04/11/2021 - HOLINESS TO THE LORD

• 
• 
• 
• 

Israel was holiness to the Lord, The first fruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; Disaster will come upon them,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 2.3

In the desert, where they lived for 40 years, Jacob’s sons were holiness to God. However, as time went by, the devil managed to get his arrows into them and they started doing things they should never have even thought of. These attitudes made the Lord angry and allowed them to be taken into captivity in Babylon and stay there for 70 years (Jeremiah 25.11).

Many Christians are also grieving the Most High with their bad decisions, leaving the Spring of Living Waters and digging themselves broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2.13). The only way to please God is to act by faith in Christ (Hebrews 11.6). Using the assurance of things to be hoped for (Hebrews 11.1), we can walk like Jesus and do what He accomplished for the people (1 John 2.6). Hallelujah!

The verse shows that at that time, the nation of Abraham’s descendants was expected to be the first fruits of divine newness, but they went astray and the Creator’s plan could not be fulfilled. I believe that Israel would be an example to other nations, for when they saw righteousness prevailing in the land of the holy people – they too would seek the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Unfortunately, the Israelites did not watch!

Today, many are missing out on the greatness of their calling, instead of bearing good witness to the world (Matthew 5.13-16). Now, if these people have Jesus living in them, why do they sometimes show the opposite, killing each other, betraying one another, and never bowing down – to the Truth? The redeemed need to walk in righteousness, to be the first fruits of the Savior.

The Lord’s love for the Israelites was great, with respect to the patriarchs – because they believed what He had told them and obeyed Him. The people who did any harm to the holy people were considered enemies. God does the same on our behalf, as the Scriptures say: “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” (Psalm 105.15). Let us be brave to go to the mission fields! The Most High is faithful and will protect us.

Although we don’t know the damage that someone has caused us, those who stand against the Master’s harvest will suffer at the hands of the adversary. We must pray for such people or the accuser will destroy them. We are agents of the Kingdom of love – not of the kingdom of darkness. Our prayer for our persecutors is the key to God’s work going forward, for God will reward us with open doors everywhere (Matthew 5.44-48). Cry out!

Evil continues to befall over our opponents, but if we pray – they will be set free and the glory of seeing them at the feet of Christ will be infinitely greater than the news that they have suffered punishment. God expects us to do wonders – as Jesus did!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares