September 12, 2017: SOAP #2840: Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 81:10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. 11 “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.  12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
13 “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! 15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. 16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Observation:  The importance of a two-letter word cannot be overemphasized.  The meaning of the above passage rests upon the two-letter word: “if.”

The Sovereign God determines that His actions will be in keeping with the actions His people.  No created being has the power to force The Creator to take such a position; it is His choice alone.  It is an option offered in keeping with His love and yet it is in keeping with His holiness.

Application:  Knowing that The Sovereign God offers me options, how foolish it would be to ignore them.  1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned and need your forgiveness and cleansing.  Thank you for offering your forgiveness in response to my confession.  Thank you for coming to live in my heart and establishing your righteous reign in me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!