[PDF available here for you to download, print, and add to your study binder. Please feel free to print extra copies to share. Invite someone to join the study with you]
Growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ also means that we must NOT be ignorant of the wiles of the devil.
In this lesson, we are moving through the information into action. Growing means action.
Join me in a little history lesson about one of the kings of Israel.
His name was David. David was the youngest son of Jesse. David had 7 older brothers, and David's job was to tend his father's sheep. One day as David was tending the sheep, maybe laying in the comfy grass, just watching over the herd -- his father asked him to take some food to his older brothers and check on them for they were out at the battle against the Philistines.
So, David, the obedient son that he was, left early in the morning and headed out to meet his brothers. As he approached camp, he heard the enemy: loud, mocking, boasting, laughing .. but not the regular sounds of any fighting .. just that loud mocking voice.
"What's going on?" David asks the men who were there with his brothers. Then men went on to tell David how this giant of the Philistines was cursing and yelling horrible threats and how all the army of Israel was sore afraid because of this boastful giant warrior.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME, RIGHT NOW?!" David said in astonishment (well, that was my paraphrase .. you can read for yourself the account in I Samuel 17)
What shall be done for the man that kills this giant? and takes away the reproach of Israel and who dares defy the armies of the Living God ?" The men told him how King Saul (the king of Israel) would bestow riches, and honor, and the hand of his daughter.
"Let me at him!" to the which his brothers then begin to mock their baby brother, laughing and insulting him as older brothers tend to do.
This didn't stop David.
We see the scene unfold, King Saul puts his own armour on David, but David is too small for the armour. That's no problem, David knows just what to do. As a shepherd, David was an expert at protecting the sheep from predators. He had already killed a lion and a bear with his own hands. But more than that, David served the God of his fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -- the only Living God. He was intimately acquainted with God, David loved God, obeyed God, and feared God. David heard of the mighty acts of God, and saw first hand how God worked in his life.
[To find out how the battle really ended read for yourself I Samuel 17.]
David spent his young life in the fields and mountains, leading this father's sheep to good food and safety. He had a lot of time to spend with the LORD God. He knew God. When this situation arose with the enemy Philistines, David put what he knew into action.
Please note his very important words: Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. - I Samuel 17:45
David not only knew who God was; but he feared God. Did you notice the reason for David's zeal and indignation? That enemy had dared to defy God.
In our lesson, Bunyan writes in pages 60-63 steps of growing in the Fear of God. We covered steps one through four in the previous lesson; and related it to preparing to ride the horse. Let's say that steps 5-13 are the mounting and riding of the horse. The action.
#1 Learn aright to distinguish of fear in general
#2 Learn to distinguish a spirit of bondage and the spirit of adoptions
#3 Thou shouldest make conscience of which to entertain and cherish
#4 Grow in the knowledge of the new coventant, for that is indeed the girdle of our reins, and the strength of our soul.
#5 Labour even always to keep thine evidence for heaven and of thy salvation alive upon thy heart.
#6 Set before thine eyes the being and majesty of God
#7 Keep always close to thy conscience the authority of the Word; fear the commandment as the commandment of a God both might and glorious
#8 Be much in the faith of the promise, of the promise that maketh over to thy soul an interest in God by Christ and of all good things
#9 Remember the judgements of God that have, or shall certainly overtake, those professors, that have either been downright hypocrites, or else unwatchful Christians
#10 Study of excellencies of the grace of fear, and what profit it yieldeth to them that have it, and labour to get thy heart into the love.
#11 Remember what a world of privileges do belong to them that fear the Lord.
#12 Be in much prayer to God for abundance of the increase thereof
#13 Devote thyself to it
We will call this our heart's daily checklist
David had learned these "steps" in his time with the LORD.
LOOK UP :
- I Kings 15:3
- Psalm 61:2-5
- Psalm 19:7-14
- Luke 24:44-45
- Acts 5:1-11
- James 1:22-27
- II Corinthians 7:1
- Proverbs 13:13
- Psalm 119:119-120
- II Corinthians 12:9
WRITE a one sentence lesson to be learned from each Scripture reference above
DEFINE:
- Labour
- Judgement
- Devote
- Defy
- Despise
- Bitterness
- Perfect
- Nourish
Dear reader, pray therefore that God will unite your heart to fear his name; this is the way to grow in the grace of fear. For without the LORD we can do nothing...The LORD has graciously provided his ability and strength to walk with him. His grace is sufficient for us.
When we allow ourselves a plan B, or leave the backdoor open for 'just in case', we have given the devil the invitation to come in and bring his devises, wiles, and evil upon us. Many Christians do this unwittingly; yet many more do it knowingly. If you have been following along this study, you know what is right. You better be DOING what is right.
Wholly submit to the LORD. Close every 'loop hole'. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
No comments:
Post a Comment