A new year is upon us! We have had quite the ride through 2023. 2024 has started off with quite a bang as we consider the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. This current situation has supplanted the war between Russia and Ukraine. The world is being drawn into this war in the Middle East. It will be important for the saints to keep an eye on what is happening there. We know that the Lord does not want His children to be asleep. On top of this, we learned of a strong earthquake that shook Japan. Instability is the hope for those who do not know the Lord.
In our text, we are reminded that the counsel of the LORD stands for ever. As we begin this new year, we need to be reminded of this fact. The Word of God needs to be the priority for the true child of God. The local church needs to be THE place to be when the services are scheduled. We need good counsel. We need to proclaim the thoughts of God’s heart to this generation. They are written in His Word, and they need to be proclaimed with conviction and confidence.
In verse 12 we are reminded that there is a blessing upon the nation whose God is the LORD. We know this will never be true of the nation of Canada. However, Peter was reminded to tell us that the saints are “an holy nation”, (I Peter 2:9). We know that every true church is built upon the Lord Jesus Christ and He is the Head of each one as well. We know that true churches can become careless and be less than they should be. Jesus Christ needed to address 7 local churches in Revelation 2&3. Those churches needed to be a light to those around them. They also needed to walk in the right way with the Lord.
We know that God chose the nation of Israel to be blessed of Him. Through them, the nations of the world were to be blessed. Israel rebelled against the Lord, and in this present age, God is working through local churches to bless the nations of the world. True saints are to be a spiritual nation within the wicked nations of the world. True churches are not a replacement for Israel. God has presently cut off Israel at the root and graffed in the Gentiles. Jews and Gentiles need to be saved and become a part of the local church that is within their reach.
God is watching what is happening on this earth. We read in verse 15 that “He fashioneth their hearts alike”. All people are made the same. All are descendants of Adam and Eve. All of Adam and Eve’s descendants are born as lost sinners. All need to be saved. It does not matter whether it be Jew or Gentile, all need to be saved and there is only one way of salvation for all. That salvation is through repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Calvinist heresy is exposed for what it truly is many times in the Bible. All people are conceived and born in sin and all can be saved and all need to be saved.
God sees what the Jews do and He sees what the Gentiles do. God blessed the Jews but they despised that blessing. The Gentile world certainly has no reason to be jealous of God’s dealings with Israel. Israel has suffered greatly due to her rebellion against the true God. One day they will bow before the Lord Whom they pierced. For now the Jews and Gentiles have the privilege of being saved and being part of a true local church through which they can be a light to those around them.
In verse 16 God reminds the king that he ought not to trust in a human army. It is not the strength of man that wins the day. There were times when David’s men were outnumbered by the enemies they faced. However, God gave them the victory. There were times when Israel’s army was greater than that of the enemy, but due to their rebellion, God gave them into the hands of the enemy.
Israel is presently trusting in their armaments and the “Iron Dome” to protect them. They have had some success, but we are also seeing the nations moving against her and we are hearing of rockets and drones that are hitting their targets inside Israel and also in the Red Sea.
Israel and the world would do well to remember that a horse is a vain thing for safety. A horse can be killed by enemy fire just as a person can be killed.
In verse 18 we are reminded that the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear Him. That is the key. That has always been the key. As we observe more and more churches falling to the “emergent church” movement, it is important not to be drawn into that worthless scheme. God’s way is still the right way. There will be a falling away in the last days and we will not change that by becoming friends of the world. We will protect ourselves from falling for that scheme by drawing nigh to God.
We need to hope in His mercy. He alone can deliver us from death. He alone can provide eternal life.
There is a famine for God’s Word today, not because it is not available, but because more and more people are rejecting it. God’s people are protected from that famine because they not only hold God’s Word in their hands, but they also memorize God’s Word and they meditate on God’s Word day and night.
In verse 20 we see what our response should be to the Word of the LORD. Our soul needs to wait on the LORD. We need to trust in Him and draw our strength from Him. We need to seek His counsel as we embark upon this new year. He must be our help and our shield.
In verse 21 we see that those who wait for the LORD will rejoice in heart. They have something to rejoice in. We look beyond the troubles of this world. We look to the blessings of the LORD. We do not ignore the troubles. We do not act as if they do not exist. We can offer real hope and answers to those who are caught up in these troubles. The reason being that we have trusted in His Holy Name.
We are dependent upon the LORD’s mercy and His mercy is there for those who know Him and walk with Him.
Over the past few days there have been shootings in families. Entire families have been wiped out due to conflict. In other homes, children have been found guilty of killing their parents and siblings. How can these things be? It is quite likely to be that way when there is no true God.
In this new year we need to be reminded of the importance and the imperative of the counsel of the LORD. We need that counsel as much now as ever before. Let us choose to seek that counsel today and each day. If you are not saved, today would be the right day to be saved. Call upon the Lord in repentance and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for His salvation. Then you too will have a real hope and be able to be a blessing to others along the way.
Pastor Bartel