The Greatest Blessing Has Always Been God

...I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1

There is a simple thread that runs from the opening pages of Genesis to the closing pages of Revelation. It is so simple that it is often overlooked because our attention is drawn to the many events, covenants, laws, prophecies, miracles, and judgments recorded throughout Scripture. We have a body of scripture we call the Bible and yes going through and attempting to understand all that is contained therein can be daunting.

Yet throughout all of scripture one single idea permeates from cover to cover and has never changed. That truth is:

God desires to dwell with His people.

From The Garden Thru Revelation - God Walked With Man

In Eden: God had the habit of walking in His Garden

Now they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day... Genesis 3:8 NASB

Then after they sinned:

Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 NASB

God came walking with an expectation to be greeted and joined in the walk. God asked the question both to find out why they weren’t there and then to pursue in the rescue.

God walked with Enoch:

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5:24 KJV

Enoch’s walk becomes a type or symbol of translation – being brought up into heaven alive before an anticipated judgment. Enoch was the first to experience this, then later followed Elijah being brought up into heaven alive on a chariot of fire. Then finally the Church has a promise of being translated – or changed from mortal into immortal and brought up into heaven alive.

God walked with Abraham:

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Genesis 17:1

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1

More than just blessings God made a promise to Abraham to be ever present when He said I am always going to be your shield or protector and your exceeding great reward. And this is a main point about walking with God. God rescued Adam and Eve. God preserved Enoch and Elijah. God will preserve the Church. All to meet God in Heaven where He is our reward.

Moses Example:

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. Exo 3:3

...Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:21

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. Exodus 33:15-16

This is what I love about Moses – He pursued God. He was willing to stop what he was doing and take the time to visit that burning bush where he had his first encounter with the Living God. Then later he was fearless while the people trembled in the presence of God. Again Moses walked right into what was described as a “thick darkness” – Why? Because that is “where God was”.

Moses was going to be where God was and if God was not there Moses said “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” In other words Moses told God if you don’t go – I don’t want to go.

It was all about God’s presence for Moses and as far as he was concerned that one singular opportunity – to be in the presence of God – is what made him and the Israelites different from all other peoples of the world. God’s presence was a grace – was a gift – was an opportunity – not to be missed. No wonder why God offered to make Moses a great nation – but Moses’ humility protected God’s reputation first rather that seek any exaltation.

In Exodus:

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. Exodus 25:8

And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God. Exodus 29:45-46

Why build a tabernacle? Why deliver the Israelites from Egypt? “that I may dwell among them”. We don’t need a mind reader to know what is on God’s mind. From the opening pages of Genesis thru Revelations this one phrase is a consistent refrain that is always repeated through the unfolding history ahead.

In the Temple:

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD. 1 Kings 8:10-11

And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart: 1 Kings 8:22-23

The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: 1 Kings 8:57

1Ki 8:27  But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? 

For this period of history God’s presence and grace accommodated His people in this house they built for Him but Solomon’s question - “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?” was answered by God later through the prophet Isaiah.

Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Isaiah 66:1-2

Grand cathedrals do not impress God. God’s true interest is not buildings – it is people – His people. And later through the prophets God begins to reveal the calling of a people that fulfill His desire to dwell within His people.

Where the prophets began:

And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. Jeremiah 24:7

“I will be their God, and they shall be my people” This phrase is repeated 7 times between Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. So again no one needs to be a mind reader to know what is on God’s mind. But Jeremiah begins honing in on the specifics of who exactly these people are. At this point in history the Ten Northern tribes are divorced from God and dispersed into the nations and the Southern Kingdom of Judah has one foot out the door ready to be conquered by Babylon. So while Yes, these promises are for a restored Israel – history has a story unfolding.

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:31-34

Now while Jeremiah tells us about God working inwardly and directly in “their hearts” – who ‘they’ are end up being more than just Israel and Judah. To this Ezekiel adds another layer about this inward refabrication.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Ezekiel 36:26-27

Now the promises are made and now we wait for “Behold, the days come…”

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Galatians 4:4

Emmanuel:

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.Matthew 1:23

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Not another prophet – for all the promises were made. Not another messenger – nothing more needed to be said. Now was the time for promises to be fulfilled. Fulfilled by God amongst us through the flesh – or the person we know as Jesus Christ.

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, 2 Corinthians 5:19

God was in the world with a mission of reconciliation. God wanted His people. But…

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:10-12

“As many as receive Him” – They will be His people and He will be their God. This is no longer special people or priests or prophets or a single nation. As many means whosoever will. You pursue God – you will find Him.

The Bible is not merely the story of mankind trying to reach God. It is the story of God continually reaching toward mankind, inviting us into fellowship with Himself – not a temporary fellowship but an eternal fellowship.

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:2-3

Everything else within the pages of scripture serves that singular purpose. Obtaining an eternal fellowship with God.

This understanding changes the task of memorizing the sixty six books of the Bible into one simple task – pursuing the God who has been pursuing us.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

It doesn’t say seek covenants, prophecies, laws, miracles or any other such thing. God says seek, search and find “ME” as the primary task. The reality of finding God then leads to understanding all the other things. The primary example of this would be Paul who was an extraordinarily educated man in all scripture yet upon finding Jesus was able to pen these words:

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Philippians 3:8

In the context of the chapter the “all things” he counted as “but dung” included his esteemed position as a Pharisee. What he now counted as "excellency” was his knowing Christ Jesus as his Lord. Paul found Jesus.

In essence Jesus Himself said the same thing as Jeremiah did above and what Paul was able to experience for himself.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. John 5:39-40

True life is attained by coming to Jesus – not by the suppositions of thinking that a head knowledge of scripture alone is enough. So with all this now in mind let’s seek, search and hopefully find your Lord and God – Jesus Christ.

Blessed Before There Was Moses Law

The Bible begins with blessing.

Before there was sin...
Before there was sacrifice...
Before there was priesthood...
Before there was Moses law…

There was this blessing...

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it… Genesis 1:28

The first words spoken over mankind were not words of condemnation but words of purpose.

God created man in His own image and immediately entrusted him with a mission. Humanity was to fill the earth with the visible expression of God's image, order and goodness. Adam and Eve lived under God's blessing, walked in His presence, and lacked nothing necessary to accomplish what He had given them to do.

Even more significant than the blessing itself was the relationship behind it. God walked with man. He spoke with man. There was nothing that separated mankind from God.

There was no veil.

No priest.

No sacrifice.

No mediator – no man, no prophet, no king to stand between you and God.

Nothing stood between the Creator and those He had created. This was not merely a paradise. It was fellowship. The greatest blessing in Eden was never the garden itself.

It was God Himself.

The trees, the rivers, the beauty, and the abundance were all expressions of His goodness, but they were never intended to replace Him. Every blessing pointed back to the One who gave them all things freely.

Even the Tree of Life continually reminded mankind that life itself wasn’t in themselves. Life itself needed to be reached for and taken. Very much like God Himself.

From the very beginning, humanity was designed to live being "God-minded" – being ever mindful of God in order to receive life, wisdom, strength, and purpose from the One who created them. They had Him and that alone was the greatest of all blessings. They had Him present to go to if there were questions or issues. The Living Word was present and there was no need for a codified word.

Having your parents alive and well in your life is a blessing. Think of every single time you went to them with questions or needs. Them being there was a reservoir to be drawn from. What happens when our parents are no longer with us? Then the reservoir is only our memories, pictures or stories.

The Curse Interrupted Fellowship—Not God's Purpose

When Adam sinned, something changed dramatically. Sin created separation from God. The unhindered and direct fellowship with God was lost. Very much like the loss of our parents.

Yet something else did not nor has ever changed. God's purpose for mankind remained exactly the same. Humanity was to fill the earth with the visible expression of God's image, order and goodness. The blessing had defined the mission for which mankind was created. The mission has never changed.

The curse however did affected the environment in which that mission would now be carried out.

Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Genesis 3:17

Notice carefully what God cursed - the ground.

Not the mission.

Not the image of God.

Not the calling to fill the earth.

The ground had been mankind's source of daily provision. Now that provision would come through labor, sweat, and frustration.

Why?

Because instead of us being “God minded” with God being the exclusive source for life, wisdom, strength, and purpose – we became “self minded” – self aware of our nakedness and need. If the earth continued to give freely then in our own minds the earth would replace God as the source. We wouldn't need God if we could still have everything we had before sinning.

As continually as we enjoy eating – cursing the ground was a continual reminder that God’s word is true. What He blesses is blessed and what He curses is cursed.

Every harvest would remind man that life ultimately comes from God. The curse became a daily reminder that no created thing can sustain life apart from its Creator.

Even in judgment, God was calling mankind back to Himself.

Noah and the Continuation of Blessing

Generations later, God looked upon a world filled with violence and corruption. The result of humanity not ‘retaining God in their knowledge’ as Paul puts it – in short they were not “God minded”. The loss of a present God coupled with no reservoir to draw from took its toll.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened…. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness… Romans 1:21, 28-29

In spite of a world that forgot God - yet one man found grace.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:8

After the flood, God repeated much of the original blessing spoken in Eden.

Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. Genesis 9:1

The mission had never changed. Humanity was to fill the earth with the visible expression of God's image, order and goodness.

The ground itself was no longer spoken of in the same way.

Neither will I again curse the ground any more for man's sake Genesis 8:21

The earlier curse upon creation was eased, yet the deeper problem remained.

The human heart.

Noah could preserve humanity – but he could not recreate the human heart. The world had been cleansed by water, but not the thoughts and intentions of a ‘self minded’ humanity. Mankind still needed a new heart.

That very goal – a new heart – becomes the promises foretold by the prophets as we already saw. And the mission would continue through promises made first to Abraham and later to Israel.

Sinai Was Never the Destination

Abraham did have a perfect heart in serving God and because of that God promised him that all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

...and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Genesis 26:4-5

The same blessing that began in Genesis that defined mankind’s purpose - humanity was to fill the earth with the visible expression of God's image, order and goodness. That blessing was not for one man nor was it for one nation but that blessing was for ‘all nations’. That mission could have very easily been carried out through Israel – but Israel had issues.

God redeemed Israel from Egypt with mighty power. He delivered them through the sea. He led them by the cloud. With those events already we can see a pattern that points beyond itself.

Repentance.

Baptism.

The leading of God's Spirit.

These same three elements repeat themselves again in God’s work in calling out His Church.

God's intention and invitation at Sinai was astonishing.

And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God. Exodus 19:17

Later… One of the most glorious narratives in scripture because this encounter with God was a first since the beginning.

Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

And they saw the God of Israel...

Also they saw God, and did eat and drink. Exodus 24:9-11

The invitation and direction of God’s mind was clear.

God desired fellowship and set up a dinner with the elders and seventy four people saw God – Face to face – and did not die. This was a visitation on a personal level to what should have been a defining era for Israel that could have restored the original Face to face relationship to the whole nation and then on to the whole world.

For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? Deuteronomy 4:7

Having a God so near who answers their prayers. That was God’s desire - yet the people shrank back. Rather than drawing near, they asked for distance. The same distance Adam sought when he heard God walking in the Garden after sinning.

God wanted this:

And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God. Exodus 29:45-46

But the people wanted this:

Speak thou with us... but let not God speak with us, lest we die. Exodus 20:19

What followed was not God's original ideal of a Face to face relationship with the whole nation. Instead God "added" the law - a codified volume that represented God as a means keep God in their minds and actions. It was God's gracious accommodation to an often rebellious people whose current actions proved they did not know God and whose hearts remained fearful. The same fear that filled the Adam and Eve’s hearts upon hearing God after they sinned.

Yet the mission needed to move forward regardless so God allowed for these:

The priesthood.

The sacrifices.

The tabernacle.

The ordinances.

The washings.

The ceremonies.

All became necessary substitutes because direct fellowship had been refused.

Paul explains it simply.

Wherefore then serveth the law?

It was added because of transgressions... Galatians 3:19

The law was “added” and was never the end. The desired end result was and always will be a Face to face relationship with God. The law only preserved a means to learn 'about' God and do the righteous things of God but was never meant to replace God. It preserved the mission but it pointed toward Someone greater - the One who would open the door to the new heart and new spirit promises that ultimately restores the Face to face relationship with God.

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope DID; (make us perfect) by the which we draw nigh unto God. Hebrews 7:19

The law was given for preservation but not perfection. Even within the Law itself stood a warning.

Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. Deuteronomy 27:26

The law revealed God's holiness. But it also revealed humanity's inability to do “all the words” in obedience to God. This then becomes a curse rather than the blessing we are seeking.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Galatians 3:10

The law revealed our sinful nature. It revealed our self minded nature and as such the law was a faithful tutor pointing every generation toward Christ – “the better hope”. When pointing to our nature the law is good in pointing out our failures but our failures are not the destination - the destination is the perfection found in the nature and fulness of Christ.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Galatians 3:24-25

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13

God Never Stopped Calling

Throughout Israel's history the invitation never changed. The prophets were never intended to become permanent intermediaries. They were messengers. Their voices repeatedly carried the same appeal.

Return – Seek – Come - Know the Lord.

Joel looked beyond Israel to a day when God's Spirit would no longer rest upon a select few. A select few carried the weight of many generations and preserved humanity but God has always desired fellowship with all humanity.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Joel 2:28

This echos Moses same desire:

And Moses said unto him... would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! Numbers 11:29

Jeremiah again adds as he foresaw a covenant unlike Sinai.

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: Jeremiah 31:32

Unlike anything before - Jeremiah now promises something different. Something Moses law could not do. Something that didn't try to fix behavior with external regulations. Something that changes humanity from the inside out.

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33

And yet again God’s mission is repeated – and I “will be their God, and they shall be my people.” That is the destination that has always been on God’s mind.

To Jeremiah’s voice – Ezekiel and Joel also add their voices.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you... and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:26-28

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. Joel 2:28-29

The prophets continually pointed beyond themselves and beyond Moses. They point to God alone who is able to create a new heart and fill us with His Spirit. A regenerated humanity with new hearts and spirit is when the blessings of a Present God flow. Hearts that are not afraid and want to hide. Hearts that think "seeing God" is automatic death. No not the old hearts but new hearts and spirit to want to embrace the opportunity of a present God

The Blessing Restored

Jesus did not merely come to forgive sins. He came to restore fellowship as God has always desired it. His first great sermon begins with blessing.

Blessed are the poor in spirit...

Blessed are the pure in heart...

Blessed are the peacemakers… Matthew 5

Nine “Blessed” statements in all. These are more than beautiful sayings. They describe lives transformed by God's presence. Lives restored into a renewed fellowship with God. Notice one promise in particular.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

That promise reaches backward to Eden and forward to eternity. But it is the “pure in heart” – The “new heart” promised by Ezekiel - The heart being written on by the Holy Spirit promised by Jeremiah - that makes seeing God possible. Seeing God. Knowing God. Walking with God. This has always been God's desire.

Unlike the Israelites whom God says are blind – “having eyes they see not” - not because God is not available to be seen – but only because they rejected what they saw when Jesus came walking amongst them. Very much like the rejection at Sinai. A sad legacy easily overcome – acknowledge the visitations and accept the invitations.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus removed every barrier that separated mankind from God's presence. This is a permanent solution that fulfills Jeremiah’s, Ezekiel’s, and Joel’s prophesies. What the Gospel offers permanently removes every barrier by changing the heart and restoring the spirit. The old was taken out of the way...

The veil was torn.

The curse was borne.

And the “better hope” was ushered in...

Sins are forgiven.

The Spirit was poured out.

Pentecost restored the fellowship with God

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

The pillar of fire that once dwelt above the one tabernacle in the wilderness now returns to sit upon all.

This now is the current invitation and opportunity to expand God's presence from one tent to all "who receive Him" each become living temples to manifest His abiding presence. He has become their God and they have become His people.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Being the temple of God with God residing in a new heart manifested countless blessings and demonstrated what happens when we say yes to God and don't hide in fear.

One Heart with God

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: Acts 4:32

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people... And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Acts 5:12-16

Now the invitation extends beyond one nation. It reaches every people. Every language. Every tribe. All flesh - as promised.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:38-39

The only remaining issue is there exists still those who remain ignorant of God or continue to choose living with the old hearts and spirit.

The Two Trees Still Stand

Although the Garden is long behind us, yet its two trees still confront every generation. Not as physical trees but as the choices those trees represent.

The Tree of Life represents dependence upon God. Yes, dependence and obedience but with that comes blessings and eternal life. So the choice represented is doing the commands of God.

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents independence from Him. Wanting to be your own god and wanting to own your own wisdom as the serpent promised. It would be one thing if when their eyes were opened they saw themselves as either gods or wise. No, they saw themselves as naked and filled with fear and the best idea to come into their enlightened minds was to sew fig leaves together and hide. Not god like and not wise. Hmm – someone lied.

The choices represented by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil are choices that say do it your way. Self minded choices that say become sufficient in yourself and rely on no one. Choices that say I am the creator of my own destiny and am accountable to no one. The temptations have never changed and who or what we trust matters.

Sometimes we trust wealth. Sometimes education. Sometimes governments. Sometimes religious systems. Sometimes even our own understanding of Scripture.

Knowledge is a wonderful servant but it is a terrible master.

The Bible itself was never intended to replace God. Its role is to point to God and it faithfully bears witness to Him. Jesus rebuked religious leaders who searched the Scriptures while refusing the One to whom they pointed.

Search the scriptures... and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. John 5:39-40

God has always been the Life toward which every page of Scripture points.

God Himself

Why do we trust Moses? Because Moses knew God.

Why do we trust the prophets? Because they walked with God.

Why do we trust the apostles? Because they followed Christ and faithfully bore witness to Him.

None of them – Not Moses nor the prophets nor the Apostles said – You have found me and that is all you need. Each and every agent of God invited us to know the same God they knew.

Paul could say,

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

His authority rested not in personal greatness but in faithful submission to Christ. Every true servant of God decreases so that Christ may increase.

Speaking for God has always required more than eloquent words. It requires a life shaped by His presence. Truth carries its greatest weight when it is lived. In a world now filled with churches and synagogues the question is not who is right and who is wrong. The question is - Who is submitted to God and manifesting His presence in a way that reveals to the world the visible expression of God's image, order and goodness?

In other words – Who fills these shoes? Who bears His image? Whose character and nature matches up to the stature and fulness of Christ? Yep, I think a lot of voices need to humble themselves and let silence be golden.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13

May I remind us that whatever else we may be in talents, abilities, endeavors or position these factors and qualities are what God holds as paramount:

but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Isaiah 66:1-2

That is what God is looking for first. That is the parenthesis - the container - the qualifier - the standard without which everything else - no matter how impressed you are - is mute before God. Humility defined Jesus and it certainly should define the servants.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Philippians 2:5-9

They Shall See His Face

The Bible begins with fellowship.

It ends with fellowship.

Everything in between moves toward that single destination.

The Garden closes. The New Jerusalem opens.

The first pages speak of God walking with mankind. The last pages declare,

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Revelation 21:3

And finally,

They shall see his face… Revelation 22:4

Until then and just in case you did not know - to see God's face all we need to do is see Jesus.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father... John 14:9

(Jesus) Who is the image of the invisible God... Colossians 1:15

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person... Hebrews 1:1-3

And when we see Jesus for who He is... We shall be like Him.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

That has always been the goal. Not merely forgiveness. Not merely blessing.

Not merely correct doctrine. Not merely religious observance.

God Himself is our exceeding and great reward.

The Bible opens with God walking in a garden, calling, "Where art thou?" It closes with the Spirit and the Bride saying, "Come." Between those two invitations lies the entire story of redemption. God has never stopped coming toward mankind. The greatest blessing He has ever offered is not merely forgiveness, heaven, or eternal life. It is Himself.

My friends - Where are you? It is His hand reaching for ours.

This is the story of the Bible. God visiting and God inviting – faithfully for thousands of years. There exists a legacy of failed generations because they did not recognize that visitation and rejected the invitations.

His hand is reaching for you – say yes.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

May the word of God transform and renew your heart and spirit as He fills you with His presence and brings you into the fellowship of His saints. Amen.

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