Falling into the hands of the living God. . . (Full Version)

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Liveloved -> Falling into the hands of the living God. . . (6/30/2008 1:08:35 PM)

This morning my psalm (to pray) was/is Psalm 87. This song is a psalm of the sons of Korah. That led me to read again of Korah's rebellion in Numbers 16. It also reminded me of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts. And onto the words from Hebrews 10:31, It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

As I meditated on all of this, I was also reminded of David and his words. David's cry was LET me fall into Your hand, Lord, for Your mercies are great---DON'T LET me fall into the hands of man. (my paraphrase)

It was a wonderful time of meditating/communing with the Lord and I wanted to invite you to do the same. Think on these things and offer your thoughts.



BerianAardvark -> RE: Falling into the hands of the living God. . . (6/30/2008 1:27:41 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Liveloved

This morning my psalm (to pray) was/is Psalm 87. This song is a psalm of the sons of Korah. That led me to read again of Korah's rebellion in Numbers 16. It also reminded me of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts. And onto the words from Hebrews 10:31, It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

As I meditated on all of this, I was also reminded of David and his words. David's cry was LET me fall into Your hand, Lord, for Your mercies are great---DON'T LET me fall into the hands of man. (my paraphrase)

It was a wonderful time of meditating/communing with the Lord and I wanted to invite you to do the same. Think on these things and offer your thoughts.



Terrible is defined as a : exciting extreme alarm or intense fear : terrifying, But it is also defined as b : formidable in nature : awesome

And it is, indeed, both. If you fall into the hands of the living God as an unbeliever it is definition a, if God has reason to be angry with you as a believer and "calls you home" for some "wood shed time", it is definition b (first part, formidable in nature), and to be avoided.

But to fall into the hands of the Living God as one of His children called home to be greeted "well done thou good and faithful servant"...that too is terrible, but only on the sense of definition b. AWESOME! I cannot think of anything more Awesome, but then I have not yet seen God face to face so my understanding is limited...I will bet that I haven't even begun to understand the meaning, but look forward to learning just how terrible that is to say awesome God's heaven will be.

Tim



Liveloved -> RE: Falling into the hands of the living God. . . (7/1/2008 10:45:58 AM)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Tim.

As I was meditating on this, I was more focused on David and what made the 'difference' between David's attitude and fate and that of Korah and Ananias and Sapphira. So I'll ask what do you see as the characteristics or qualities that define David and separate him from that of the others?



BerianAardvark -> RE: Falling into the hands of the living God. . . (7/1/2008 2:08:01 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Liveloved

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Tim.

As I was meditating on this, I was more focused on David and what made the 'difference' between David's attitude and fate and that of Korah and Ananias and Sapphira. So I'll ask what do you see as the characteristics or qualities that define David and separate him from that of the others?


Psalm 87 was either composed by the sons of Korah, or dedicated to them. (It is clear that not all of Korah's descendants died as a result of the rebellion, in Numbers 26:58 the family of the Korahites are listed among the tribe of Levi. And the Sons of Korah are listed in 1 Chronicles 26:19 as being part of those assigned as of the gatekeepers of the the temple.)


Korah's rebellion was caused by his pride, he wanted to take the leadership role from Moses and Aaron, and he lead others (250 of the leaders) to rebel also (Numbers 16:1-3), and when Moses presented his case before the Lord Korah persisted in his demands.

Korah insisted that he should be at least an equal to Aaron and Moses, just the opposite attitude from David's.

David, what ever his other sins, didn't act pridefully. And when confronted but his sins (2 Samuel 12 as one example) he repented.

David had the opportunity to take Saul out on at least two occasions, but refused to strike God's anointed (even though David had been anointed to replace Saul as king 1 Samuel 16 1-13, and God had removed His blessing and protection from Saul 1 Samuel 15:28).


Ananias and Sapphira also were prideful, they sold a piece of land and made it seem like they were giving all of the proceeds to the church, but in fact held out a portion (Acts 5:1-2). There was nothing wrong with their keeping some of the proceeds (Acts 5:3-4), but they wanted to look like they were giving all while keeping something for themselves. When they were confronted they each stuck to the lie rather than telling the truth, and died as a result and example.

David refused to give an offering that cost him nothing, paying full price for what he could have taken for free (1 Chronicles 21:23-24).

David fairly consistently modeled an attitude of honesty, humility, and a willingness to listen to God's prompting. When he did sin he repented (albeit with prodding). This is I believe what was meant by David being called "A man after God's own heart".

Tim



Liveloved -> RE: Falling into the hands of the living God. . . (7/1/2008 5:54:03 PM)

Oh wow! Thanks for sharing your insights, Tim.

Pride is ugly. Obadiah and Jeremiah both say that the arrogance of your heart deceives you. So pride leads to being deceived and blinded to yourself. And then you can't see or hear. In other words, if you don't want to see your 'self', you will become someone who cannot see your 'self'.

That is why David is such a good illustration. He was hardly a 'perfect little Christian' yet God described him as a man after His own heart. So we need to rethink what it means to be a follower of Christ. Certainly we strive for Christlikeness but, like David, we will fail. And if we are honest, willing to hear from God and others, and not self defensive, the Lord will continue His sanctifying work in us, conforming us to His image. If we refuse, our outcome will be that of Korah and Ananias & Sapphira.

Search MY heart needs to be our heart cry. Then falling into the hands of the Lord will lead us to repentance and restoration and cleansing and righteousness! Hallelujah!



BerianAardvark -> RE: Falling into the hands of the living God. . . (7/1/2008 7:46:56 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Liveloved

Oh wow! Thanks for sharing your insights, Tim.

Pride is ugly. Obadiah and Jeremiah both say that the arrogance of your heart deceives you. So pride leads to being deceived and blinded to yourself. And then you can't see or hear. In other words, if you don't want to see your 'self', you will become someone who cannot see your 'self'.


And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

When we are full of ourselves there is no room for God, we will never seek or listen to the Word that tells us the truth for fear the truth will show us to be less magnificent than we want to believe ourselves to be.


quote:

That is why David is such a good illustration. He was hardly a 'perfect little Christian' yet God described him as a man after His own heart. So we need to rethink what it means to be a follower of Christ. Certainly we strive for Christlikeness but, like David, we will fail. And if we are honest, willing to hear from God and others, and not self defensive, the Lord will continue His sanctifying work in us, conforming us to His image. If we refuse, our outcome will be that of Korah and Ananias & Sapphira.


If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. If we say (claim) we have not sinned, we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar, and His Word is not in us [the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts]. (1 John 1:8-10)

quote:

Search MY heart needs to be our heart cry. Then falling into the hands of the Lord will lead us to repentance and restoration and cleansing and righteousness! Hallelujah!


Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 139:23-24)


Tim



SonInMe1 -> RE: Falling into the hands of the living God. . . (7/2/2008 2:37:20 AM)

God's hands...or my own.

The choice is easy.



Liveloved -> RE: Falling into the hands of the living God. . . (7/2/2008 2:57:13 AM)

quote:

God's hands...or my own.

The choice is easy.


For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13

Yes, He is all my choice as well.[:)]



LCannon -> RE: Falling into the hands of the living God. . . (7/2/2008 11:54:37 AM)

Hebrews 4:11-"Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

Hebrews 12:25-"See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 His voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken, as of what has been made, in order that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire."

The risk(and benefit)is borne by the individual.



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