Realise That You Are Invincible And Immortal Until Your Work Is Done And Completed Down Here!
Service and leadership are much closer than many realise.
Is it not a truism that the best leader is the man who has learned how to serve and to serve faithfully and loyally and graciously? As we journey through life as pilgrims the quality of leaders and the integrity of those in leadership is critically crucial.
The pilgrim, should he so choose the right path, is in a very real sense a protected species.
In my recent study of Psalm 121 I have been learning such vitally important lessons regarding obedience and service and leadership.
Do take time to read this Psalm.
I have been soaking myself in this part of God's holy Word.
We real and learn that God made heaven and earth, which means everything.
He is Lord over it.
Our Creator makes, sustains, rules, and guides.
The doctrine of Creation is really all about the Creator.
He is the source of the answer to our questions.
These pilgrims were climbing the slopes of Jerusalem and I know them well but in Mark chapter 10 we read of Jesus and His disciples climbing up to Jerusalem.
Jesus was leading the way.
Leaders are always out in front leading the way.
Is that the way leaders lead today? Or are they in the background protected by secretaries and closed doors? The disciples were astonished.
Those who were following this band of men realised something unusual and even unique was happening.
This, after all, was the work of God.
They knew something of what was being said, and something of what was being planned in Jerusalem, and this group following were afraid.
Yes, sometimes we become afraid of the unknown! It is as though Jesus recognises this and he explains what is going to transpire in Jerusalem.
Of course, they do not take it in.
They cannot take it in.
Very few of us take in this type of thing at the beginning.
Seldom do we read the small print as we launch out on our Christian walk.
Some preachers and teachers are even apprehensive about telling us too soon or too early, but not so Jesus.
He spells it out early on.
We are in this uncongenial world and we need this caring loving guiding protecting God.
This passage reflects our two Psalms 120 and 121 as we see God at work in things present and as we learn how to get answers to matters that trouble and bother us and where to get answers.
Soon these men would renounce the ways of the world which can be so hurtful, but they are also seeing this theme of being kept.
God would keep them.
Jesus Christ would keep them and he did.
Does this not sound so universally grand? Can not so many things go wrong on our pilgrimage? Jesus tells us about nation rising again nation and kingdom against kingdom and we are currently experiencing political and ethnic feuds in Syria and bloodshed in South Sudan and Egypt and in so many other nations.
You will be brought before kings and governors, dear Paul was told.
How can we balance this with the words of our Psalm? Do not think of what you are going to say.
I will give you rest, and a resting especially, or a respite.
I will give you a temporary rest to prepare you for future toil.
You will find His yoke as light as air.
In Philemon in verses 7 and 20 this word of rest and respite is used.
There are 17 occurrences of the word 'rest' with a comforting sense of rest and refreshment.
Jesus says in Luke Chapter 21, that I will give you words and wisdom and none of your adversaries will be able to contradict and resist.
You are invincible and cannot be conquered! Jesus sets this rest in the context of universal upheaval and trouble.
Think of those who come out of what was Eastern Europe Some who are taken hostage emerge stronger.
That man who has recently escaped from prison in North Korea.
Recall and remember Richard Wurmbrand and so many others.
Think of the three Hebrew boys who emerged from the fiery furnace.
Is there not a manifest contradiction here? The Psalm offers such absolute peace, and yet is it not when we go through opposition that we run here for peace and strength and fellowship, and by here, I mean here in the Word, and here in the praying fellowship.
This is part of our pilgrim obedience, and it is then that we find that Jesus will look after us like a tender nurse.
I wish more could hear this, because they so need it.
The disciples knew and could see that God was at work, and they came to see where to get answers, as they saw who had the answers.
Is it not a truism that the best leader is the man who has learned how to serve and to serve faithfully and loyally and graciously? As we journey through life as pilgrims the quality of leaders and the integrity of those in leadership is critically crucial.
The pilgrim, should he so choose the right path, is in a very real sense a protected species.
In my recent study of Psalm 121 I have been learning such vitally important lessons regarding obedience and service and leadership.
Do take time to read this Psalm.
I have been soaking myself in this part of God's holy Word.
We real and learn that God made heaven and earth, which means everything.
He is Lord over it.
Our Creator makes, sustains, rules, and guides.
The doctrine of Creation is really all about the Creator.
He is the source of the answer to our questions.
These pilgrims were climbing the slopes of Jerusalem and I know them well but in Mark chapter 10 we read of Jesus and His disciples climbing up to Jerusalem.
Jesus was leading the way.
Leaders are always out in front leading the way.
Is that the way leaders lead today? Or are they in the background protected by secretaries and closed doors? The disciples were astonished.
Those who were following this band of men realised something unusual and even unique was happening.
This, after all, was the work of God.
They knew something of what was being said, and something of what was being planned in Jerusalem, and this group following were afraid.
Yes, sometimes we become afraid of the unknown! It is as though Jesus recognises this and he explains what is going to transpire in Jerusalem.
Of course, they do not take it in.
They cannot take it in.
Very few of us take in this type of thing at the beginning.
Seldom do we read the small print as we launch out on our Christian walk.
Some preachers and teachers are even apprehensive about telling us too soon or too early, but not so Jesus.
He spells it out early on.
We are in this uncongenial world and we need this caring loving guiding protecting God.
This passage reflects our two Psalms 120 and 121 as we see God at work in things present and as we learn how to get answers to matters that trouble and bother us and where to get answers.
Soon these men would renounce the ways of the world which can be so hurtful, but they are also seeing this theme of being kept.
God would keep them.
Jesus Christ would keep them and he did.
Does this not sound so universally grand? Can not so many things go wrong on our pilgrimage? Jesus tells us about nation rising again nation and kingdom against kingdom and we are currently experiencing political and ethnic feuds in Syria and bloodshed in South Sudan and Egypt and in so many other nations.
You will be brought before kings and governors, dear Paul was told.
How can we balance this with the words of our Psalm? Do not think of what you are going to say.
I will give you rest, and a resting especially, or a respite.
I will give you a temporary rest to prepare you for future toil.
You will find His yoke as light as air.
In Philemon in verses 7 and 20 this word of rest and respite is used.
There are 17 occurrences of the word 'rest' with a comforting sense of rest and refreshment.
Jesus says in Luke Chapter 21, that I will give you words and wisdom and none of your adversaries will be able to contradict and resist.
You are invincible and cannot be conquered! Jesus sets this rest in the context of universal upheaval and trouble.
Think of those who come out of what was Eastern Europe Some who are taken hostage emerge stronger.
That man who has recently escaped from prison in North Korea.
Recall and remember Richard Wurmbrand and so many others.
Think of the three Hebrew boys who emerged from the fiery furnace.
Is there not a manifest contradiction here? The Psalm offers such absolute peace, and yet is it not when we go through opposition that we run here for peace and strength and fellowship, and by here, I mean here in the Word, and here in the praying fellowship.
This is part of our pilgrim obedience, and it is then that we find that Jesus will look after us like a tender nurse.
I wish more could hear this, because they so need it.
The disciples knew and could see that God was at work, and they came to see where to get answers, as they saw who had the answers.
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