King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Friday, May 10, 2024
Chapters: I Chronicles Chapter 18, Psalm Chapter 50, 53, 60, 65
Message: The Mysteries of God’s Will
Hello My Friend,
It has been three weeks since my mom was taken to the hospital and things have added to the whirlwind ever since. She is in a rehab now, hopefully she will start improving, but I worry that since she has no constant interaction with people that she will be left to her thoughts and that has not been a good thing. Nevertheless, God is in control and can do more for her than I can, but as I have said He does work in mysterious ways. There is one thing that is not a mystery though for those who believe in all that He is, [Ephesians 1:9-12 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.]
No one needs the Bible to know that God exists or at least that there is a supreme being much higher than any of us, God’s handiwork proves that, [Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.]. No one needs the Bible to know that Jesus exists, [Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:] You see, the Bible was written to believers, it is actually God’s love letter to His people. Even believers who did not have the Bible understood that their Creator was also their Saviour and judge.
[Psalms 50:1-6 A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. 3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. 4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. 5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. 6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.]
[those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.] Do you understand that the second you receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour you make a covenant with Him by His sacrifice? Those who admit that they are a sinner, believe in the Gospel of Christ, and accept Him as their Saviour alone were delivered from the ultimate judgment, in which Christ Himself will judge each and every one of us, [Matthew 16:27-28 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.]
Since Jesus is Judge, He has the power to grant salvation to the vilest of sinners and deny it to the chiefest of worldly saints. How? It is all about our faith in the LORD. It is the vilest sinner that humbles themselves to Christ, while the chiefest of worldly saints thinks their own righteousness is good enough to save themselves. God, reminds us that it was never about the sacrifices, it was about the faith.
[Psalms 50:8-15 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. 9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. 13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.]
[If I were hungry, I would not tell thee:] God, does not beg anyone to come to Him and yet He extends His offer of salvation to all regardless of their past. Any believer who brings their offering should not do so under the delusion that they are doing something good to God personally. This is exactly why Jesus said this, [Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.]
God’s acceptance of us has never been about never sinning, He knows we are incapable of doing that while we are here in our flesh, it is about believing in and accepting His Word. Naturally, if we are walking with Christ and getting in His Word, then His words are going to sink and we will sin less. And it all starts with Christ, if there is one question of the Gospel then God will not accept them. The psalmist goes on to point that out actually.
[Psalms 50:18-23 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. 19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. 21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. 22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. 23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.]
[Now consider this, ye that forget God,] And this is why God has not destroyed the whole earth yet, if He eliminated everyone who is guilty of sin, then there would be no one left. Those who reject God question His existence because of His rules and the evils in the world. Let me tell you, God is not to blame for the evils, man is. Yes, since creation, Satan and those who follow in his footsteps are to blame for the evils in this world. And this is exactly why Jesus calls those who follow Satan as his children, they literally act like him. As we return to the reading of 1 Chronicles, it also gives the account of David’s success as king and how God preserved him as he subdued all of Israel’s enemies.
[1 Chronicles 18:1-6 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts. 3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates. 4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.]
[as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.] This was actually a prophecy fulfilled all the way back when God promised to give Abraham this land, [Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:]
Those who chose Christ may have to deal with some suffering as they are exposed to God’s judgment on the ungodly, but remember, we will be preserved. Naturally, when God blesses His people through their efforts, the world around them gets blessed as well as they reap the benefits. So, when the king of Hamath found out that David and his army defeated Zobah he was so pleased that he sent gifts over to them.
[1 Chronicles 18:9-13 Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah; 10 He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass. 11 Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand. 13 And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David’s servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.]
[Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD,] David, took the gifts received from the nations that they subdued and set them aside for the use of the Lord in the treasury of the Sanctuary. As the saying goes, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” imagine how much more when we give it to God, [2 Corinthians 4:14-15 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.]
[Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites] While David was in the north, the Edomites attempted to overthrow them in Judah, but Abishai successfully led an army to who defeated before they had done any harm. God, has a strange way of protecting and preserving His people even when they fail Him, we may need to endure some chastening ourselves, but He always has our back as repentance goes a long way with God, even if it is all day long, [Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.]
David’s victories were also based on the fact that it did not matter how many nations he defeated he still cried out to God in humility, [Psalms 53:1-4 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. 2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. 3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.]
[God looked down from heaven upon the children of men,] Children of men are those who know God exists, and yet reject or out right deny His existence. A great example of that is Satan, he certainly knows God exists, that he was created by him as well, and that salvation is through Christ alone, but he is a reprobate, that is someone beyond the hope of salvation because they refuse to submit to God, [Romans 1:28,32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.]
Until we acknowledge Christ, and accept Him for who He is, we are children of men, it is only when we choose Christ, and receive Him as our Saviour that we become children of God or in other words, believers. One cannot pick and choose what to believe from God’s Word, and if there is any question about its infallibility then God will have no respect for their belief in Him. While Jesus will never deny salvation to anyone who believes in and receives Him, He does not nor ever has condoned sin of any kind.
[Psalms 60:1-5 To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. 2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. 3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. 4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. 5 That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.]
[Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee,] That banner that displays across each and every honest and sincere soul that receives Jesus Christ as their Saviour is Christ’s own blood. And let me tell you, it is definitely true that life is in the blood, it is even more alive with the blood of Christ upon our soul. I call our salvation as our soul receiving an instant blood transfusion, [1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:]
That is a characteristic of Christians, they invoke God as their Father, bringing all their requests to His attention because He is their Father for the sake of Christ. To those who deny Him, He will deny them, just as He did with Esau. Psalms 60, was written in reference to what took place prior to their battle with Edom, who by the way, were cousins of Israel and descendants of Esau.
[Psalms 60:7-11 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; 8 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me. 9 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? 10 Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies? 11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.]
[which didst not go out with our armies?] The trials we go through as Christians do not always come from disobedience, it is often used to show Christ through our faith and endurance of them. Of course, we do not like to suffer needlessly, but it is actually the suffering that brings us to depend on Him more. David comes to realize that it is more blessed to be approached for God than have it easy all the time.
[Psalms 65:1-6 To the chief Musician, A Psalm and Song of David. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. 2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. 3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. 4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. 5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea: 6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:]
[we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house,] It is no mystery, while we are in our flesh we will never be satisfied, we are too big, too small, too short, too tall, a different color, a different race, a different vocabulary, a different background, too poor, too rich, and yes, there is a thing as being too rich for they are ones who have everything, and are never satisfied. The only way that we will be satisfied in this flesh is if we are walking in the Spirit of God, we can be poor, living in a tent and still satisfied because we have God inside us and He shows us how to be content with what we have, but never lose hope of the prize that is awaiting us, [Philippians 3:13-15 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [1 Chronicles 18:14 So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.]
Today’s Prayer: God, I know when You have brought me to places that I do not understand, my heart wants to go one way, but You want me to stay put. Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me, things may seem like a big mystery, but You have everything right in place. You know what is best for me, and I have to accept that Your way is the only way. Lord, I do want to live by Your Word and walk the path You have chosen for me, give me Your power, wisdom, guidance, mercy, and grace to endure it. Help me resist the temptation to do things my way, to walk down my own path, and let me lean not on my own understanding, but trust Yours. Put Your hedge up protection around me, give me discernment and encouragement when I am troubled. I ask these things in Your name Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Read Previous Devotions: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Read The Bible: http://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2024 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.