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Experience God’s Grace and Truth in Times of Conflict

Harvey L. Diamond
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Experience God’s Grace and Truth in Times of Conflict

The Bible recounts the story of Nehemiah. He was a leader who mustered the community to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and bring restoration to the people after they had returned from the Babylonian captivity. However, they encountered great opposition and conflicts from the groups around them. They continuously faced hostility and repeated schemes to disrupt their progress. Against all odds, however, the people were successful in repairing and restoring the wall and security of the community with great speed. So, the people were grateful. They experienced God’s grace and truth. Therefore, they exuberantly worshiped God. They acknowledged God’s mercy and great grace.

Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them;

For You are God, gracious and merciful.

(Nehemiah 9:31)

RELEVANCE

The people attributed their success to the overwhelming grace of God. Their enemies, on the other hand, were greatly upset with their success. David’s life also illustrates the powerful grace of God. He spent years running from a jealous king who pursued him to kill him. He also overcame numerous enemies who violently opposed him and were bent on entrapping him. So, he celebrated God’s favor and grace. He learned God’s truths. He knew it was God’s grace that brought him victory after victory.

He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support.

19 He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

20 The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

(Psalm 18:17-21)

I’ve experienced God’s grace and truth in similar ways. While working in one sales capacity, I survived 5 bosses who didn’t like my ways of doing business over a period of 14 years. I served my customers and won their business according to God’s higher ethical standards. I put telling the truth above embellishing claims and integrity over compromise. My bosses didn’t like the fact that I didn’t say the things they wanted me to say and represented our product differently. My priority was representing God in working according to His higher ways. My bosses couldn’t argue with my success, the praise of my customers and year after year top achievement. Like David, God brought me and kept me in a broad place.

REFLECT, RELATE AND RESPOND

Reflect on times you feel peace inside vs. anxiety. To what do you attribute both feelings? Compare how you feel when you know inside you have done what you know is right vs. compromising to appease somebody who didn’t really appreciate you. Reflect on God’s grace and truth through the scriptures below and receive God’s love as you do!

REFERENCES

Psalm 18; Psalm 25; Psalm 37; Psalm 118; Matthew 5:43-48; Galatians 6:7-10; James 4:17

Experience the Goodness of God’s Grace and Truth

Harvey L. Diamond
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Experience the Goodness of God’s Grace and Truth

The Creator of the universe, our sovereign Lord God Almighty, offers us a life grounded in His precious covenant promises of grace and truth. He offers us the grace of His mercy to cover us in our shortcomings. He also offers us the reality of His inner peace found in walking in His truths. Truly, it’s a peace that surpasses understanding but it is real. It’s a peace we can feel inside. It’s a peace in which we can find confidence and experience true justice. Therefore, our part is maintaining a humble disposition and walking in humility.

The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.

10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,

To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

(Psalm 5:9-10)

RELEVANCE

David discovered the reality of God’s goodness. He engaged with God in an active relationship grounded in trusting faith. He experienced his share of trials, hardship and conflict. However, through God’s grace and truth, he continuously experienced God’s covenant faithfulness. God promises us all the grace of security of His oversight. It is a grace grounded in the truths of His Word and His nature.

 

This truth we can count on as we encounter trials and conflict in our daily walk. David continues expressing the realities of God’s grace he experienced. He experienced God’s presence as he walked in the fear of the Lord—a healthy fear characterized in expressing respect, honor and reverence towards God. He learned God’s ways. He experienced God’s favor and grace. He learned God’s truths. It brought him prosperity and peace.

Who is the man that fears the Lord?

Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.

13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity,

And his descendants shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,

And He will show them His covenant.

(Psalm 25:12-14)

We all can experience this grace as we walk with God. We can experience the blessings of a relationship grounded in God’s covenant. It is a covenant grounded in God’s grace and truth, His goodness and faithfulness. It is a covenant where He offers us wisdom. It is a covenant where He shows us how to live in His blessings. It is a covenant where He reveals great truths to our heart that bring us real inner peace, confidence and strength.

REFLECT, RELATE AND RESPOND

What conflicts may you be living through? What issues may you be wrestling with? Engage with God over them. Ask Him to shed light on the situation, for greater truths relating to the issues, perhaps relating to peoples’ motivations or deeper issues and circumstances. Let Him reveal the deeper truths to your heart. Receive His real peace. Let it bring rest and confidence to your soul. Reflect further on the scriptures below and receive God’s love as you do.

REFERENCES

Psalm 18; Psalm 27; Psalm 36; Psalm 43; John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:6

 

Walking in the Power of God’s Covenant Promises of Grace and Truth

Harvey L. Diamond
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Walking in the Power of God’s Covenant Promises of Grace and Truth

God offers us a huge gift, His grace and truth. Hid grace is the invoking of His favor upon us through a blessing He instructed the ancient Hebrew priests to proclaim over His covenant people. It is referred to as the Aaronic or High Priestly blessing. Receive it for yourself and be blessed!

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”‘

(Numbers 6:24-26)

RELEVANCE

In the world we face trials and challenges constantly. So, God offers us a most valuable and precious promise. He promises to sovereignly protect and preserve us from negative and harmful fallout and evil found in the world. Yes, we live in an unredeemed world and will face challenges, some very hard and difficult. But God’s covenant of grace and truth brings redemption. And His redemption is based on His promises, which always point to and reveal His truth.

 

God’s grace and truth apply to our life on earth and for eternity. His truth is grounded in His Word. As Jesus teaches, as we agree with His truth, which is revealed in His will, we are assured that His will be done in our life on earth as it is in heaven.

 

Yes, Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, offers us a covenant promise. His covenant forms the basis of a personal relationship with Him. So, it is a relationship grounded in His goodness to be seen in His purposes and actions. Therefore, it is a beautiful and blessed relationship with those who receive His covenant promises and engage in a relationship with Him in trusting faith.

 

So, consider that the face of God refers to God’s presence, the persona of His identity, His awesomeness and beauty, His lovingkindness. Therefore, having God’s face shine upon you speaks of His divine essence being poured out on you. It brings to the forefront the promise of His favor and grace, mercy and redemption, His shalom—inner peace and wholeness.

 

David experienced such a relationship with God. His psalms, which are loaded with emotion, express his passion for God and engagement with God. You can say he experienced the light of God’s countenance shining upon him. He experienced God’s grace and learned His truth. David shares what he sensed in that light upon him. He refers to it as a host of benefits he felt coming from God’s presence.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

(Psalm 103:1-8)

REFLECT, RELATE AND RESPOND

Meditate on the blessings God’s grace and truth offered to you. Receive them with a grateful heart. Declare your trust in God and faith in His faithfulness. Keep engaging with Him and hold on to His promises in every situation you face. See the grace of God personified in the face of Messiah Jesus. Receive His light shining upon you and His presence through the Holy Spirit. Reflect further on the scriptures below and receive God’s love as you do.

 

REFERENCES

Romans 5:1-5; Romans 8:26-38; 2 Timothy 4:18; Philippians 4:6-7

See God’s Kingdom Come and Will be Done Overcoming the Forces of the World

Harvey L. Diamond
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See God’s Kingdom Come and Will be Done Overcoming the Forces of the World

Jesus teaches profound realities and pearls of wisdom in the Sermon on the Mount. He shares about the presence and values of the kingdom of God. He, therefore, declares a profound reality. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)

Hear Jesus express the heart our Heavenly Father.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on…33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:25-33).

RELEVANCE

Mammon is one of the dominating forces of the world. It is a spirit that seeks to dominate our thinking, values and actions. It, therefore, leads us to focus on materialism, excesses, greed and unrighteous worldly gain. It so subtly works to deceive us and entrap us. It can, likewise, so subtly become our god.

Simply put, the word mammon means riches. God isn’t against money. So, He wants us to steward it wisely. He is, however, against the love of money. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). The world places its values on material things money can buy. Our Heavenly Father essentially wants us to value the things money can’t buy– like the knowledge of God, real love and wisdom that brings real joy and peace.

My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
4 If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
(Proverbs 2:1-5)

We don’t typically see it, but realities of mammon can show up in many ways. It isn’t always through a continual lust or drive for more money. It can show up if we envy others’ wealth or material things. It is also displayed if we are anxious or worry about potentially unmet needs and unrighteous desires. Even worrying about what we might be losing rather than gaining can indicate mammon is influencing us. Additional fruits of mammon’s dominance is fear, hardheartedness, anger and selfishness.

Truly, our Heavenly Father wants us to prosper. However, He loves us too much to see us dominated in our motivations by loving anything or pursuing anything that finds its root in the love of money or material things. For, He knows how such love makes us susceptible to deception, which comes in subtle ways. Therefore, first and foremost, God wants our soul to prosper. John speaks volumes of wisdom in his simple statement:

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 2)

Yes, God cares about our physical and spiritual welfare. So, He looks first at our heart. Hear Jesus’ profound statement, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

God’s Word and Holy Spirit will steer us towards God’s greatest treasure—our eternal inheritance in Him. His kingdom is filled with many treasures. He looks for us to pursue them “on earth as it is in heaven.”

REFLECT– RELATE – RESPOND

Meditate on the things that bring you the greatest joy in life. What things keep you from experiencing that joy all the time? What things cause you to go down detours, get in ruts, or get entrapped? God purposes for us to experience life “more abundantly.”

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Deuteronomy 28:11-14; Proverbs 2; John 10:10

Serving God Faithfully as a Way of Life Expresses Realities of God’s Kingdom

Harvey L. Diamond
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Serving God Faithfully as a Way of Life Expresses Realities of God’s Kingdom

We read in the book of Exodus how God delivered the Hebrew people out of the bondage of Egypt. His purpose was to establish a people who would serve and worship Him as a way of life. This is still His purpose. He calls us out of worldly and carnal ways (sin) to bring us into dimensions of freedom that enable us to live as overcomers and truly experience the joy of the Lord. “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

RELEVANCE

Consider the Hebrew word used in the Bible God used to call His people out of bondage to freedom, avodah. It means to serve, worship, work. So, God sees our serving, worship and work as an integrated way of life. From His perspective, our serving Him and people and our work is how we express our worship towards Him.

God essentially looks for an attitude of humility and heartfelt devotion towards Him in all we do. He considers that worship. It reflects our gratefulness towards Him. It shows our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus how we are grateful for His ultimate sacrifice. He gave His life that we might find our life in His love. God, therefore, looks for gratefulness as we live. He responds to our faithfulness in measures of grace and blessings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,

A broken and a contrite heart

(Psalm 51:17)

The MESSAGE version puts this in an interesting way.

I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. (Psalm 51:17 MSG)

Hear the heart of the prophet Samuel address the people at the coronation of Israel’s first king, Saul. He encourages the people to serve God faithfully in response to God’s faithfulness.

“Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24-25)

We can also be encouraged by Solomon’s wisdom. He equates receiving and living in God’s grace and truth as ways of living faithfully unto God. It brings God’s favor and blessings.

“Do not let grace and truth leave you — bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and esteem in the sight of God and of people.” (Proverbs 3:3-4 CJB)

REFLECT – RELATE – RESPOND

In whatever you do, consider the following ways as you serve and work in faithfulness, worshiping God.

Thank God for His salvation and that He is with us at all times;

Surrender to the will of God in humility and gratefulness for His grace;

Ask God for wisdom and strength to understand His will and walk in His ways;

Watch for opportunities to honor and glorify God in situations;

Work and wait patiently for God’s purposes to be fulfilled.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Psalm 34:18-22

Serving God Faithfully Within Your Gifts and Calling Advances His Kingdom Forward

Harvey L. Diamond
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Serving God Faithfully Within Your Gifts and Calling Advances His Kingdom Forward

Hebrews 12:25 says something powerful. “Since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

As we look at serving God “acceptably” consider how we serve God, our family, and in our vocation and towards people in general. The apostle Paul grasped hold of a Kingdom perspective. Therefore, he shows us some powerful concepts relating to serving God. He understood that one aspect of serving God is related to knowing our gifts and calling and serving through God’s grace in humility and love.

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Ephesians 4:1-8)

Paul also saw our serving is holy to God. So, he encourages us to grasp hold of God’s purposes. That centers our serving according to God’s will and purposes He hopes to achieve through us. It takes our motivation off self. It helps us come out of a self-serving or feel-good-about-our-serving mode that is prevalent in the world and centered in self. It brings us to delighting in passionately serving God and serving others through compassion.

“according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:8-9)

Paul understood that in gaining God’s perspective, our vision is strengthened. We can, therefore, see the big picture of things easier. This enables us to cultivate forward-looking vision. As a result, we can better see how things can progress forward. This gives us hope for the future. Most importantly, it also helps us see into eternity. This encourages us and motivates us to pursue God-centered, God-initiated goals according to His higher purposes and upward call for us.

“reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

REFLECT – RELATE – RESPOND

Consider how a seed grows into a large plant. What gifts do you realize God has given you?

Meditate on how these gifts can be applied in a progressive way, leading you to express and move in these areas of gifting in greater measures as God strengthens you in faith and in trusting in His abilities.

Embrace God’s realities. As you do, He will enable you to overcome your fears and work within your gifts in a greater way. Be blessed as you do!

 

Serving God in Gratefulness and Love Brings His Kingdom Forward

Harvey L. Diamond
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Serving God in Gratefulness and Love Brings His Kingdom Forward

The writer of Hebrews makes a powerful statement about how to respond to His amazing love, power and grace. It boils down to serving God from a heart of gratefulness. It’s about being in awe of God’s awesomeness as our Creator. It shows God we appreciate and value His unlimited power, His greatness, His steadfast love. This brings us to honor Him in humility and the fear of the Lord.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Hebrews 12:25)

Jesus shows us manifold dimensions of His love towards us. He likewise leaves us with an imperative, “that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Paul interpreted and applied the kind of serving in love that exemplifies and expresses in a nutshell the reality of serving God from a kingdom perspective:

“the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.” (Romans 14:17-18)

So, what does serving Christ “in these things” imply? What does serving God and people from God’s perspective “in righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” look like?

Serve God from the heart: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Serve God sacrificially in the Spirit: “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) “having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit” (Romans 7:6)

Serve God freely and faithfully: For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)  “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. (Matthew 25:21)

Serve God from a heart of pure worship and way of life, in Him: “you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

REFLECT – RELATE – RESPOND

Meditate on the scriptures cited. In what ways can you apply these scriptures in simple ways and serve God right where you are?

Who has God put within your midst to serve with the gifts He has already given you?

Embracing Realities of Receiving God’s Kingdom Brings Great Blessings

Harvey L. Diamond
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Embracing Realities of Receiving God’s Kingdom Brings Great Blessings

Hebrews 12:28 says, “we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken.” Therefore, God is faithful to show us a variety of realities of His kingdom purposes. He shows us dynamics of His ways and intentions. In fact, one Bible story that illustrates the dynamics of receiving His blessings is the story of Him sending the twelve spies to explore and scout out the land across the Jordan River, the promised land.

RELEVANCE

Of the twelve, only two, Joshua and Caleb gave a good report. They all brought back great fruit from the land. They also told of the giants of the land. Ten, however, gave a bad report. They were filled with fear. They lacked vision and faith. They said relating to the giants, “we were like grasshoppers in our own sight” (Numbers 13:33). You could say they had a glass-half-empty perspective, or a negativity bias. So, they couldn’t receive God’s grace. Therefore, they would likewise find it difficult to receive all the promises and blessings God had put before them.

Joshua and Caleb, on the other hand, had a different perspective. They saw things from a lens of faith. They trusted in God’s power. They believed God loved them. Therefore, they could receive from God. It gave them inner strength and courage. They believed all things are possible with God. In fact, the Bible says they had a different spirit (Numbers 14:24). They had an overcoming attitude and mentality. So, they gave a good report. Hear their report.

“Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30)

“If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’  9 Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:8-9)

Yes, life is filled with challenges. So, God would have us regularly assess our perspectives to keep our relationship with Him in a healthy state.

REFLECT – RELATE – RESPOND

Do we see things through a lens of faith towards God and His abilities, grace and faithfulness or fear based on our own human shortcomings, worldly opinions, and negativity bias?

To what degree do we trust in God’s Word and see His eternal and higher wisdom and ways in it or see His word as merely fables?

Do we trust too much in our pain and wounds from life’s battles or the Comforter, the Holy Spirit Jesus said dwells in us to guide us in all truth and comfort us in His peace?

Do we live in our own presumptions or pursue God’s promises, realities and higher truths?

Do we have courage to put our faith into action or be paralyzed in fear?

Do we ask the Lord for His counsel and direction?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

1 Samuel 23:1-5; 1 Samuel 30:1-8; 2 Samuel 5:22-25; 2 Samuel 21:1-5;

1 Peter 1 :10-12

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