Enemies Will Gather, But By God's Grace They Will Fall--For Your Sake

Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake." (Isaiah 54:15)

The last verse of Isaiah 54 speaks of "No weapon formed against you shall prosper."

But we also have to recognize that our enemies, our opponents will gather together on their own. They will "surely gather".

That is a double intensive statement, literally "gather gather" in Hebrew.

Expect it, folks--there will be bad people who join together to oppose you.

But ...

"Not by me".

Never, ever think that when there are many voices, forces, opponents to you--that they have come from God.

That is why we must be established in righteousness--not just believe in it, not just think about it, but know and believe without a doubt that we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

There's greater victory which comes to those who are attacked, who find evil forces gathered together against them:

"Whoever gathers against you shall fall"

They will not win, beloved. They cannot win--and we cannot lose:

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:37)

and

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

Why will they fail?

"For your sake."

Because Our loving Father, our Daddy God, cares for us!

"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name." (Psalm 91:4)

and

10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8:10-12)

Anne Graham Lotz: Still Foolish and Slow of Heart to Believe the Gospel

Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of celebrated pastor and evangelist Billy Graham, has often declared that God is going to judge America. I have vehemently criticized this diminution of God’s grace, especially how she disregards the power of Jesus’ blood, which cleanses us of our sins forever (1 John 1:9). Lotz once claimed that God was hiding from us because of America’s many sins, and that judgment was coming! Click here for my full remarks on her warped, misplaced theology.

Why does Anne Lotz have lots of judgment coming out of her mouth and pen?       

Consider her latest blog post:

Evangelist Anne Graham Lotz said she is learning to forgive herself after dealing with guilt and self-blame stemming from the death of her husband, Danny, back in 2015.

This is a startling admission from an evangelist. God so loved—not condemned—the world, that He sent His Son (John 3:16-18).

Lotz needs a reminder of what the Gospel is!

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38-39)

In Christ, we are justified from all things. We are forgiven from all our sins. There is a judgment to come, but it will be for those who did not believe on Jesus. It will have nothing to do with individual sin, since all sins have been paid for at the Cross.

Neditate on this profound yet still disputed truth about God’s grace—Jesus died for all sins for all time:

13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (Colossians 2: 13-14)

Where were your and my trespasses when Jesus died on the Cross? They were all in the future!

Yes, the Blood of Jesus covers all sins, and to this day Jesus our High Priest Forever serves as our Mercy Seat (1 John 2: 1-2).

Paul identifies something else nailed to the Cross with Christ Jesus: “the handwriting of ordinances that was against us”, i.e. God’s law. God’s Law, the Ten Commandments, was not bad, but we are in that sin has fully corrupted us-and we need complete redemption (Hebrews 8:8; Galatians 3:13)

God provided us a death from God’s law through His Son Jesus:

4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7: 4-6)

Following from Lotz’ misunderstanding of the Gospel, no wonder there are many Christians in the United States who still labor, mired in guilt. And for proof of this fatal misunderstanding, look no further than Anne Graham Lotz’ latest blog post:

Learning To Forgive Myself

…Forgive as the Lord forgave you.   Colossians 3:13

Guilt is our friend. If you are like me, it’s a friend you don’t want showing up on your doorstep.  But, more than likely, without it you and I would go on in wrongdoing until becoming dominated and defeated by it.

WHAT?! Guilt is NOT a friend!

Jesus did not die on the Cross for us to hold onto guilt or shame!

How many passages from the Old and New Testaments should I list to blast this evil lie?!

“Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.” (Isaiah 54:4)

And

“For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.” (Isaiah 61:7)

And

“There is now therefore no condemnation in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1)

Lotz fails to quote Colossians properly:

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

As Christ—our anointed, glorified Savior—has forgiven us, so do we forgive others. We do not forgive ourselves. Our forgiveness has been paid for at the highest price: the blood of God’s own Son. We have great glory in the full gift of righteousness granted to us, which God our loving Father invites us to keep receiving (Romans 5:17).

What about Lotz’ charge that guilt keeps us from sinning? That is completely unbiblical:

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:11-12)

And

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

We should not be surprised that people preach condemnation when they in turn feel condemned.

Lotz’ misunderstanding of the Gospel is a travesty. Evangelists must declared the Gospel to its fullest, and not fear the reproach of men (Romans 1:16; 6: 1-3). At least we know why Anne Graham Lotz has preached condemnation and retribution, completely out of line with God’s Word: she is like many Christians, still “foolish and slow of heart to believe” (Luke 24:25) concerning God’s grace and truth.

Hey Solomon, A Righteous Man Was Found! His Name is Jesus

"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Ecclesiastes 7:20)

Solomon wrote this verse in the waning years of his reign.

His wealth still rivals the wealthiest billionaires of our time. The gold, the riches, the fabulous wisdom he possessed impressed kings and ueens from all over the known world.

Yet even had to admit that there was not one just man, not one righteousman on the earth during his reign.

Then in the fullness of time, Jesus came:

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5)

And

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:" (1 Corinthians 1:30)

In fact, we all received His righteousness at the Cross!

"17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)" (Romans 5:17)

and

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

God Justifies the Ungodly Through His Own Son

"5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5)

God is identified as a He who "justifies the ungodly."

Isn't that powerful?

Isn't that wonderful!

God is the business of justifying all of us, for there is no one good--no, not one (Psalm 14:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20).

In fact, our Daddy God predicted that our first parents Adam and Eve, would sin against Him:

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:" (Ephesians 1:4)

and

"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8)

We need to stop acting as though we have any righteousness of our own, whether our behavior or our attitudes, to make us OK, or that we can be godly in any action we engage in:

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64:6)

and

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)

Notice in the last part that God announces "Their righteousness is of me."

I need God's righteousness. I have none of myself, for man is ungodly of himself.

But thank God that He is a justifier!

"6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6)

and then

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Waiting for God's Provision? Meditate on His Promises

"And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. 63And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.64And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel." (Genesis 24: 62-64)

In a previous post, we read how God not only provided the sacrifice to offer in place of Isaac, but after those things, Isaac's future had been born.

In Genesis 24, Abraham commands his servant to seek Isaac's bride, Rebekah.

The servant blesses God many times over for leading him to find the gracious Rebekah, who in due course supplies all things for the messenger and the camels.

Now, what about Isaac? What was he doing all this time? Did he go on a striving hunt to find what he needed?

Not at all.

When he first meets Rebekah, what was Isaac doing?

"Isaac went out to meditate in the field."

When you need answers, when you need something from the Lord, do not become impatient and rush to rely on your efforts.

Meditate on God's promises, and let His Word guide you!

"Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word." (Psalm 119: 148)

and

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Joshua 1:8)

and also

"38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10: 38-42)

Notice that Jesus praised Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.

If we are waiting for God's provision, meditate on God's Word, and allow Him to lead and to bless you!

No Matter What They Say, God's Grace Will Take You All the Way

"22And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 23The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper." (Genesis 39: 22-23)

Joseph, the blessed, beloved son of Jacob, had already been betrayed by his brothers.

Then his master's wife lied about him, claiming that he had tried to rape her, when in face she had tried to seduce him:

And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:" (Genesis 39: 13-14)

Notice that she spoke to all the servants, not to her husband first. What's going on here?

Check out how she shares the same thing with her husband Potiphar:

And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. 17And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: 18And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out." (Genesis 39: 16-18)

So, why tell the other servants in the home about Joseph's alleged assault, then tell her husband?

She wanted to pressure her husband to dispatch Joseph. If Potiphar refused to, he would lose favor and respect in the eyes of the other servants.

But how did Potiphar ultimately respond?

"After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. 20And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison." (Genesis 39: 19-20)

Joseph promoted to Keeper of the King's Prison

So, Potphar got mad-- but he didn't get mad at Joseph.

Instead of having him executed, Potiphar placed Joseph in the king's prison. He received an interesting new location, didn't he? He was "imprisoned", but then promoted as chief overseer for all the prisoners!

2And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 23The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper. (Genesis 39: 22-23)

Apparently, whatever Joseph was accused of--did not bother the keeper of the prison, did it?

Do not worry about people may say about you.

If you have God's favor, He will take you all the way!

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1:3)

God is Our Provider For Immediate and Future Needs

20And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor; 21Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram, 22And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel. 23And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother. 24And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah. (Genesis 22: 20-24)

Which things "came to pass" in this passage?

Abraham offering his son Isaac, but God provided receive a lamb in Isaac's stead, which Abraham then offered to God:

11And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

In verse 14, Abraham calls the mountain "Jehovah-Jireh"--which literal means "The LORD is provision."

God indeed did provide Himself a lamb:

"8And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together." (Genesis 22:8)

Indeed He did, and this same "Himself" would bear our sicknesses, our diseases, and our sins:

"3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

"4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

"5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace wasupon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 54: 3-5)

And then

"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:17)

And also

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

But what about the above passage stands out on this matter?

Notice one person born to Nahor, the brother of Abraham:

23And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother"

Rebekah, Isaac's bride to be!

And notice how Isaac received Rebekah:

"62And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. 63And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.64And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel." (Genesis 24: 62-64)

God provides for all our needs--He over-provides for our current needs--and He forsees our needs well into the future, too!

While God was providing the Lamb to offer in Isaac's place (and for all of us!), He was already getting Isaac's bride ready, ensuring that the promise which He had made to Abraham would come to pass!

How Do We Humble Ourselves Before God?

"6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7)

I have heard from many people the importance of standing humbly before God.

What does that mean? How do we humble ourselves?

Do we think badly of ourselves? Do we exploit and manifest our weaknesses?

All of this still brings the attention back to ourselves. How is that humble?

Let's start with a dictionary definition of "humble":

1. having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.

2. of low social, administrative, or political rank.

The truth is, none of us can claim to have any kind of rank before our Creator:

"As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth." (Psalm 103:15)

In fact, Peter uotes this passage in his First Letter:

For, "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall," (1 Peter 1:24)

If nothing else, humility is a recognition of the fact that without Him, we are nothing:

"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:4)

and

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)

The problem for many Christians, however, is that we have to play up a role of humility. If we understand that we are dead without Him, that apart from Him we have nothing, then there is no reason for us to play up a role or a part.

But specifically, I want to draw from Peter's statement to the church in the verse listed above.

We humble ourselves when we cast all our cares on Him--and we keep casting our cares on God, our loving Father.

The moment that we think we can--or that we must--take care of our cares, that is the height of arrogance.

You want to humble yourself before? Acknowledge that you can do nothing without Him, and let Him handle whatever challenge you are facing:

"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4)

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