LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD NOVEMBER 9, 2023

 LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD NOVEMBER 9, 2023

 

Greetings Dear Saints from Psalm 1:1-2

“1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

It is our individual and corporate duty to delight in the law of the Lord. We delight in the law of the Lord by knowing the law and living in obedience to the law. This can sometimes cause conflict in our personal life, our family, church, school, work or whatever. Conflict can be described in various ways, one of which is war.

Saturday, November 11, 2023, is known in the United States of America as “Veterans Day.” A day set apart as a day to remember and honor all those who have or are serving in any branch of the military of the USA government. I’m sure many countries have such a day. I have often been asked, when wearing a patriotic hat or shirt if I was a veteran.

Since I have not served in the Armed Forces my answer is no, but I am a veteran in the army of the Lord. This usually gets a smile and a nice comment, but we must remember that we are members of the army of the Lord. As hymn 470 in the Hymns of the Restoration reminds us “We have all for life ___________ in the army of the Lord.” When we enlist in something, we do it of our own free will and therefore become more obligated to fulfill our duties and responsibilities.

We realize this is not a physical battle or war, but spiritual as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:10-20. Take time, even now, to read that scripture with all your family. It is vital to our soul (body and spirit) that we have on the full armor of God. A person once asked God how often they should put on His full armor. His answer was at least every 24 hours. We cannot afford to live one second without God’s full armor. Any enemy is always looking for the smallest opening in their opponent's armor. If and when they find one, they spend all their efforts to widen or deepen that opening so they can make full entry. Once that is done, many times it brings victory.

The hymn says, we can never cease the conflict, Till the summons home be heard.” That sounds like a minute-by-minute lifetime battle, but we put full trust and faith in our Chief Commander, Jesus Christ.

He has already won the victory over satan, sin, death and the grave. The war we are engaged in is the one for our soul. As we live minute by minute in a world of turmoil, tribulation, sorrow, discouragement and many other words we could include here, let us be constantly reminded that our Mighty God is in full control of all things and will be with and bless all those who walk in His ways.

Consider the words to this hymn, “Be Still, My Soul.” Perhaps taken from Psalm 46.

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In every change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; your best, your heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 

Be still, my soul; your God will undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and wind still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below. 

Be still, my soul; though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then you will better know his love, his heart,
Who comes to soothe your sorrows and your fears.
Be still, my soul; your Jesus can repay
From his own fullness all he takes away. 

God Bless,

Paul Gage