listen

Be encouraged

wakemyear believe means trust, GOD keeps HIS word, listen, promise

“Anyone who wants to hear, let him listen and understand” (Mark 4:23 NLT).

I am teaching in Hebrews 3-4.  We are at the section of the absolute importance of RESTING in GOD by believing GOD’s word and trusting HIM to do as HE says HE will do.  It is often said that when one teaches on a subject, GOD will test the teacher in that area.  Talking with the LORD this morning HE impressed me, that is exactly what HE is doing with me now.

Remember David and Goliath?  Well, Goliath the giant would step out and ridicule and confront the Israelites and mock GOD and all the Jews, even King Saul, trembled in fear.  But not David, for the teenager David who had kept the sheep of his father had experienced GOD’s deliverance when a lion and a bear attacked.  David learned to trust GOD (REST in GOD) through the things he had suffered.

Let it suffice to say there are several giants attacking my people, mocking my GOD, and tauntingly sneering at me as they attack my loved ones.  Often, they mock and attempt to provoke me with words like, “Did GOD really say?”/ or “You should take control and do this or that.” But the LORD has clearly said this is HIS battle and I am to stand back and see the deliverance of the LORD.

Another of continuing attacks came this morning and our gracious LORD just brought to mind a verse.  HE had originally impressed me years and years ago with this verse as an explanation and encouragement for some upcoming situations in my life.  One word stuck out.  After asking the LORD what HE meant by that word, I was compelled to go to the original Hebrew.  The word that fascinated me was “SIGN.” 

There are several Hebrew words translated SIGN.  The one used in my verse is owth.  It means an inducement to believe what is affirmed, professed, or promised.  It is something that brings to mind (reminds us of) shows or confirms a truth.  It is used of the rainbow (Genesis 9:13), of the scarlet rope Rahab left dangling through her window on the Jericho wall (Joshua 2:12-18), and although translated into the word mark, owth is the word used when speaking of what GOD did to Cain so that no one would kill him (Genesis 4:15).

It is like the word SIGN used in Mark 16:20 when the HOLY SPIRIT would confirm the message of the disciples going out witnessing of JESUS.

Now the context states that the SIGN is for others not me.  Which definitely goes along with 1 Corinthians 12:7 that tells us that we are given gifts to profit others not ourselves and 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 when GOD tells us we suffer and are comforted by the GOD of all comfort in order that we might be able to comfort others with the very same comfort GOD has given unto us.

In case you are interested, the verse GOD gave me decades ago was, Isaiah 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are signs (to bring conviction and confirmation of the trustworthiness of GOD’s Word.  To enable others to keep hanging in there in terrible times for they can see GOD does fulfill HIS promises).  And that is why I write these things to you.

“…I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass, I have purposed it, I will also do it” Isaiah 46:11

“GOD is not man, that HE should lie; neither the son of man, that HE should repent; has HE said, and will HE not do it? (of course not!) Or has HE spoken, and will HE not also bring it to pass? Numbers 23:19

Be encouraged, I am.

Hugs

Sharon