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Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land. – Psalm 12:7-8

 

How proud and cocky are those who seek to oppress believers! Paul aptly describes their actions: “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their speech is filled with lies. The poison of a deadly snake drips from their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. They are quick to commit murder” (Romans 3:13-15).

Christians need not worry, however, for the boasting of such evildoers against the righteous incites the Lord to action: “Now I will rise up. . . .”(Psalm 12:5). God’s remedy for persecuted, defeated believers is simply to supply them with the words of the Lord. God’s Word is flawless, like “silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over” (Psalm 12:6).

In your battle, stop running to God to complain about your problem. Find His pure Word that He gave you to defeat your enemies, and rise up in victory over them. Others’ advice may be helpful, but only the Word of God will put the devil to flight, as it is “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). Employ the sword of God’s Spirit, and watch your proud enemies flee in terror!

2020-12-31T10:53:17-07:00

But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying what it is worth. I cannot take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not offer a burnt offering that has cost me nothing!” – 1 Chronicles 21:24

David insisted on paying the full price for Araunah’s threshing floor. The idea of making an offering to God with no personal sacrifice involved repulsed David. His God was entirely too holy and worthy to be offered a cheap sacrifice.

Many Christians are looking for the “bargain table,” where they can serve the Lord with little or no personal change in their lifestyles or comfort levels. The Bible tells of many such people, who desired the environment of religion without the demonstration of true love for God or man.

All love is shown by personal sacrifice. Jesus vividly portrayed His love for us by paying the full price for our sin. He took no shortcuts or easy roads to purchase our redemption. Willingly, He drank the full cup of God’s wrath. He’s asking us today, “Have you resigned everything to Me and counted it as loss that you might gain Me? Are you willing to pay the full price?”

God takes seemingly insignificant sacrifices and uses them to build His mighty kingdom. David had no idea that his little seed of sacrifice at the threshing floor of Araunah would ultimately lead to the establishment of Solomon’s temple at that very site (2 Chronicles 3:1).

What have you offered to the Lord in loving sacrifice?

2020-07-15T00:00:00-06:00
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