He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Psalm 105:14, 15.
It is by close, testing trials that God disciplines His servants. He sees that some have powers which may be used in the advancement of His work, and He puts these persons upon trial; in His providence He brings them into positions that test their character and reveal defects and weaknesses that have been hidden from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for His service. He shows them their own weakness, and teaches them to lean upon Him; for He is their only help and safeguard. Thus His object is attained. They are educated, trained, and disciplined, prepared to fulfill the grand purpose for which their powers were given them….
During his stay in Egypt, Abraham gave evidence that he was not free from human weakness and imperfection. In concealing the fact that Sarah was his wife, he betrayed a distrust of the divine care, a lack of that lofty faith and courage so often and nobly exemplified in his life…. He reasoned that he was not guilty of falsehood in representing Sarah as his sister, for she was the daughter of his father, though not of his mother. But this concealment of the real relation between them was deception. No deviation from strict integrity can meet God’s approval. Through Abraham’s lack of faith, Sarah was placed in great peril. The king of Egypt, being informed of her beauty, caused her to be taken to his palace, intending to make her his wife. But the Lord, in His great mercy, protected Sarah by sending judgments upon the royal household…. }
The warning that had been given to Pharaoh proved a protection to Abraham in his after-intercourse with heathen peoples; … it was seen that the God whom Abraham worshiped would protect His servant, and that any injury done him would be avenged. It is a dangerous thing to wrong one of the children of the King of heaven.
Conflict and Courage p. 46
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Prayer Requests
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Dear Friends,
One evening when Ronnie Jay and Esther were at Union College, we attended their Christmas concert. The main work was Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” It was excellent. As I was listening to the music, I couldn’t help thinking about the soon-coming time when the redeemed will “sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee, for thy judgments are made manifest.” Rev 15:3, 4
What a grand and glorious concert that will be—much more beautiful than any earthly music! The redeemed of all ages will gather before their Great Creator and sing praises to Him Who led them through all the troubles and trials of this sinful, old planet all the way to His Heavenly Home. What a worship service that will be! One by one and group by group will sing of His love and leading. Moreover, the Great King of the Universe will sing to us! Zephaniah tells us this: “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zeph 3:17 What will it be like to hear the Voice of God in song? It is beyond our imaginings! Paul tells us that our Dear Saviour also will rejoice in song. Isaiah speaks of this joy in that mighty prophecy of His sufferings. “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities.” Isa 53:11
Until we take part in that glorious worship Above, we can sing praises to our God as we go about our daily tasks. Those songs of prayer and praise can keep our thoughts above the mundane to that which is of eternal worth. Indeed, how can we give ear to the evil one if our hearts are uplifted in praise to the One Who loves us so? Paul advises, “be filled with the Spirit, Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph 5:18-20
Let us sing praises unto our Great Redeemer as did his followers of old, who sang, “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. Sing unto the LORD, all the earth, show forth from day to day his salvation.” I Chron 16:8-12, 23 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col 3:16,17 Amen!
Rose

God Protects His Own
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