disciple7

David understood that the battle belonged to the Lord; that Israel was under GOD'S command - not the other way around. When you read the Old Testament you get a glimpse of GOD'S judgment. He is to be feared. The bottomline of GOD'S judgment of Israel was unbelief, disobedience. The same appliies to us.

We, as finite beings, cannot comprehend infinite time and space. When I think of eternity with the Eternal God, I picture the river of life and the tree of life with the leaves for the healing of the nations. God's glory being it's light. It brings comfort, rest, contentment - we are home.

Yahweh, I AM That I Am, Who IS and Who WAS, and Who Is To Come: What else can be said? I looked up the idols of ancient Egypt, in connection with the plagues GOD sent. The Egyptians worshiped the forces of nature and considered the Pharoah as god. Yahweh gave the best contrast between HIM and the idols - through the plagues HE sent Egypt: Nile River - source of life to the Egyptians - Plague #1 - turned to blood Sun god - Plague #9 - darkness Earth and sky gods -protectors of crops - Plague #7 fire and hail; plague #8 locust Pharoah- divine - Plague #3 - gnats, plague #4 flies; plague #6 boils; plague 10 - firstborn Frog god - defender of home - Plague 2 - frogs Livestock - certain sacred animals - Plague 5 - disease Sekhmet - god of healing - Plague 6 boils

We can be confident that, in the end, the LORD will be the victor. There are a lot of things we don't understand. There are times we really don't know what the LORD would have us do and we may not see Him at work. We can know that the LORD will bring judgment and will bring good/righteousness - in HIS time. There is only power when it is following the LORD's leadership. According to the Bible, the LORD requires obedience and purity before Him. There can be no sin "in the camp".

Elisha's servant could not see the army of the LORD, until Elisha prayed that his servan'ts eyes would be opened. We walk by faith, not by sight. Yet, I think the prophets had a clearer understanding of who is in charge - than we do. I John 4:4 "Ye are of GOD, little children, and have overcome them: (false prophets, spirit of antichrist) for greater is HE that is in you, than HE that is in the world." It strengthens me to know who GOD is, that I belong to HIM, that HE is undefeatable, and HE will work all things for good and for HIS glory.

The "Commander" implied that he was following the orders of the LORD. He said,"...Nay, but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come." Jos. 5:14 This was a profound truth for me. It is significant, because it changes our perspective on why the LORD enters battle. It gives me a clearer understanding of the phrase, "the battle belongs to the LORD". When Joshua first saw the "man", Joshua went to him and confronted him with the question, "Are thou for us, of for our adversaries?" When the caption of the LORD's host replied to Joshua, Joshua "fell on his face to the earth and did worship". Joshua no longer confronted on equal footing, he fell on his face and asked, "What saith my lord unto his servant?" What an example to us!

In Psalms 24, it asked the guestion: Who is this King of glory? David then answers his own question: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle...The Lord Almighty, he is the King of glory. David spent most of his adult life in battle. He saw, first hand, the Lord fighting for Israel. In Ephesians 1:17, He is described as the Father of glory...giver of the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. The Amplified Bible defines knowledge of Him as deep and intimate. How does this affect my worship of GOD? Knowing He is All Mighty God, increases the reverence in coming into His presence and increases my faith in His All Mighty Power - to work in His children's behalf. As Father of glory, He does reveal His mysteries to His children and allows us to know Him deeply and intimately - which stirs in me a deep-rooted love and devotion to Him. How does God's glory fill our lives? By His Spirit and His Word we are being transformed into His own image; He provides when we are out of human resources - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially. Isn't that amazing?!!!

I'm afraid I got ahead of myself in answering yesterday's question, by using the quote from Isaiah 57:15. The only thing that I can add - is an illustration that left an impression on me - concerning God's eternal nature. The illustration was a white sheet of paper, with a line drawn in the middle of the paper. The minister explained that the line was like our life span and the rest of the paper represented eternity. The Lord loved and desired us so much, that He gave us the our life span and then offered eternity with Him. As our Creator, He could have just created us for a time and then disposed of us. To allow us to have a relationship with Him and be in His presence forever - is an awesome thought. It gives us precious value and encourages us to use our limited time here sharing Christ with others. Earth is the only place we have that opportunity. Heaven will be a place of worship and abiding in Him.

The most high God also means the exalted God, above all other gods. Is. 57:15 says,"...the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy..." When I worship, I am in awe - to stand in the presence of the eternal, Holy, Most High GOD. It also gives me a sense of security/safety, in knowing I am accepted and heard by the Most High GOD, all because of HIS provisions in Christ.

Abraham and Melchizedek believed God Most High to be the Creator of heaven and earth - worthy to be worshipped and revered.