in…” [20] When the trumpets sounded, the people SHOUTED, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud SHOUT, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.

Ezra 3:10-11 (NIV) – [10] When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel. [11] With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love to Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great SHOUT of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

Isaiah 42:13 (NIV) – [13] The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a SHOUT he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.

2. Be glad!

Zechariah 9:9 (NIV) – [9] Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! SHOUT, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV) – [11] I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. [12] His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. [13] He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. [14] The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV) – [1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. [2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Zechariah 8:20-23 (NIV) – [20] This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, [21] and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.’ [22] And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him.” [23] This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”

Micah 4:1-2 (NIV) – [1] In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. [2] Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 14:1 (NLT) – [1] But the LORD will have mercy on the descendants of Jacob. He will choose Israel as his special people once again. He will bring them back to settle once again in their own land. And people from many different nations will come and join them there and unite with the people of Israel.

3. Be still.

Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV) – [13] Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. [14] The LORD will fight for you; you need only to BE STILL.”

Psalms 37:7 (NIV) – [7] BE STILL before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalms 46:10 (NIV) – [10] “BE STILL, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Mark 4:37 (NIV) – [37] A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. [38] Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don't you care if we drown?” [39] He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! BE STILL!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. [40] He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” [41] They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Stand Firm in Your Freedom

The Fruit of the Spirit of Joy

Galatians 5:22-23

1. The Definition of Joy

a. Joy (chara) means a constant, calm, and composed delight or cheerfulness.

b. The Difference between Happiness and Joy.

1) Happiness is on a human level; joy is on a spiritual level.

2) Happiness is dependent; joy is independent. (Habakkuk 3:17-18; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 8:1-2; James 1:2)

3) Happiness is based upon present circumstances; joy is based upon future promises. (Luke 6:22-23)

4) Happiness can be taken from us; joy cannot. (John 16:22)

5) Happiness does not satisfy; joy is a state of satisfaction.

Zechariah 2:1-13 (NIV) – [1] Then I looked up—and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand! [2] I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.” [3] Then the angel who was speaking to me left, and another angel came to meet him [4] and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. [5] And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’ [6] “Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the LORD, “for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven,” declares the LORD. [7] “Come, O Zion! Escape, you who live in the Daughter of Babylon!” [8] For this is what the LORD Almighty says: “After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— [9] I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me.

Zechariah 2:6-8 (TEV) – [6-7] The Lord said to his people, “I scattered you in all directions. But now, you exiles, escape from Babylonia and return to Jerusalem. [8] Anyone who strikes you strikes what is most precious to me.”

1. It means passion.

“…the love of God towards the faithful is so tender that when they are hurt he burns with so much displeasure, as though one attempted to pierce his eyes. For God cannot otherwise set forth how much and how ardently he loves us, and how careful he is of our salvation, than by comparing us to the apple of his eye.” (John Calvin)

Deuteronomy 31:30, 32:9-11 (NIV) – [30] And Moses recited the words of this song from beginning to end in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel… [9] For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance. [10] In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as THE APPLE OF HIS EYE, [11] like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.

2. It means possession.

“The pupil of the eye… as being the object most carefully preserved, is a figure used to denote the dearest possession or good.” (Keil and Delitzsch Commentary)

Psalms 17:7-9 (NIV) – [7] Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. [8] Keep me as THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE; hide me in the shadow of your wings [9] from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

3. It means protection.

“The pupil, or aperture, through which rays pass to the retina, is the tenderest part of the eye; the member which we most sedulously guard from hurt as being the dearest of our members; the one which feels most acutely the slightest injury, and the loss of which is irreparable.” (Jaimison, Fausset, Brown Commentary)

Proverbs 7:1-3 (NIV) – [1] My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. [2] Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE. [3] Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4. It means reflection.

“…signifies the apple or pupil of the eye, literally the ‘little man’ which anyone may see reflected in another person’s eye.” (Synonyms of the Old Testament)

“This is a remarkable expression. Any person, by looking into the eye of another, will see his own image perfectly expressed, though in extreme miniature, in the pupil… does not the expression mean that the eye of God is always upon His follower, and that His person is ever impressed on the eye, the notice, attention, providence, and mercy of God?” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

Zechariah – Your King is Coming!

Zechariah 2:1-13 (NIV) – [1] Then I looked up—and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand! [2] I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.” [3] Then the angel who was speaking to me left, and another angel came to meet him [4] and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. [5] And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’ [6] “Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the LORD, “for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven,” declares the LORD. [7] “Come, O Zion! Escape, you who live in the Daughter of Babylon!”

Leviticus 26:14-15, 33 (NIV) – [14] “‘But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, [15] and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant… [33] I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out my sword and pursue you. Your land will be laid waste, and your cities will lie in ruins.

1. Disobedience drives us to be scattered.

Isaiah 43:5-7 (MSG) – [5] “So don’t be afraid: I’m with you. I’ll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west. [6] I’ll send orders north and south: ‘Send them back. Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places. [7] I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.’”

2. God is calling the Prodigals to come back.

Luke 15:17-20 (NIV) – [17] “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ [20] So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“From God’s perspective, one hidden act of repentance, one little gesture of selfless love, one moment of true forgiveness is all that is needed to bring God from his throne to run to his returning son and to fill the heavens with sounds of divine joy.” (The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henri Nouwen)

3. We must leave the past and the places where we were scattered.

“Many of the captive Israelites did not return to Jerusalem because they had become accustomed to the security and wealth they had in Babylon. But Zechariah instructed them to leave Babylon quickly. This was an urgent request because Babylon would be destroyed and its decadent culture would cause God’s people to forget their spiritual priorities. A vast majority of the Israelites rejected these warnings and remained in Babylon.” (Life Application Bible)

4. We can get too comfortable in our captivity.

“The Lord called these people to ‘escape’ from ‘Babylon’ among whose ‘daughter’ nations they lived. This was a call for the scattered Jews to return home in Zechariah’s day and help rebuild their nation. But it is also, because of the context and lack of fulfillment, a prophetic call to those living in the end times to abandon the Babylon of their day.” (Thomas Constable’s Notes on the Bible)

Revelation 18:1-4 (NIV) – [1] After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. [2] With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. [3] For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” [4] Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.”

“[Babylon] is a symbol for the spirit of godlessness which in every age lures men away from the worship of the Creator. It is the final manifestation of secular humanism in its attempt to destroy the remaining vestiges of true religion. Society set free from God is its own worst enemy.” (The New International Commentary)

“Christians are to separate themselves ideologically, and if necessary, physically from all the forms of Babylon.” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary)

5. It’s time to leave Babylon behind.

ZECHARIAH

"Your King is Coming!"

Zechariah 2:1-13 (NIV) – [1] Then I looked up—and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand! [2] I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.” [3] Then the angel who was speaking to me left, and another angel came to meet him [4] and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. [5] And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’

“The man with the measuring line symbolizes the hope of a rebuilt Jerusalem and a restored people. The man would be measuring to mark out the boundaries for a foundation.” (Life Application Bible)

Ezekiel 40:2-3 (NIV) – [2] In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city. [3] He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze; he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand.

“The man with a measuring-line is Messiah who, by measuring Jerusalem, is denoted as the Author of its coming restoration. Thus the Jews are encouraged in Zechariah’s time to proceed with the building. Still more so shall they be hereby encouraged in the future restoration. (Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary)

1. The LORD will measure out our restoration.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV) – [16] Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? [17] If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Amos 9:11 (NIV) – [11] “In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be.”

Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV) [1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. [2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

“So many shall be its inhabitants that all could not be contained within the walls, but shall spread out in the open country around; and so secure shall they be as not to need to shelter themselves and their cattle behind walls. So hereafter Judea is to be ‘the land of unwalled villages.’” (Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary)

2. We will no longer need walls.

3. The LORD will be a wall of fire around us.

2 Kings 6:15 (NIV) – [15] When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. [16] “Don't be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” [17] And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Revelation 21:22-27 (NIV) – [22] I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. [23] The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. [24] The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. [25] On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. [26] The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. [27] Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

4. The LORD’s glory will transform us.

2 Corinthians 3:13, 18 (NIV) – [13] We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. [18] And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

ZECHARIAH

"Your King is Coming!"

Zechariah 1:18-21 (NIV) – [18] Then I looked up—and there before me were four horns! [19] I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these?” He answered me, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.” [20] Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. [21] I asked, “What are these coming to do?” He answered, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise his head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.”

1. Horns represent strength.

“Because the horn was used by animals as a weapon, it came to symbolize power and might… God lifts up the horn of the righteous but cuts off the horn of the wicked. Probably as an extension of this meaning of the word, horns in the visions of Daniel and John symbolized kingdoms and individual kings.” (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

“The horns were the four world powers that oppressed Israel—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Medo-Persia.” (Life Application Bible Notes)

Daniel 7:7 (NIV) – [7] “After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.”

Psalms 75:10 (NIV) – [10] I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

2. The blacksmiths destroyed the horns.

“The word translated blacksmiths could refer to any sort of craftsmen (mason, carpenter, smith). If the horns representing the nations were metal, then blacksmiths were appropriate to the task of destroying them.” (NLT Study Bible Notes)

“The four blacksmiths (1:20) were the nations used to overthrow Israel’s enemies. God raised them up to judge the oppressors of his people.” (Life Application Bible Notes)

Isaiah 54:16-17 (NIV) – [16] “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; [17] no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.

“It also reminds the Jews of God's providential care in the past and His promise of protection for the future, for God will not permit any nation to annihilate His chosen people. In the last days, when Antichrist, the ‘dreadful and terrible beast,’ establishes his kingdom (Daniel 7:7-8, 15-28) and persecutes the Jews, he and his kingdom will be destroyed by the return of Jesus Christ in glory and power.” (Wiersbe Bible Commentary)

3. No weapon formed against us will prosper.

4. Our vindication comes from LORD.

1 Peter 2:23 (AMP) – [23] When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges justly.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 (NIV) – [6] God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you [7] and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

5. No human kingdom lasts forever.

Daniel 7:1-4 (NIV) – [1] In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream. [2] Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. [3] Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea. [4] “The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it.

ZECHARIAH

"Your King is Coming!"

Zechariah 1:7-17 (NIV) – [7] On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo. [8] During the night I had a vision—and there before me was a man riding a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses. [9] I asked, “What are these, my lord?” The angel who was talking with me answered, “I will show you what they are.” [10] Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the LORD has sent to go throughout the earth.” [11] And they reported to the angel of the LORD, who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace.” [12] Then the angel of the LORD said, “LORD Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years?” [13] So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. [14] Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, [15] but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they added to the calamity.’ [16] “Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the LORD Almighty. [17] “Proclaim further: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’”

1. We need the Word of the LORD to come to us.

2. We must search out the signs and symbolism in Zechariah.

3. There is a promise of blessing when we study the Scriptures.

4. There will be deception and a falling away.

5. God controls world events.

6. God knows every human heart.

7. The Angel of the LORD is Christ.

8. Beware a false peace.

9. Only Jesus offers true peace.

10. We wonder how long.

11. God will show mercy.

12. Jesus intercedes for us.

13. God will comfort us.

14. Our suffering comforts others.

15. God is jealous.

Exodus 34:14 (NIV) – [14] Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Romans 13:13 (NIV) – [13] Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

"Jealousy when used to describe God’s attitude refers to His careful concern, specifically intolerance of rivalry or unfaithfulness, for the well-being of others. Often in Scripture it alludes to God as a husband wanting to keep His wife, Israel or the church, true to Himself. God’s jealousy has none of the negative connotations that we associate with selfish human jealousy." (Thomas Constable’s Notes on the Bible)

16. God will repay.

“The Lord was angry with the Gentile nations because they had been unnecessarily brutal toward the Jews. True, God had called Assyria to punish the northern kingdom of Israel, and Babylon to chasten Judah; but these nations went beyond what God called them to do and tried to destroy the Jews.” (Wiersbe Bible Commentary)

Romans 12:19 (NIV) – [19] Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

17. God will return.

Zechariah 8:1-3 (NIV) – [1] Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. [2] This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.” [3] This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”

Matthew 24:37-42 (NIV) – [37] “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; [39] and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [40] Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. [42] Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

18. We must rebuild.

1 Peter 2:4 (NIV) – [4] As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— [5] you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NLT) – [19] So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. [20] Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. [21] We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. [22] Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

19. God will restore.

Zephaniah 3:20 (NIV) – [20] “At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the LORD.

Bakersfield First Assembly

A Game Plan for Life

Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV) – [10] I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. [12] Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

1. Know Christ

Philippians 3:8 (NIV) – [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV) – [23] This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, [24] but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.

2. Press On

1 Corinthians 15:9 (NIV) – [9] For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I PERSECUTED the church of God.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV) – [22] Flee the evil desires of youth, and PURSUE righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

3. Take Hold

Ephesians 3:17-18 (NIV) – [17] And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the saints, to GRASP how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

1 Timothy 6:12 (NIV) – [12] Fight the good fight of the faith. TAKE HOLD of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Hebrews 6:17-19 (NIV) – [17] Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. [18] God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to TAKE HOLD of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. [19] We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.