Graves' This and That

Our LORD in viewing Israel's consistency to sin and to be at constant warfare within and without, "looked" not just glanced, but gazed or observed intently that there was no justice among His own.  Isaiah described God as being displeased that there was no justice and even more strongly the emotion of being shocked or appalled that there was NO ONE to intercede for and among His own.  He had rescued Israel over and over again from warring nations, and still she turned from God and entered back into her lover's arms.  Her lovers sought to destroy her, yet she returned. Scripture relates that He put on righteousness as His breastplate, and put on the helmet of salvation on His head.  He cloaked Himself in passion for Israel and His vengeance against evil to fight for them.  She was HIS and He would fight for her! Isaiah 59:17 This same Mighty Warrior well knew before His creation of man that we were going to be vulnerable and captivated by sin.  A risk th...

I always dread chapters 3-4 of 2 Samuel as David becomes king because he moves to presumptuous sins of taking on another 5 wives without "inquiring of God" about his choices.  His song, Psalm 19: "Keep your servant from willful (presumptuous) sins; may they not rule over me.  Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression."  I am sure this sin, impulsive, presumptuous, or willful can be a mortal wound to us, spiritually, if we don't address the mindset.  I find that we never commit just one sin, for that sin always has some sins that quickly line up in the fray.  For David, I see abuse of his authority as king, entitlement, presumption of his rights, and tragically, we will see more evidences of his presumptions and impulsiveness without conferring with God.  His choices affected his whole family. Of course this is a different culture and a different era, however, TRUTH does not change.  My presumptions can cause some serious consequences ...

I don't mean to go random, but there are some days that I just wonder and make observations.  Of course, my wonder and my observations are not fingered by Scripture which is the standard or the authority of Truth for me. I wonder if the real WORK/TOIL in prayer is staying persistent and consistent even when I don't see any physical evidence of what I have prayed?  In some cases, people or objects for whom or which I have prayed for decades now and I continue to pray and wait upon the LORD.  I know I am not the first or only to get discouraged trying to be obedient and focus on being seated in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus when some presses are going on about me or against me. I wonder since we have been given the earth over which to rule from Ps. 115:16, at what point does God choose to intervene and overrule our "crappy" choices? My security must be grounded in You, Alone, Lord Jesus because all else that I would trust is flawed, frail, and fragile, alias, DU...

So many times, I have stated to others, and to the LORD in prayer, "Father, I know You are in control."  The statement usually followed with "But why....?"  As I was working in Acts 4 today, I see that Peter and John have been released by the Sanhedrin with numerous threats not to heal or even speak in the name of Jesus.  After their release, they rejoin a group of believers and share their stories of what has happened to them.  They choose to pray being in one mind, heart, and accord.   The prayer is begun with the term, LORD.  In the Greek, the term is depotes which was a slave owner or ruler who had such power that HE could not be questioned.  In our LORD'S case, a benevolent ruler, but still one whom we should reverence and fear.  Fear that recognizes HIS power, authority, and the perfect knowledge He possesses.  Sovereign might be another term for HIM...Sovereign LORD.  As I mulled on the truths that HE is almighty, all knowing,...

Acts 3-4 are rich studies of human nature and to see the impact of the Holy Spirit's empowering from Peter's vacillation from victim to victor as he bravely stands and preaches and some 2,000 make decisions for Christ.  I love the clarity of his preaching.  He obviously did not have the usual sensitivity and tolerance training which is a prevailing notion in our culture today.  Perhaps, we have become so calloused toward the movement of conviction of sin, that we no longer can handle the direct and the obvious approach that Peter used, "you have sinned, you crucified, or you have rejected."  We would prefer gentle reminders that we are victims of life and others who have treated us harshly.  Of course, it has nothing to do with our choices of rebellion and wilful attitudes which leave collateral damage strewn about us affecting our lives and those who witness our foolishness.  I love it that Peter rose to the occasion leaving us a model of boldness. He rose...

Gideon is such a reminder to me about objects we treasure.  In Judges 8, after winning a great victory and not willing to rule over the Israelites, he asked them for gold earrings that the Midianites wore to make an ephod.  Not sure why he wanted to have an ephod made since only the priest wore them.  Perhaps, he wanted a trophy symbol of the victory over the Midianites.  He placed it in Ophrah, his town, but all Israel "prostituted themselves by worshiping it there and it became a snare to Gideon and his family."   Interesting how an object meant to remind the Israelites of God and His victory over the Midianites, became an object to worship.  There must be a very thin line that we can maintain between praise for an object, an event, a person and "worship" of it allowing it to become my focal point, an IDOL.  Obviously, we may not be cognizant that we have moved into worship, and that is exactly how the evil one would design it.  He loves ...