Bless Our God, O Peoples
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. 7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. 8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: 9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. 10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Psalm 66:5, 7-10 (KJV)
The Morning Exhortation
Believe the gospel and step out onto it in faith (2 Corinthians 4:18). Salvation through Jesus Christ is a spiritual transaction with God (Colossians 1:9-17). There are some who testify of having supernatural feelings, sensations, and sights, but these are NOT what make spiritual transactions with God real. Spiritual transactions are real when they are based on the word of God and signed by our faith (Hebrews 11:1-3). God has given us His word as a testimony of what is true eternal reality (John 17:17; Psalm 29:1-4; Matthew 5:18). What God has said is more real than the hand in front of your face (Ecclesiastes 8:4). Some will say, “if God would only speak to me from a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6), or hit me with a great light brighter than the sun (Acts 9:3-7), then I would believe.” Sure you would, but then there would be no place for faith (Hebrews 11:6). Everything that can be seen or felt doesn’t require any faith. Believing what you cannot see or feel does require faith, and the Bible clearly states that everything in the spiritual life is to be by faith from first to last (Romans 1:17). Be it to be saved, or sanctified, or filled with the Spirit, you must absolutely NOT wait to feel it before you believe it to be true for you (2 Corinthians 5:7). Ask in faith and reckon it done without waiting for confirmation from what you see or feel (Jonah 2). The working out of our own salvation comes from entering into the rest of God by faith (Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 4:9-12). When you are courageous enough to get out of the boat to walk on the water (Matthew 14:28-29), fix your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 11:24-27), and not the wind nor the waves (Matthew 14:30-32). He who called you is faithful (Revelation 19:11). Have faith in God and abide in His word (Psalm 92:1-2). Trust the Lord, submit all your ways to Him (Proverbs 3:5-7), reckon it done (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), and He will keep you in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).
Question
How do we receive the promises of God?
Answer
Three steps:
- Get right with God (1 John 1:9-10).
- Ask with right motives (James 4:1-4; Romans 12:1-2; James 4:7-10).
- Reckon it done before seeing or feeling (1 John 5:14-15) and fight the good fight of faith (James 1:2-5; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Hebrews 10:36; 1 Peter 1:6-7).
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread; Open the eyes of my faith, that I may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer
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