Hebrews 11

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
Heb 11:31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given friendly welcome to the spies.


You talk about faith... "OK guys, God has told me that due to the wickedness of the United States... HE is delivering Fort Knox to our hands... For HIS great glory!!! (insert wild applause and incredulous stares here)... Now, there is this Prostitute that we have to find, who will give us the plans and will hide us until the time to strike... (applause fades to sound of stunned silence)... Now, the cool part here is that all we have to do is walk silently around the facility, ignoring all guards and questions ("Ummmm.... you sure he REALLY heard from God, or is it the Burritos??)... I know it sounds weird, but don't worry, the good news is that on the 7th day we get to party and turn our silent march into a parade and God's just gonna knock the walls down and we will march in!!!! (OK, it's official, he lost it...)"

Yeah, not thinking I would be so into it as well... might have a few questions on my fearless leaders sanity... And here is the most interesting part... Joshua is not the one listed as the hero of the faith... Nor are the priests who had to lead the way... Nor any of those that followed and acted in obedience... Our award goes to....

The Prostitute, Rahab the Harlot... Here is a heathen woman, a *ahem* popular member of Jericho, who has heard of the works and faithfulness of the Lord, and is willing to turn against her entire civilization and to lie directly to her own king... Just on the return of a promise from spies that God would not harm her or her family... Take this opportunity to read Joshua Chapter 2, and understand the faith of this woman and the action she took to prove her faith...

Jos 6:24 And they burned the city with fire, and all within it; only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
Jos 6:25 But Rahab the harlot, and her father's household, and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive; and she dwelt in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

What an incredible testimony to God's rewarding of our faith!!! God is NOT a respecter of lot in life, where you have been or what you have done... HE is a discerner of the heart and knows the desires of your very soul... It is not the past that dictates our future... It is our present... It is what we do TODAY, right now that determines who we are to become in HIM... Exercise your faith... do what is needed, not what is wanted... stand firm to the truth and obey... and when you DO falter... leave it behind... walk on and move forward... GOD isn't interested in where you WERE, HE is waiting with open arms, ahead of you, HE is waiting where you are GOING.... So look ahead, keep your eyes on the prize and press on, leaving everything behind you in faith...

Be blessed, standing strong in your faith... Let's get out there and exercise it today... Stand strong, cling to your faith's confession... Remember, before we came to the King of Glory, we were all harlots... prostituting ourselves VERY cheap to the Prince of the Air... and we have been redeemed and welcomed into the very family of God's chosen... and if THAT isn't cause for a shot of faith, well i don't know what is... See you all soon, be safe and blessed

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.


These 3 verses are so compactly tied together, so full of instruction, promise and admonition... We are going to spend a bit of time here, just looking at the truths that God would reveal... To begin with, I want to just look at the men that the Lord chose to round out the list of heroes with... We have some pretty heavy hitters, side by side with some fairly unknown bit players... Reassuring to see that God isn't just looking for the All-Stars (by human standards), HE is looking beyond "talent and ability", HE is searching for Availability, and willingness to press forward...

Jdg 4:8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
Jdg 4:9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Barak... A little known Warrior, and a commander of the Hebrew armies. Given the privilege of leading the Jewish nation to victory over their oppressors... And yet, in his great faith and desire to obey, he still shows his humanness and his fear... A great warrior, given great victory... and yet loses the "honour" of the day to a woman...

Barak, knowing that he spoke with God's chosen judge, still was afraid to move forward without the prophetess traveling on with him... are we not still like that today? to know the voice and commands of God, yet unable to stand firm and to lead in truth without the reassuring familiarity of another believer in our corner? The beauty here is that God DID supply what Barak needed to accomplish God's will, Jehovah KNEW Barak and his weaknesses and fears, and met him where he was... But, what IF Barak would have simply stepped forward into faith, completely and without reservation? God will ALWAYS reward obedience and will never call us into a place of defeat (we do that ourselves, LOL), but so often, right alongside this Hero of the Faith, we settle for partial or conditional obedience... Think of all the great victories and rewards that God has showered into your life, and how your faith has been strengthened and built up... Now imagine the limitless possibilities and the greater Glory that HE could bring forth, if we would just step out in unconditional and full obedience....

Jdg 11:1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.
Jdg 11:2 And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.
Jdg 11:3 Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.


Jephthah... A man of far "worse" than humble beginnings... The son of a Harlot, chased away from his people.... A leader of "vain" (or worthless... meaning of no redeeming quality or virtue) men... Yet blessed of God and made into a Warrior and Judge for Israel... We know so little about this man, but we know that he had GREAT faith... We know that he was mighty and that the Spirit of God came to rest upon him and fill him... and that he was impetuous in his words...

Jdg 11:29 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.
Jdg 11:30 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
Jdg 11:31 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.
Jdg 11:34 And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.
Jdg 11:35 And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.
Jdg 11:36 And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon.

Oh, man of faith!!! How a careless word, no matter how well intended, might undo the heart and soul... How often do we feel compelled to try and "do our part" to further God's plan... and as Jephthah has shown us, even in the midst of great Spiritual awakening and passion, in the midst even of obedience, we can so easily be inclined to try and improve on what God has called... Let us learn here why God has told us to obey is BETTER than sacrifice... God did not need a vow, HE knew Jephthah's heart and willingness... How different could this have been if Jephthah would have just continued on in obedience... What a bitter pill to swallow in the midst of such victory and joy... And it did NOT need to be, it was not God's plan or desire, but the plan and rashness of a man who truly loved the Lord... God does not need our vow, our faith and obedience is what HE desires... Our "help" so often is what leads to the victory and glory becoming edged and tainted with pain and sorrow...

We will next look at more of these other Heroes and their victories and defeats... My precious friends and loved ones, be blessed and stand strong in the faith HE has given us... Let us not grow tired of well doing and service, but let us stand firm knowing that in each step of our journey, we are given the choice to stand glorified or to fall and hurt... BOTH are going to happen, and each one is part of HIS refining process for our beautifying and maturity... Learn that it is NOT our defeats that hinder our walk or testimony, it is finding shame rather than opportunity... Our defeats were written before teh beginning of time as surely as our victories... and in each is a lesson of love and growth... We must learn to stand and accept the rebukes as surely as the rewards... God is in control and knows our path, HE has already walked it and knows it's outcome... Be filled with strength and encouragement that HE will not leave us to fail alone and is there in sorrow and defeat as surely as victory and joy...

God Bless and Keep you all, I love and cherish each of you...

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Today, we look at Gideon... a timid and little known servant until God made him a warrior and led him to great things...

Jdg 6:15 And he said to Him, Oh my Lord, with what shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I the least in my father's house.

Any one else ever felt like that? Like there is nothing we can accomplish, because of our low standing or stature? God did not seek out the strongest, mightiest or best equipped... HE sought for a man whose heart and mind were fixed on God... He sought faithfulness, and enough weakness that no one would doubt the power and glory of God Jehovah... Feel weak and worthless?? Feel Unworthy and lowly?? the praise GOD!!! you are primed and situated in exactly the place HE needs you to be...

Jdg 6:27 And Gideon took ten men from his servants and did as Jehovah had spoken to him. And it happened, since he feared his father's house and the men of the city, to do it by day, that he did it by night.

This simple verse has always brought to me, such joy and peace... This simple man of God, having met God face to face (see Jdg 6:20-23), was still afraid to obey by the light of day, and sought to obey under the cover of night... The beauty here is that God neither rebuked nor chastised him for his cowardice and timidity, merely blessed him for his obedience... God is not unaware of our failings and shortcomings, it is HE who has instilled and planted them within us... and each is merely an opportunity for HIS great glory, if we will allow it...

Jdg 6:34 And the Spirit of Jehovah clothed Gideon with Himself, and he blew with a ram's horn. And the Abiezrites were called after him.

Oh how beautiful and poetic this Statement!!! "the Spirit of Jehovah clothed Gideon with Himself"... Gideon had the Holy Spirit of God Almighty within him!!!! And was emboldened and empowered for great works, he saw the nation coming together to follow his lead at teh directing of God!!! and yet...

Jdg 6:36 And Gideon said to God, If You are to deliver Israel by my hand, as You have spoken,
Jdg 6:37 behold, I am placing the fleece of wool on the grain floor; if the dew is on the fleece only, and dryness on all the ground, then I will know that You will deliver Israel by my hand, as You have spoken.
Jdg 6:38 And it was so. And he rose early on the next day and wrung the fleece, and drained dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
Jdg 6:39 And Gideon said to God, Let not Your anger glow against me, and I shall speak only this time. Please let me try only this time with the fleece; please let there be dryness on the fleece alone; and let there be dew on all the ground.
Jdg 6:40 And God did so on that night, and there was dryness only on the fleece, and there was dew on all the ground.

How often do we, in the midst of our greatest times of empowerment and filling, STILL require more reassurance and proof from teh Creator?? But take heart, God knows us and is not willing that we should wilt and shirk away for fear and trepidation, HE is willing and abundantly able to supply the reassurance and peace we need, just ask (no, I do not recommend the fleece test every time, LOL)...

From that point on, Gideon let in might and strength and Wisdom... Anointed of God, and Blessed richly in his ventures... BUT, even in all his success and fame and blessings, he still was a man of flesh and though he had been blessed and empowered of God HIMSELF... he still found himself afflicted by the same desire we all have, to keep just a small portion of that Glory and praise for himself...

Jdg 8:27 And Gideon made an ephod of it, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah. And all Israel went whoring after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his house.

Even in the midst of weakness and a desire for praise that should have been Jehovah's alone, Gideons obedience and servant-hood allowed Israel a time of peace and prosperity... For even in his desire for a lasting testimony to himself, Gideon refused to take a position he knew God had not called him to, he refused to rule Israel, reminding them that it was God who was their ruler and provider, not a man(Jdg 8:23 And Gideon said to them, I shall not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; Jehovah shall rule over you.)...

Be blessed and know that it is NOT our overpowering strength and resolve that God is seeking, but our willingness and obedience... Take time today to appreciate the weaknesses taht you still have, as they are there to show not only us, but the world itself, just how mighty God is!!!

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Samson... wow, what a story... What a tragic wasted life... Gifted of God and yet he squanders the gift and the blessing, continually... But, in the midst of such great failure and ego, God worked mightily because of Samson's faith and obedience... And in the end, after learning hard lessons of humility and meekness, after losing everything and becoming a laughingstock... A restored and humbled Samson accomplishes his greatest work of all... Take a moment to read his story... Judges 13-16, and just imagine what great good could have been accomplished in the sight and name of the Lord, if Samson would have lived Selflessly instead of selfishly; if God could have Samson's WHOLE being and not just parts... and think how that cry still rings from HIS throne today, to live Holy and to use our gifts for HIM and not for our own Glory, position and revenge...

Let us just look at some high (low?) lights of his time as God's chosen spokesman....

Jdg 13:2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, and his name was Manoah. And his wife was barren, and had not borne.
Jdg 13:3 And the Angel of Jehovah appeared to the woman, and said to her, Behold now, you are barren and have not borne. But you shall conceive and bear a son.

Supernaturally, God did not just choose Samson, but CREATED him for a purpose... From a barren mother, he was born... God did not simply select from what was available (nor, does HE ever!!)... Samson was created and destined to be a HUGE part of God's plan to the delverance of Israel... Faults and all...

Jdg 14:2 And he came up and told his father and mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath, of the daughters of the Philistines. And now get her for me for a wife.
Jdg 14:3 And his father and his mother said to him, Is there not a woman among the daughters of your brothers, and among all my people, that you must go to take a woman from the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said to his father, Get her for me, for she pleases me very much.
Jdg 14:4 And his father and his mother did not know that it was from Jehovah, that He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.

So often, as we travel this road that HE has laid out before us, do we not find those occasions, whether first hand or by observance, that there are those times that God works in SPITE of sin and disobedience?? This is not freedom to sin, nor is it to say that God is pleased in our weakness and disobedience... BUT, let us never forget that every choice we make is already known to HIM... and HE is neither asleep nor impotent... HE will bring the greater good, ALWAYS, if we seek HIM and put HIM to the foreground, even in our times of worst failing and weakness... Do not lose hope nor faith when you make the wrong choices in life, they WILL occur, but let us repent and move ahead, for in desire to serve and obey is HIS greatest work accomplished...

Jdg 14:17 And she wept before him the seven days on which they feasted. And it was on the seventh day, he told her, for she distressed him. And she told the riddle to the sons of her people.
Jdg 16:6 And Delilah said to Samson, Now tell me in what your great strength lies, and with what you may be bound in order to afflict you.
Jdg 16:7 And Samson said to her, If they bind me with seven green bowstrings which have not been dried, then I shall be weak and shall be as any man.
Jdg 16:10 And Delilah said to Samson, Behold, you have trifled with me, and have told me lies. Now, please tell me with what you may be bound.
Jdg 16:11 And he said to her, If binding they bind me with new ropes, by which no work has been done, then I shall be weak and shall be as any man.
Jdg 16:13 And Delilah said to Samson, Until now you have trifled with me, and have told me lies. Tell me with what you may be bound. And he said to her, If you weave the seven braids of my head with a web.
Jdg 16:15 And she said to him, How can you say, I love you, and your heart is not with me. These three times you have trifled with me, and have not told me where your great strength lies.
Jdg 16:16 And it happened, because she distressed him with her words all the days, and urged him; and his soul was grieved to death,
Jdg 16:17 that he told her all his heart, and said to her, No razor has come on my head, for I am a Nazarite to God from my mother's womb. If I were shaved, my strength would go away from me, and I would be weak, and be like any one of men.

Does anyone else think that just maybe, Samson MAY have had a lust issue?? Here is a man, so consumed with his desire for his women (and a Judge of Israel, yet unable to abide the "distressing" that his women would bring to him), that he would on more than one occasion reveal secrets that would be devastating to his personal life... And yet, God, knowing him intimately, knew this very weakness and failing would be what was required for Israels deliverance and Samson's ultimate restoration... Have you ever felt so trapped into a lifestyle, situation or "pet sin" that you just didn't seem able (or willing) to overcome? Maybe God knew what HE was doing afterall, do we ever take time to look for or acknowledge the glory that HE brings through our great failings?? Or are we so wrapped up in doubting and questioning God, that we never see that HIS hand of control is NEVER thwarted? My precious friends, let us never forget, these very flaws that we see and travail ourselves over, are the very things that HE created us with... Let us never embrace our weakness as excuse for failing, but let us also never forget that HE created us for a specific and dynamic purpose... HE is neither unaware nor uncaring of our plight, but is in full control and does not slumber or sleep... HE knows our path and has created us perfectly for what HE has destined us for...

Jdg 16:28 And Samson called to Jehovah, and said, O Lord Jehovah, remember me, I pray, and please make me strong only this time, O God. And I shall be avenged with one vengeance on the Philistines, because of my two eyes.
Jdg 16:29 And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and on which it was supported; one with his right hand, and one with his left.
Jdg 16:30 And Samson said, Let my soul die with the Philistines! And he bowed mightily, and the house fell on the rulers, and on all the people who were in it. And the dead that he killed in his death were more than those he killed in his life.

And ultimately, through failure, pain and defeat, God's perfect purpose was accomplished... Through the willingness of a man of God to accept his role and to not question the will of God, but to accept what he was made to do... Samson took a long hard road to try and fulfill his purpose through Sexual gratification and angry vengeance... Yet, in the end, it was only through broken humility that Samson was able to stop accomplishing SOME of his potential, and actually accomplish what God had destined him to do and be... We must never forget that GOD's timing and ours is NOT the same, and that HE will bring HIS perfect purpose in HIS way and time, no one elses...

God Bless you all richly in the light of HIS magnificent Grace and Mercy... Stand in faith of what HE has destined you to be, and know that HE has never called us to a place that HE has not prepared for us... Thank you and keep the faith!!!!!

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Just to update, the newest post on this thread (we're doing David now, LOL) is almost done, there is jsut such a vast expanse of stuff about and by David that it has taken some to decide and hear where God is wanting to lead in this... I believe that it will be finalized in the next day or 2, and I thank you for your patience and support...

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Today we look into King David, a man after God's own heart, a man who loved God more than his own life, who passionately desired to see the Lord magnified in all... A man beloved and chosen of God, specially anointed for so much beauty and wonder... The man who wrote so many of the Psalms... Full of love and pain and joy and tears...

2Sa 11:2 And it happened at evening time, David rose up from his bed and walked up and down on the roof of the king's house. And he saw from the roof a woman bathing. And the woman was very good of form.

A chance moment... David did not set out to see her bathing, nor to lust, he simply went out for a walk... and at this point sin did not yet even enter into the picture... But temptation did...

2Sa 11:3 And David sent and asked about the woman. And one said, Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

It is here that sin first enters into the scenario... Lust and covetousness have now taken their foothold... David is now pursuing after his desires, unable to overcome the thoughts and memories and desires... He has chosen to step after that which is not his... He is already married, and is now informed that she is another man's wife...

2Sa 11:4 And David sent messengers and took her. And she came to him, and he lay with her. And she purified herself from uncleanness, and she returned to her house.

And David, uses his God-given Kingly anointing to further his own passion... and to lust and coveting we now add thievery and adultery... And it only slates to become worse... Oh how quickly one moments choice and sin can begin to entangle so many and lead to more and more sins...

2Sa 11:5 And the woman conceived, and sent, and told David. And she said, I am with child.
2Sa 11:6 And David sent to Joab, Send Uriah the Hittite to me. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

Already the repercussions of sin are beginning to show... And David's first line of defense is?? Take matters into his own hands to cover his tracks, because no one wants their darker side and person to be exposed... So David begins to lie and tries to manipulate Uriah into making everything seem OK... To cover up his own sin, he is trying to force others into the situations that will allow the fall-out to be hidden....

2Sa 11:8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to your house and wash your feet. And Uriah went out of the king's house, and a gift from the king went out after him.
2Sa 11:9 Uriah lay down at the entrance of the king's house, with all the servants of his lord. And he did not go down to his house.
2Sa 11:10 And they told David, saying, Uriah did not go down to his house. And David said to Uriah, Have you not come from a journey? Why have you not gone down to your house?
2Sa 11:11 And Uriah said to David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah dwell in booths. And my lord Joab, and my lord's servants are camping on the face of the field. And I, shall I go into my house to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.
2Sa 11:12 And David said to Uriah, Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will send you away. And Uriah remained in Jerusalem on that day, and on the next day.
2Sa 11:13 And David called for him, and he ate and drank before him. And he made him drunk, and he went out in the evening to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord. And he did not go down to his house.

Anyone begin to think that at this point we also see jealousy to take root? Here is a man of great honor and uprightness... How that must have played at David's mind and heart... Possibly as David began for once to understand why Saul hated him so deeply... While exhausting every deception and falsehood, David again felt the need to take matters into his own hands...

2Sa 11:14 And it happened in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
2Sa 11:15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Place Uriah in the front of the strongest battle, and withdraw from him, that he may be struck, and die.
2Sa 11:16 And it happened, as Joab watched the city, that he sent Uriah to the place where he knew there would be mighty men.
2Sa 11:17 And the men of the city went out and fought with Joab, and some of the people fell of David's servants. And Uriah the Hittite also died.

And from a moment of looking twice, to becoming all consumed with desire, we have traveled through a breaking of the commandments and a visit to many of the 7 deadly sins... And we end up at murder... and a cowardly murder at that, causing others to falter and sin, all to cover a kings indiscretion...

2Sa 12:13 And David said to Nathan, I have sinned against Jehovah. And Nathan said to David, Jehovah also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
2Sa 12:14 Only, because you have made the enemies of Jehovah to scorn derisively by this thing, also the son who shall be born to you dying shall die.

Now the prophet Nathan, has come against David, rebuking and telling a parable for David to understand what had occured... David burns in righteous anger and is then humbled to realize the depth of his sin against God... and David repents... and is told "Jehovah also has put away your sin"... How beautiful, in a moment of repentance, and God has put that sin away from him... HOWEVER, as in all our lives, the repercussions of sin are still there, even after our forgiveness and restoration are complete... this sin was to cost David his son... What prices to we ourselves pay for the sin in our life?? And yet we fail to see that it is NOT a lack of forgiveness or compassion or mercy that God allows (dare I say SENDS) the results of sin upon our lives... it is HIS uncompromising perfection and the laws and principles born of that Perfection that mandate it... David was ALREADY forgiven, but God's own holiness could not allow for this affront to go without repercussions... This takes us to a facet of faith that is seldom seen or heard today, we are so wrapped up in what we want and desire that we lose sight of this...

2Sa 12:16 And David sought God for the child. And David fasted a fast, and went in and stayed the night, and lay on the earth.
2Sa 12:17 And the elders of his house rose up toward him, to raise him up from the earth. But he was not willing; and he ate no bread with them.
2Sa 12:18 And it happened on the seventh day, the boy died. And David's servants feared to tell him that the boy was dead, for they said, Behold, while the boy was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to our voice. And how shall we say to him, The boy is dead? Then he may do harm.
2Sa 12:19 And David saw that his servants were whispering among themselves. And David understood that the boy was dead. And David said to his servants, Is the boy dead? And they said, He is dead.
2Sa 12:20 And David rose up from the earth, and bathed, and anointed. And he changed his clothing, and came into the house of Jehovah, and worshiped. And he came to his house, and commanded, and they brought bread for him; and he ate.
2Sa 12:21 And his servants said to him, What is this thing you have done? You fasted and wept because of the living boy, yet when the boy is dead, you have risen up and have eaten food?
2Sa 12:22 And he said, While the boy was alive, I fasted and wept. For I said, Who knows? Jehovah may be gracious to me and the boy may stay alive.
2Sa 12:23 And now he has died. Why this, that I should fast? Am I able to bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
2Sa 12:24 And David comforted his wife Bathsheba. And he went in to her, and lay with her. And she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And Jehovah loved him,
2Sa 12:25 and sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and called his name Jedidiah, because of Jehovah.

Oh what beauty of faith we see here... David implored with God for 7 days to spare his son, fasting, praying, weeping... and when God's holy and perfect answer came (the one we hate the most, NO), David got up, got dressed, broke his fast and WORSHIPPED God... God answered David's prayer... Did David like or want the answer? I think it is safe to say no, he did not... David was begging God to spare his son... and yet when Jehovah, in all HIS infinite mercy and perfect love said, "No, this is the physical price of the sin you embraced"... David did not bemoan HIS decsion or question HIS love, he simply got up and moved ahead knowing that GOD is perfect and HIS love is unconditional, no matter how we feel...

And then God restored to David with a son of promise, who would go on to do the things that David himself did not accomplish... It was not for pain or evil that God chose the path to restoration for David, but for HIS greater glory and praise, and for David's refining and beautifying...

My precious brothers and sisters, let us never forget that God is first and foremost, Holy, righteous and perfect... HIS very Agape Love for us is what mandates that there are consequences for our actions... A loving parent may turn a blind eye for a season to the actions of their child, for we do not WANT to punish, but that very love for a child requires us to correct improper behaviour... And when that precious child says "I'm sorry" we forgive them, completely... BUT we still must follow through with the punishment that the action has earned... For if our warnings are simply hollow threats and there is no follow-through, our children will not learn obedience nor right from wrong... They will be directed only by their own desires, and as we have all experienced first hand, that is a dangerous way to live... How much more is a perfect and just and loving God going to bring us back into line with what is the best for us... Do not despair or feel less loved when we are corrected or punished, but remember that it is our loving Abba-Daddy who simply wishes and desires not only our correction, but our absolute best in life...


Thank you all again, and be blessed, we will next look at the life of Samuel before we wrap up this wonderful journey down the Halls of Faith... May the Holy and Loving arms of a righteouss and perfect God, keep you safe and on track...

[Jerod W. Rickert]

1Sa 15:35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
1Sa 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
1Sa 16:2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
1Sa 16:3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

Oh, what a gentle yet timely rebuke to us still today... Samuel was a man of God and stood so firm in obedience and wherever the Lord called and directed, Samuel went, following and speaking the words of God... yet when Saul was rejected by God (and Samuel knew of the rejection), Samuel mourned, and would not let go of the past... Samuel, great man of God, anointed prophet and mouthpiece of God; yet he could not let go of the past and internalized it to be a failure, not just letting it go and knowing that God is in control and has greater plans than even a prophet can see... God's gentle rebuke still echoes through the ages into today... "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him"... Precious brothers and sisters, how long will we mourn for our own Saul's? Be it the failed marriage, the prodigal child, the rejection of our own parents or simply the losses we have seen in our own lives; these things will cripple us and hold us back... they will erode our faith and complicate our obedience... Samuel, who had always leapt forward to run where God would send him, had clung so tightly to that mourning, that when God spoke, he did not leap forward, but questioned in fear "How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me."... We must learn (though it be the most difficult of lessons it seems) to leave that past behind and to know that HE is ultimately in control, not just in our victories, but in our very defeats and setbacks... we face nothing that HE has not already walked and known, perfectly...

1Sa 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

The greatest wrong from our past is not just how we learn to view and doubt ourselves, but that we allow it to shape how we perceive the here and now... Samuel was ready to make up God's mind for HIM and, in one of the most beautiful and gentle rebukes, God reminds Samuel of a truth that we MUST remember even today... "for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."... Oh, let us never forget the beauty of this simple admonition... God is looking inside to see the motives, desires and heart, we can only look to the outside, and what a false representation that is... Let us struggle, pray and learn to leave those hurts and offenses behind us that we may embrace the gift that God has given us today, the Present...

Thank you so much for continuing this journey with me, over the next few days we will be looking at the vast differences of the price for faith, and will be reminded that no matter the result, it is HIS perfect glory and will that everything is for, and our reward is guaranteed and HE will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give or allow us more than we were CREATED (lovingly and specifically) for...

God Bless you all richly in the magnificent abundance of HIS glorious riches... I love and pray for you all...

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

WOW!!! What incredible things we have seen accomplished through the faith of the Saints.... what power in the prayers and steadfastness of the men and women of God...

But let it not escape us, look closely upon this list of great things, and see... There is no 'pecking order' of what is "Great" when wrought by faith... 'Subdued kingdoms' is side-by-side with 'wrought righteousness'... we need to understand that GOD alone is in control of the outcomes, no matter how we see it... Is the defeat of Goliath any more or less important than the deliverance of Israel from Pharaoh? Does one soul's salvation and righteous life have greater or lesser consequence than God showing HIMself mighty in the Lion's den? We must understand that God's glory and HIS perfect desire, brought by faith is not measured by human standards, but by the standards of what HE has set forth...

Let us not forget that it is in our greatest weakness the GOD is shown strongest... HE will make a way, where there seems to be no way, and it is through HIS hand that doorways are opened... So, stand firm in faith and be strong in the Lord.... and then watch HIM move in the miraculous...

But let us never forget that it is not guaranteed to anyone the success, it is in HIS hands, and HIS alone... Tomorrow we will look at the other side of this coin and see that HIS glory is not manifest in only victory and success, but it is as HE will see to move mountains to HIS glory.. God Bless you richly in HIS abundant grace and mercy...

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Heb 11:35 Women received their dead by resurrection; but others were beaten to death, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
Heb 11:36 And others received trial of mockings and of floggings; yea, more, of bonds and of prison:
Heb 11:37 they were stoned; they were tried; they were sawn in two; they died by murder of sword; they went about in sheepskins and in goatskins, being in need, being afflicted, being ill-treated;
Heb 11:38 of whom the world was not worthy, wandering in deserts, and mountains, and caves, and the holes of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And having obtained witness through the faith, these all did not obtain the promise,
Heb 11:40 God having foreseen something better concerning us, that they should not be perfected apart from us.

What an extreme change from the preceding verses... from such miraculous victory and overcoming to abuse, persecution and even death... And what horrid methods of death... Sawn in half, stoned, death by the sword, beaten to death... The price for faith can be every bit as ugly as it is beautiful... But do we remember to stand firm upon HIS goodness in the midst of such abuse and defeat, or is it only in the victorious mountain tops that we feel God's presence and love??

For too long now the modern "church" has equated success and prosperity with God's Blessing and defeat and loss with God's displeasure... This is one of Satan's most profound and crippling lies... We have become so focused on being worthy of the world, we have lost sight of the fact that we are called to live so that this world is not worthy of us... To follow the way of the master means to walk in faith and love... To show the world that there is a hope and precious faith within us that puts all else to shame in the light of it's glorious magnificence... Let us not grow weary in good doing and shining the Light of Christ to a lost and dying world...

For what are we, but bondservants of the Lord? Do we seek and find our value in prosperity and riches or in the steadfast promises of God?? And during those times of greatest darkness and seeming failure, what then? Are we less loved or less favored of God?? "And having obtained witness through the faith, these all did not obtain the promise, " They did NOT receive the promise, yet they stood firm and faithful... Why? "God having foreseen something better concerning us, that they should not be perfected apart from us." Our sufferings, trials, and, yes, even deaths are sometimes for a greater glory that we may never know in this life, but to bless, strengthen and embolden those that come behind... Our lives are no longer our own, for we have been bought at a terrible and glorious price... The life and blood of our beloved Redeemer...

My precious brothers and sisters, let us never stumble in our faith... This world is desperate for men and women of Christ to stand up and shine HIS light, no matter the cost, no matter the success or failure, we are not called to understand all that happens, we are called to hold fast to the anchor of Christ and to live our lives to HIS glory... Let us not look to this world and it's standards for our value, but let us look upon the face of a Saviour who loves us and holds our hearts, souls and lives as more valuable than Gold and precious Jewels...

It is with both great joy and a bit of sorrow that i write this final post for this thread, it has been a journey of such encouragement and deepest admonishment for me personally and I hope and pray that you have all enjoyed and benefited from the journey with me... I will pray that the light of HIS magnificent glory and grace will abound in your life and strengthen you in your times of need and weakness... Please lift me in your prayers as I seek God's will on where we are to go next... My love and my prayers go out to you all... God Bless you

[breakingrote]

Sept 25, 2008 13:51:07 GMT -5 Jerod W. Rickert said:

The price for faith can be every bit as ugly as it is beautiful...

I disagree Jerod Persecution for the sake of Christ is one of the most beautiful things I know. Disregarding yourself for Jesus... There are few things more beautiful.

haha

What a chapter!

[Jerod W. Rickert]

LOL, well said... and yes, when we learn to see it through those eyes, it is true... Persecution for Christ (cheap plug, LOL, go read my Promise of Persecution thread, hehehehe) is a beautiful thing, sadly most of the teachings today, shy from that...