21/11/2022 - SALVATION COMES FROM THE LORD

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Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’ For in You the fatherless finds mercy. Hosea 14.3

No human power could help Samaria, since it would have to get rid of its sins, which was the source of its problems, or it would not be helped by the One who is the only One able to truly save. Those who are not in tune with Heaven will discover that their efforts to live well will not work as they wish. Here is the effective recipe:  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15.7).

The error of the Israelites was that of every man or people: adultery, apostasy and idolatry in their variants. Their connection with God should be the same as that of marriage, in which faithfulness is the true and only mark, which maintains the happiness of the home and the joy of a healthy and true communion. When there is suspicion and consequently the lie, both sides suffer, for surrender and trust are not perfect. Love never ends, but…

The Northern Kingdom was in trouble, because they had forgotten the divine precepts and had given themselves over to spiritual adultery (2 Kings 17:7-18). They had exchanged the worship of the Lord for idolatry with its terrible and evil practices – sorcery, witchcraft, and black magic – and put their trust in the people who did not know the holy God. Isn’t that what we do as we give science, politics and money lordship over us? Repentance and confession of sins is the solution!

The power of strangers can do nothing. You see: our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of darkness, and these will only be defeated by divine action (Ephesians 6.12). The prayer of faith leads the heavenly power to act in our favor, provided that we do our part steadfastly in the Lord. Those who do not proceed according to biblical directions will never receive what they ask for. But those who know their rights in Christ are victorious when they pray, claiming the blessing by faith.

In those days, the horse was a symbol of strength and security, but it was unable to help them in the real battles of life – the spiritual ones (Psalms 20.7). No one should ignore the Truth; after all, it sets captives free. However, if someone does everything right in his outcry, rebuking evil, but hides something from others, he will never succeed. Sin causes the devil to fight desperately so that we don’t succeed. Nothing is better than being at peace with the Lord.

To give place to idols is such a terrible error. They have mouths and do not speak; ears and do not hear; hands and do not touch; in short, they have no authority (Psalms 115.4-8). The message was clear: by obtaining God’s mercy, the Israelites would be free of their enemies. Their mistake was not to get right with the Lord, for they loved deceit. Never give in to the devil. If you sin, confess to the Lord and make amends with those you have wronged.

If there is no complete surrender to God, the man, his family and the nation cannot be delivered. Everyone suffered when Achan took of the curse (Joshua 7). His fate was tragic, and yours will be too, if you disobey the guidance of the Word. God wants to forgive you. Make your decision now!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares