But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

27 At this, his talmidim came. They marveled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no one said, "What are you looking for?" or, "Why do you speak with her?"

28 So the woman left her water pot, and went away into the city, and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything that I did. Can this be the Messiah?" 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to him.

31 In the meanwhile, the talmidim urged him, saying, "Rabbi, eat."

32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you don't know about."

33 The talmidim therefore said one to another, "Has anyone brought him something to eat?"

34 Yeshua said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. 35 Don't you say, 'There are yet four months until the harvest?' Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already. 36 He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit to eternal life; that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true, 'One sows, and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap that for which you haven't labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." - John 4:27-38 HNV

Stronger as we march along these days, is the Proof of our God's spoken Word saying that when we are weak THEN He is strong ~~

the contrast of evil mocking our Lord, His Light and Truth is our reason to run to Jesus more than before ~~ He is to be trusted, relied on wholly by our gifted faith ~~ as His jewels in His Hand, even our faith is Spirit driven, and we are thankful ~~

the world's insanity has reached pinnacle proportions ~~the signs are all here ~~is it time Lord? We want to hop onto Your arc of the Heavenly call we sense so near~

Isaiah 31:1-3. 31 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
And rely on horses,
Who trust in chariots because they are many,
And in horsemen because they are very strong,
But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
Nor seek the Lord!
2 Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster,
And will not call back His words,
But will arise against the house of evildoers,
And against the help of those who work iniquity.
3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God;
And their horses are flesh, and not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out His hand,
Both he who helps will fall,
And he who is helped will fall down;
They all will perish together.

Psalms 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.

So your sharing here is very apropos! Thank you!

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

In our previous meditation on this same verse, we saw that God has placed extraordinary heavenly treasure in ordinary earthen vessels. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels." This is true of every person who has been redeemed by the blood of Christ. The Lord has arranged it this way so that the vessels (you and I) must rely upon the treasure (Jesus Christ), not upon ourselves: "that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." Also, this arrangement is to bring attention and glory to the Lord, not to the vessels.

The Lord is the treasure in the "clay pot" of our redeemed humanity. He is to be the "excellent power" in our lives. He is the one we are to trust in as our strength for daily living. When the battles become fierce, trust in the Lord. "You have armed me with strength for the battle" (Psalm 18:39). When we need patience or endurance, trust in the Lord: "Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy" (Colossians 1:11). When we need strength for our latter years, trust in the Lord. "The LORD has kept me alive…here I am this day, eighty-five years old…yet I am as strong this day as I was on the day that Moses sent me" (Joshua 14:10-11). Even in times of extreme personal weakness, His strength can be especially apparent. "I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me…For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

The temptation is to trust in our "sturdy structure" (or in those who claim to be able to strengthen or reinforce weak vessels). Our personal resources will fail, but the Lord who dwells in our hearts will not fail. "My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26). The world system with all of its impressive riches calls us to place our confidence in its resources. The Lord warns us that such misplaced trust becomes our downfall. "Woe to the rebellious children…who…go down to Egypt…to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh…the strength of Pharaoh shall be your shame" (Isaiah 30:1-3).

We are to trust the Lord to be our strength. "The LORD is my strength and my shield" (Psalm 28:7a). Then, we are to give the Lord glory for the strength He supplies. "My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him" (Psalm 28:7b).

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

13 Sing, heavens; and be joyful, eretz; and break forth into singing, mountains: for the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted.

14 But Tziyon said, the LORD has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.

15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. - Isaiah 49:13-16 HNV

Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Now, I see this as not just in the future, but here and now. I feel we are to walk in that same power, the power of His resurrection in THIS life, obtaining what we need (not frivolous wants, for pities sakes, but need when we need it. He supplies all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He will not suffer us to go begging for bread. And the "richness" we live in is the wonderful all-satisfying relationship we have with Him. Our inheritance (you cant have a testiment without the death of the testator, Jesus, who died and left us His "will and testament") is established in heaven now and we can draw from it. We use spiritual means to believe for and wait upon manifestation here, on earth, in this life. It is how faith works.

The Christian experience is NEVER boring when we learn to live and walk in this. So peaceful, yet exciting at the same time!

Love & blessings....Tender Reed

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

We who serve the Lord under His new covenant of grace live with heavenly treasure in earthen vessels. We are "earthen vessels." Though we are born again through faith in Christ, we still have the same physical body that we had in Adam. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent [that is, our natural human body], is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands [that is, our glorified, heavenly bodies], eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1). Though we are new creatures in Christ, we still live in the framework of ordinary human lives. "The life which I now live in the flesh [that is, in flesh and bones humanity], I live by faith in the Son of God" (Galatians 2:20).

Yes, we are "earthen vessels." We are frail, vulnerable, inadequate. We were originally fashioned from dust. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground" (Genesis 2:7). We could be likened to "clay pots." "Remember, I pray, that You have made me like clay" (Job 10:9). We are like common clay flower pots. This is humbling. However, it is good to be humbled, for "God gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Furthermore, the Lord fully understands our makeup. "He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:14). It is also liberating to realize that we are vessels of clay. The Lord does not expect us to perform as though we were anything other than clay pots. He just wants us to be what a vessel is created to be—a container for its intended contents.

The intended contents of the vessel is a heavenly treasure. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels." A few verses later the treasure is specified. It is Christ Himself: "That the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2 Corinthians 4:11). The will of God is that Christ would come to dwell in, and be expressed through, the earthen vessel of our humanity. "To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). The Lord Jesus wants to be the heavenly blooming flower in the clay pot of our lives. "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15). God's plan is to put extraordinary heavenly treasure into ordinary earthen vessels, so that the attention will go to the contents, not to the container: "that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;" that is, the word of faith, which we preach: 9 that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Yeshua, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed." 12 For there is no distinction between Yehudi and Yevanit; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. 13 For, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? 15 And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of shalom, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" - Romans 10:8-15 HNV

Love & blessings...Tender Reed

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

As new covenant servants, we proclaim "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4). While holding forth this magnificent message, we earnestly pray that God will prepare darkened hearts to embrace the redeeming light of His grace. Each person who responds will experience a miracle more distinct than when light first shined into the darkness of creation.

On the first day of creation, the earth was in darkness. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep" (Genesis 1:1-2). The Lord spoke light into existence in that darkness. "Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). By the word of His mouth, He caused light to shine where there had been none. What a majestic miracle!

When Jesus came to this world, light was penetrating darkness. "The people who sat in darkness saw a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned" (Matthew 4:16). When the light of the gospel of grace is proclaimed, it is shining upon spiritually darkened hearts. "Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21). When darkened hearts respond to that light, they are given new life. "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12).

This is what has happened to those of us who follow Christ. The God of creation, who spoke forth physical light into physical darkness, has spoken forth spiritual light into our spiritual darkness. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts." This light was shining through the gospel. This good news of God's grace painted a portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ. In that portrait of words, we saw the glory of God and His great salvation. We saw by faith "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Now, we are called to proclaim this gospel of grace, that others also may come out of darkness into His splendid light. "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

For this God [is] our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide [even] unto death.

1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Yeshua began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given mitzvah through the Ruach HaKodesh to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God's Kingdom. 4 Being assembled together with them, he charged them, "Don't depart from Yerushalayim, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 5 For Yochanan indeed immersed in water, but you will be immersed in the Ruach HaKodesh not many days from now."

6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Yisra'el?"

7 He said to them, "It isn't for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Ruach HaKodesh has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Yerushalayim, in all Yehudah and Shomron, and to the uttermost parts of the eretz."

9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, "You men of the Galil, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Yeshua, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky." - Acts 1:1-11 HNV

Lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (2 Corinthians 4:4b-5)

The enemy of men's souls wants to keep perishing people in spiritual blindness. "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4a). This counterfeit god is working on all unbelievers (even as he formerly did with us). "In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2). His influence is so extensive. He works through every system (political, economic, educational, etc.) within the unbelieving world. "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19). The primary purpose of Satan's blinding activities is to keep those in darkness from seeing God's light: "Lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them."

Into this dark and blinded world, we come with the message of light: "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." Only the light of Jesus can overcome spiritual darkness. Our Lord proclaimed this wondrous remedy: "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12). When the light of Jesus shines into man's darkness, it brings liberating life from God. Paul was sent out with this great gospel: "To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God" (Acts 26:18).

We are also sent out as vessels of light. "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). We are light, because Jesus (the true light) lives in, and can shine through, each of us. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8). We can show forth our Lord in deed and in word. As we follow Jesus, His glorious light shines through us. As we speak of Jesus, we declare His glorious majesty.

Remember, the light of the gospel is about the glory of Jesus: "The light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." Our message is not about us. "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." We are but His servants. He is our message. He is the Lord over all. Thus, He is able to save from all that blinds and binds.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

16 I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star." 17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" He who hears, let him say, "Come!" He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. 19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

20 He who testifies these things says, "Yes, I come quickly." Amein! Yes, come, Lord Yeshua.

21 The grace of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with all the holy ones. Amein. - Revelation 22:16-21 HNV

~ Heather Joy

Thank you for this encouragement and reminder. All things done to the glory of God. We decrease so Jesus will Increase! Also from the passage, I am encouraged to see another example of God fulfilling His promises. This is so very important because we see a pattern of God's promises coming true so we can rejoice in the hope of the fulfillment of His promise to the church:

John 14:2-3
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

~ Heather Joy

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4a)

In this servants-of-grace ministry God has given us, He wants to use us to reach people. These people are in a desperate spiritual condition. Those we hope to reach are perishing, spiritually blind, and unbelieving.

Those who do not know the grace of God in Jesus Christ are "perishing." They are spiritually dead (just as we once were). "And you…were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Even worse, they are heading toward an everlasting death. "The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:13-15).

These who are dead (and facing everlasting death) are lost. They are wandering from the fold of God, taking a path of self-service. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6). They need a shepherd to seek after them. "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 15:4; 19:10).

These perishing and lost ones are also spiritually "blinded." This is why they cannot "see" the truth we share with them. "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded." The false god of this world (Satan) is blinding people to the truth by feeding them with lies and deceptions. He is constantly offering counterfeit philosophical and religious messages to keep men from embracing the truth.

Ultimately, the problem with perishing, lost, and blind people is that they "do not believe." Consequently, they already stand guilty. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18). However, a loving God has provided the remedy. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). By God's grace, we can proclaim this great message.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

1 The LORD said to Moshe, "Now you shall see what I will do to Par`oh, for by a strong hand he shall let them go, and by a strong hand he shall drive them out of his land."

2 God spoke to Moshe, and said to him, "I am the LORD; 3 and I appeared to Avraham, to Yitzchak, and to Ya'akov, as El Shaddai; but by my name the LORD I was not known to them. 4 I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Kana'an, the land of their travels, in which they lived as aliens. 5 Moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Yisra'el, whom the Mitzrim keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant.

6 Therefore tell the children of Yisra'el, 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Mitzrim, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments: 7 and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Mitzrim. 8 I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Avraham, to Yitzchak, and to Ya'akov; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am the LORD.'" - Exodus 6:1-8 HNV

PattiDay,
Welcome my dear sister in Christ to RITA Now. I am happy that you have joined our family. I read your post and you did good by contacting your neighbor. God is sure pleased with you. The dear Lord will bring forth the funds for you to pay your neighbor. I will be praying for you and for your protection as well. God bless you and I look forward to reading your future posts.

May you experience restoration!

In Christ,
Sharon

We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)

God has made us His servants under the new covenant of grace. "God…made us…ministers of the new covenant" (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). Those who desire to serve the Lord by grace have a very distinctive approach to ministry. "We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully."

It is so sad that many ministry approaches in the church world include motives and methodologies that are kept hidden, because their true character is shameful. Some of these dishonorable approaches involve "walking in craftiness" (such as, manipulating people through carnal enticements). Others involve "handling the word of God deceitfully" (such as, preaching what people want to hear, instead of what the Scriptures actually say). If we are going to serve God by grace, we must reject such tactics.

Instead, we want to serve God "by manifestation of the truth." We minister by a candid declaration of God's truth, not by a deceptive operation of man's tricks. Also, we desire that our lives be a commendation of our message, not a contradiction of it: "commending ourselves to every man's conscience." As we proclaim God's truth, we humbly ask God to impact our lives by that truth, in order to become an example of what we preach. The Lord will use this to touch others deep in their consciences.

It is God's will that our ministries impact more than men's minds (which can be reached by mere ideas, concepts, or systems). It is His intention that our testimonies reach beyond men's emotions (which can be touched by exciting stories, condemning insinuations, or inspiring ideals). He certainly does not want us to appeal to people's pride ("let God make you someone others will envy") or to their covetousness ("give to our ministry, and God will give you ten-fold in return"). Rather, God desires to reach their consciences, that "image-of-God" imprint that convicts people of sin and of their need for God: "who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness" (Romans 2:15).

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David.

21 "You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not murder;' and 'Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.' 22 But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Reyka!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'Shoteh!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehinnom.

23 "If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. 26 Most assuredly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last peruta. - Matthew 5:21-26 HNV

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (2 Corinthians 4:1)

In addition to heavenly liberty, God desires to mark our lives with other spiritual characteristics. One of these is the godly encouragement that comes from living and serving under a ministry of mercy and grace.

The service we now render to the Lord is based upon mercy: "since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy." We deserved condemnation by God and separation from Him for eternity. Instead, God had mercy upon us, forgiving us our sins. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5). Furthermore, by His mercy He enlists us in His service. "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy" (1 Timothy 1:12-13). Our ministry is also about grace. "I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me" (Ephesians 3:7).

In light of having this type of ministry (one related to mercy and grace), "we do not lose heart." If we were called to serve God based on our merit and our resources, we would lose heart. We can periodically be tempted to discouragement, as we serve our God. Paul's testimony of service is similar to many of God's servants down through the ages. "For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears" (2 Corinthians 7:5). At times, we too are surrounded by impossibilities and threatened by apprehensions. What are we to do in such unsettling trials? "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:3). No one faced more battles and betrayals than the Lord Jesus. Yet, no one served more faithfully. In battle after battle, the Father brought Jesus through victoriously. We can count on the Lord to have mercy upon us. He will pour out His grace upon us and bring us through victoriously as well.

Remember, our service of the Lord is based upon mercy and grace. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom [is] a right sceptre.

1 But the children of Yisra'el committed a trespass in the devoted thing; for 'Akhan, the son of Karmi, the son of Zavdi, the son of Zerach, of the tribe of Yehudah, took of the devoted thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Yisra'el.

2 Yehoshua sent men from Yericho to 'Ai, which is beside Beit-Aven, on the east side of Beit-El, and spoke to them, saying, Go up and spy out the land. The men went up and spied out 'Ai.

3 They returned to Yehoshua, and said to him, Don't let all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and strike 'Ai; don't make all the people to toil there; for they are but few. 4 So there went up there of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of 'Ai. 5 The men of 'Ai struck of them about thirty-six men; and they chased them [from] before the gate even to Shevarim, and struck them at the descent; and the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

6 Yehoshua tore his clothes, and fell to the dirt on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the Zakenim of Yisra'el; and they put dust on their heads. 7 Yehoshua said, Alas, Lord GOD, why have you at all brought this people over the Yarden, to deliver us into the hand of the Amori, to cause us to perish? would that we had been content and lived beyond the Yarden! 8 Oh, Lord, what shall I say, after that Yisra'el has turned their backs before their enemies! 9 For the Kana'anim and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and will compass us round, and cut off our name from the eretz: and what will you do for your great name?

10 The LORD said to Yehoshua, Get you up; why are you thus fallen on your face? 11 Yisra'el has sinned; yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: yes, they have even taken of the devoted thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also; and they have even put it among their own stuff. 12 Therefore the children of Yisra'el can't stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, because they are become accursed: I will not be with you any more, except you destroy the devoted thing from among you. - Joshua 7:1-12 HNV

Thought I'd share it, it was cool.