–Louis L’Amour  (The Man From the Broken Hills)

       “The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose.”

                    –Ecclesiastes 1:5 (NKJV)
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       “The primary occupation and chief preoccupation of all saints should be rendering to God.  This is to be every believer’s all-encompassing focus in his life,” states Steven Lawson.  Psalm 113 calls on each of us to praise the Lord.

          1 — Praise the LORD!  Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!
          2 — Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore!
          3 — From the rising of the sun to its going down the LORD’s name is to be praised.
          4 — The LORD is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.
          5 — Who is like the LORD our God, who dwells on high,
          6 — Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
          7 — He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
          8 — That He may seat him with princes–with the princes of His people.
          9 — He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children.  Praise the LORD!  (NKJV)

No matter where you are in life, the highs or the lows, know that God is there.  When you feel that God has lost track of you somewhere along the way, know that He is watching your every breath.  George Wood gives some wonderful advice, “You must learn to distinguish how you feel from what you know.”  So many people, especially in the Pentecostal/Charismatic world tend to give way to feelings, their emotive self.  Feelings are not always to be trusted, and there are some people who are definitely more prone to show their feelings.  We do not live or go by feelings.  They are wonderful, but they should be viewed as an effect not the deciding factor.  Emotions may lead you astray and you might not feel like praising the Lord.  Guess what?  Praise Him anyway!
       Praise (hallel) in verse 1, literally means “to be bright, to shine, to be splendid, to boast.”  Lawson says that “It carries the idea of an exuberance, radiance, jubilance, or celebration.  It means to light up for God, to be radiant for God, to be shining forth for God, to boast in Him, to brag in Him.”  Know that praise is an exercise of the will.  It is something that we may not feel like doing, but we do it because God is worthy.
       Praise (barak) in verse 2, means “to bend the knee, to kneel down, to bless.”  We are to kneel before Him in submission.  Who are we to think we are superior to the great God of the universe?  Today many will view the eclipse–something that God put in motion at the beginning of time.  When you view the eclipse today, think beyond it and praise the One who brought the laws of physics and science into existence.  Praise Him for He is far beyond an eclipse of the sun.  The man who dares to say there is no God is in dangerous territory, for he is actually saying that he does not have to bow to his Creator.
       Speaking of the sun, look at verse 3.  “From the rising of the sun to its going down” we are to praise the Lord.  Thus, we are to praise Him all day long.  This verse also implies that wherever the sun is we are to praise the Lord.  Whether in Texas or Timbuktu, we are to praise the Lord.  Whether in the morning hours as the sun rises in the East or at noontime we are to praise the Lord.
       The next several verses tell us the causes for praise.  He is exalted over the nations.  There is no place over which He is not the sovereign God.  If you want to believe in ET, aliens from outer space know that if there is such a thing, they are under His sovereign control.  In fact, His glory goes beyond what we know about the cosmos.  It is above the heavens and beyond the universe.  There is no one like the Lord.  No one can come close to compare to Him.  Lawson puts it this way, “No one is higher than God, as high as God, or even slightly lower than God.  He is infinitely higher than His creation, transcendent above, towering in glory.”  Yet this mighty God, takes the time to look at the things of earth; He takes the time to watch your every step, in fact, He even counts the hairs on your head.  He raises those in anguish whether temporal or spiritual.  
       The devil likes nothing better than to get our focus on our problems and woes and take them off the mighty God.  He loves to bring the fog of life into our situations so that we do not look to the great God.  The opposite should actually be the case.  In the midst of our woes, tough times, and trials we should praise the Lord all the more.  Our eyes will move from our situation and issues and will go back to its rightful place–looking squarely upon the Lord.  Recall the words of the early saint, Augustine, “Man’s chief work is the praise of God.”

               “He can raise the poor to stand
               With the princes of the land,
               Wealth upon the needy shower,
               Set the smallest high in power.
               Who is like our God most high,
               Infinite in majesty?”
                          –Josiah Conder

                    –Nehemiah 6:9 (HCSB)
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              “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”
                          –1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV)

Yesterday we saw the revelation that came to Peter.  He was frustrated when the Lord asked if he “loved Him” (agapao).  Peter realized that he could not agapao the Lord, or anything else, without the Lord living within him.  He will more fully come to understand this when the Holy Spirit fills him as we see in Acts chapter 2.  Only with God in us can we truly love as He did.
       I wrote that to bring our attention to David.  I have always, in my mind, thought of David with New Testament thinking.  He understood the concept of grace and mercy; he knew that the Lord would be with him in his daily life as well as in his trials.  Here, in 1 Samuel, we see David and his men coming back to Ziklag finding that their families had been taken; their possessions either burned or stolen.  Included with this kidnapping were David’s two wives.  David is under attack; he is at his wit’s end–but notice, he “strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”
       David was in a desperate position.  He had been hiding from Saul among the Philistines and actually takes up arms for them.  He is not trusted by them and they insist on sending him back to Ziklag before the battle against Israel.  There are many things we can learn from this situation.  First, let me use the words of Alan Redpath, “Like David, the Christian often finds himself in the wrong camp, going along with the wrong company.  He has lowered the standard, and he excuses himself by saying that you must be as like the world as possible; you must imitate ungodly people and not let them think that you are peculiar or unusual.  Then he discovers to his humiliation that there comes a point where the unbeliever, who holds a higher standard for the Christian life than he does, suddenly turns to him and says, ‘What do these Christians here?'”
       I have heard the excuses and reasons for the lowering of standards, and it is nothing but uncut baloney.  Look like the world, act like the world, drink like the world, smell like the world–hmm, but be of the world.  However, the world is looking for someone who will stand for what they believe.  Many years ago I was in a wedding for a friend.  At the reception they passed around the champagne to toast the new bride and groom.  I turned my champagne glass over on the table and lifted my water.  The lady serving the champagne chided me saying that it was improper and an insult.  I wondered, “an insult to whom?”  Sometime later my friend came to me and told me that he and his wife were watching to see if I would compromise or stand firm in what I believed.  See, we are a living letter, giving testimony all the time to those around us.
       The second thing, and what I really wanted to bring out today is the above verse.  When we have compromised, become complacent, given in to curiosity what can we do?  Strengthen ourselves in the Lord.  When trials come, depression and despair hits, and we find ourselves in the dumps of life, what can we do?  Strengthen ourselves in the Lord.  When life seems to be crumbling in front of us, there is fear and trembling all around, and perhaps we even have those who would want to do us harm, what can we do?  Strengthen ourselves in the Lord!  
       Here is the key–notice what David did at this low point:  He strengthened himself in the Lord, then went to the Lord and inquired about what he should do.  He was not put out to pasture, he was not put aside on a shelf, or thrust in a corner or put on probation.  “So David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I pursue this troop?  Shall I overtake them?’  And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.'” (1 Samuel 30:8, NKJV)  David inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered, and David obeyed.  “Pursue!”  Don’t sit moping about; don’t be singing the blues; don’t be moaning, “Woe is me…I should go eat some worms.”  Pursue!  Pursue what God has for you.  Do not neglect His calling, His purpose for your life.
       Where do you find yourself today?  The call of culture today hollers for tolerance, but at what price?  “The pursuit of peace is not to become the pursuit of peace at any price. Some of us need to take care that our distaste for conflict and confrontation does not lead us to pursue peace at the cost of righteousness.” (Alistair Begg)  Instead of lowering the standard, lift it up.  Strengthen yourself in the Lord, no matter the situation–that is part of growing in grace.  Christ is not only the Author of our salvation; He is also our Sustainer.  

                    –Elmer Kelton  (The Far Canyon)

       “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”

                    –Isaiah 32:17 (NKJV)
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“agapao” (v) and “agape” (n) are the characteristic words of Christianity.  These were used in classical Greek literature but were unknown to the common man because they could only be seen in the gods.  Vine states that, “Love can be known only from the action it prompts.”
“phileo” more nearly represents tender affection; it is a relational love.
       Keep this in mind as we look at one of my favorite portions of Scripture.  The crucifixion and subsequent resurrection has taken place.  Jesus has met with the disciples including the time where Thomas was present.  We know He was on earth forty days, but we do not know exactly all the details of this time on earth.  Perhaps He had been gone from the disciples for a time for Peter suddenly declares, “I am going fishing.”  Interesting.  A few days earlier they had witnessed the crucifixion, then they had seen the risen Lord, then Peter, out of nowhere makes this statement, but lo and behold, he is answered, “We are going with you.” (John 21:1-4)
       Why, all of a sudden, did he feel the urge to go fishing?  It is not that he continued to doubt the resurrection.  It is not that he was living in fear, and there is no sign of depression–just a simple statement, seemingly on the spur of the moment.  We do know that Peter was a spontaneous type of person; it had gotten him into trouble on numerous occasions.  Look at who is in the boat with him:  Thomas, Nathanael, James and John, and two other disciples.
       They fished all night and caught nothing.  Maybe they enjoyed the serenity of the sea and the cool breeze of the night air, but they had nothing to show for their endeavors.  Does that sound familiar?  Remember another time when they fished and caught nothing?  A voice, a familiar voice with familiar words, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” (John 21:6, NKJV)  They recognized the words of the Master.  Peter jumped in the water to swim to shore while the others rowed the boat to the shore where Jesus was waiting for them with breakfast.  Ahh, the enjoyment of eating at the edge of a lake or cascading stream from the mountains.  Or even, for you beach lovers, breakfast on the beach.  That was one of the things that Annie and I used to enjoy, getting up, going to the ocean, cooking breakfast and watching the sun come up.
       Then my story:  while they were eating Jesus asked, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15)  Jesus could have meant the fish and food, or he could have meant his occupation, or ….  But get this, Jesus used the term “agapao.”  I’m sure Peter was stunned.  He understood that no one could love like God.  It was only used in literature or in stories the Greeks told.  Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; You know that I phileo You.” (Literally, I have “affection for” You).
       Jesus asked him the second time, and I’m sure by now the others were listening.  “Simon, son of Jonah, do you agapao Me?”  The same question, Peter must have been getting concerned.  He was not giving the right answer, but he was being honest.  He couldn’t agapao; it wasn’t in his power.  Peter replied the same way, “Lord; You know I phileo You.”  Both times after Peter answered the Lord said for him to take care of His sheep–once to tend them, once to feed them.
       Peter knew in the natural that it was impossible for him to do what the Lord wanted.  He knew the awesomeness of love.  He had seen it in action on the cross.  “Love has its triumph and it has its torture.  Love has its paradise and has its pain.  Love has its mountain of transfiguration, and its olive garden where the sweat is blood.  Love is the secret of the sweetest song; love is the secret of the keenest suffering.  Love is the very crown of life–and it is a crown of thorns,” so wrote the preacher George H. Morrison.  Peter, at this point in his life could only imagine love like that.
       Perhaps there was a smile in Jesus’ eyes, but He asked a third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”  The Scripture now declares that Peter was grieved.  I have heard preachers say that Jesus asked him three times because Peter denied him three times.  Perhaps so, but for sure He was trying to drive home a point.  Peter now is upset, grieved–heavy in spirit, distressed.  But then…Jesus said, “phileo” Me.  I can see Peter’s eyes widened, a smile upon his mouth, and the pain he was feeling leaving.  “Yes,” Peter answered, “I love You (phileo) Lord.”  He continued, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” (John 21:15-19)
       Peter didn’t know, at this time, that the Spirit of God would come upon him and others and they could finally understand what the Lord was saying.  When the Spirit comes, a man can then actually love (agapao), but only through the Holy Spirit.  Love (agapao) is impossible for the natural man, but in the walk with the Spirit we can truly love God and others as He does, for He lives within us.

                    –James 3:13 (NLT)
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       The next thing we see in the life of Isaac is the death of his mother, Sarah.  Sarah is 127 years old when she died, that would, according to most theologians, that Isaac was around 35.  There is little said regarding Isaac with the death of his mother.  He must have been distraught, for soon afterward, Abraham wanted him to marry.  There are words to confirm that Isaac must have missed his mother greatly, for after his marriage we read, “…So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death (Genesis 24:67, NKJV).
       With the death of Isaac’s mother, Abraham began in earnest to search for a wife for Isaac.  Talk of arranged marriages, this one is the ideal.  Upon reading it was not only arranged by Abraham, his most trusted servant, but most importantly by the Lord Himself.  Abraham understood the dangers of marrying someone not of the faith.  The Canaanites were heathens and practiced evil; he wanted Isaac to marry someone from his homeland, but he did not want Isaac to live there.  Abraham understood the issues that could come from marrying a pagan long before Paul wrote, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, NKJV)
       One of the ways that brought about the downfall of Israel was intermarrying, or we could say marrying outside the faith.  It was the tool that Balaam suggested to Balak; it is something that is seen over and over again in the history of Israel–the yoking together with unbelievers.  Abraham wanted his line to be pure; he did not want Isaac to leave the land that the Lord had given him, on no account was he to go back.
       Isaac seemed happy with what Abraham had said.  We see in this his passive and quiet attitude.  Too passive?  It is hard for us in this day and age to fathom arranged marriages.  No matter, Isaac seemed to be content to have a wife not of his choosing.  There is no mention of any input at all from him.  As with the sacrifice, Isaac is obedient to the will of his father.
       Notice, it is the servant, not Abraham, certainly not Isaac that is sent to find a wife for Isaac.  Many thoughts must have passed through his mind, but we know for sure that he was concerned that the woman he found might not be willing to come back with him.  A wise man, this servant, and he prayed.  The Lord had to have been involved, for the prayer of the servant was answered in the way that he requested.  The woman, Rebekah, was hospitable, and then we read of a prophecy over her.  She agrees with the proposal.  Get this, she has not even seen Isaac.  When she agrees the servant bowed down worshipping the Lord (Genesis 24:52) then he gave gifts to her father, Laban, and her brothers and mother.
       Here is another type that is shown from the Old Testament.  Rebekah, the bride, is a type of the Church, the Bride of Christ.  He is waiting for her to come to Him.  One day, He will be in the clouds and she will rise to meet Him.  She was chosen from the world, redemption if you will from the life she was living.  She will travel with the servant (Holy Spirit) to her groom (Christ) who awaits her.  This is not the love of a couple, but as someone wrote, “The choice of the father to secure a bride for his beloved son.”
       Look at what Isaac was doing when the servant came bringing his bride.  “Now Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening…” (Genesis 24:63, NKJV)  Isaac may have a passive spirit, but he was involved in seeking and meditating upon the Lord.  The servant went to Isaac, before introducing Rebekah, and told him all the things that he had done.  There was no refusal on the part of either Isaac or Rebekah.  They had to have known that the hand of the Lord was involved.  “Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her…” (Genesis 24:67, NKJV)
       We see here that Isaac loved Rebekah, however, there is no mention of Rebekah loving Isaac, she carried out her duties.  We read that Isaac was forty years old when he married and he pleaded with the Lord for a child.  Remember, Isaac was the son of promise, therefore that promise must be carried out through his line.  Two other side notes that we see:  first, Isaac is the only patriarch to have one wife; and second, before the children of Isaac were born Abraham sent away his last wife, Keturah and her children, providing gifts for him.  There was to be no competition or strife with Isaac’s children (or so he thought).