Comfort in God's Promises

 

Be a Good Soldier

Complete Jewish Study Bible

Recently I was gifted this particular translation of the Bible. It has been such a blessing to read so far. 

I have the Tanakh already, but this translation, from the original Hebrew, includes the whole Bible. The Book order is different, and even sometimes the verses, but each Book of the Bible can easily be found on the Contents Page, with both English and Hebrew Book Titles and alternate verses are in parentheses.

As I began to read, I noticed a few differences in the translation which bring even more light to the already multi-faceted Word of God.

For example, just now I read Psalm 119:105 from this translation:

"Your Word is a lamp for my foot and a light on my path."

Even though the modern translations all say "feet" -- I find this a particularly blessing for wounded soldiers who have lost limbs, and in particular a leg or foot. 

Such a promise for those who have only one foot! God still provides direction, and provision for the journey, even when we have only "one leg left to stand on", so to speak.

The Apostle Paul said, Having done all to stand, stand therefore. We can do that because Jesus is the Way, and the Life, and the Light of the World -- so I say, Let there be Light in our circumstances today, and no matter how difficult it may be, Rise up and walk in the way He has already mapped out for us.

Be a Good Soldier

Paul declares, in Ephesians 2:10, that we are God's workmanship...

Ephesians 2:10 [AMP]

"For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]."

From the Jewish Study Bible, it reads:

"For we are of God's making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do."

God prepared the Garden of Eden, the workplace for His creation, before He created Adam and Eve to work it, and produce fruit. This gives hope to everyone unemployed, looking for a job -- God has already prepared good works for us to do. Be patient, and faithful to look to Him as your resource for all things, including enjoyable work. Glory to God!!!

In Psalm 119:9 it says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your Word."

Guard your heart, [Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:7] therefore, against the lies that come against the word of God for your life. The words that say you can't do that, or you can't have that or you're not good enough, or you will never be, or you are over-qualified, etc. Those words do not come from the Holy Spirit Who fills you with God's Words about you. Have faith in God to bring to pass in your life that which He has planned for you. 

Philippians 4:7 [Jewish Bible]

"Then God's Shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe, in union with the Messiah Yeshua."

I see "keep you safe" as our Warrior King's battle strategy, because He is our Shield and Defense. 

There is none like You, Father, Who keeps His Word unto a thousand generations for those who love You. 

My Journaling Scripture for today was Jeremiah 29:11, and in the Jewish Bible it reads:

"For I know what plans I have in mind for you, says Adonai, 'plans for your well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future." 

God has always planned for you to have good days, for His mercies are new every morning.

It is clear that "As He is, so are we in this world" and so I say with confidence, "You are the light of the world." [Matthew 5:13-15] 

Give light. Give the way, and give the life of Christ. Release the anointing that He has placed in you and do not believe the enemy of your soul, who finds ways to keep you silent and ineffective. 

I thank my Father in Heaven, even in this moment, for the flow of words which I am experiencing today. This is answered prayer, and confirmation of the promise of the miracle of hearing the Word of God, and writing what I hear. There have been many times recently when I felt like I was loosing my memory. I was concerned, and have prayed many times that I would always remember God's Word, and what He taught me. And today, God has proven Himself faithful once again, and honored His promise to put His word in my mouth and Shield me in the palm of His hand. 

I know most people like Scriptures cited, chapter and verse, but when I write from the mouth of God, He doesn't give them, so I have to look them up. That is why I sometimes give the Scripture, and sometimes do not. I hope you understand. Out of the heart...that is how the word of God must be, so put it in your eyes, and your mind, and your heart, and it will come out when you open your mouth.

Encouragement:

Be a Good Soldier, then, and follow Jesus, Who went about doing good and healing all.

We even have this more sure word of God, which promises that the lame will leap like a calf let out of the stall.

Let's see how the Jewish Bible reads in this verse:

Malachi 3:20 (4:2)

"But to you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will break out leaping like calves released from the stall."

With every sunrise, His mercies are replenished, and His healing is distributed to the righteous in need -- even to those who do not know Him yet, for He rains on the unrighteous and the righteous to show His goodness to all His creation. 

And in Isaiah 35:5-6

"Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped; then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the mute person's tongue will sing. For in the desert, springs will burst forth, streams of water in the Aravah; the sandy mirage will become a pool, the thirsty ground springs of water. The haunts where jackals lie down will become a marsh filled with reeds and papyrus."

It is interesting to me that God equates healing and deliverance, in this case, with the Water of Life flowing in a desert place; reconstituting what was once there but had become shriveled, like the man's withered hand. I receive such comfort from this promise. 

I have experienced writer's block on occasion -- the paralysis of flow in writing fiction, for example. But even in this, I can take heart, that when God gives a parable to get His point across, I can write it, and it will have impact on the reader. God uses many creative ways to reach hearts that need to know His Goodness. 

I am working on new programming at the moment for my YouTube Channels where I teach Knitting and Crocheting.

The flow that once was, has been given again! Yes, and that is confirmation even for me personally, that there is yet word for me to share, even as I write it, just as it was given before. I realize this is already getting long, but when God keeps talking, I keep writing, so I hope you don't mind. The promise is, there will be a different fruit each month, so I take that as my instruction to not do this daily, but once a month for your benefit and mine :)

A man of God, a man after God's Own Heart, who often was ill and in much pain, and continually on the run from those who were bent on removing him from his throne and calling once said, in Psalm 18:33

"He makes me swift, sure-footed as a deer, and enables me to stand on my high places."

This declares that Jesus has prepared a place for us, and He enables us to stand sure-footed on it, in Him, immovable and strong, fully clothed with God's very own armour.

Isaiah 33:5-6

"Adonai is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Tziyon with justice and right. He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge, and fear of Adonai, which is His treasure." 

Isaiah 11:2-3

"...the Spirit of knowledge and fearing the Adonai. He will be inspired by fearing Adonai. He will not judge by what His eyes see, or decide by what His ears hear, but He will judge the impoverished justly; He will decide fairly for the humble of the land."

The loving reverence of our God, is the fertile ground into which can be sown the wisdom of God, which will produce the love, joy, peace, etc, which Paul speaks of to the Galatian Church.

Being filled with what God sows into a loving heart, produces, as Jesus describes, a great river, from one's inner-most being, and the harvest which comes from its flow -- some 30, some 60, and some an hundredfold; even as Isaac reaped in the desert during a famine, because He believed and obeyed God. 

This is a particularly great promise to one who lives in a desert place:

Everything lives where the River flows. [Ezekiel 47:12]

"On both riverbanks will grow all kinds of trees for food; their leaves will not dry up, nor will their fruit fail. There will be a different kind of fruit each month, because the water flows from the sanctuary, so that this fruit will be edible, and the leaves will have healing properties."

Give the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, and Give the Shelter of His Leaves today.

Wow! Don't you just love God's promises?

Love, believe, obey, and be productive in your walk with God today. Be a Good Soldier!

[For your Convenience, I include the Written Word, in case you need to translate it.]

Daily Devotional: BE!

Day 20: Be a Good Soldier of Jesus Christ

God is a Warrior

Zephaniah 3:17 [NIV]

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior Who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

1. A Good Soldier Obeys the Commands of His Superior Officer

John 13:34

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:14

“You are My friends if you do what I command.”

John 15:17

“This is My command: Love each other.

Acts 1:4

“On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about.”

Galatians 5:14

“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

2 Thessalonians 3:4

“We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.”

1 Timothy 6:13-19

13 “In the sight of God, Who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, Who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession I charge you, 

14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

15 which God will bring about in His Own time — God, the Blessed and Only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

16 Who alone is Immortal, and Who lives in unapproachable light, Whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever, Amen.”

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, Who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

2. A Good Soldier is Compensated for His Service

1 Corinthians 9:7 [New International Version]

Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk?

3. Good Soldiers help their Fellow Soldiers in Need

Philippians 2:25

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.”

4. A Good soldier is Empathetic of others Circumstances 

2 Timothy 2:3

3 “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

5. Good Soldiers are Focused on the Mission

2 Timothy 2:4

4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”

6. Good Soldiers don’t Fraternize with the Enemy

1 Timothy 6:11

11 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”

7. Good Soldiers have no other mind but Victory

1 Timothy 6:12

12 “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you are called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

8. Good Soldiers Keep their Armor On

Ephesians 6:10-18

10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s  schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14Stand firm, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this is mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

9. Good soldiers Guard what has been Entrusted to Them

1 Corinthians 15:2

“By this Gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain.”

1 Timothy 6:20

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.”

10. A Good Soldier Comforts Those Who Mourn

Isaiah 61:1-3

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”

2 Corinthians 1:6-7

6 “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”

11: A Good Soldier doesn’t let His Fellow Soldiers Give Up

Isaiah 41:13-14

13 “For I am the Lord your God Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.

14 Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I Myself will help you,’ declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 49:8

“This is what the Lord says: ‘At the time of My favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances.

Isaiah 49:14-16

14 “But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.

15 ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.”

John 10:28-29

28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.

29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

 12. A Good Soldier Forgives Friendly Fire

Mark 11:25

“And when you stand praying, forgive, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15

14 “For idc you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

2 Corinthians 2:7

“Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.”

13. Good Soldiers Help Rebuild after the War

Isaiah 44:24-28

24 “This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer, Who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, Who stretches out the heavens, Who spreads out the earth by Myself

25 Who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, Who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, 

26 Who carries out the words of His servant and fulfills the predictions of His messengers, Who says of Jerusalem, ‘It shall be inhabited’, of the towns of Judah, ‘They shall be rebuilt,’ and of their ruins, ‘I will restore them.’

27 Who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,’

28 Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My Shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem ,’Let it be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let sit’s foundations be laid.’”

Ephesians 2:22

“And in Him you are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.”

1 Peter 2:5 

“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.”

  

2 Peter 2:9

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His wonderful Light.

Encouragement:
We have the victory because we live in Jesus Christ, our Warrior King.

Remember Whose you Are

He Remembers

Matthew 28:18-20

18 "Then Jesus came to them and said, 

'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, 

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”

Notice:

The final Life Walk Bible Lesson, Lesson 120, has been posted. This completes the Series, comprising of 12 Volumes, packed with Scripture, History, Science, and Apocryphal Writings which corroborate Scripture, to enhance our Journey to Getting to Know God.

For each Volume, there is also now a Certificate of Completion available for Download at the end of the Volume.

I am so grateful to God for having given us so much knowledge, and wisdom for understanding His Word, so that we can get to know Him.

This Series has been a personal journey for me, which began in June of 1996, and it has been a continuing Joy to share with all of you. Thank you for being part of the Journey.

Last year, God gave me a new Series, called, "BE!"  It is a 31 day Devotional Series on becoming who we are called to BE!

I will be posting that series here as well. Please enjoy one of them in the post below.