Date: Wednesday July 04, 2012
Today's Chapters: Psalms 134 - 140
Message Title: God's Mercy Endures

Hello My Friend,

When God first created the heaven and earth it was perfect, no evil existed, no pain, no sorrow, no sin existed, man did not even have to work to be provided for, everything was freely given to them by God. Of course, we all know that changed once that wicked old devil showed his face on earth, he already tried to rule heaven and was kicked out so, why not get back at God by causing a curse to be placed upon the people He created, and that is exactly what he did. Little did he know that his plan to destroy mankind would be subverted when God sent Jesus Christ, He gave us victory over the curse when He died, was buried, and resurrected. Praise God! Now, all who believe in and accept Jesus Christ will one day get to see the earth as God intended it to be, perfect, in new Jerusalem.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” - Revelation 21:1-4,27.

At one time Jerusalem was beautiful, and very blessed because God truly dwelt in the city of David. He dwelt above the tabernacle until the temple was built by Solomon per David's instructions. All the people had to do to feel the presence of God was go into the city of David. All that changed when idolatry, immorality, and false gods were brought into the city, even the temple. While God no longer dwells in any building made by man He endures forever. “Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD. Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.” - Psalm 135:1-3,6,7,13-15.

After Jerusalem had been completely destroyed, God removed Himself from the temple (See Ezekiel 10) and the city. Today, we can praise God that He did not remove Himself completely from man, one must be saved to enjoy the presence of God, who now dwells in every believer. God has great mercy for His backsliding people, even for the lost, and God's mercy endures forever. “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” - Acts 17:24,28.

If the sun, moon, and stars obey God, why can't we? If the animals trust God to provide for them, why can't we? If you received Christ as your Savior than you can trust and obey God, not because you have to, but because you are thankful that His mercy endures forever. The word endure means to last; to continue in the same state without perishing; to remain; to abide. God is always with His people, and while it may seem as though He is not where to be found at times, He is always with us. “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” - Psalm 136:1,4-9,26.

Through what seems to be a time of God forsaking us is actually a time of God perfecting us, amazingly you can try and try to overcome a situation and can feel like a failure. Can I tell you that you are not a failure, you are just in the will of God and through your struggles God is perfecting you and preparing you for great blessings through your faithfulness. God does not want us to try to fix every problem on our own or even deal with some chastening on our own, He wants us to trust Him, have faith in Him, and praise Him during our struggles. “I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” - Psalm 138:1-3,6-8.

Praising God with the whole heart, before the struggles, the job, the hobbies, the games, the partying, the drinking, the drugs, keeps us from falling into sin in the first place. Although we have faults, and mess up over and over again, God watches over us, revives us, strengthens us, and gives us new hope when we have faith in Him. God reveals that at conception we become a person, a breathing soul that has a special personality and purpose to be used for His glory. Although, as an unborn infant, we are hidden from human view, as if buried in the earth, our bodies are no mystery to our Creator, He skillfully prepares us for our destiny while here on earth. “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” - Psalm 139:1-4,14-16,23,24.

God knows every single thing about us, our ups and downs, our quirks, habits, joys, and desires, we are not perfect, but we can look to the Perfect One and allow Him to keep perfecting us. God's people are peculiar, different, perhaps seem a little weird to the rest of the world, but we are His, and day by day as we look to our Perfect Savior, Jesus Christ, we become more like Him and less like the world. Praise God! While we may never fit in with the world, we are all members of the same club, the Jesus club and our membership never expires. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” - 1 Peter 2:9,10,21,24.

Today's Prayer: (Taken from Psalm 140) God, Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. Lord, give me Your power to look to You through the good, bad, and ugly times in life. Give me Your strength to endure as Your mercy endures, give me wisdom to make the right decisions, and keep me from the wicked one, who is always placing doubt in my head. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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