Text: Psalm 8:1-9

1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,

7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME

It’s not difficult to see the focus on God’s greatness as the theme of this psalm. He opened and closed it with the same exultation unto God, ‘O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!’[ v.1,9]

As David viewed God's creation, he was overwhelmed by how wonderful, great, or exalted God is. In Psalm 19:1–6, David also attributed the creation with a similar revelation of God. In Genesis, the Lord instructed Abraham to look at the heavens and number the stars. [Gen 15:5] The word, "majestic" may be translated. "wonderful," "great," or "exalted." It’s tragic and a great perversion for corrupted man to worship the creation rather than the Creator. Thus, the apostle Paul indicated that those who fail to believe in God are without excuse. (Rom 1:22–23)

Though how strong and majestic God is, He could use infants and children to praise Him and shame the enemy. Jesus referred to this verse just after He cleansed the temple.[ see Mat 21:16). It’s unthinkable that those still being weaned can bring down the enemy, is it not? He chooses the weak to shame the strong[1 Cor 1:27]. In short, it is all about God so the instrument is immaterial.

Reflecting upon the greatness of God, David felt his nothingness, as every one of us should. He said,

“what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”[v.4] The "man" in this verse is actually the term ‘enos’ used to refer to mankind. Man is created lower than the angels yet He cares for them, even ‘crowned him with glory and honor”

His care for man is sown with the common grace that He gives. Everything else in creation is under his dominion… domesticated animals, even the wild and fishes in the oceans. Jesus even said,

“He [God the Father] makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.’[Matt 5:45]

Most importantly, the greatest blessing about this psalm is the act of compassion God did to become like us. This psalm is a Messianic psalm and is quoted 4 times in the New Testament.[1 Cor 15:57, Eph 1:22, Heb 2:6-10 and Mat 21:16] Jesus was born and lived as a man. The angels did not. And as fully human could He only serve as a sacrifice for humanity (Heb 2:11). On that cross, Jesus cried out in victory, "It is finished" (John 19:30). His death was sufficient payment for all time for the sins of humanity. Our salvation could never be purchased for anything less than His precious blood, and in nothing else (1 Pet 1:18–19). But, Jesus though his humility is exalted. [Phil 2:6-10] Even Isaiah has prophesied, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder…Of the increase of his government and of peace, there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and to uphold it."[Isa 9:6,7] And Paul writes Christ’s exaltation after rising from death, "For 'God has put all things in subjection under his [Jesus'] feet."[1 Cor 15:27]

Today, we should continue to be awed by the wonder of God’s creation and humiliation, should we not?

Text: Psalm 7:8-17

8 The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.

9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous—you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!

10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.

11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.

12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;

13 he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.

14 Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies.

15 He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made.

16 His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.

17 I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

-Psa 7:8-17 ESV

GOD IS A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE

Relentlessly, David’s enemies were pursuing him as a lion. But his trust is the Lord, his refuge.[v.1] David declared his integrity. Should he has done evil toward others [v.3-6], he was willing to be chastened. He was so confident to even encourage it. Indeed, ‘the righteous are bold as a lion.’[Prov 28:1b]

He asked for God’s vindication only according to his righteousness and integrity. [v.6-8] God is a righteous judge. Having been convinced of his innocence, He looked unto God not as a ‘judge’ but as his ‘shield and savior’. He said, “ My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.’[v.10]

His unrepentant rebellious enemies do cause God to ‘whet their sword’…’ prepared for him his deadly weapons for the enemies’ own destruction. Their evil plot[ mischief, wickedness, falsehood] will return unto their own head. [v.12-16]

David’s gloom turned into gladness because of God’s righteousness. He resolved, “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.”[v.17]

Today, let’s take note that we may not have control over what others will do to us. But, we can choose to respond. Perhaps, God wants us to check the integrity of our hearts. Should we have not done anything wrong, we have God as our shield. He is the righteous judge to vindicate us. The Lord is on our side. The issue isn’t people attacking us but whether are we on the side of God, who would avenge us. He would turn their attacks unto themselves in due time.

Thus, let’s resolve with Paul, who says; ‘Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’[Rom 12:17-21]

Text: Psalms 6:1-10 (ESV)

1 O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,

nor discipline me in your wrath.

2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;

heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.

3 My soul also is greatly troubled.

But you, O LORD—how long?

4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;

save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

5 For in death there is no remembrance of you;

in Sheol who will give you praise?

6 I am weary with my moaning;

every night I flood my bed with tears;

I drench my couch with my weeping.

7 My eye wastes away because of grief;

it grows weak because of all my foes.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil,

for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.

9 The LORD has heard my plea;

the LORD accepts my prayer.

10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;

they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

CONFESSION AND CONFIDENCE

Undoubtedly, David has admitted his guilt and has been pleading for God’s mercies[v.1-3] He was deeply troubled. He acknowledges God’s wrath and hatred toward sin. But, he appeals to God as a father who deals with his weak child. [Prov 3:11,12]. His question ‘How long?’ is an expression implying grief, is it not? As sinners, like David, we can only look and hope unto the graciousness of God, not on His justice.

Indicative of his relationship with God, David's pleadings were based on God’s covenantal love – His lovingkindness. [v.4,5] He pleads for mercy upon his life for there is no opportunity to mention the Lord in Sheol[death]. Let’s not forget that our time isn’t perpetual. Death happens and we would lose opportunities to enjoy our relationship with him if we fail to recognize him as our Father now. Life is too short to indulge and wallow in an emotional whirlpool.

In v.6-7, David expressed his anguish before the Lord. Problems and challenges of life may take a toll to our health – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He said, “I am weary…I wet my bed with tears…I drench my couch with weeping…My eyes waste away and grow weary.” It is okay when we feel we are not okay before the Lord.

But, there is hope always in God. David affirmed his trust in God.[v.8-10] On a positive note, he looked not to the past only to what God has done but more to what God would do in the future. Let’s not rest on our past laurels and successes for our God is a covenant-keeping God. The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous. As Solomon said, “The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”[Prov 15:29]

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: Psalms 5:1-12 ESV

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD;

consider my groaning.

2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,

my King and my God,

for to you do I pray.

3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;

in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

evil may not dwell with you.

5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;

you hate all evildoers.

6 You destroy those who speak lies;

the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,

will enter your house.

I will bow down toward your holy temple

in the fear of you.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness

because of my enemies;

make your way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth;

their inmost self is destruction;

their throat is an open grave;

they flatter with their tongue.

10 Make them bear their guilt, O God;

let them fall by their own counsels;

because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,

for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may exult in you.

12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD;

you cover him with favor as with a shield.

EXPERIENCING GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE

In v.1-3, we notice that the degree of our relationship with God determines our confidence in prayer. David referred to God as ‘my God and my king’. And he enjoys his communion with him on a daily basis. He expressed,

“O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;

in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”[v.3]

In v.4-7, moreover, David focused on God’s two attributes, His holiness, and fatherly love. God is opposed to all that is unholy[v4,5] Definitely, He doesn’t delight or take pleasure in wickedness and evil doesn’t reside in Him. No falsehood, deceit, and iniquity are found in Him.

But, David was motivated to draw near to God boldly – into His house of worship [temple] and Holy presence because of His abundant lovingkindness. This covenant love is ‘chesed’. God’s love is irresistible, isn’t it? We are attracted to go to God because of His unconditional love.[Rom 5:8] There is the reverential fear of David towards God as a result. He said,

“I will bow down toward your holy temple

in the fear of you.”[v.7b]

This led David to plead for God’s righteousness. Saying, ‘Lead me O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before me.”[v.8] There is a new desire to live righteous for those who have received the love of God, is it not? As David related the wickedness of his enemies [i.e. no truth in their mouth, their throat is an open grave], he has desire no vengeance unto them. But that they would bear their own guilt and fall to their own plans and devices. David needs not to soil his hands like what God did to Haman who fell to his own gallows when he planned to destroy the righteous Mordecai. We can trust that God is in control.

David concluded in v.11-12 with great confidence to experience God’s blessing in following the Lord. He will bless him and cover him with favor[grace] as with a shield[v.12] Against the backdrop of wickedness from his enemies, he was full of gladness and singing with joy!

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

God’s Word for Today

11 July 2023

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

    You have given me relief when I was in distress.

    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?

    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;

    the LORD hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin;

    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

5 Offer right sacrifices,

    and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”

7 You have put more joy in my heart

    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

    for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

-Psa 4:1-8  ESV

THE LORD IS MY RIGHTEOUSNESS

For David, God is the source of his righteousness. God is righteous and therefore He could never do anything wrong. This was a relief to his distress. Then,  David turns his attention to his wicked pursuers, asking them, "How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies?"[v.2]

David’s confidence is his being ‘set apart’ unto God. To be "set apart" for the Lord is to be seen differently from the ungodly. That, David is declared holy and his holiness is a gift from God. Today, this distinction exists between His people and unbelievers. Even, the apostle Paul writes, "The Lord knows those who are his,' and 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."[ 2 Tim 2:19]

Most likely, v.4 and 5 referred to David’s own men who were agitated toward David’s enemies. That those who trust in the Lord’s sovereign control are not to be controlled by their passion. As David expresses his trust, saying, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"[Psa 27:1] The Hebrew translated "be angry" here literally means "to tremble, shake, quake, or be agitated." And, Paul, citing the Septuagint Greek translation of this Psalm, also refers to the idea of anger in Ephesians 4:26. 

Though outnumbered by their enemies the Lord is powerful. Thus, they should,

‘Offer right sacrifices,

    and put your trust in the LORD.’[v.5]

Indeed, many of his people say, 'Who will show us better times?' David could just hope, saying, ‘Let your face smile on us, LORD.’ Discouragement may drift our hearts towards despair, yet Rom 8:28 is always our encouragement as light at the end of a tunnel. 

David concluded with the assurance of ‘joy and peace’ in the Lord. Not because their resources and circumstances became better but because the Lord is their righteousness. Sleep and rest become sweet even if the threat of the enemy is real.[v.7,8]

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast 

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify 

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast 

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofPsalms

God’s Word for Today10 July 2023

O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;2 many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.4 I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.7 Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God!For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people! Selah

-Psa 3:1-8 ESV

THE LORD IS MY SHIELD, GLORY, AND THE LIFTER OF MY HEAD

This is David’s lament about his son Absalom’s rebellion, whose account is read in 1 Sam 15. Many, in fact thousands [v.6] sided his son and Dvid became a fugitive , running for his life in the wilderness, alone and helpless. In 2 Sam 17:1–3 tells us of Ahithophel asking Absalom to allow him to take 12,000 men to pursue David until David became so tired and discouraged. They were scouring and taunting saying, “There is no salvation for him in God.”[v.2] Are you pressed in a corner where there seems no way out?But, salvation belongs to the Lord.[v.8] From a human perspective, he was hopeless. But, he affirmed that God is his ‘shield, glory and the lifter of his head.”[v.3] When could be stripped of everything, but not prayer. He lifted up unto hill from where his help comes.[Psa 121:1] The Lord and nobody else is his comfort. This is the same confidence David has expressed earlier when he confronted Goliath. Courageously, he called out to Goliath, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand…For the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hand" (1 Sam 17:45–47).Because of his trust to God, David was able to sleep and wake up through Sovereign God’s watching eyes. [v.6,7]. Fear has no grip on his praying heart. He who fears God has nothing else to fear. Who are these wicked men before his God? Today, we can likewise confidently bring everything in prayer. As Paul exhorted us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:6,7) We may not be surrounded by wicked men and enemies. However, we are bombarded with trials and afflictions, are we not? [John 16:33] yet, the apostle Paul has assured us "we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Rom 8:37). Salvation is of the Lord. Glory to His name.

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

Text: Psalm 2:1-12

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,

6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

7 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

GOD LAUGHS

Pagan nations led by their rulers and kings, had opposed ‘the Lord and His Anointed’.[v.1-3] They take their stand proudly against God. They "set their counsel" here implies deliberate preparation and arrangement. It's ridiculous to think that one can overpower, undermine, or escape from the will of God, isn’t it? Why? It’s an attempt to throw off the authority of the Sovereign God and His Anointed One.[v.3]

Anointed [mashiach], from which is derived the English word Messiah or Christos in Greek, is predictive of Jesus. The opposition to God and the Messiah are inseparable. John declares, “No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.”[1 John 2:23] Similarly Luke says, “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”[Luke 10:16]

But, our confidence is in the victory of the Messiah [v.4-9] God "sits", a reference to His throne (Isa 6:1), from which He rules heaven and earth. From that lofty and majestic position, He sees the frantic and feeble nations. He laughs. Isaiah declares, "Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness."[Isa 40:15,17] Take for example the proud Nimrod who built Babel who ultimately crumbled.

Victory is certain. The sovereign Creator of the universe will set His King, the Lord Jesus Christ, Israel's Messiah on Mount Zion, His holy hill.[v.6] Let’s recall Gabriel's address to Mary. He prophesied concerning Jesus: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end" (Luke 1:32–33). As King David has ruled from Jerusalem, so King Jesus will rule from Jerusalem[Zion]! He is begotten.[v.7] Interestingly, in the ancient near east, a king was considered ‘begotten’ when he entered into kingship. He is assured that the nations of the earth would be his heritage and the earth his possession. The prophet Zechariah anticipates Messiah's possession of the nations by declaring, "And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you."[Zech 2:11] He would smash the rebellious with a rod of iron and break them into pieces as crushed pots.

But, the Lord has offered hope to the nations.[v.10-12] God warned them to be wise and humble lest they be crushed. Pride is the recipe for destruction.[Prov 16:18] They must revere and serve Him. Serving God is the hallmark of Christianity, isn’t it?

Text: Psa 1:1-6 ESV

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

-Psa 1:1-6 ESV

THE BLESSED MAN

The world has a different view of blessedness. He who has the most of the world’s goods and pleasures is considered the most blessed, is it not? The current race towards a life of affluence is the undeniable evidence to such pursuit. But Jesus said that our life doesn’t consist of the things we possess.

How does the Lord depict the blessed man?

He is the one who distances himself from sin but devotes in the scriptures. Sin and scriptures are mutually exclusive. One negates the other. Should a person be blessed, he must avoid a sinful lifestyle. It starts in the mind[counsel of the world] that corrupts manners [standing and sitting with sinners] eventually. A lifestyle of sin isn’t an overnight product. It’s a gradual process.

On the other hand, our blessedness comes about as a growing tree. The person who faithfully reads and meditates God’s word is changed from one degree of glory to another. [2 Cor 3:18] The changes are coming from the inside out as the sap is producing fruit in a tree. As His branches, we are nothing if we don’t abide in Him. [John 15:5] The absorption of nutrients and water from the ground [ and river] results in fruitfulness regardless of circumstances. Thus, a blessed person isn’t dictated by his surroundings – on sunny or stormy days his Christlikeness isn’t affected. Don’t you like to be such a person?

Moreover, it’s the approval of his life at the end that makes a difference. The wicked will suffer loss while the blessed person is exalted. In Matthew 7, Jesus is talking about the futility of such a person who is building his house upon the sand that at the time of judgment, he wouldn’t stand and suffer embarrassment.[see John 12:48] While the blessed person is the ‘righteous one whose way the Lord knows or determines’. Like a person who builds his house upon the Rock [Jesus and His words], he remains and is even rewarded.

By God’s grace, let’s be sure that we have a relationship with God through Christ. If you’re in Him, you would be truly blessed should you remain in His word.

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: James 5:19-20 ESV

(19) My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, (20) let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

WINNING BACK THE WANDERER

Severe hardships have a heavy toll upon many believer’s faith. They stumbled and wandered away. Or, maybe they are never true believers at all, but merely part of the organized community. In either case, they've wandered away after false beliefs.

Instead of abandoning them, the faithful must pursue them relentlessly. James declared that ‘whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.’ We are not told how but efforts should be done to attempt to bring them back. Restoring these sinful wanderers has to be done with great love and concern for their souls. There is a ‘covering a multitude of sin’. That is, there should not be condemnation, judgment, or arrogance but a sincere interest and loving effort to help someone else. Paul has similarly enjoined us in (Gal 6:1,2), wherein he said, “Brothers if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Some strongly suggest that since their souls will be saved from death, which is likely eternal death, these must be non-believers who came so near to Christ but without ever crossing over into a sincere commitment of faith.

At the end of the day, James did encourage us to do whatever it takes to rescue the lost. We can throw the gospel lifeline to the drowning soul. However, only God could remove the scales from their eyes and bring conviction to bring them back to Him and the community of believers. In other words, we are not to dilute the truth and manipulate it. It’s the truth that can set them free.

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: James 5:16-18 ESV

(16) Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (17) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

CONFESSIONS AND HEALING

It should be the common practice for believers to confess our sins to each other and to pray for each other, so that we may be healed. This is the dynamic of a community that experiences the love of Christ. There is the idea of Christians being in close relationships with each other. They are open and vulnerable with each other. In this loving environment, each could acknowledge to the other what sins are most difficult for them, and all could pray for each other to overcome those sins.

What promotes vulnerability? Definitely, when there is unconditional acceptance, one won’t hesitate to open up his life. A community wherein the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.[1 Cor 12:25b,26] There would not be hypocrisy and pretense but truthfulness. Did not Paul say that love rejoices in the truth, not in falsehood? [1 Cor 13:6] Can you truly love a person wearing a mask?

Where sins are confessed and forgiven, prayers become effective. Sins do make God shun our prayers, don’t they? [Psa 66:18, Isa 59:2] The righteous is one whose prayers are effective. As a result, the spiritually weak or physically weak would be strengthened among us. We ‘encourage the fainthearted, and help the weak .’[1 Thess 5:14]

Elijah is an example. His prayer was powerful and effective. Prayer works, but not because of the power of him who prays. It works because God hears, and responds with all of His power and effectiveness. In fact, he is no different than anyone of us - fallible, mortal, and limited human beings. And yet, when he prayed that it would not rain and for the rain to come, it didn't rain and the rain came after, respectively.

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram