Good morning everyone - lovely people. I wish you all the best too. To
continue on my blog about the “fear of G-d” I have gleaned from an old book by a Rabbi Nilton Bonder titled
“The Kabbalah of Envy - Transforming Hatred, Anger, and Other Negative Emotions.” Please do not be thrown off by the word Kabbalah. It simply means to dig into hidden meanings and research them out - not the magical red string thinking heard about in the media which is a perversion of the true Kabbalah type commentary on Biblical truths. It’s not some evil abstraction out to get you. It’s an old Hebrew word referring to wisdom that comes with spiritual maturity. This book has been a tough read not translated from the Hebrew comfortably for English speakers. I have gleaned some wonderful Faith ideas from it. So here goes - more on the subject of”Fear of G-d.” And it’s long. Get what you like and discard the rest.

The term “fear of G-d” is not about terror. It’s about having a great intimacy with G-d.
When we are influenced by abstract, subtle principles we can detach ourselves from what we observe in the obvious that doesn’t add up to what we know about Faith and G-d.
What abstract and subtle principles? The causes and effects captured in the term karma, the universal principle of cause and effect, where every action, thought, and word (the cause) creates consequences (the effect) that eventually return to the doer, shaping their destiny. As Scripture states: the principle of sowing and reaping, where actions (causes) directly produce consequences (effects), such as in Galatians 6:7 (“whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”).

To arrive at the “fear of G-d” we need to leave the cult of the god of rewards, the god of necessary, god of power, god of personal veneration (which can be a romanticized element of belief.)
All of that adds up to a symbolic perception of G-d - the idea that things represent other things.
What was the danger of an “idol”? Attributing to “a thing” the power to bless or curse and so veneration of the “thing” was necessary. The nations around Israel in its beginning made things they could see and name that represented what was believed to be their “god.” So Israel was warned - “Do not adopt the practices of the peoples around you.”

We must cast off the fear of others, fear of self, fear of pain and allow ourselves to fear only that which is possible to fear. Fears are not paralyzing emotions, but spur us on to action - mobilizing.

That mobilizing - we do what we know to do that is right. As Scripture tells us how to Love G-d - that first commandment. “If you love Me you will obey Me”
That is the beginning of developing a great intimacy with G-d and is the crown of wisdom.
To obey is becomes another conundrum because our emotions direct us to do what benefits us the most. So we rationalize what we know, “to do” with what we feel should be done for immediate gain.

This shows us where humility is the foundation to grasping the “fear of G-d that becomes wisdom - it’s ankle.
Humility is a deep internalization of our capacity to transform spirituality into a skill that becomes a way of life.
We can live the “Fear of G-d” without a sense of wisdom or any proud awareness of being wise.

To become wise is to be able to erase the fool within us. To become humble is to erase the traces of any wickedness in ourselves. Eliminate jealousy which opens the dimension of envy, aptly described as one of the 7 “deadly sins.” Proverbs 22:4 “The effect of humility is fear of the Lord, wealth, honor, and life.”

To me the “fear of G-d” is a comforting emotion. It’s comforting to know I don’t have to be in control of the world. I don’t have to fear the actions of others because SomeOne bigger than me knows the end of everything from its beginning. And that SomeOne all knowing, tells me to rest in what that end will be even when I don’t understand all the steps leading up to it that might cause me to suffer. Accepting discomfort is necessary to kill “the old man” within us and brings about the realization of a real joy in serving our Beloved Lord. That’s possible to experience even in the face of seeing so much ungodliness in the world. What little bit I can do in the way of right action and prayer is going to have a positive effect I may not see. That just means SomeOne wiser than me sees it and tells me to keep on truck’en on that path of holiness that is a quiet rebellion to any evil inclination.
Holiness - another word we have a hard time relating to because of the enemy out to shame us!
Six characteristics of holiness often cited include humility, love, obedience, self-control (temperance), faithfulness, and purity of heart, reflecting a life SET APART for God,

Beloved brethren, be thankful that our salvation depends not upon our own righteousness. For as Paul wrote to Titus, “He saved us, not on the basis of our deeds done in righteousness” (Tit. 3:5). Likewise, Isaiah, tells us that “all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isa. 64.6). Isaiah’s description, though appearing mild in the English translation here, is rather appalling.

Yet so is our own righteousness in God’s eyes.

Thank God for the Lord Jesus Christ in whom we are made righteous before God. That righteousness that is accounted because of faith, as it was for Abraham when he believed God (Rom. 4:3). Our righteousness is not a righteousness of our own, but it is that which comes from God on the basis of faith (Phil. 3:9)

More so, Christ is our righteousness. It is His name - “The Lord our righteousness” (Jer. 23:6). Let us therefore be grateful that it does not depend on us, but on Him, who is righteous. Let us remember that the Lord our righteousness saved us, not because of our own righteousness, but despite our own unrighteousness and iniquity, on the basis of His mercy.

Always remember how blessed we are, as David sang, “whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered,” and “to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity!”

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, January 31

"The Lord our Righteousness." Jeremiah 23:6

It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are "perfect in Christ Jesus." It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that "Christ is made unto us righteousness," we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace; there is nothing wanting in my Lord, Christ hath done it all. On the cross He said, "It is finished!" and if it be finished, then am I complete in Him, and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, "Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." You will not find on this side heaven a holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ's righteousness. When the believer says, "I live on Christ alone; I rest on Him solely for salvation; and I believe that, however unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus;" then there rises up as a motive of gratitude this thought- "Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not love Him and serve Him, seeing that I am saved by His merits?" "The love of Christ constraineth us," "that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto Him which died for them." If saved by imputed righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness.

Brethren, on what do you set your sights daily? Is your aim success as the world defines it? Is it leisure? Perhaps it is more simple, more stoic, to “live and let live” as they say.

Forget not, we are but sojourners here; our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). And so should be our focus.

Jesus exhorted that where our treasure is, so would our hearts be (Mt. 6:21). So Paul exhorts that we look not at those things visible and temporal, but we see beyond to those things which are invisible and eternal, we look to “the things which are not seen” (2 Cor. 4:18).

Do not let that which is around you distract you from the goal. Run the race “in such a way that you may win” (1 Cor. 9:24). We have not been left without guidance to wander aimless in this world. We have God’s word, we know what lies ahead, and we know how to get there. So, “as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). Discipline yourself so that you will not be “disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27). Present yourself as a living and holy sacrifice to the one true God, and be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:1-2).

Never weary of doing the Lord’s work (1 Cor. 15:58). Then in the end, we shall receive an imperishable wreath (1 Cor. 9:25), an “unfading crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4), and be blessed to hear the words from our Lord, “well done, good and faithful servant” (Mt. 25:21).

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, January 29

"The things which are not seen." 2 Corinthians 4:18

In our Christian pilgrimage it is well, for the most part, to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown, and onward is the goal. Whether it be for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love, the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith. Looking into the future we see sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, the soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. Looking further yet, the believer's enlightened eye can see death's river passed, the gloomy stream forded, and the hills of light attained on which standeth the celestial city; he seeth himself enter within the pearly gates, hailed as more than conqueror, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the arms of Jesus, glorified with Him, and made to sit together with Him on His throne, even as He has overcome and has sat down with the Father on His throne. The thought of this future may well relieve the darkness of the past and the gloom of the present. The joys of heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth. Hush, hush, my doubts! death is but a narrow stream, and thou shalt soon have forded it. Time, how short- eternity, how long! Death, how brief- immortality, how endless! Methinks I even now eat of Eshcol's clusters, and sip of the well which is within the gate. The road is so, so short! I shall soon be there.

"When the world my heart is rending
With its heaviest storm of care,
My glad thoughts to heaven ascending,
Find a refuge from despair.
Faith's bright vision shall sustain me
Till life's pilgrimage is past;
Fears may vex and troubles pain me,
I shall reach my home at last."

Believer, are you perfect? Of course not; no one is. We are on our way, and in “that day,” we will be truly complete. Until then, the Christian life, the true Christian life, is not one of ease. There are peaks and valleys, twists and turns, trials and tribulations (Jn. 16:33).

We all fail from time to time, some more than others. It is the nature of humanity. Paul struggled to do what he knew to be right, as he explains in Romans 7. Our flesh wishes to dominate, but we must walk in the spirit that we might not indulge the flesh (Gal. 5:16-24).

When failure comes, as it inevitably does, we must learn from it and move past it, put it behind and forget it, pressing forward toward our goal (Phil. 3:13-14).

Moreover, we must remember that, while we seek to be “complete in Christ” (Col. 1:28), it is not merely by our own effort. Let us share in Paul’s confidence that “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

His goal is that He might present us “holy and blameless” before our Father (Col. 1:22), therefore, let us continue in our faith knowing that He will make us “perfect” for that day.

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, January 28

"Perfect in Christ Jesus." Colossians 1:28

Do you not feel in your own soul that perfection is not in you? Does not every day teach you that? Every tear which trickles from your eye, weeps "imperfection"; every harsh word which proceeds from your lip, mutters "imperfection." You have too frequently had a view of your own heart to dream for a moment of any perfection in yourself. But amidst this sad consciousness of imperfection, here is comfort for you- you are "perfect in Christ Jesus." In God's sight, you are "complete in Him;" even now you are "accepted in the Beloved." But there is a second perfection, yet to be realized, which is sure to all the seed. Is it not delightful to look forward to the time when every stain of sin shall be removed from the believer, and he shall be presented faultless before the throne, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing? The Church of Christ then will be so pure, that not even the eye of Omniscience will see a spot or blemish in her; so holy and so glorious, that Hart did not go beyond the truth when he said:

"With my Saviour's garments on,
Holy as the Holy One."

Then shall we know, and taste, and feel the happiness of this vast but short sentence, "Complete in Christ." Not till then shall we fully comprehend the heights and depths of the salvation of Jesus. Doth not thy heart leap for joy at the thought of it? Black as thou art, thou shalt be white one day; filthy as thou art, thou shalt be clean. Oh, it is a marvellous salvation this! Christ takes a worm and transforms it into an angel; Christ takes a black and deformed thing and makes it clean and matchless in His glory, peerless in His beauty, and fit to be the companion of seraphs. O my soul, stand and admire this blessed truth of perfection in Christ.

Against Carroll And Prickett’s Godless Preface, Introduction, And Notes To Their Reprint Of The Original King James Bible



[Here you will find a reprinting of an important and valuable piece of historic work whose editors and compilers pretended to reproduce out of good faith and for educational purposes but who, in their preface, introduction, and commentary notes, sow seeds of doubt in the minds of their readers concerning the divine inspiration of scripture which Contender’s Edge felt need to refute as the claims presented by the compilers of this respective reprint are arguments often used by secular humanists to challenge the claim of the Bible to divine inspiration.]

https://contendersedge.substack.com/p/against-carroll-and-pricketts-godless

Video: Tim Brown who I host o #Radio America USA - Dropped #Foot: The Foot That Failed - The #Faith That Didn't with #KateShemirani https://rumble.com/v74s50k-dropped-foot-the-foot-that-failed-the-faith-that-didnt.html

Why Reading Your Bible Every Day is Destroying Your Faith
https://biblicalman.substack.com/p/why-reading-your-bible-every-day?publication_id=2572115&post_id=184879365&isFreemail=true&r=6v3c8d&triedRedirect=true&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Have a goodness day all. Heart thoughts gleaned from the Psalms. The Psalms are greatly inspiring which makes them important as part of G-d’s Word. In ancient Israel Psalms were not only viewed as Scripture, but a foundation of worship. Psalms, as a book of worship is linked to the heart of G-d. Not just for inspiration; a defense from the adversary and the ways of evil people. If we keep these Words of Adonai in our hearts, we will be spiritually equipped to not fall from Grace. In Ps. 8 we read: “G-d made us but a little lower in the angels and crowned us with glory and honor.” When we see “protesters” acting so strange, beyond socially inappropriate, incorrigible, with violence, I can’t help but wonder, how did they miss this!! What the heck!! It saddens us to see fellow humans, fellow American’s behaving so nuts!! Communism (ie) socialism eliminates all forms of Faith, denying the very existence of G-d. So the glory of being created in G-d’s image is missed and all gross behavior, if it serves their ends is acceptable!! That’s the only explanation I can see for hatred of the US and this nations laws. Communist ideology is the idol and one of its root sources in the heart is envy - hatred of one’s neighbor. “Everybody has to suffer as I suffer.” I don’t have what you have so I suffer. All must be equally poor or equally blessed!

Israel is a somewhat tricky and often contentious subject for Christians. “God says ‘those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed,’ so we must support Israel.”

But what is “Israel”? For many, specifically, those who would make the statement above, the middle-eastern state that was founded in the 1940s is Israel; however, while the country of Israel exists primarily on the land God promised Abraham, the nation of Israel in Scripture is not a place - it is a people.

Scour the Old Testament and you will find God’s “chosen” people to be referred to as both Israel, and the sons of Israel, as the label was derived from the name given to Jacob after he had “striven with God and…prevailed” (Gen. 32:28). From then on, God’s people were called “Israel,” regardless of where they were.

But not all those who descended from Jacob were saved. Paul even tells us that “they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel” (Rom. 9:6). As Paul further explains, it is not ethnicity or genetics that makes one a child of God, it is God’s choice, those of/who receive the promise (Rom. 9). Jesus Himself makes this clear when He tells the Pharisees that they are not children of Abraham, but children of the devil, because they are not of the faith of Abraham (Jn. 8:39-47).

Paul affirms this in Romans chapter 4 and Galatians 3 when he explains that Abraham’s descendants, those who would receive the promise, are those who are “of the faith of Abraham” (Rom. 4:16; Gal. 3:7).

Thus, when Paul writes, “and so all Israel will be saved,” he is not speaking of those who are genetically descended from Jacob, but of us, Christians, the body of Christ, all who chosen of God and who are of the faith. They are Israel because they are chosen, not chosen because they are Israel.

Brethren, let us then be humble in knowing that our belonging to Israel, being grafted in by God’s choice and doing (Rom. 11:17), understanding that some were cut off, and that those who were cut off may yet be grafted back in, should God open their eyes and they do not continue in their unbelief (Rom. 11:18-25). Let us be ever thankful that God sought us out, and that according to His will, He saved us (Eph. 1:5).

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, January 21

"And so all Israel shall be saved." Romans 11:26

Then Moses sang at the Red Sea, it was his joy to know that all Israel were safe. Not a drop of spray fell from that solid wall until the last of God's Israel had safely planted his foot on the other side the flood. That done, immediately the floods dissolved into their proper place again, but not till then. Part of that song was, "Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed." In the last time, when the elect shall sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and of the Lamb, it shall be the boast of Jesus, "Of all whom thou hast given me, I have lost none." In heaven there shall not be a vacant throne.

"For all the chosen race
Shall meet around the throne,
Shall bless the conduct of His grace,
And make His glories known."

As many as God hath chosen, as many as Christ hath redeemed, as many as the Spirit hath called, as many as believe in Jesus, shall safely cross the dividing sea. We are not all safely landed yet:

"Part of the host have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now."

The vanguard of the army has already reached the shore. We are marching through the depths; we are at this day following hard after our Leader into the heart of the sea. Let us be of good cheer: the rear-guard shall soon be where the vanguard already is; the last of the chosen ones shall soon have crossed the sea, and then shall be heard the song of triumph, when all are secure. But oh! if one were absent- oh! if one of His chosen family should be cast away- it would make an everlasting discord in the song of the redeemed, and cut the strings of the harps of paradise, so that music could never be extorted from them.

Robert Scott Bell. who I host on #Radio America USA - The Great #Healthcare Plan, Fast-Track #Drug Risks, #LabGrownFood Fight, #Faith #Revival Surge, Human #Sewage #Food https://rumble.com/v74jp74-the-great-healthcare-plan-fast-track-drug-risks-lab-grown-food-fight-faith-.html

Dear #Europe
I did NOT vote for #DonaldTrump nor #KamalaHarris I am a Independent 3rd party voter mostly #Libertarian and #Constitution parties! I take #GeorgeWashington's position on not entangling in #European Affairs including the #Ukraine #Russia war!
Yours, #Canada threats to the #POTUS give him the CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to take military action which includes occupying #Greenland and #Canada and #Congress can declare WAR #Article1 Section 8! I do not want war, I am almost 65, disabled and at the end of my life! Please tone the rhetoric down! #Repent towards #God and Faith in His Son #JesusChrist - (#Acts 20:21
repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ) according to #1Corinthians 15:1-4 https://kingjamesbible.me/1-Corinthians-Chapter-15/

Believer, recall when Jesus walked, unrecognized, with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were in conversation regarding the events of the past few days, and Jesus joined them. They were perplexed over the women’s statements regarding the empty tomb, so as they traveled on, Jesus, beginning with Moses and the prophets, “explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Lk. 24:27).

At the time, the only “Scriptures” were what we know as the Old Testament.

Think about that. He began with Moses, which is the Pentateuch - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy - then taught them the things about Himself written in all the Scriptures. Every book of the Old Testament teaches of our savior. In every book, we can find hidden gems about our Messiah.

Whether through archetypes, like the Passover lamb and the ram Abraham found in the thicket to replace Isaac as a sacrifice, or in “the angel of the Lord,” or in shadows that looked forward to Him, such as the tabernacle and its services or the sabbath rest, all pointed to Christ.

As Paul wrote, “the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24).

We could not fulfill the law on our own; no man could. It was given to show us our sinfulness and need of a savior. As Paul again explains, “I would not have come to know sin except through the Law” (Rom. 7:7).

Jesus set us free from our bondage that we could not ourselves break. And all of the Old Testament points to Him.

Christian, do not neglect reading all of the Scriptures. Christ, and God, is found in all of it, and all of it points to His glory, as our lives also are to do.

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, January 18

"He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:27

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had a most profitable journey. Their companion and teacher was the best of tutors"; the interpreter one of a thousand, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The Lord Jesus condescended to become a preacher of the gospel, and He was not ashamed to exercise His calling before an audience of two persons, neither does He now refuse to become the teacher of even one. Let us court the company of so excellent an Instructor, for till He is made unto us wisdom we shall never be wise unto salvation.

This unrivalled tutor used as His class-book the best of books. Although able to reveal fresh truth, He preferred to expound the old. He knew by His omniscience what was the most instructive way of teaching, and by turning at once to Moses and the prophets, He showed us that the surest road to wisdom is not speculation, reasoning, or reading human books, but meditation upon the Word of God. The readiest way to be spiritually rich in heavenly knowledge is to dig in this mine of diamonds, to gather pearls from this heavenly sea. When Jesus Himself sought to enrich others, He wrought in the quarry of Holy Scripture.

The favoured pair were led to consider the best of subjects, for Jesus spake of Jesus, and expounded the things concerning Himself. Here the diamond cut the diamond, and what could be more admirable? The Master of the House unlocked His own doors, conducted the guests to His table, and placed His own dainties upon it. He who hid the treasure in the field Himself guided the searchers to it. Our Lord would naturally discourse upon the sweetest of topics, and He could find none sweeter than His own person and work: with an eye to these we should always search the Word. O for grace to study the Bible with Jesus as both our teacher and our lesson!

Video: Robert Scott Bell who I host on #Radio America USA - Protocol Replaces #Doctors, #Statin #Heart Damage, #Pesticides Sprayed on #Organics, #PublicHealth Corruption, #Amish #Faith Defended https://rumble.com/v74binc-protocol-replaces-doctors-statin-heart-damage-pesticides-sprayed-on-organic.html

A well known Christian leader has asked people of Faith to pray for our nation today, all together at 12 noon, in whatever time is 12 noon wherever you are, as reported on Fox News. Psalm 35 is a good way to pray for our countries leader’s. In our own words we can say, complain - we know every human being has been given a free will to decide to do or not to do, but we know the Eternal Almighty has put in checks and balances as His Holy Spirit is at work.

In ancient Israel G-d told the people to assign sheriffs and law protectors- a police force as they began to reside in the promised Land. Many nations have followed that Biblical example including the US. That tell’s us people who cannot control that free will they have been given to always choose the good, the lawfulness of NOT doing to another what you would HATE being done to yourself. Plus the Laws put in place that protect everyone from violations of a nation’s sovereignty, with protections for citizens from every crime under the Sun. Israel had to fight many enemies within and without.

What we are seeing in the US is a common human plight; there is always someone who will disagree with what is being done to uphold the Law and in the process fight against those who’s main purpose is to protect them. It makes no sense and we don’t understand it. How do we pray for G-d’s will to be done on earth over the will of the lawless?

G-d wants us to pray! Why? Is it lifting up our hearts in a way we honor and praise Him for the righteousness He has decreed in His Word to be the reigning principals on earth? It becomes important we follow our prayers with appropriate actions. We see a majority of our leaders doing that - action is in place.
It’s necessary to pray for the anointed “good guys” success while not neglecting prayers for their haters, our heaters, deceived hearts to be changed. Will we see that happen? We just don’t know, but we continue to pray anyway.

Truth cannot be done away with or ignored. Psalm 52 where King David lamented his suffering at the hands of an evil person can be very encouraging.

In Ps. 75 we are reminded concerning our Beloved G-d and Redeemer “You (G-d) are Illumination, mightier than the mountains of prey.” So please G-d get illuminating, your fighters believe You do not see or hear them so they think there will be no retribution. You will not save us as they believe they are successful, and there will be no accountability.
We need to do what ever is necessary in prayer and in action to tear down the strongholds of the evil Deceiver in the hearts of people and in our nation, so we can see Numbers 10:35 fulfilled:
“Arise Adonai! May your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate You flee before You!” (From The Complete Jewish study Bible - Isights for Jews and Christians.)
All Psalm versus come from “Tehillim - (meaning, prayers - book) , by O.Yosef Yitzchak with English translation of the Hebrew.

Believer, consider your salvation. It is not accomplished by human power, but by God Himself, and He is mighty, “mighty to save” (Isa. 63:1).

We could not earn our salvation. Just as Israel, though they pledged to obey God, turned away over and again throughout the Old Testament, so we once lived in sin and ourselves were estranged from Him, by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3).

Yet even while we were enemies, He reconciled us to Himself (Rom. 5:10). How mighty is our God, who, by the blood of His son, could turn sinners from their wicked ways and make them His children, and when He appears, we will be like Christ (1 Jn. 3:2).

No amount of work, no might of man nor human ingenuity could perform such a mighty deed.

Of course, God exhibits his might in saving physically as well. For how many times did He deliver a small contingent of His people from great armies (ex. Judges 7:7)? Or to save Daniel from the lions (Dan. 6:16-23), or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego from the flames of the furnace (Dan. 3:19-27)?

Martin Luther penned in his hymn that “a mighty fortress is our God,” and mighty He is indeed.

Praise God that He is not only merciful to save us (Tit. 3:5), but mighty to do so as well (Isa. 63:1)!


——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, January 14

"Mighty to save." Isaiah 63:1

By the words "to save" we understand the whole of the great work of salvation, from the first holy desire onward to complete sanctification. The words are multum in parro: indeed, here is all mercy in one word. Christ is not only "mighty to save" those who repent, but He is able to make men repent. He will carry those to heaven who believe; but He is, moreover, mighty to give men new hearts and to work faith in them. He is mighty to make the man who hates holiness love it, and to constrain the despiser of His name to bend the knee before Him. Nay, this is not all the meaning, for the divine power is equally seen in the after-work. The life of a believer is a series of miracles wrought by "the Mighty God." The bush burns, but is not consumed. He is mighty to keep His people holy after He has made them so, and to preserve them in his fear and love until he consummates their spiritual existence in heaven. Christ's might doth not lie in making a believer and then leaving him to shift for himself; but He who begins the good work carries it on; He who imparts the first germ of life in the dead soul, prolongs the divine existence, and strengthens it until it bursts asunder every bond of sin, and the soul leaps from earth, perfected in glory. Believer, here is encouragement. Art thou praying for some beloved one? Oh, give not up thy prayers, for Christ is "mighty to save." You are powerless to reclaim the rebel, but your Lord is Almighty. Lay hold on that mighty arm, and rouse it to put forth its strength. Does your own case trouble you? Fear not, for His strength is sufficient for you. Whether to begin with others, or to carry on the work in you, Jesus is "mighty to save;" the best proof of which lies in the fact that He has saved you. What a thousand mercies that you have not found Him mighty to destroy!

Bob Weir has passed away.
https://bobweir.net/bobby/
But the music lives on. Son number one and his wife in their younger days (he is now 66) followed the Grateful Dead all over the US one year. In my 50’s I got to go to 5 shows and bought a book of the lyrics by Robert Hunter. Not a drinker or a toker myself, I’m sure I got a contact high with smoke in the air. Joy was in the music. Pure joy, I danced my heart out and my son got a kick out of his mama getting on the bus. Only another Dead Head would know what that means. This song is deeply meaning full. A person of Faith will hear its meaning. https://youtube.com/watch?v=sFBQSx_xc2o&si=HKlTxt3u6dTFQlJL
Rest in peace Bobby

From Psalm 31: “The Lord preserves the faithful, and repays with exactness those who act haughtily. Be strong and fortify your hearts, all who put their hope in the Lord!”