FEAR NOT!

Our Lord says to all of his people, “Fear not: for I have redeemed

thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

We have no cause to fear, no matter what our circumstances may be. If we belong to Christ, by the virtue of his blood and the power of his grace, all is well. He will allow no harm to come to his own elect. We will pass through the waters of sorrow, but he will be with us. We will go through the rivers of affliction, but they will not drown us. We will have to walk through the fiery furnace of trial, but the flame shall not kindle upon us. He that is our God is the God of the waters, the rivers, and the fire. He has made them for us; and he will see to it that in their ultimate end, they will bring good to us.

Pastor Don Fortner (1950-2020)

A HEART OF THANKSGIVING (Psalm 40:5)

I recently read that somewhere, years ago in New England, there was a day of fasting each month to mourn over the sins of the land. At last, some public official suggested that, instead of the day of mourning each month, they should appoint a feast and thank God for the mercies and blessings which He had given. I was deeply convicted and strongly impressed by this article. Do we dwell on our troubles and trials so much that we forget to give thanks for our blessings? Instead of counting our blessings, we exaggerate our misfortunes. Instead of praising God for many friends, our minds dwell on two or three contentious persons who wish us evil. Instead of talking about our years of good health, we discuss our hours of pain. Instead of rejoicing in our obedient and loving children, we complain about our prodigals. It is good to fast, mourn over sin, and to take our burdens to the Lord; but it is right to LEAVE THEM THERE! “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).

I plan to take this exhortation seriously and lift both my heart and voice to Him who is the fountain of all mercies. His mercies far outweigh His chastisements. David said, “Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward. They cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” (Ps. 40:5). John Newton once wrote, “Lord, if I have not loved Thee before, let me begin today.” Today is a good day to love Him, thank Him, and praise Him. Let this be the day of beginning again. Pastor Henry T. Mahan (1926-2019)

THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” (Malachi 4:2).

This is one of the many promises found throughout the scriptures that proclaim and declare unto us the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and salvation accomplished by HIM. This promise is given to those that fear and reverence His name. We know the scriptures describe the ungodly as, "having no fear of God before their eyes" (Rom. 3:18). However, those that are humbled by Almighty grace, do have a saving and loving knowledge of God in Christ Jesus and truly worship and confess that Jesus Christ is all and all (Col. 3:11). Believers are described in Mal. 3:16, as those that speak of His Name and meditate upon His Name.

Notice several blessings that are given in this scripture.

1). The Sun of Righteousness shall arise. The Lord Jesus Christ is the very power and glory of the righteousness that every believer desires to be found in (Jer. 23:6; Phil. 3:9). It is only through the obedience of our Saviour unto death that fully answers to the demand of God's Holy Law (Gal. 3:13; Isa. 42:21). As there is but one Sun, so also there is but one Righteousness that justifies the ungodly, the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 4:3-8; Gal. 1:3-6; Rev. 22:2).

2). There is healing (salvation) in His wings (person).Our Lord Jesus Christ is known as, Jehovah Rapha: the Lord that healeth thee (Ex. 15:26). Our Redeemer declared He was sent to heal the broken hearted (Luke 4:18). Pardon of our iniquities and the cleansing of our sins are only through His blood atonement (1John 1:7; 4:10). With His stripes we are healed (Isa. 53:4-6; Psalm 103:1-4).

3). You shall go forth (set at liberty).Believers have been set free from spiritual death (John 8:32-36) and made new creatures in Christ (2Cor. 5:17). Set at liberty to serve the Lord as a loving bond slave and given spiritual life to honor and worship (John 4:24; Gal. 5:1-4 ).