The Temptation of Jesus Christ – Part III

Matthew 4:8-11

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

The devil yet again took Jesus to an exceeding high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. The worldly grandeur that the satan displayed was nothing for Jesus and it is all in His hands and in His control. Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Satan is trying its last trick as desperately as he could. Jesus, the Son of God came to do the will of His Father and the Father sent Jesus to earth to bear the human form to take away the sin of the world. John 6:38 says, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” The promise of God that He will be with us is sent to us through Emmanuel which being interpreted means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23) and we are here to do the will of God. The satan may try every fiery dart to pull us down, but we will NOT fall for its tricks for we have the Lord God with us. If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). We will not get carried away by satan’s lies, nor the flashy things he shows us because these are all sure to fade away but the love of God is forever, never failing, always abounding and always refreshing!

Satan said to Jesus, “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” What a lie! Satan wanted Jesus to fall down and worship him. It is not in satan’s hands to give all that to Jesus; they are already His and were created by God the Father when Jesus was with Him. We should never fall for the words of satan or the fake promises of the satan. Jesus said “Get thee hence, Satan”! The word hence implies “therefore”; so there is a strong reason He rebuked the satan in this way. Exodus 20:5 says, “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them”; in other words, we are not to bow down or serve anybody or anything but only the Lord God. This is the first commandment in the Ten Commandments that the Lord God has given to Moses. This is the reason Jesus rebuked the enemy to get away. He immediately applied the Word of God. If Jesus used the Word of God alone to fight against the enemy, should we be trying to use any other source? Absolutely not! Word of God should be our means of living; it is the standard for us; by the Word we can win any fierce battle against the enemy. In Jude 1:9 we see that Michael the archangel was contending against the devil over the body of Moses and said: “The Lord rebuke thee”. Yes, we cannot rebuke the enemy all by ourselves but He rebukes the devil and so when we rebuke the devil, we should do it in the name of Jesus Christ. We see in Acts 16:18 that Paul the apostle commanded the spirit of divination to leave a damsel in the mighty name of Jesus.

After Jesus commanded the devil to leave speaking the Word of God, the devil immediately left and the angels ministered unto Him. In the same way, we see that the spirit of divination left the damsel the same hour Paul rebuked it in the name of Jesus. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” His name is a STRONG TOWER. Let us run into it and be safe! The Lord Jesus Christ when He lived on earth used the Word of God to combat the satan and his evil wiles; let us beautify ourselves with the wonderful Word that we may win against the enemy when he attacks us.

Next: Peninnah’s Provocation

The Temptation of Jesus Christ – Part II

Matthew 4:5-7

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

The devil took Jesus to the Holy City and set Him on a pinnacle of the temple and said, “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down”. Also the devil quotes the scripture from Psalm 91:11-12 that says, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” The devil knew that Jesus is a God of the Word and hence quoted the scriptures to tempt Him. Look here too he starts with saying, “If thou be the Son of God...” The devil is trying its very best to raise a doubt in Jesus’ heart about the Word spoken by the Lord God that Jesus is the Son of God in whom the Lord God delights greatly. The enemy tempts us on and on; he doesn’t try once and let you go our way; he will try many times and every time he comes our way, we should be ready with the whole armor of God so we can win the spiritual battle against the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 clearly says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Let us remember that our war is against all this evil forces. Unless we are fully armored, we cannot win this great battle. We need to be decked with truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, salvation, Spirit of God and the Word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17) to win this deadly battle against the enemy. We should not only be prepared for the battle but we should also go for the battle with all these wonderful weaponry on us, in us and around us!

Lord Jesus Christ quoted from Deuteronomy 6:16: “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.” Massah means testing. Israelites chided with Moses when they did not have water to drink in the wilderness and they tempted the Lord their God saying “Is the Lord among us?” as it says in Exodus 17:7. When Israelites journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land, they passed through the wilderness; they complained against Moses and tempted the Lord many times. When we are in our wilderness i.e. undergoing a trial in our life, are we complaining and tempting the Lord or do we trust Him to get us through? Unlike the Israelites, the Lord Jesus immediately recognized that the devil was tempting Him by asking Him to cast Himself down. Let us also recognize the enemy when it comes to us in a cunning way by using Bible verses. We should seek the Lord’s wisdom at all times; otherwise it is easy to get trapped by the enemy. In our trials let us praise and worship the Lord and glorify Him so that the enemy flees away from us.

While what the enemy quoted from Psalm 91 is true, we should not take His promise to tempt the Lord. Yes, He will charge His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways but we should not take this promise to put ourselves in the way of the enemy. Let us seek the Lord and His strength; Let us seek His face evermore (Psalm 105:4). Without His strength, we are sure to get carried away by the enemy’s glamorous temptations. They look glamorous on the outside, but what is inside is sure to lead us to damnation. May the Lord provide us with His strength to resist the enemy!

Next: The Temptation of Jesus Christ – Part III

The Temptation of Jesus Christ – Part I

Matthew 4:1-4

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. He had fasted forty days and forty nights and afterwards was hungry. Just before this, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and lighted upon Him. Matthew 3:16-17 says, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Lord God declared that Jesus was His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. The God of Glory declared Jesus as His beloved Son and nobody can take it away! The devil wanted to take that which God declared and see if he can raise a doubt in Jesus Christ. Devil waited for an opportunity to tempt Jesus. He knew very well that Jesus was hungry after His forty days and forty nights of fasting. Remember, the devil does the same to us. He (devil) waits for an opportunity to tempt us; the more we dwell with the Lord Jesus, the more he wants to try and pull us away from the one we so love. Just as he took the words of Lord God about Jesus as the Son of God and used them to tempt Jesus, he will tempt us with the promises that God gave us i.e., His promise to forgive us of our sins, His promise to free us of our guilt, His promise to pardon our iniquities, His promise to blot our transgressions, His promise to heal us, His promise to take away our fears and anxieties and so on and so forth. If we believe and trust in our heart that the promises given by God are for our sakes and that He will keep His promises, the devil out there will try raising a doubt in your hearts saying, “If you are forgiven…, or if you are freed by Jesus…”, or some other such deceptive trick. Be adorned by the Word of God and then you certainly will win the battle against the enemy.

Jesus answered and said, it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. He quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3 which says, “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” Jesus knew very well that the Lord God can take care of His physical need for food like the way He took care of Israelites when they were in the wilderness. He fed them with manna from above when they were hungry. Our heavenly Father knows how to meet our every need; let us not have an agenda for Him; let us freely fall in His will for our lives. Jesus immediately spoke back to the devil the Word of God. Let us ask the Lord God to help us know His Word that we may be able to win the battle against the enemy through the precious Word and by His Spirit.

This coming year, let us ask the Lord God to help us know Him better. Let us ask Him to teach us His Word and to enlighten us with His Wisdom. The Spirit of God lighted on Jesus like a dove and He (the Spirit of God) is in us His children; He is ready to help us understand His Word. May this be one desire of our hearts and He will help us receive His Word by opening the eyes of our hearts. May God richly adorn you with His precious Word, the Living Word which is the Word for our lives!

Next: The Temptation of Jesus Christ – Part II

The Shepherds and the Angels

Luke 2:8-20

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

In the fields near Bethlehem, there were shepherds watching their flock in the night and the angel came upon them and the glory of God shone around them. God did not pick kings or princes or nobles but He picked the shepherds who watched their flock diligently guarding them against wolves or thieves or any such dark force. The shepherds did not sleep or slumber at this hour for they could not afford to do so; they guarded that which was their living. We are also called neither to enter into spiritual slumber nor rest in the world but to guard ourselves from the forces of darkness. We are right now in the dark hour like the way shepherds were out in the fields at night. The second coming of the Lord is near and the satan as a roaring lion walks about whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” This calls us all to be sober and vigilant like the way the shepherds were that night when the angel came upon them. The glory of God shone around them. This morning I was talking to my aunt in India and she spoke to me about the power of intercessory prayers during the night when all around you people are asleep. That dark hour, you and the heavenly Father can have a special communion and His glory shines on you and the revelations at that time are so wonderful. Few times I awoke in the middle of the night and I was strongly summoned into His divine presence and all alone with my God the precious moments that I had are so full of His glory and when I wake up in the morning I am revived and renewed by His strength!

The shepherds were afraid at this just as Mary was afraid and the angel calmed them down by saying, “Fear Not” just as the angel did for Mary. The shepherds were brought the good tidings of great joy that was not just for them but unto the entire mankind. The good tidings brought their way were the birth of the dear Savior Jesus Christ in the city of David which is Bethlehem of Judah. The sign given unto the shepherds was that the babe would be wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The shepherds were not asked to go meet the Savior but the angel’s sign given to them suggests that they are to go and find this Savior. This was only the sign they are asked to go with for who would lay a child in a manger. Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and He would clothe us with His joy and peace lifting off any feeling of guilt and wretchedness. What a glorious way to bring the good news of the Savior of the World! The heavenly host joined the angel praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” He who came into the world came in the most humble fashion, yet there was great joy in heaven about the birth of this Savior because this plan of Salvation was for us humans the creation created by God’s own hands. None on earth are given this privilege except us humans that the Lord God sent His son for our sakes. It is God’s love for us and the heavenly host proclaimed the goodness of God by praising Him and raising this beautiful anthem of praise unto Him who is worthy! God brought peace on earth and good will toward men through Jesus Christ. We are granted this peace that passeth all understanding when we break open our hearts to receive the wonderful Savior. When He is in, the devil is out. When He is in, the peace and joy are ours.

When the angels went their way into heaven, the shepherds discussed with each other saying, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” They came in haste and found Mary and Joseph with the babe lying in a manger. How swiftly the shepherds proceeded to meet the Savior and per the sign explained to them by the angels they found the babe lying in a manger. God speaks to us when we have the eyes of our heart opened to Him and His beautiful truths. Look, the shepherds did not wait there but made their way to meet the Messiah. When we have such a ready heart to receive and act, God will reward us bountifully. And, when the shepherds saw the baby in the manger, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. They are filled with courage and they made known abroad the saying that was told them concerning the humble child lying in the manger. This child was not in a royal mansion with a host of princely jubilations sung unto Him; instead He was laid to rest in a manger where the animals are fed yet He was the Bread of Life to many who willingly dine on Him. The place where animals are fed was now adorned with the Savior of whom the heavenly host proclaimed to the shepherds. All they that heard what was told by the shepherds wondered at this; they probably wondered because it came from the shepherds who held the lowliest profession on earth. But Mary, the mother of Jesus, kept them in heart and pondered about them. She heard about Jesus from angel Gabriel and to her hearing from the shepherds about what Jesus brought into the world (i.e., peace and goodwill) must have simply confirmed the truth about the child that she brought forth. II Corinthians 13:1 says, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” The shepherds’ news was in harmony with what the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary. The high and mighty people many times lack this receiving heart. Let us take time to search our own hearts and see if we count ourselves high and mighty in any area. Let God humble us so we may receive His word in entirety! The way Mary pondered in her heart is the way we should meditate on the scriptures and then the truth about them will be revealed to us. When we dwell on the Word of God, the light in the Word will come to light our lives with His heavenly wisdom.

The shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for what they have heard and seen. Not only did they receive the message, but they also acted based on the message given to them and are filled with joyous praises to the living God of Glory! When we hear something from the Lord, may we also have the same believing heart and if we are asked to act in faith, let us do so without questioning but simply trusting the Lord like the way the shepherds did. They were filled with praises and were glorifying God; let us also do the same. In truth, all the Word of God is given for our sakes. II Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Nothing in the Word of God should be questioned and it is given for instruction in righteousness.

I wish everyone A MERRY CHRISTMAS! Let the joy of the Lord fill your hearts now and forever!

Next: The Temptation of Jesus Christ – Part I

The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-7

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

During the time of emperor Caesar Augustus, he decided that the entire world should be taxed. During this time, the mother of Jesus was full with child. See the Savior of the World, was subject to taxation for He took the form of a servant and not as the King of Kings; He came as a servant to the Kings and yet was the King of Kings. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” He came to minister and give His life a ransom for many and not to be ministered to. Every one had to go to their city and so Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem of Judah for they were of David’s lineage, to fulfill the plan of God for the birth of Jesus Christ. Micah, a prophet prophesies the birth of Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem as it says in Micah 5:2. It says, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Bethlehem is the town of David’s birth and it was to be the town of Jesus’ birth. Jesus Christ was the son of David (Matthew 1:1). Even though the town is little among the thousands of Judah, through this little town the Savior, who was and is the Bread of Life was born. Bethlehem stands for “House of Bread” and the Bread of Life is our Savior Jesus Christ; any one who feeds on this divine Bread shall never hunger and so the divine plan for Jesus’ birth was in this little town. He chose the lowliest town and came through a Virgin Mary who was from a low estate.

While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the days were accomplished and Mary brought forth a child, who was their firstborn, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. There was no room in the inn for this Savior and Mary and Joseph had to find a place in the stable where the animals are kept and fed. Manger is the trough made of stone that is used to hold the food for the animals. The Savior had no cradle to lie in and He rested in a manger. Look at the most humble state in which Jesus was born; there was no room for Him; He was born in a stable; wrapped in swaddling clothes; laid in a manger. The one through whom the whole world would seek rest had no room for birth! The swaddling clothes are wrapped around a child to restrict movement and He was wrapped in these to keep Him from movement, yet He came to free us from our sin, error and guilt. When we are pining in error, we are wrapped in the swaddling clothes and lie in our devastated state until some one can grant us the Salvation and set us free. This some one is our Jesus Christ and let us all seek the freedom that He grants us which is precious and everlasting. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger alongside the animals there. He was the Good Shepherd who cared(s) for His flock (us) and brings us all under His shelter to be protected by Him. Under His care why should we be anxious or fret about anything?

Around this special season when we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, let us not so much dwell on the traditions and customs that overshadow why Jesus came to this earth. The traditions and customs make us lose focus on Jesus and turn our attention to the mundane stories not so divine. Jesus, the immaculate one, was God’s chosen one, God’s only son, who obeyed His Father to the fullest, let God’s will in His life, fulfilled God’s plan and purpose for our sakes yet is a God Himself, the Messiah of the World, who gave His life a ransom for us, that we through Him might gain eternal life.

WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE! Focus on Jesus and be mightily blessed from the hand of God.

Next: The Shepherds and the Angels

Mary’s Song

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

This is a beautiful song of worship from a heart that rejoices in the Lord. Mary starts with magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in God her Savior just like Hannah in I Samuel 2:1-2 (And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.) Do we rejoice in the Lord always? Even when the circumstances are not favorable to us? Mary definitely rejoiced in the Lord at all times. We can see that she comes from a lowly estate, yet gave God the glory and honor. Hannah was provoked and made to fret by Peninnah (I Samuel 1:6), yet all she did was take her burden to the Lord in a sweet prayer. Our situations might belittle us, but remember He has made us in His image and loved us first! Leah was not favored by her own husband Jacob, yet was favored by God in that Judah was born through her and the Savior of the world came from the tribe of Judah. So, constantly sing praises unto the Lord God and worship Him! Let us magnify His name and exalt Him. He loves to be seated on the throne of our praises. Out of a humble heart proceeds beautiful praises that He so loves. He is the Holy God who is righteous to His people. He takes great delight in our praises for they are sweet fragrance that He longs to breathe and beautiful melody that He waits to hear! All the creation sings unto Him but He cherishes the songs of our heart above all. Genesis 1:28 says, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” God has given us dominion over every living thing and blessed us to be fruitful, to multiply, and to replenish the earth and subdue it. Let us focus on God and redirect all our strength to sing hosannas to Him rather than focusing on our problems. If you allow satan to speak to you, he will pull you through until you are badly beaten. Do not grant permission for satan by pleading the blood of the Lamb all over you. The enemy has no place in our lives when we are completely lost in Jesus and enjoy the warmth of His presence with us!

Lord God regarded Mary; all generations will call her blessed. She was truly blessed by the mighty hand of God and He saw her low estate. This is similar to the words of Jesus concerning His poor disciples; He blessed them and said theirs is the kingdom of God (Luke 6:20). Mary said, God has done mighty things to her and His name is HOLY. Similarly, Isaiah knew how unclean and unholy he was before God. Isaiah 6:5 says, “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Even though we are unholy before God, He asks us to be holy like He is holy. I Peter 1:16 says, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Yes, we can be holy only through Jesus Christ and every time we go to the throne of grace and seek His forgiveness by repenting whole-heartedly, we are cleansed and made whole; as often as we go to the throne of grace, this perfection occurs. So, why not make this a constant duty of ours? His mercy is on us who fear Him from generation to generation. His mercy is all we need and we know very well that His mercy endures forever!

God has shown the strength with His arm. The everlasting God is the Creator of the ends of the earth and in Him resides all the strength. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts but the meek shall inherit the earth (Psalm 37:11). He has put the mighty from their seats but exalted those that are of low degree. He has filled the hungry with good things and he has sent the rich empty. He has helped his servant Israel (aka Jacob) for He is a God of mercy. He spoke to our fathers Abraham and all his seed forever. Through Abraham all the families of the earth will be blessed and this is a great promise for Abraham and through the birth of Jesus Christ truly all the families of earth are blessed. The promise given unto Abraham came to pass after forty two generations through the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World (Matthew 1:17)! God chose this blessed virgin and conceived her through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18). The joy of this mother-to-be of the King of Glory is all apparent through this song of worship.

Next: The Birth of Jesus

Mary Visits Elisabeth

Luke 1:39-45
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Mary arose and went to the hill country in haste to a city of Juda. She arose and went there because the angel Gabriel spoke to her about how Elizabeth was with a child. She went in haste to Zacharias' house and saluted Elizabeth. Mary’s haste signifies her swiftness for Lord’s work. She heard the good news about Elizabeth and could not tarry any longer. Do we have the same swiftness for the glorious work of the Lord? Her saluting Elizabeth shows her respect and honor for Elizabeth. Elizabeth was much older than Mary and her act of salutation shows that she honored her. When Elizabeth heard the salutation the babe leaped in her womb saluting the King of Glory to be born through her. John the Baptist was in Elizabeth’s womb for six months already and John was the one to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. The two honorable mothers had a great love for Lord God and they are eager to see the things spoken by angel Gabriel to come to pass. When we have a vision birthed in us and there is a person who shares the same vision by the Lord for the Lord’s glory, our heart leaps inside us and we will be filled with the Holy Ghost. We do not tarry in the world but move ahead with the Lord’s family in the unity of Spirit for what is birthed in us is divine and we believe what the Lord said will surely come to pass like the way Mary believed.

Elizabeth spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb”. Elizabeth spoke out loud with the power of the Holy Spirit and what she spoke is a reflection of the joy in her heart for she knew the Messiah will be born out of Mary, the blessed among women! When we are filled by Spirit and act under the influence of the Holy Ghost we will be jubilant and radiant. There is absolutely no fear other than the fear of the Lord because we are in the Lord. Isaiah 11:2 says, “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD”. When the Spirit of the Lord rests upon us there is a full measure of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord.

Just observe the holy conversation between these two women and in no way were they saying these words by themselves but by the Lord’s Spirit. Mary would not have proceeded to Elizabeth and saluted her nor would Elizabeth have spoken the blessed words if they were of the world. They were separated unto the Lord and were chosen by God for special purposes. We, as human beings have a purpose for our life that the Lord purposed in His heart for us and when we dedicate our lives unto Him, He will speak unto us about His plan and purpose, He will reveal His holy will for our lives and when we believe He can accomplish that which He has for us, He will complete the work in us and through us just as He did it in the lives of Mary and Elizabeth. Mary and Elizabeth met here by a divine appointment and spoke the words of blessings unto each other and exalted the Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ. God’s will and purpose for our lives is only to bring Him the honor and glory. The Spirit of God in us will lead us in the everlasting way, in His will, by His Holy Word to accomplish the Holy Work and finish the race before us!

Next: Mary’s Song

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Luke 1:26-38

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee called Nazareth to a Virgin whose name was Mary that was espoused to Joseph of the house of David. The angel’s first words were “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women”. The angel’s words reflect how favored Mary was that all the women will call her blessed. “Blessed!” she shall be called because she was going to bring forth the one who blesses the mankind with Salvation. Jews and the gentiles alike will gain eternal life through Him for God’s only redemption plan for us was through His son, Jesus Christ. He (Jesus) was to come through Mary, a Virgin and her conception was a divine one free of sin unlike the regular man’s birth. Jesus remained sinless right from His birth and Mary conceived through the Holy Spirit because she would bring forth the Holy One of Israel who is the Lion of Judah, the Salvation from whom should never be mocked at.

When Mary saw the angel, she was troubled at his saying and wondered what manner of salutation it was. She was brought the good tidings of great joy through the angel and this news was what the world looked for and the wise men waited for. The angel knew what Mary thought in her and said “Fear not, Mary”. When we have a God’s calling in our life many a time we wonder how it is all going to work out and some times we are struck by this feeling of fear. The words of Gabriel are very much applicable to us for God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7). The angel here had to say that Mary shall conceive and bring forth a son and He shall be called JESUS. He is the son of the Highest, the most Holy God and He shall have the throne of His father David and shall reign forever! Through Mary the great prophecies of old were to be fulfilled. This son of David, Jesus and His Kingdom shall not pass away. Daniel 2:44 says, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”

Mary’s response to the angel was to know how this was possible and this was a valid question well answered by the angel. This was an answer that we all should know in our hearts for we trust in the MOST HOLY GOD; His holiness is incomparable and is to be held with great reverence. The power of the Highest overshadowed her and the Holy One that came forth was (/is) called the Son of God. I wonder with what great awe Mary heard the angel’s explanation; she a lowly vessel was given the privilege to bear the Holy Son of God. Let us take a moment to reflect the privilege granted to us unworthy vessels; He bought us with that precious price that can never be paid by us. Everything about Jesus was and is HOLY yet He took the gravest of our mistakes upon Him. Why should we carry our guilt any more? Many times when we commit a sin we wonder if we ever can go back in time and fix it. You don’t need a time machine to travel back, you simply need Jesus! Jesus can and longs to pardon all our iniquities and sins; not just cancel them but cleans us of our sins for good. By cancelling there is this chance of emerging again but by cleansing in His blood there is no such chance. Be washed by the Blood of the Lamb that your heart may be made spotless and speckless like the heart of Jesus.

The angel also brought good news about Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin. Elizabeth was barren and was old in age, but God did the impossible to her. She was with a child for six months already and the angel carried this news for Mary. With God everything is possible. Elizabeth waited for many years for a child but in her old age she has conceived to bring forth a son, John the Baptist who prepared the way of Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 3:4). This was God’s plan; six months before the birth of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist was to be born. Mary was filled with immense joy in her heart for the wonderful news of a Savior through her and the news of Elizabeth’s conception. Mary answered, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” What a humble submission to God’s will! The humble acceptance of God’s will in her life reminds me of Ruth’s. Ruth 3:9 says, “And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.” When Boaz asked Ruth who she was her humble answer speaks of the kind of protection she sought, under whose care she desired to be. Here Mary, God’s handmaid (servant), knew that her sole protector was Lord God and she yielded to His will because she knew in her heart that His care and protection are ultimate and that His will is the best for her! Do you have such a submissive heart? Are you yielding to the will of God in your life? If not this special season when all around us we hear the jingle bells ringing the birth of Jesus in our ears, make this wonderful decision of submitting yourself to the will of God!

Next: Mary Visits Elisabeth

Samson and Delilah – Part IV

Judges 16:15-20
And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

Delilah is trying her last trick. She troubled Samson for three times before and this was her final trick in the name of love. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Her question to Samson how he could say he loves her when his heart is not with her is a deceitful trick. Samson in the first place made a deliberate mistake falling in love with a temptress. He was being pulled into this quagmire of sin surrounding lust. Without the hand of the Lord he cannot come out of this quagmire. His heart needed to be after God’s but it is in the wrong place. His heart was not aligned with God and His will for his life. He approached the force of darkness that is surrounding him with its trap. The words of Delilah that Samson mocked her three times without disclosing the secret of his strength is a plain lie. In fact, it is her who was mocking him so that she could surrender him to the enemy’s hands to be harassed and tortured. She vexed him daily with her words and urged him to speak the secret source of his strength. When she troubled him daily, Samson’s soul was sorely vexed that he spoke his heart out. The enemy vexes us daily to see if we hear its lies and give in to it. Do not put a chair for the enemy to sit before you and speak the lies into you. Thrust it away the minute you sense it. Hurl it away, by the authority that Jesus Christ has granted to us. Do not allow it to linger around you. Let the living waters overflow us that the enemy would fear us. The enemy is afraid of the water for it is scared that it might choke. Mark 5:13 says, “And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.” The unclean spirits (Legion) that tormented a man in the tombs were rebuked and removed by the Lord Jesus Christ and sent into the swine and the swine violently ran down a steep place into the sea and were choked to death in that sea. If you are tormented or tortured by the enemy in some ways speak these words of Jesus and hurl the forces of darkness out into the sea. These words were spoken to me by my cousin Viola Vasa and they are so full of life of Jesus Christ. I would like to take a moment to thank her divine walk with the Lord that is so exemplary unto all our relatives and friends!

Samson lingered around Delilah knowing fully well what she was up to. He opened up her heart unto Delilah and spoke all about himself thus disclosing the source of his strength. Samson’s heart was meant for God’s glory and here he is surrendering himself to Delilah who was a friend of the enemy and who was working for her own passion for money. Our heart should be surrendered to God wholly and we should break open our hearts for the King of Glory and not to the enemy. If you allow yourself to be pulled by the enemy, he will take you to temporal heights with him and these heights will put you down pathetically like it happened to Samson.

When Delilah realized that Samson poured out his heart for her, she called for the Philistine lords with such a confidence that the Lords of the Philistines brought her what they promised. She made Samson sleep on her knees and she called for a man so that he could shave off the seven locks of Samson’s head. See how Delilah approached Samson. She made him sleep on his knees in such an endearing way that Samson was lost in her love and slept fully surrendering himself to this evil authority. When we are dragged by our worldly passions the kind of slumber we enter in is deadly; it has the potential to put you to sleep in it and yield to the forces of darkness. When we trust in our Lord Jesus Christ who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4), we can safely rest in His divine arms for He will lift up a standard against the enemy and the enemy is put to death before it can think of plundering us. The trust that Samson put was not in God of Israel but in the evil woman who tempted him until he was tortured and afflicted by the enemy. He thought he still had the strength like before but the Lord God departed from him. The very source of his strength was the Lord God and He left him as Samson did not heed the voice of God like it happened to King Saul. I Samuel 16:14 says, “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him”. Lord God gave opportunities after opportunities to Samson and also to Saul to repent and seek His blessed forgiveness but in both cases they did not pay attention to God and their heart was not right with God.

If any of us have hearts that are going to the wrong places, seeking rest in the wrong places, finding ourselves stuck with the temporal benefits that the wrong places are offering, I plead that you step out of that wrong places to the only right place with Jesus Christ. Come unto Him all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest (Matthew 11:28), the perfect rest that is so godly and eternal!

Next: The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Samson and Delilah – Part III

Judges 16:13-14
And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web. And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.

Delilah yet again tempted Samson to reveal the source of his strength. What surprises me is that Samson stayed on with Delilah knowing well that she would hand him over to Philistine lords waiting in her chamber. The same way even when we sense that a particular temptation from satan is deadly and that it has the potential to put us to death, we some times stay on subjecting ourselves to the enemy’s traps for the temporary joy it gives us. Remember, any happiness out of a temptation is short-lived and is detrimental to us. When doing a certain thing, wait for a minute and ask yourself a question: “Is this act of mine glorifying God?” He will reveal to you whether it is acceptable to Him or not. I would like to define sin as anything that does not glorify God; anything that displeases Him; anything that is not according to His will. I say this in love and am not judging anybody. Many a time people think it is acceptable to drink wine. I would say as you drink wine ask yourself if the act is pleasing Him. For example, Noah got drunk and the result was family feud and curse over Canaan (Genesis 9:20-26). Lot got drunk and the result is incestuous children (Genesis 19:30-38). Proverbs 23 has warnings against drunkenness. We can go on and on; wine in English refers to alcoholic beverage as well as grape juice. God will speak to us what is holy and acceptable to Him if we ask Him to reveal to us.

Samson’s answer to Delilah was, “If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.” His answer was now close enough to his real strength. His first and second answers were far from truth but the third about the seven locks of his head is close to the truth. Look, how he slowly started yielding to the temptation. If we think we are strong and can resist the temptation living right where there is temptation, we become weaker and weaker. In Genesis 39:7 we see, “And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.” Potiphar’s wife conceived a passion for Joseph and tempted him to lie with her. Genesis 39:10 says, “And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.” Here too Potiphar’s wife tempted Joseph day after day, persistently! Such is the temptation from the enemy. It is after us and will try every means to make us yield. Genesis 39:13 says, “And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth”. See how Joseph fled forth from her leaving his garment in her hand. Let us also flee away from the devil when tempted and let us ask Lord to grant us strength to recognize what is a temptation.

Delilah did exactly what Samson told her hoping that she found the source of his strength. She spoke the deadly words that the Philistines are upon him. The same way when we give in to the satan’s tricks, the many fiery demons will rise up against us. We should guard ourselves with the armor of the Lord mentioned in Ephesians 6:11 (Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.) The wiles of the devil are evil and give us death and not life. Why even allow a wile of devil; cut it out before it emerges as a sin.

Samson awoke from his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web. When Samson was fast asleep Delilah attacked him with her deceptive trick. Before going to sleep let us ask God to put His hedge of protection around us and to fill our minds with His holy thoughts. It appears that Samson did not talk with His Lord God but spoke to an evil woman and the result is a serious attack from her. Let your thoughts surround the heavenly King, His Word, His goodness and His glory at all times. An evil thought results in an evil action in due course of time. Put an end to that thought and dwell on the Word of God. Let God arise while you are asleep also. May the Lord lead you in your spiritual walk with Him! Be mightily blessed!

Next: Samson and Delilah – Part IV

Samson and Delilah – Part II

Judges 16:10-12
And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man. Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.

Delilah realized that Samson did not tell the truth and was now nagging him to tell her the source of his strength. She was tempting him a second time. Samson did not run away from her; he held onto her even when he was attacked by Philistines because of her. His lust for Delilah was greater than His love for the Lord. He could not mortify his flesh. Let us ask God to help us mortify our flesh. He knew how she exposed him to the Philistine lords after binding him with seven withs. Yet Samson stayed on. Psalm 1:1 says, “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.” Samson positioned himself in the way of a temptress and yielded to the desires of his flesh. Satan also does not tempt you once but he will try many times. Beware!

Christ was tempted in the wilderness after He fasted for forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:1-11). Christ was not tempted once but thrice; He resisted the devil and he ran away from Jesus. Samson did not resist the devil but yielded miserably to its tricks. Christ was a completely sinless man who was and is God of all flesh. He enjoyed the heavenly abode with His Father but obeyed the will of His Father to save us (humans) from perishing. He came down to earth in the most humble form possible and went all the way to the Cross and then to grave and got resurrected per His Father’s plan. By His death on the Cross, He paid the price in full once for all for the entire mankind and we now have the key to heaven through Him.

When Delilah asked Samson again to reveal the source of his strength, he said “If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man”. We see a woman so persistent and so eager to find Samson’s strength for the money that was promised to her. So, Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread. Delilah promptly bound Samson with new ropes and in anticipation of a fulfilled task said, “The Philistines be upon thee, Samson”. This is how satan binds us with his ropes and waits to see if we can get free from his bindings. Before the satan binds us, we should run away from him and claim victory in the name of Jesus. If some one feels trapped by the enemy, I declare victory for you in the SOVEREIGN name of JESUS CHRIST! You are released from the enemy. Amen! Rise up, praise Him, sing a new song of victory, do not linger in the ashes or loiter where the satan put you. Step out of the darkness into the light where the Light of the World (Jesus) exists. The enemy’s bindings can easily be broken by the miraculous power of the Lord. He rejoices in liberating the captives and in releasing them that are in prison. God’s plan and purpose for our life is not evil; it is the wonderful promise from Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Yes, He desires to give us rest, peace and hope. Do you believe on Him, who can raise you up from the ashes to give you a life that is full of hope and faith? If not, NOW is the time to believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only son!

Next: Samson and Delilah – Part III

Samson and Delilah – Part I

Judges 16:4-9
And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee. And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man. Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.

In the valley of Sorek there lived a temptress named Delilah and Samson loved this woman. Valley of Sorek is on the border between ancient Philistines and the tribe of Dan. This is a dangerous place to be in i.e., a border. Step onto the side of the Lord where there is life and hope. Do not stand at the boundary where you can be trapped by the enemy! Samson’s parents were Manoah and his wife and the Lord God spoke through an angel of God about the birth of a son who was to be separated unto the Lord. The parents had taken all the care to follow the angel’s instructions and Samson was a Nazarite living unto the Lord. But, he had a weakness with women. We all have different weaknesses but when we live in the Lord, we will be able to resist the enemy and he will flee away from us (James 4:7). With the help and strength of the Lord we can win a battle against the enemy. We should pay attention to the Spirit of God and ask for sensitivity to the Spirit’s murmurings. The Word of God warns against adulteresses in Proverbs 7:25-26 where it says, “Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.” The satan brings temptations our way when we are drawn by our own lusts and enticed (James 1:14). If we live in flesh we will die; but if we live in Spirit, we mortify the deeds of the body and therefore we shall live (Romans 8:13).

Samson fell in love with a temptress and was drawn to her in flesh and not by Spirit. The Philistines took advantage of the love that Samson had for Delilah and approached Delilah with an evil intention. The Philistines asked her to entice Samson and find where his strength lies so that they can attack him in the correct way and thus win against him. Judges 13:5 says, “For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” The Lord God had a wonderful plan for Samson and the Lord wanted Samson to live a life unto the Lord and bring Him all the glory by delivering the Israelites from Philistines. Now that Samson was drawn to Delilah, Philistines approached Delilah to find out how they can prevail against Samson. If satan cannot attack us directly, he will try all different ways. No matter what, by the power of Jesus let us resist him. The shed blood of Jesus that is upon us will put to death the enemy and the work of the enemy (satan) against us. The plan of the enemy was to bind and afflict Samson; in fact the satan also tries to bind us with his cords and afflict us but every plan of the enemy is shattered when we hold onto the Old Rugged Cross. The Cross of Christ has crucified the flesh and trampled the enemy under Jesus’ feet and if we cling to the Cross we will trample the enemy by His strength. The Spirit of the Lord enables us to be liberated from the captivity of the enemy and the afflictions of the enemy will be endured for a season but the JOY of the Lord will be ours for the Lord takes great delight in enabling us to go on the heights (Habakkuk 3:16).

The Philistines promised to pay Delilah eleven hundred pieces of silver each for finding the strength of Samson. Judas Iscariot betrayed Lord Jesus for thirty pieces of silver as it says in Matthew 26:15. Judas sought an opportunity to betray Jesus, just like Delilah grabbed the opportunity based on Samson’s weakness to grant him to the Philistines to bind him and afflict him. I Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil”. Here we see a woman who has the love of money and a temptress that has the evil power to entice men with her tricks. The enemy’s tricks of deception are exactly like this. We should be aware of the satan’s tactics and the Word of God helps us to gain insight into the deceiver’s evil plans and equip us with God’s holy armor. The enemy knows pretty well that God has put His hedge of protection about us, and about our house, and about all that we have on every side (Job 1:10). Enemy will try to breakdown the hedge so he may find entry into our lives; so let us fix our eyes upon Jesus!

Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.” The words of Delilah to Samson are suggestive of her evil desire. She enticed him just like the enemy entices us with temporal passions. Her ulterior motive is evident in these words but to Samson who was drawn with lust these words although evil sounded alright for he relied on his own strength and might at this point. He was a man dedicated unto God but was easily drawn away by his weakness. He said to her, “If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.” He did not respond as a man of God would by saying that his strength is in the Lord; instead his response was a lie and is indicative that he thought that his strength was in a physical thing without life. It grieves my heart that Samson did that. Let us ask God to believe Him and only have hope in Him. Let us not think haughtily in our hearts that “I am not like Samson”. Let us ask God to expose our own weaknesses and with the help of God we can resist the enemy if he entices us based on our weaknesses. Christ is our strength and in His strength we rejoice!

The Philistine lords brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. It is very clear that she informed the Philistine lords after her discussion with Samson. Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. This is how Satan waits to catch us. I Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. Samson was not vigilant and he took the strength he had so lightly. It is Lord’s strength to bring liberty to the Israelites. Delilah wanted to bind him and give him to the Philistine lords so he could be afflicted. But Samson broke the withs as a thread of tow is broken when it touches the fire. Samson’s strength was not known at this time. When Delilah attempted this attack on Samson, he did not flee away from her. Next we will see another attack from her. Beware of the enemy and its tricks. Be sober, be vigilant and be decked with the armor of the Lord!

Next: Samson and Delilah – Part II

Manoah and His Wife Receive Instructions Again

Judges 13:11-20
And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am. And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe. And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee. And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD. And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour? And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret? So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wonderously; and Manoah and his wife looked on. For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.

We see how wonderfully well Manoah trusted his wife and followed her when she came with the news of the angel’s arrival. Manoah had an answered prayer and remember, God takes great delight in granting the petitions of His people. Manoah’s request was one in the will of God to confirm His instructions so that he and his wife can follow them clearly.

Manoah asked the man if he was the one who has spoken with his wife. Manoah said, “Let thy words come to pass”. Let us also take time to know God’s Word for us and His promises for us and let them all come to pass! He is an eternal God, an unchanging one and He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. His promises and covenants are for us and He implements them in our lives and rejoices to see us flourishing in the Love of God! Here in the life of Manoah he is experiencing the love of God with a precious gift of a boy who would be completely separated for God. The angel of the Lord explained all the instructions yet again to Manoah and they will have to follow all these instructions in entirety.

Manoah tried to detain the angel of the Lord until they have made ready a kid for him. He desired to prepare a sumptuous meal for the divine guest. The angel said that he would not eat of his bread. The food for the angels is ever ready and prepared by the King of Kings and they can join in this special banquet any time they desire. The food is plentiful and delicious and what is food for the angels is food for us too. The food is granted to us in the form of the Word of God. We will be filled and hunger no more, we who drink of the living waters will thirst no more. There is the heavenly mannah given to the entire mankind forever.

Monoah not knowing that the man was an angel of God asked his name and the angel did not disclose his name and said if he desires to offer burnt offerings to do so unto the Lord God. Manoah therefore, took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wonderously. The Lord God would reveal unto us what we need to know and we should not question Him and His authority. Manoah had a heart of gratitude and wanted to thank the angel of God but the angel drove Manoah’s attention to the Lord God. We should follow the example of this angel for he did it right in turning Manoah’s attention to God for He alone is worthy of our praises. When the burnt offering was offered the angel did wondrously to prove the fact that God accepted his sacrifices. God accepts the sacrifices of our heart. May our praises rise up unto Him as a sweet fragrance unto His nostrils and as a sweet sound in His ears! Angel of God ascended up the flames of the altar. Our altar to God is our own heart! When our heart rises up in flames (praises) God delights in it and so do the angels of God. Manoah and his wife watched this and fell on their faces to the ground. This shows their reverence to the Omnipotent. When we stand in awe at God, His Power, His glory and His majesty how can we not fall on our faces to the ground? Let us praise the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the All in All, the Supreme Provider, the Lion of Judah and our Creator!!! He alone is worthy of our praises and He reigns forever more!

Next: Samson and Delilah – Part I

Angel Revisited Manoah and his Wife

Judges 13:6-10
Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name: But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death. Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her. And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.

Here we see another virtuous woman who promptly informed her husband on a divine visitation. There should be communication between a husband and a wife on spiritual matters and experiences. Manoah’s wife recognized the man of God as an angel of God for he looked awesome (NIV). When we dwell with God, our face shines and we look awesome and so was the angel’s look I assume. The looks I am referring to are very different from the world’s standards; these looks are heavenly for the peace of God and glory of God shines on us. Exodus 34:29 says, “And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him”. How wonderfully Moses’ face got radiant when he communed and talked with God for forty days and forty nights without food or drink (Exodus 34:28). This man of God that visited Manoah’s wife also had an awesome look that made Manoah’s wife recognize him as an angel of God. Let us also be in the presence of the Lord day in and day out and then the Lord will cause our face to shine like Moses’ and we will look awesome in God’s eyes and in the eyes of the people around us.

Manoah’s wife did not ask the angel of God for his name or where he came from and the angel did not reveal it either. She had no need to ask his whereabouts for she recognized who he was by his countenance. Does your countenance reflect God and His peace or does it reflect the world and its yearnings? Does it carry the grace of God or does it carry the pain and agony of the world? The angel of God brought in the good news that she would conceive and give birth to a son. Manoah’s wife explained to her husband the instructions given unto her by the angel as to how she was to stay away from wine or strong drink and unclean things for the child to be born shall be a Nazarite, separated unto God. Yes, if we long to dedicate our lives unto the Lord, we should abstain from such things as mentioned here so that we keep our vessels holy and acceptable to God. When we lead Spirit-filled lives, the Spirit of God in us speaks unto us what delights God versus what dishonors Him. Let us ask God to make us sensitive to the voice of God and let us with humble reverence follow the leading of the Spirit of God in our lives.

Now Manoah had not heard from the angel of Lord on how the child to be born should be raised and desired to know so they may follow the instructions. Manoah therefore intreated God and God heard his voice for Manoahs’ request was an earnest one. The angel of the Lord came unto the woman while she sat in the field but Manoah was not with her. So she made haste and ran to her husband and informed him the news of the angel’s arrival yet again. What a delight to know that the Lord heard Manoah’s fervent prayer? Let us humbly present our requests to God and in His will He will answer our requests. May we not ask amiss but according to His will!

This discussion between a wife and a husband and the angel’s visit per Manoah’s entreaty suggest how a family that minds the things of Spirit is well favored by God. In this present day and age when families are shattered by various problems, we need a spiritual revival to seek God in our every area and every walk of life so that enemy is stopped in its tracks. The enemy takes great delight in breaking families while God takes great delight in binding the families with His cords of love and peace. When we give the first place to God, the enemy is out of place. Let us all give God the first place; not our spouses, not our children, not our jobs but God should get the first place for He alone completely deserves it. Nobody else but He deserves this place! If there is an idol taking the place of God in your life, now is the time to give God His place and the rest will be taken care of by Him according to His will. Also, there should be spiritual communication in families between husband and a wife and between children and parents. When such a communication happens on a regular basis, there is spiritual encouragement and accountability. My heart is heavy on broken families and I earnestly pray for the couples and children involved in such families. The only answer to the broken families is JESUS! Call upon Him and He will answer you! If you need a prayer for your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at esthervasa(at)yahoo.com.

Next: Manoah and His Wife Receive Instructions Again

The Suffering of Christ

I was not in a position to type the actual message on Dec 14th but today (Dec 18th) God empowered me to put in a message for this day. I pray and hope this message will mightily bless you because the satan tried every trick to not put this message. With God’s power and in His love I bring this message your way. Jesus Loves You!

Isaiah 53:3-5
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

The suffering of Christ on the Cross two thousand years ago is a beautiful picture of God’s love to us. How much did God love us? He loved so much that He wanted His precious son to die on the Cross! John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. We are His friends and we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17). I cannot imagine the privilege we have been granted. We are so unworthy yet God loved us so much and He has made us heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ. That is the love of God and the immutable love of Jesus for us. There is no greater gift that we can desire than the gift of eternal life!

Christ was despised and rejected of men. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. We hid our faces from Him and we did not esteem Him. Let us not think in our hearts “Not me”. It is we and our sins that made Him take all the rejection. He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. He carried our guilt and shame on that Holy Cross that we should live a life free of guilt and shame. If you are toiling because you carry the guilt of a secret sin, I would like to say, put your guilt on Him and walk out of that sin and grab the freedom from Lord Jesus Christ. If you are suffering because of some problem, I want to say, Jesus is much bigger than your problem; so do not focus on your problem but look to Him and His Cross. None of us will ever suffer like Jesus did; none of us have undergone the pain He underwent. Our problems and sufferings are not worthy of our consideration for the redeemer knows how to walk us through these if we darely walk with Him. Do not fear because of your circumstance because any tumultuous circumstance can be changed by the Creator. Let us take a moment to consider Christ’s death on the Cross of Calvary; it was to redeem US. God’s plan in allowing this for Jesus was merely to provide salvation to us. Through one man Adam sin entered and through one man Jesus we are saved from eternal damnation.

He was wounded for our transgressions. He blotted out our transgressions through His shed blood. We are a failure if we try implementing the Law of God all by ourselves. Law of God exposes the weakness of man and his sinful nature. But the law of Christ which is by grace exposes us to the love of God and gives us hope and fills us with joy. He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him. He took our punishment upon Him that we may attain peace. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” His peace is not the peace of the world which is temporary. His peace is eternal and we need not be troubled nor afraid. The peace of Jesus passes all understanding. This peace is incomprehensible by our limited understanding. It is the peace of the Spirit of God!

With His stripes we are healed. I am immensely encouraged every time I read this verse which is a promise to us. By His stripes we are made whole. Our physical bodies are so fragile and we are living in a world filled with strange diseases. No matter what disease the satan gives you, the Lord God has the potential to heal you. He took all our stripes to heal us. In the second part of Romans 8:17 we see that: “If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” If you are suffering due to health problems like I am now, know that it is not a journey that lasts forever. Put your disease and your suffering on Christ who in every way suffered that we might be free. If we suffer with Him, we will also be glorified together with Him. In this journey, you are not alone; Christ is with you. He will walk you through and according to His will, He will heal and restore you. Boldly claim the promise “With His stripes I am healed”! Do not ponder even a second if He forsook you; His promise to never leave us nor forsake us is so real and very true that you can simply bank on it!

Manoah’s wife

Judges 13:2-5
And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

The children of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord and were delivered into the hands of Philistines forty years. At this time there was a man of the family of Danites of Zorah, whose name was Manoah. Manoah means a place of rest. Although his wife was barren and had no children yet, Manoah and his wife seem to have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Lord. Certainly Manoah’s wife did find a place of rest in dwelling with Manoah, a man of God. But being barren she must have waited long and yearned for a child.

The angel of the Lord appeared unto Manoah’s wife like the angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth to speak good news of great joy unto Manoah’s wife for she found favor in the Lord’s eyes. After a long wait, the time has just arrived when the Lord would grant her what she desired the most. The long wait brings in the best blessings some times. If you are waiting on the Lord for something you need, God is doing His work although He is silent. When the time is ripe, you will receive it. But, do not lose heart, hold on to God and His promises steadfastly. Do not waver in your faith, for God is an unchangeable God. He, who visited Manoah’s wife through an angel, will visit you too. The angel said that Manoah’s wife would conceive and bear a son. Manoah’s wife believed the words of the angel.

The angel of the Lord gave instructions on how Manoah’s wife was to be during the time of her pregnancy for the child in her womb shall be a Nazarite and he will deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines. Numbers 6:1-21 explains well on what a Nazarite vow of separation unto the Lord is. A Nazarite is a person who makes a special vow to live separately for the Lord. We as believers in Jesus Christ make a vow to live unto the Lord for His glory when we receive Christ into our heart as our Savior. II Corinthians 6:16 says, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” We are the temple of the living God and hence we are separated from the world and He is our God and we are His people. We will bring the people out of darkness into light like Samson (Manoah’s son) was going to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines. Are you living a life dedicated unto the Lord? If not now is the time to make that special vow by submitting your life for His glory! If there is a sin in your life or something unclean just cast it away with God’s help and strength. He will provide His grace and mercy for you as you re-dedicate your life to Him. He is longing for you to come to Him. Do not wait for now is the time!

Next: Angel Revisited Manoah and his Wife

The Feeding of a Hundred

II Kings 4:42-44
And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.

A man came from Baalshalisha and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and full ears of corn in husk thereof. See here is a man full of gratitude that he brought bread of the firstfruits for the man of God, Elisha. He purposed not in his heart that the man of God would be generous in multiplying his firstfruits. Leviticus 23:10 says, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest”. This was what was told to Moses by the Lord God. We see that man from Baalshalisha was simply following this. May we also be eager in obeying God and His commandments because they are given unto us by God for our well-being and by doing so we give God the glory! Luke 11:42 says, “But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Let us not forget the most important offering desired by God which is to love God with all our heart and being fair to others. In other words, love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul and mind and then love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39) as Jesus said. Whatever we offer unto God will be multiplied by God. Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Yes, let us accept His mighty blessings unto us by bringing our offering and tithes into the storehouse of God.

Elisha asked to serve that which was brought by man from Baalshalisha to the people that they may eat. His servant responded if he should give it to the hundred people. The servant wondered if the food would be enough for the hundred people. Elisha insisted that the people be fed with the food because the LORD said that they shall eat, and shall leave thereof. Elisha was following the Lord God’s leading. The servant obeyed Elisha’s orders and distributed the food to the hundred gathered there. All the hundred ate and left thereof as per the Lord’s word. Elisha’s miracle is similar to Jesus’ miracle of feeding the five thousand using five loaves of bread and two fish.

Remember, God’s provision can be sufficient to as many as gathered around His table. His food is good for the entire mankind forever. This includes our times of trouble, times of happiness, times of anxiety, times of famine, times of drought, times of economic depression, times of calamity, and times of surplus. His divine food is granted to us through His word, by His Spirit and using His children. God spoke to Elisha and used the food brought by man from Baalshalisha to fill the hungry hundred by using the hands of Elisha’s servant. Observe all the people involved here were receptive to God’s provision. We will be used by God if only we allow Him to, by resisting the enemy’s temptations. Enemy tempts us at all times to avoid going by the way of the Lord but resist him by bearing the whole armor of God. If we are not equipped it is easy to fall away from God and fall in the hands of the enemy. May our ears be sensitive to the murmurings of the Spirit of God and these murmurings are constant unto us His children while the enemy’s shouts are boisterous and much louder when we waver in faith. God will help us discern between the two if we wait on Him. Let us yield to His will in our lives by resisting the will of the enemy. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Yes, His thoughts for us are of peace to give us hope and future.

Next: Manoah’s Wife

Death in the Pot of Pottage

II Kings 4:38-41
And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not. So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

Elisha came again to Gilgal and there was a dearth in the land. There is dearth in our land too today; this dearth is spiritual dearth; people are living in constant fear arising due to many factors in the current economy, nations rising against nations, constant battle for power and prosperity and families shattered due to disobedience of children to parents and due to lack of loyalty between a husband and wife and the list goes on and on. This is due to shutting God from operating in our lives and letting the flesh rule. The only answer to this spiritual dearth is JESUS and we should let Him in, while letting out the enemy. Romans 10:23 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

The sons of the prophets were sitting before Elisha. These people were men of God gathered to fellowship and share God’s love among each other. It appears that these sons of prophets were looking up to Elisha for their spiritual feed and just like Christ never let the hungry crowd go without food both spiritual and physical; Elisha seems to be doing the same. Elisha said unto his servant, “Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.” Here they were about to enjoy a wonderful stew together. See the whole land was experiencing dearth but the men of God gathered here were taken care of by Elisha. One went out to gather herbs and found a wild vine and gathered wild gourds and came and shred them into the pottage. They knew not what they were putting in the pottage and never used these ingredients perhaps. They found them for God helped them find this wild food just like the raven that fed Elijah with bread and meat when there was famine. Even during times of dearth and spiritual devastation, God provides spiritual food for His children. This spiritual food may be granted to us not by the men of God we are familiar with but from sources unknown to us but still that food will be just sufficient to our souls. You may be experiencing a tempest in your life and you probably are in a place all alone but God will grant you the needed comfort from sources He arranged just for you. Enjoy His peace and comfort for that alone has the potential to sustain you.

And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. What was supposed to be their food had death in it. They realized that quickly and cried out to the man of God. And he said, “Bring some meal”. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot. Elisha instantly knew what should be done so that the stew becomes edible. The same way corrective action should be taken against an incorrect teaching. We should boldly stand for the truth as a true Body of Christ. Elisha asked for some meal to be brought and he cast it into the pot that they all may eat. With God given wisdom Elisha acted and God will similarly grant us wisdom to take the right steps when we realize that there is death and not life in a person, or group of people or a church; God can use each one of us to transform a person or a group of people living by flesh and not by the Spirit of God; God can use us to turn a church from going apostate; we should put in the right meal to bring life; this meal is the Word of God that is simply the truth! The bitter waters at Marah were turned into sweet water by adding a tree and God used Moses to do this miracle (Exodus 15:23-25). Just as God used Elisha and Moses to bring life and turn bitter waters into sweet waters respectively, He can use you and me too!

Tomorrow: The Feeding of a Hundred

The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life

II Kings 4:28-37
Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

The Shunammite poured out her heart to Elisha, the man of God. True, she had not desired a son like Hannah did. Yes, she also asked Elisha not to deceive her for she was convinced that she will not have a child. We also can go to our Father in prayer pleading Him by claiming His promises for us. If you are going through a temptation in your life, your temptation is not anything new to God although it’s unique to you. You will not be in this state forever because I Corinthians 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” God will provide a way to escape from the temptation so that you can bear it. Remember James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Though the temptation is hard, it is but for a season and we should endure it and not yield to the enemy. We should praise God for He provides comfort and peace amidst the temptation. Here the Shunammite has not accepted the fact that her child is dead and went to Elisha pleading him for her son’s life.

Upon hearing the Shunammite, Elisha asked his servant Gehazi to gird up his loins and take Elisha’s staff in his hand and go on his way. Girding up loins signifies preparation for the battle. The battle that Elisha asked his servant to fight on his behalf was against the enemy to raise the Shunammite’s son from the dead. We also should gird up our loins and prepare for the battle against enemy. Ephesians 6:14 says, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth”. We should gird up with the truth of God’s only son Jesus Christ who is our only way against the enemy. Elisha further asked Gehazi to take his staff in his hand. Staff represents that we should equip ourselves for the spiritual warfare. Only when we are equipped properly, can we withstand enemy. Ephesians 6:13 says, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”. Yes, we have to bear the whole armor of God to withstand in the evil day against the enemy. When the enemy comes in like a flood against us, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19). The key is we should be filled by the Spirit of the Lord so that the Spirit can lift up a standard against the enemy. Elisha asked Gehazi not to salute a man if he meets any; also if a man salutes Gehazi he was not to answer. This says that Elisha wanted Gehazi to just stay focused on his mission for great is the task before him that he cannot get disturbed. When we commune with God, we too should just concentrate on God and not get distracted. The same is the case when we are waging a war against the enemy. We should seek God and His Spirit so that the Spirit of God can battle on our behalf. The battle is the Lord’s and for our sakes He wages a mighty war against the enemy. We simply should yield to God’s will in our lives. God has to use us His children to prove His power against the enemy. Enemy is well aware of the fact that He cannot win against God; the enemy only tries to see if we, God’s children will turn to him by bringing the temptations our way; we should not yield to the tricks of the enemy and this can only happen if we are living a Spirit-filled life. Finally, Elisha wanted Gehazi to lay his staff upon the face of the child. Psalm 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” The child had walked through the shadow of death and yet no evil shall befall him. God’s rod and His staff shall comfort us always.

The Shunammite insisted that Elisha should go with her and that she will not leave without him. When we are caught by the snares of the enemy we should plead that the Lord Jesus be present with us and He will be right by us as He was with David. Acts 2:25 says, “For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved”. Gehazi passed on before them (Elisha and the Shunammite) and laid the staff upon the face of the child but there was no voice or sound. Therefore, Gehazi returned and told his master that the child did not awake. Then Elisha came into the house and noticed that the child was dead and laid upon his bed. Some times servants of God might fail to perform a miracle but God will not fail. Just seek the Lord for He will never leave you nor forsake you! Elisha went into the house and witnessed the death of the child. He was going to cry out to God and breathe on the child the breath of God like the way Elijah had to, in order to raise Zarephath’s son from the dead.

Elisha went into the chamber and shut the door with just the two of them and prayed unto the Lord. This is how we should pray to our God in secret, not an ostentatious display like the Pharisee but in secret with utmost reverence like the Publican (Luke 18:9-14). He went up and laid upon the child and put his mouth upon the child’s mouth, his eyes upon the child’s eyes, and his hand upon the child’s hands and stretched himself upon the child. Let us take courage and know that the Lord will also lie with us in our bed of sorrows; put His mouth upon ours to breathe over us; His eyes will be fixed on our eyes to wipe away our tears and to help us find comfort in His loving eyes; His hand will be joined with ours to provide strength unto us and lift up our weary souls. The Lord God is completely united with us when we yearn for Him and His communion with us. And the flesh of the child waxed warm. We will find great warmth when we are one with Him like the way the child of Shunammite found the warmth from Elisha.

Elisha returned and walked in the house to and fro, for he was seeking God’s direction to recover the child fully back to normal. Elisha went up, and stretched himself upon the child this time. The first time he laid upon the child and this time he stretched to completely cover the child with his presence. God covers us completely when we are alone in a battle. The child sneezed seven times, and opened his eyes. This time the child is showing the signs of complete life in him. Therefore, Elisha called Gehazi, and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So, Gehazi called her. And when she came in unto Elisha, he asked her to take up her son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out. Elisha asked that the Shunammite be brought in only when the child was back to normal, full of life! Jesus Christ our intercessor presents our case to God, the Father. He pleads the Lord God for our sakes and the Father hears Jesus for God knows how Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. Remember, we have an ultimate intercessor who is interceding and the Father God is a God of mercy and grace who offered His own son for our sake. How much more must His heart be grieved when we are battling a strong temptation; He is far greater than the storm and can with one word stop the storm from bothering us; look up to Him and lose not your heart; just believe that He is with you and battling for you. We will have the victory like the way the Shunammite had victory in her life if we stay tuned with God all through. The Shunammite fell at Elisha’s feet to show her gratitude and took up her son and went out. When we witness the mighty hand of God in our life, let us not just keep the happiness to ourselves; instead let us step out and share our testimony with others around us. God loves to be glorified through us and He uses us for His glory. Lord, not our will but let your will be done! Amen.

Next: Death in the Pot of Pottage