July 12, 2016

Ladies, our last week of our devotional study of the Names of God we learned to know Him as Jehovah-tsidkenu: Lord of Righteousness, Jehovah-shammah: Lord is There and Qanna: Jealous. Let's review:

Days 37-38

Memory Verse: "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Lord Our Righteousness: Jehovah-tsidkenu. In our sin nature is it possible to ever be "right" with God? Are there those that feel that their sin is beyond reconciliation with God? Beyond forgiveness? The Good News is "yes" through God's Grace it is possible. Kay notes " Man can be right with God! Righteous is more than goodness; it is a right standing with God. It is to do what God says is right, to live according to His standards. But righteousness in man requires a new heart. And man can have a new heart!"
We first see Jehovah-tsidkenu in scripture in Jeremiah chapter 23. God's people of Judah had strayed from Jehovah through the generations of Moses, David, Solomon up to the time of the prophet Jeremiah. Their sacrifices to God were not made from the heart; their hearts had turned cold "to stone". God remains faithful to His people and through His  mercy and love; in spite of their unfaithfulness, He remains faithful. In Jeremiah we see God's plan revealed for a new covenant a "righteous branch" and He will be called Jehovah-tsidkenu. The promise of a Savior, Messiah, Christ Jesus. God's people sanctified and made righteous through the sacrifice of His Son; through His grace. Through Jesus believers have the right to become children of God. John 1:12
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thrist after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6  The awesomeness of God's love and mercy beyond comprehension and humbling beyond words to me.

Days 39-42

Memory Verse: And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee. Psalm 9:10

"What do you do when you feel alone? Abandoned? Forgotten by everyone-maybe even God? What do you do when an iron bolt slides shut, imprisoning you in difficult circumstances? How Do you survive?" Jehovah-shammah is there. God's name Jehovah-shammah is first seen in scripture in Ezekiel 48:35. Ezekiel's prophesy of God's restoration of Israel and the punishment of her foes; in the end the nation of Israel will be rebuilt and Jehovah "is there." His people free from their captivity; in obedience to Him and glory to God: a future and a hope!

As Christians today in the USA we do not face physical imprisonment for our faith.  However, we can become imprisoned to the ways of the world; which hinder us in our walk in obedience to the ways of God.  We looked at several verse of scripture in the New Testament for Christian guidance in walking in the truth. My thoughts after study:

Daily praying, reading of the Bible and applying The Word to my life. Putting Christ first. Not to dwell on Earthly matters and put my trust in God. Material things are of no use if I do not have Christ. Wait and trust on the Lord. Learn to be patient, pray, wait for the answer before acting. Be willing to make sacrifices for my beliefs, for Christ; stand firm. In times of sickness, pain, turmoil, loneliness, focus on my Spirit, turn to the Lord, His Word, in prayer. My reward is with God in Heaven; the work cannot take this from me.

"Wherever you are, my friend, Jehovah is there, waiting longing to be your future and your hope. Do not be absorbed by your captivity. Rather, be absorbed with God!"

In the book of Ezekiel we see the message from God of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem by Babylon and the promise of restoration. Many times the question is why does God allow these things if He loves His people? The answer is may be found in the another of His names: Qanna-jealous.

His people and turned from God and He needed their focus back on Him. In Exodus 20: 1-6, when giving the Ten Commandments to Moses, God declares " I am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and fourth generations of those who hate me." God judged the people of Israel and Judah for their idolatry.

Day 41 we looked at several verses in the Old Testament when God was There for His people. I am struck by how many times God continued to show His faithfulness and how many times His people fell away from faithfulness to Him. How many times we may see the same in lives of Christians today; falling away from faithfulness to the Jesus the one promised to us as Jehovah- shammah. Why do we rely on self, others, earthly things when our Lord is there waiting with arms open wide with love and blessings?

Questions for comment:

1. What was the promise that came from the revelation of God as Jehovah-tsidkenu?
2. What were the benefits of the promise?
3. What insights did you gain about the Righteous Branch? Who is He? What difference does that make in your life?
4. Another name for God id Qanna, jealous. What relationship did you see between the names, The Lord is There and Jealous?
5. What picture did you see in your mind when you read the account of the Lord's departure from the inner court in Jerusalem? How did that affect you emotionally?
6. How would you define God's jealousy? How do you see God's jealousy in relation to yourself?

One final thought for sharing comment, think thoughtfully and check back here at the blog for my response as well.

At the beginning of this study Kay asked us to describe God. After completing this study our final assignment is to write out another description of our God.

Thank you all for coming on this journey with me. I also thank you for your patience as I have learned about blogging and through delays in posting due to illness. I hope this study has been and will continue to be a blessing to you.

Debbie <><



Maratha: The Lord is Coming!