A Testimony

February 25, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Hebrews 13: 5 ” Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Of course we all know that verse, but it’s good to see it and read it every day. This morning from Streams in the Desert was this verse: Daniel 6:20 “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee?” (KJV). God is asking him the question. He is able of course, but we may be prone to lose sight of that, and need to be reminded. May God help us all to trust Him, at least I need Him to help me. Especially now in this troubled world. Be blessed!

I received these thoughts in an email from a dear friend. As we look at the news of our troubled world most of us feel anxious from time to time. My friend had just received this verse in a form which she was able to put on her fridge. That reminded me of God’s instruction to the Israelite people: “These commands that I give you today are to be upon your hearts” (Deuteronomy 6:6).

Knowing how prone we are to be forgetful the Lord gave specific helps: “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road”. How often do we talk about God’s promises or prophecies with our family and friends? We seem to have time to “chat” on social media about things which are inconsequential. If we have a thousand contacts our conversations will never go very deep, will they? God’s Word goes on – “Even when we lie down”….”Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep” is the prayer we used sometimes with little children to give them an awareness that God’s love protects us even as we sleep!

The founding fathers in America were from religious backgrounds which often practised morning prayers. The family would gather together for Bible Reading and worship. Imagine doing that in our day as families fly in different directions, rushing to pick up lunches after eating breakfast on the run.

God’s commands were simple. According to Jesus they could be bound together in two: Love the Lord your God with all you have, heart and soul, mind and strength, and your neighbour as yourself. They were to be tied as symbols on our bodies, and in our homes, and even on the gate where others could note you are a family of faith! (Deuteronomy 6:7-9).

Reflection:

How much time do we give to serious things of faith, coming from the Word of the Lord? Do we recognize our urgent need of Almighty God, as my friend did? He is the faithful One. His love is eternal. Do we worship Him with all our heart and soul, mind and strength?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Man Peter

July 1, 2024 Admin1 Comment

Matthew 16:16-18

How many of us can identify with the man called Peter? Jesus named him Peter, “Petros” which in the original Greek means “Rock”. Because Jesus is the Creator of all things, including people – Peter, you and me, He knows what name to give to each of us. Did Jesus call Simon “Peter” because of some inherent strength that he exhibited from childhood?

Looking at the life of Peter we do see a certain confidence expressed in his bombastic disposition. He was forever blustering…correcting Jesus when he didn’t like His predictions (Matthew 16:22), and generally assuming leadership within the group of disciples. Peter was wordy, always having answers…a take-charge sort of man. Was it because of this that Jesus named him the “Rock”? Peter makes a fascinating psychological study.

But we learn most from Peter’s spiritual journey. Just like everyone else, he was a complex mixture of strengths and weaknesses. Full of ideas, Peter suggested that booths should be built to commemorate the meeting of Jesus with Elijah and Moses, at Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2,5-6). On the surface this was a magnificent thought! However, we must notice his words were motivated by fear, not feeling. (How many people have tried to serve Jesus for the wrong reasons?)

His fears overwhelmed him on the night Jesus was taken by soldiers to face charges laid against Him by the religious right of that day. The Jewish leaders rose up to defy His deity, by having Jesus crucified and Peter, moved by panic denied knowing Him, not once, but three times (Luke 22:56-62). Recognizing his failure, Peter wept bitterly. At that moment he could have penned the words of a song we sing today:

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all.

Thankfully he didn’t give up. This man, jelly-like in his lack of loyalty, became a Rock constructed by Jesus, when he once recognized his own weakness. Here’s the thing….in spite of your weakness and mine, Jesus is able to do the impossible. He can and will make us solid in our faith. It isn’t all bad to reflect on our past sins, if we then recognize the glorious truth that we are made strong by our Creator, Himself, when we admit our inadequacy!

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all.

How many times can we fall down, before Jesus will no longer pick us up? We know of at least 3 instances in Peter’s life, but our Lord assured His disciples that they would be forgiven as they forgave others, up to seventy times seven. Who is counting?

Reflection:

As we worship let us remember Peter grew as he leaned on Jesus! Both he and the Apostle Paul knew what it meant for weakness to be turned into strength (Hebrews 11:34). Do you?

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Because He Lives

April 16, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Hebrews 7:25

The cardinal truths of Christianity are founded upon the fact that Jesus Christ lived, died and rose again. How do you explain that to someone who has never heard the gospel? Lee Stroebel interviewed a number of scientists and philosophical thinkers to assess the prevailing view on a Creator God. He discovered the most important issue was the fact that Jesus rose from the dead.

Today we are celebrating the resurrection. Jesus’ suffering and death was for the sins of the whole world. We really can’t take that in. Knowing He suffered and died for my sins alone is bad enough, but the agony of bearing the sins of the world is beyond comprehension. But so is the resurrection…something which has never happened, before or since.

And, because He lives we know the rest of scripture is true. He lives to make intercession for us – for the saints. Our salvation rests on Jesus Christ who “is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). It takes one’s breath away to contemplate the reality of our salvation. Not only did it begin on the cross and end when the stone was rolled away from His tomb, but it continues, by God’s grace to see us through a lifetime of temptation and trials.

“Because He lives”, the Gaithers wrote “I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone”. How many people fear death? Yet death is not the end, but for believers it is the glorious beginning of a perfect life, a life lived in the splendor and glory of God. The life God created for mankind in the first place, in the Garden of Eden.

Because Jesus lives we have renewed hope and great joy at the prospect before us. Not only that but He has left us His Holy Spirit to lead us through the ups and downs of this life. We do not go it alone, but we have Him dwelling within us to lead, comfort and teach us how to live lives which please God.

Reflection:

What does Jesus’ life and death mean to you? What if that was the end of the story – would it have been enough? God completed what He began by raising Him miraculously from the grave. So will God complete what He is beginning within you if you are willing to receive and believe the good news of the gospel (John 1:12). Let us not forget that salvation is His work in your heart and mine. Paul was confident as he wrote to the Christians at Philippi “that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Continuous Intercession

January 9, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Hebrews 7:25

Some folks today have a vision for making intercessory prayer their ministry. Praise God for the faithfulness of these saints of God! However, we read in the Bible that intercessory prayer is already being made for each believer continuously! Isn’t that amazing?

You and I need to take time out to sleep and eat, to interact with family and to serve at church. Some of us have to go to work. Continuous intercession may just not be possible. Yet we take heart. There on the pages of holy scripture are words of tender encouragement….

The One who is able to save to the uttermost – let us pause to consider what that means. Since all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), you and I, and every other sinner, meet as equals at the foot of the cross. Therefore, whoever has sinned is seen by God as needy…needing His amazing grace. Whatever sin is separating us from God puts us in eternal peril. So, we all fall into the category of “uttermost”?

But The One, Jesus Christ, is not only able, but longing to save every person who has ever lived and therefore shed His blood for the remission of all sin. The thing is – that gift must be received. Whoever, believes and receives, wrote the Apostle John (John 1:12-13), is given the right to be called a child of God.

It is for these folks, hopefully you and me, who are part of God’s family, that the Lord Jesus Christ intercedes continuously. He is seated at the Father’s right hand with the precise mission of protecting God’s own children from Satan. Think of it!

Our Saviour knows our vulnerability. His own temptation gave Him understanding. As God-man, Jesus makes intercession with wisdom and justice on the basis of His omniscience. When you and I pray for one another it is with limited understanding. Only as the Holy Spirit gives us insight can we begin to really intercede on behalf of another.

Our prayer begins with a prayer that God will give us the right attitude so that we can restore gently (Galatians 6:1). Our hope is in the Lord and His power to give victory over evil! Our assurance is from the Word of God – in Jesus’ own words: “My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow me. ….and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28).

Reflection:

As we go into another year, let us remember the reason we know we have (Notice the present tense “have”) eternal life is because God’s Word tells us Jesus gives it to us and no one can remove us from the Father’s hand. And…our position is secure because Jesus lives to make intercession for us. Praise God!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Contrasts in Faith

February 13, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Mark 5:21-42

Why some people are named in the Bible, when others are not, remains a mystery. However, both Mark and Luke record a situation in which there are 2 players. “One of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus” has gone down in history as a person who “Seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet and pleaded earnestly with Him” asking Jesus to heal his young daughter, who seemed to be on her death bed (Mark 5:22-23). This was not the usual posture of a Pharisee or a Sadducee.

We read that Jesus went with him. How kind Jesus was! Able to overlook the usual mocking of the religious establishment, He saw beyond all that to the genuine desires of this man’s heart. The crowd of people made his progress slow. As well he was delayed by the sensation of power leaving His body. More about that later.

Friends of Jairus met them on the road to say his little daughter had died (Mark 5:35). Jesus was very reassuring, encouraging Jairus’ faith with the words “Don’t be afraid, just believe”. How discouraging it must have been then to find, upon arriving at the house, that already professional mourners had been hired to join friends and family “crying and wailing loudly (5:38). They laughed at Jesus when He told them the child was not dead (5:39).

Quietly Jesus put the mourners out while He went to the bedside. Calling “Talitha koum” [Little girl I say to you get up]. The end of the story finds the family completely astonished at her healing! (5:42). The question remains – Did they believe after the miracle took place?

In the midst of this story we find another example of faith. A woman who is unnamed had been suffering for 12 years. Why did God let her struggle for such a long time? Her condition classified her as “unclean”. This would have isolated her socially, and removed all hope of her growing spiritually, since she was not allowed to go into the temple or the synagogue, while she remained “unclean”. Yet in the end the power of God was seen in a significant miracle of healing!

We find this woman in a “crush” of people (Luke 8:42). Unfortunately, in the crowds surrounding our Lord she was lost – her identity hidden. In faith she touched Jesus’ cloak, believing He had the power to heal her. Jesus felt it! “I know that power has gone out from Me” He said (Luke 8:46). Just imagine if we could only touch the hem of His garment, would He feel power going out of Him? How do we accomplish that today?

Note that the message of hope and help in Jesus had been given to the community of folks who surrounded him. How many others in that crowd had the courage to act in faith, to be healed? What was it that actually healed this woman? It wasn’t the touch – it was her faith. Down through history she has been known by Jesus’ commendation. “Daughter your faith has healed you”. Then the Prince of Peace encouraged her to “Go in peace” (Mark 5:34, Luke 8:48).

Reflection:
Faith comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it is very visible, but at other times it might be quietly hidden from the masses. “Faith comes by hearing” Paul wrote to the Roman church (1:17). Faith is a theme throughout all of the Apostle’s writings. It is of eternal significance. “Without Faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Jairus and the nameless woman were rewarded because they put their trust in the living God. Where is your faith taking you today?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

My Tribute

July 5, 2022 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by Jess Bailey Designs on Pexels.com

Hebrews 12:7-11

There is a beautiful song written in the twentieth century which begins “How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me – things so undeserved yet You gave to prove Your love for me”. Andrae Crouch was touched by a truth we often take for granted. We do not deserve God’s love, nor, as Dr. James Kennedy points out, can we earn it.

God desires to have a relationship with you and me and every human being that He has created, but He does leave the choice up to us, to accept the invitation He gives through Jesus Christ our Lord, to become part of His family. What a privilege it is to call God “Our Father”! What joy it brings to be loved unconditionally by our heavenly Father!

I was blessed to have an earthly father who also loved me unconditionally. Oh – he had to discipline me when I was growing up, but I knew I could trust him, when he followed through on consequences according to his warnings. So it is with our heavenly Father, who disciplines those He loves. “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons” (Hebrews 12:7). “If you are not disciplined….then you are illegitimate children and not true sons” (12:8). What an awesome thought!

In a world writing meaningless songs about empty love, we find folks seeking for proof, for the reality of true love, for something lasting. All this can be found in the love of our God! Think about the word “unconditional”. It means no matter what I do His love abides forever. Love is the essence of His character so God’s love cannot be anything but everlasting, because He is eternal!

“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1). The whole of Psalm 136 gives credit to the Lord for His position among the gods, for His understanding, creativity, fairness in judgment, leadership and protection, each verse based on the fact that “His love endures forever”!

His love doesn’t depend upon our response, like so much of human love, but rather – when the rich young ruler left Jesus without relinquishing his wealth in order to serve God, “Jesus looked at him and loved him” (Mark 10:21). Note this young man went away, no longer rich, but very poor, spiritually.

How wonderful it is for us to know the Bible assures us “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!” We are utterly dependent upon His righteousness, covering ours which looks like “Filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).

How often do we destroy relationships because we have unrealistic expectations? Perhaps the young ruler was deceived into thinking God needed him and his wealth. We must not forget we come to God empty-handed. He takes us and shapes us into something He can use for specific purposes (Isaiah 29:16, 45:9, 64:8).

Reflection:

Andrae went on to write: ”The voices of a thousand angels could not express my gratitude”. His response to God’s amazing grace was “All that I am or ever hope to be, I give it all to you. To God be the glory!”

Why don’t you journal the tribute you want to pay to God today?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Surrender?

February 2, 2022 AdminLeave a comment

1 Corinthians 13:3

A pastor recently asked the question “What are you holding onto that you won’t surrender?” That question caused me to examine my heart. Is there anything I long for? Are there unfulfilled dreams? Do I covet more stuff? Am I discontented in relationships? Do I need to feel more in control of my life? What irks my spirit most?

For me I admit time, comfort and convenience are things I find hard to surrender sometimes. I am a creature of routine. Surprises are fun but many people as they age, cling to habits of a life-time. Where has that feeling of serendipity gone? As young people we sang:

“All to Jesus I surrender; All to Him I freely give.

I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.”

Did our youth group really commit to that in everyday life? Looking back, God often brought the unexpected into my experience. Surrendered to Him, it was always good, even wonderfully fulfilling. Not that the experiences in themselves were necessarily positive, but I could always be positive that good would come out of them, through lessons learned.

The Apostle Paul talks about surrender. Hidden away in the most famous love chapter in the Bible the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write: “Though I surrender my body to the flames….” (1 Corinthians 13:3). Now under any circumstances that is not something most of us would want to do – it’s not on our list of expectations! Obviously it’s an extreme measure he is introducing to explain love….there is no sacrifice that we can make, even the death of our bodies, which is worth it, if we do not love.

Yet – there have been martyrs of the faith who have surrendered to the flames. We know that Paul, following his conversion, experienced death threats and attempts on his life. Daniel records the experience of his friends who ended up in a furnace so hot that those opening the door were overcome (Daniel 3:19-23). Notice Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not saved from the experience, but a visible presence stayed with them and in the end a heathen king gave glory to God for saving their lives.

Surrendering to the evil whims of others isn’t on our bucket list, but scripture is filled with examples of those who did. Read Hebrews Chapter 11. For the sake of bringing glory to God can we surrender to the unknowns that are bound to come in the year ahead? What is it that we are hoping for? Are we certain of things we cannot see? What is it that challenges our faith today?

Faith is all about surrender. “Without faith it is impossible to please God”. Anyone who comes to Him must believe that He has their best interests at heart! This amazing God has promised to reward those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Can you surrender your life to Him?

Reflection:

What will motivate our choices in the year ahead? It is the desire to be led by love?

“If I give all I possess to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames, by have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Who knows what might come out of our surrender to God?

I must ask how far I will go in order to surrender to what is right?

How may the fires of our trials and afflictions bring glory to God?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Doing Battle

November 29, 2021 AdminLeave a comment

Hebrews 4

In both Old and New Testaments God makes reference to a battle of words. In a Messianic prophecy, speaking about the servant-Messiah, He revealed to Isaiah “He made My mouth like a sharpened sword”. Jesus Himself describes a battle over which He will be victor: “Repent! Otherwise I will soon come to you and fight against them with the sword of My mouth” (Revelation 2:16).

Most humans at some time or another have been wounded by words, whether intentioned or not. Some have referred to this as the pain of the soul, a problem that lasts far longer than physical scars. James describes the tongue as a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It is capable of corrupting the whole person, of setting the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell (3:6). Have you ever been burned by someone’s words?

If the power of the human tongue can do that much damage, then consider what the judgment of Christ’s tongue might look like! Jesus describes it as a two-edged sword (Revelation 2:12). In our scripture reading, the writer of Hebrews is talking about the consequences of unbelief, warning “Today, if you hear His voice [the words of the Gospel] do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). God’s intention is to give His children peace and rest – the whole of this chapter is devoted to that.

However, Satan is very actively engaged in negating the words of God. From the very beginning, as we have noted many times before, he questioned whether or not God really did say certain things. Is God the Creator of peace and justice? Do His laws, decrees, words of wisdom and guidance mean anything to us today? Do we believe He is a perfect and just God, one who knows everything – our motives, our thoughts and deeds?

Why would He not be fair to His children? The greatest battle between good and evil was won at the cross, followed by the miraculous resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The cost of God’s perfect gift of salvation has been fully paid, but Satan still wants you to believe it can be earned. We have been given a full description of this event in words of Holy Scripture. How then is it possible for the wisdom of Satan, or of man to question what God has revealed? Isn’t this the battle of the ages?

Reflection:

Down through time we see the sword of truth “dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The question becomes personal when we ask ourselves, what does God see in our hearts? Do we long for purity and truth, for justice and spiritual integrity? Does the church, or indeed do I bring glory to God by following in the steps of Jesus my Lord? Will I do battle against compromise and overt evil? Has my passion for God grown lukewarm?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

What Will You Do With Jesus?

March 22, 2021 AdminLeave a comment

Acts 10:25-26

At the end of the day the only question that will matter is “What did you do with Jesus”. His representatives on earth may fall, but Jesus never fails. Lyricists have written songs about His amazing faithfulness to truth and righteousness. The Bible assures us He is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8). What a blessed promise in the face of human failure and disappointment.

We might ask another question “Who am I compared to the King of glory, the One who left the glory of heaven (Philippians 2:5-8)to suffer shame and disgrace at Calvary, taking my punishment for sins He never committed?” (Hebrews 10:10-14). Charles Goodman captured the truth as he asked:

Who am I that the King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not my will, Thine Lord.
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He’d go…
For who am I?

When we see Jesus our gratitude sometimes takes a turn, and we begin to revere the instrument that brought the light of the gospel to us. The apostles leave us with a legacy which we do well to remember. In our scripture today we read that Cornelius called his household together, family, friends and servants to meet the great Apostle Peter.

Like Jonah, Peter resisted sharing his faith with Gentiles. The Gospel was for the Jews, surely. God rebuked Peter and finally he surrendered. It was a long journey from Jerusalem to Caesarea, but Peter had been called by God to go specifically to the home of this Italian military Commander (Acts 10).

What was Peter’s attitude when he arrived? Considering the important role he played in the development of the early Church in Jerusalem, this was a great concession involving time and energy. He could have been condescending, but we see Peter serving Jesus with humility. As Cornelius fell at his feet in the respect demanded by the custom of the day, Peter commanded him to “Get up”! Leaving the crowd in no doubt, Peter declared “I am only a man myself” (Acts 10:25-26).

Peter had learned to come to grips with the limitations of his own humanity. He had failed Jesus many times. He couldn’t stay awake to watch with Him prior to Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane. He denied that he knew Jesus immediately prior to His crucifixion. Here was another test. This time he didn’t fail. In spite of the Jewish laws which prevented association with Gentiles, God had shown Peter that He cared about the souls of all people, even Gentiles.

”I now realize how true it is that God does not show any favouritism” (Acts 10:34). This was an epiphany for Peter. Suddenly he got it! He found himself preaching about Jesus, sharing ”the good news of peace, through Jesus Christ who is Lord of all” (10:36). His focus was Jesus Christ! As a privileged witness of all that Christ was and did, Peter talked about His life and death as the fulfillment of prophecy and how, following His miraculous resurrection, Jesus ate and drank with His followers. As Paul reminds us “He lives to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:24-25) so to Him goes all the honour and glory forever and ever!

The power of the Holy Spirit came upon these Gentiles so that they believed and were baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. This is what happens when we see Christ Jesus lifted up by Godly men and women.

Reflection:

What are you doing with the precious, holy name of Jesus? Do you guard His reputation with your life?

by Marilyn Daniels (marilyndaniels.net)

Devotional · Uncategorized

The Forever Principle

July 13, 2020 AdminLeave a comment

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Hebrews 8:1-13

Recently I watched a documentary on Anti-Semitism. After the atrocities of WW2, Jewish children of the Holocaust were brought to England, clothed and fed, and put into homes where they were cared for and educated. What happened to that spirit? It was shocking, for me, to see how subtly Satan has convinced some believers today, that the Jews are no longer God’s chosen people, that they are evil and the source of the world’s evils. What happened to the ‘forever principle’?

It began with God’s promise to Abram of land that would be forever his, belonging to Abram’s offspring forever (Genesis 13:15). This was an unconditional promise. God’s faithfulness could be seen even when His people were slaves in Egypt “I will bring you to the land I promised….”(Exodus 6:8) Throughout captivities which befell the people of Israel as the consequence of disobedience, God has remained faithful to this promise. The land, a tiny portion compared to some of the empires of our world, has become a hot spot of political controversy throughout human history. Why is this vital spot so significant? It is the battleground between good and evil, God and Satan.

When Solomon finished building the Temple in Jerusalem God promised His eyes and His heart would always be there forever (1 Kings 9:3). His very name would be there forever. There was an “if” to this promise. It was conditioned on the faithfulness of the king and his people (:6-7). Sadly we see that Israel today has largely rejected God – so many are atheists. But there is a remnant. Who are they and what do we know about God’s promises to them? First of all God’s judgment caused a diaspora which effects Jews today. Jeremiah was given insight into a future, which we see has come to pass. God told him “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture…..I Myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture” (Jeremiah 23:1-3). This was accomplished in 1948.

When Jesus Christ came to earth He was followed for many reasons – some were curious about His way of teaching through parables. Others sought healing miracles. Some were fascinated by the way He could feed crowds of people from minimal resources. A few saw Him as who He said He was – the long-awaited Messiah (John 1:41, 4:25, Matthew 28:18-20). He declared Himself to be the good Shepherd! (John 10:11) Through Him we see God’s promise renewed by Paul. God said “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal [past history]. So, too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace”! (Romans 11:4-5). Also notice God’s new covenant with Israel recorded in Hebrews 8:8-10.

In the twentieth century the land was restored to the Jews who are still God’s people. Among them are obedient followers of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. One of the most influential Christians of our times is a Jewish man with dual citizenship with Israel and the USA. Joel Rosenberg has ties with Arabs, Jews and believing Christians, carrying out God’s ancient promise that the gospel would be from the Jews to the nations of the world. God’s ‘forever principle’ remains true. Jews have suffered for their sins, but as God’s chosen people, they will always be the conduit by which salvation through Jesus Christ came to the world!

Reflection: Gentiles have the joyous privilege of being grafted into the Vine (Romans 11:17-21). Jesus called himself the Vine (John 15:1). Salvation and eternal life are for everyone, but the land which God promised to the Jews, is forever theirs, a visual reminder of God’s faithfulness. This is the forever principle!

It is to the Holy Mount in Jerusalem that the King of the Jews, Jesus, will one day return.

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign

forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15)