“OUR STRENGTH”

But when I turned to look at all that I had accomplished and all the hard work I had put into it, I saw that it was all pointless. It was like trying to catch the wind. I gained nothing from any of my accomplishments under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11

PRE-AMBLE by Robert 

I brought forward, a question in the article just published “AS TIME PASSES” Did I wonder, how many of those days, had been squandered, being busy within each day, concerned about caring for the things which make being a part of the world possible? In seeking an answer to this question, the Holy Spirit brought me to Ecclesiastes 4:4.  This article will show the two sides of men’s hearts through the answer. We will be delivered to an understanding of why and how some reject the light. There will be answers for those struggling to understand how they can journey through this world without being a part of it. We will be shown how to separate our walk from the world.  

OPENING PRAYER by Robert. 

Heavenly Father, as we bow before your throne and lay our petitions before you, we ask you to hear our prayers. As our days become more treacherous and dangerous, we pray Lord for your guidance. We recognize Father those who desire to harm or prevent us from doing your work, they do not accept you or your compassion, forgiveness, or love. We give praise Lord for the protection you place us under and acknowledge You alone are our helper and uphold our souls. We know Father you will reward evil unto our enemies, cutting them off in your truth. We know Father it is You who will deliver us from all sin. This we give thanks for in the name of your Son, Yeshua, Amen, and Amen. 

OPENING STATEMENT by Robert

What I recognized, as did King Solomon, there is a two-part answer to my question which I pondered on and am bringing forward the following parts through Commentary by Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774). “King Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers and includes all who labor with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment. Let us by honest industry lay hold on the handful, that we may not want necessaries, but not grasp at both hands full, which would only create vexation of spirit. Moderate pains and gains do best.

Frequently, the more men have, the more they would have; and on this, they are so intent, that they get no enjoyment from what they have. Selfishness is the cause of this evil. A selfish man cares for nobody; there is none to take care of but himself, yet he will scarcely allow necessary rest to himself and the people he employs. He never thinks he has enough. He has enough for his calling, for his family, but he has not enough for his eyes. Many are so set upon the world, that in pursuit of it they bereave themselves, not only of the favor of God and eternal life but of the pleasures of this life.

And then, we see the second part of our answer with spiritual reasoning being introduced to those lives which have received and hold the Holy Spirit. Who over those days which have gone by, being gifted with tools and information, they daily worked out their Salvation and have brought meaning, and Our Strength forward. As Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) reveals in the following commentary: “Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labors hard to maintain those he loves than the miser has in his toil. In all things, union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Believers. They assist each other by encouragement or friendly reproof. They warm each other’s hearts while they converse together of the love of Yeshua, or join in singing his praises. Then let us improve our opportunities for Christian fellowship. In these things all is not vanity, though there will be some alloy as long as we are under the sun. Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Yeshua will by his Spirit come to them; then there is a threefold cord. Matthew 18:20, “Where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them.”

This is where believers gain their strength from the uplifting and sharing of God’s love and preparation. Our Father through His Grace diligently, through His love for all, has been gifting the world with another day of life. So those seeking His righteousness will, during those gifted days, use them fervently, to learn continuously how to [by working out their Salvation] turn their lives over to Yeshua, strengthen them and preserve them unto Everlasting life. The most significant benefit in gaining this Strength, you can recognize, how as one just passing through this world God will provide for us while having us serving Him. Remember, being idle is a sin. 

Being prepared, we are lead to 1Peter for instructions described by Matthew Henry’s (1662 – 1774) comments on Peter’s teachings (1Peter 1:1). “According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, and here as having obtained precious faith in our Lord Yeshua for the faith here mentioned is vastly different from the false faith of the heretic, and the feigned faith of the hypocrite, and the fruitless faith of the formal professor, how Orthodox soever he is. It is the faith of God’s elect (Titus1:1), wrought by the Spirit of God in effectual calling.”

Having foreknowledge of what our Father desires for us, how easy it is now having the full Armor and knowledge of how to use it, to enter into battle as a fervent warrior, without fear, knowing we possess several powerful weapons in God’s arsenal one of those being “Precious Faith“? 

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert

Heavenly Father, we want to thank you for previewing the real depth of our faith. We petition you Father for wisdom to be upon all those reading this article, deepen their discernment and understanding. Bring unto them a spirit of calm, so any decision about to be made concerning their spiritual walk with You, Lord, would be an informed one void of fleshly emotions, or worldly desires, and concerns. We ask Lord you would remove any cords, causing confusion and binding their minds. So, they might receive all and any information the Holy Spirit, will render to be used as the foundation of their future spiritual decisions as they continue their journey. We pray this in your name in the name of Yeshua AMEN and AMEN.“ 

CLOSING STATEMENT by Robert

Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) points out “True saving faith is a precious grace, and that not only as it is very uncommon, very scarce, even in the visible church, a minimal number of true believers among a multitude of visible professors (Matt.22:14), but true faith is very excellent and of very great use and advantage to those who have it.“

The example I hold close to heart and stand on is in John 14:13 the Lord said: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, the Father may be glorified in the Son.” I take this promise into every battle and hold it fast in my heart without any doubt, Yeshua will keep His promise. I recognize “Precious faith” as one of my most effective weapons against my bodies lustful ways and especially against Satan as well when I am in need. 

My eyes through the discernment and understanding gained not only as a Soldier of Yeshua, a “Fisher of Men,” or as a Beacon. I recognize grace and peace are multiplied through the knowledge of God and His Son, Yeshua.

Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) points out “Knowledge of God and faith in him are the channel whereby all spiritual supports and comforts are conveyed to us; but then we must own and acknowledge God as the author of our effectual calling, for so he is here described. Him that has called us to glory and virtue. It is the glory of God’s power to convert sinners; this is the power and beauty of God which are seen and experienced in his sanctuary (Psalms 63:2); this power or virtue is to be extolled by all that are called out of darkness into marvelous light (1Peter2:9). “ 

Having been shown saving Faith can be scarce, the following admonitions and urgings by the Holy Spirit now become even more valuable as they are revealed one by one. It is my belief, God is opening doors, and taking us into deeper levels of heavenly knowledge, understanding, and discernment, through the endless teachings of the Holy Spirit.

Gods, promises are bringing us closer to him so we may walk in his image by offering additional strengths, as part of the deepening of our personal walk as living examples. He is showing how to escape lust, as well as adding virtue (+morality) to our “Faith.” Then to our virtue  knowledge (+wisdom), then to knowledge temperance (+restraint), and to temperance,  patience (+tolerance), and is not done yet by adding to patience godliness (+devotion), then God calls us to add brotherly kindness (+mercy) to the godliness, which he concludes by asking us to have charity (+goodwill to all). (2Peter 1:5-7)

Apostle Peter relates “If we accept these gifts from God and maintain them without a doubt and exercising them, causing strengthening in our soul, we will find ourselves never lacking success and being fruitful in our lifes’ battles, knowing Yeshua is always present.” In 2Peter. 1:8 “For if these things are in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Yeshua.“ 

John Gill (1697 – 1771) commentary describes what these gifts provide: “they are not merely temporal ones, nor are they conditional and legal; but as they relate to things spiritual and eternal, to irreversible and unchangeable. And they answer great ends and purposes, the glory of God, and the everlasting good and happiness of his people. Therefore must be “precious,” of more value and worth than thousands of gold and silver, and to be rejoiced at more than at the finding of a great spoil, being every way suited to the cases of God’s people, which will never fail.“

“The end of giving them is that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature; not essentially, or of the essence of God, so as to be deified, this is impossible, for the nature, perfections, and glory of God, are incommunicable to creatures. Nor hypostatically and personally, so as the human nature of Christ, in union with the Son of God, is a partaker of the divine nature in him. But by way of resemblance and likeness, the new man or principle of grace, being formed in the heart in regeneration, after the image of God. And bearing a resemblance to the image of His Son, and this is styled, Christ formed in the heart, into which image and likeness the saints are more and more changed. From glory to glory, through the application of the Gospel, and the promises of it. By which they have such sights of Christ as to transform them, and assimilate them to him, and which resemblance will be perfected hereafter when they shall be entirely like him and see him as he is. “

Remember, these messages are from a humble servant being obedient unto our Lord Yeshua as a Watchman. This I pray for all. ” Our Heavenly Father brings us to the river which bringeth forth fruit so we may partake of its sustenance and be filled spiritually with nurturing wisdom, and humble dedication in service to Yeshua. “Blessings to All.”  As you go forward in peace. Amen and, Amen.