Psalms 52:6 (KJV) The Exercise of Justice

Psalms 52:6 (KJV)

The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

Albert Barnes makes some sense of this: “The idea here is not exultation in the ‘sufferings’ of others or joy that ‘calamity’ has come upon them, or the gratification of selfish and revengeful feelings that an enemy is deservedly punished.”

No Christian rejoices when anyone is hurt. We, in fact, hurt when others hurt.

Barnes goes on to say, “It is that of approbation that punishment has come upon those who deserve it and joy that wickedness is not allowed to triumph.”

A believer rejoices in justice, seeing it as righteous, holy, and appropriate.

Barnes continues, “It is not wrong for us to feel a sense of approbation and joy that the laws are maintained, and that justice is done.”

John Gill says the same, “…not that they rejoice at that, barely considered in itself, or as it is an evil and mischief to wicked men; for that does not become them, but as it is expressive of the care of God over them, and love to them, in avenging their enemies; and more especially as the glory of divine justice is displayed therein…”

Our laughter and pleasure come from the exercise of justice and not from the suffering of souls, even those of the wicked.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

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The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Psalms 52:6 (KJV) The Exercise of Justice

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) Building Relationships

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV)

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

A term more rooted in the Bible for Christian ministry than “soul winning” is “ambassador.” Our purpose is not a game of fleeting victories or losses. Instead, we are citizens of a higher country, entrusted with the duty to represent our Sovereign, Jesus Christ, and magnify His name.

As ambassadors of Christ, our primary focus is building meaningful relationships between the people we connect with and the Sovereign we serve. 

• God invites the souls of this world to meet Him
• God invites them through us

Serving as ambassadors, we bridge the gap between the souls of this world and the heart of God. Our mission is to share His love, grace, and redemptive message, embodying His teachings through our lives.

Being an ambassador carries significant responsibility, requiring humility, integrity, and a commitment to preaching the Gospel. In fulfilling this role, we play an essential part in God’s redemptive plan, drawing people closer to Him and offering the joy of being in favor with God.

As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to reflect His character, extending God’s invitation to the world through our actions and words. Our simple yet profound work in Christian ministry is to offer those around us the opportunity to experience the transformative power of His love and grace.

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To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) Building Relationships

2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV) Earthen Vessels

2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV)

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

This year has stamped in our minds exactly how “earthen” our vessels are. My wife’s bout with cancer, the surgery, and subsequent chemotherapy have radically altered our lives and outlook on the future.

Chemotherapy, and the radiation to follow, has become almost our full-time occupation. I praise the Lord for the graciousness of our church, my son’s aid, and God’s mercy so that I can continue ministry through it.

I’ve begun re-evaluating what we might be doing in Christ’s service for the next five to ten years and taking a hard look at what ministry might look like for the next one to five years.

And that’s all good.

Because here’s the thing, the focus of the ministry must never be about the vessel.[1]

• It’s meant to be of temporary service.
• It will only serve me for a few years.
• It will only serve the Lord for a few years.

As prone to hero worship as we are, imagine if our ministers lived longer than they do. We already make more of many of them than we do of the Lord. Imagine if they didn’t break down for a hundred years or more.

If it is well used, a clay pot will develop cracks and have to be replaced. It’s meant to be that way.

It’s the Lord, and not the pot, we long to see glorified.

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[1] My body.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV) Earthen Vessels

Psalms 46:2 (KJV) The “Acts of God”

Psalms 46:2 (KJV)

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Consider the “acts of God” listed in Psalms 46:2-3 (KJV)

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Thoughthe waters thereof roar andbe troubled, thoughthe mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah

Despite the raging of nature the Psalmist declares Psalms 46:4 (KJV)
There isa river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy placeof the tabernacles of the most High.

In light of this there are three truths pieced together.
God is a present help
Vs. 1

• Not theoretical
• Not mythical
• Not mystical

He is present, he is very present, he is helpful against all these disasters.

Christians may “behold the works of the Lord”
Vs. 8
It is in this study of God’s hand that we find strength and fearlessness. 

• He gives us gladness 
• He is our refuge

We are called to “be still”
Vs. 10
We’ll never know that God is God if we are so busy we never behold His work. We’ll never know that God is God if we constantly go about doing what He would have done.

• He is very present[1]
• He is in the midst[2]
• He is with us[3]

Step aside. Sit still. Allow God to show Himself.

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[1] Psalms 46:1 (KJV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

[2] Psalms 46:5 (KJV)
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

[3] Psalms 46:11 (KJV)
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Psalms 46:2 (KJV) The “Acts of God”

Psalms 44:1 (KJV) God Did It

Psalms 44:1 (KJV)

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

It is impossible to miss the circumstances of this Psalm. They were experiencing a season of defeat.

The enemy was winning
Vs. 9-10

The people were scattered
Vs. 11-12

The nation was suffering reproach from those around
Vs. 13-14

It was not a judgment of sin
Vs. 17-20

In this condition, the Psalm recalls how God had given them victory in the land. They had not won it by their sword. God did it.

The Psalmist longs to see God do the same again. Perhaps they could have taken up the sword. Maybe they could have struck back at their enemies. But they knew it would be a man’s work, not the Lord’s.

And so, they determined, Psalms 44:6 (KJV)
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

Because, at the end of the day, they wanted to testify Psalms 44:7 (KJV)
But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

It can be tough to trust in God and not the bow.

God grant that we keep our hands off so that, when we stand before you, we may say, Psalms 44:8 (KJV)
In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Psalms 44:1 (KJV) God Did It

Psalms 42:1-3 (KJV) After God

Psalms 42:1-3 (KJV)

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

• Longing for the Lord is the result of constant tears[1]
• Longing for the Lord is the result of continual harassment[2]
• Longing for the Lord is the result of His seeming far off[3]

The one longing for the Lord seeks no earthly satisfaction. His tears can only be dried in the presence of the Lord.

• It is the day of His presence he hopes for[4]
• It is that day he will be able to praise him[5]
• He is sustained only in the hope of that day[6]

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[1] My tears have been my meat day and night

[2] they continually say unto me

[3] Where is thy God?

[4] when shall I come and appear before God?

[5] Psalms 42:5 (KJV)
…. for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

[6] Psalms 42:5 (KJV)
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: …

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Psalms 42:1-3 (KJV) After God