2 Sam. 5: 1 - 5, 9 - 10
At first reading, this historical anecdote-- a parenthesis in the overall story-- does not seem to have much to say to the Church of Jesus Christ at the outset of the third millennium. Or does it? David kept growing stronger, for the LORD, the God of Hosts, was with him. (10) Christian, does Emanuel-- God with us-- mean anything to you personally? Substitute your name (and final pronoun) in v.10 and recite it over and over, every day, until its truth permeates your mind, heart and soul. For God, the LORD of Hosts, is with you.
Psa. 48 [2 - 15, TNK]
- The LORD is great and much acclaimed
in the city of our God, [2]
In Your temple, God,
we meditate upon Your faithful care. [10]
- The likes of what we heard we have now witnessed
in the city of the LORD of hosts [9].
2Cor. 12: 2 - 10
I will not boast on my own account, except of my weaknesses. (5) Some take this as a reason to air their many failures and sins, all their guilt and shame. And they call it their "testimony". But this is not what the Apostle is writing about. He would eagerly partake in our exercise, reciting: [Paul] kept growing stronger, for the LORD, the God of Hosts, was with him. The confession-- acknowledgment, really-- of weakness is the ground in which one's growing stronger thrives: so shall we fully grow up into Christ. (Eph. 4: 15)
The purpose of weakness is not to manifest shame and guilt, but strength. 'My grace is all you need; power is most fully seen in weakness.' (9) The trick-- a difficult labor, not the wave of a wand-- is to become weak in our personal plans and efforts, to empty ourselves of our imagined strength, so that the power of God might be manifested in and through us, for when I am weak, then I am strong. (10)
Mark 6: 1 - 13
[Christ Jesus]... laid no claim to equality with God, but made himself nothing.... [S]haring the human lot, he humbled himself.... (Php. 2: 5..8) When we keep this in mind, the event in Jesus' home town becomes understandable. But remember also that Jesus lived His human life as an example for us to imitate. The life He lived, we too can-- and should-- live, by the power of God, Emanuel.
'Where does he get it from?' (2) From the same Holy Spirit which God poured out on us, the Spirit of Truth that dwells within us who are the temple of God. 'Where does he get it from?' The unknown, unseen source is God:
- Your right hand is filled with beneficence. [Psa. 48: 11]
For God-- [YHWH] is our God forever;
[the LORD] will lead us evermore. [Psa. 48: 15]
- "Greater works than these"
Christ promises we will do
if we believe Him.(2)
2. 2 Haiku poem by Phil Gilman. Please feel free to utilize anything from these pages; just give God the Glory, Praise and Thanks and me whatever credit may be due.
(comments to Phil at ENAPXH@aol.com )