SHALL NOT THE JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH DO RIGHT

“That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:25).

Is this not our confidence and comfort, that the Judge of all the earth will do right; He can do no wrong. Even though I may not understand what the Judge is doing, I am confident it is right. Therefore we know, with absolute confidence, that he will not slay the righteous with the wicked. Believers do not have to fear his judgments. Let us never be guilty of judging the Judge, but let us be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

Pastor John Chapman

The Sinner’s Refuge

Numbers 35:9-28

The Lord instructed Israel to appoint six cities of refuge. The person who killed another accidental­ly or unwittingly could flee to one of these cities and state his case to the elders. The elders were to take him in, give him a place to dwell among them; and when the avenger of blood came looking for him, they were not to deliver him into his hands, but the slayer could abide in safety. These cities of refuge are a type of Christ, who is THE SINNER'S REFUGE. In Him we are received, given an eternal dwelling place, protected, accepted, and delivered from all charges or condemnation.

But, like all types and pictures, if taken too far or exalted too much, this type breaks down piti­fully. Let us learn that no creature can represent Christ Jesus perfectly, and no type can do justice to His person and work.

1. There were six cities of refuge. There is only ONE REDEEMER.

2. These cities only protected from physical death; Christ delivers us from SPIRITUAL and ETERNAL death.

3. These cities required physical exertion and running to reach them. No physical move, effort, nor deed is necessary to come to Christ--ONLY HEART FAITH!

4. These cities were only for those who by acci­dent or chance killed someone; but Christ, our Lord, is the refuge and redeemer of WILLFUL SINNERS. He died for the ungodly and welcomes the chief of sin­ners to come to Him for refuge.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1993)

“Be ye kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

I am so thankful for this verse because I cannot find a reason in me as to why God would forgive my sin. But a reason in me is not needed. He forgives my sin for Christ’s sake. He is the only and all sufficient reason for the forgiveness of sin. What effect is that to have on us? To be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving to one another, in the same manner that God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven us.

Pastor Todd Nibert

OUR LORD’S PRAYER FOR US

"I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine" (John 17:9).

The prayer of the believer's High Priest is like all His redeeming work, effectual, particular and satisfying to God. The intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of His people is always according to the perfect will of God (John 4:34). Therefore, everything that He prays for shall be accomplished (Isa 46:9-12). Here are at least six things that He prays for every believer. This ought to encourage us greatly.

1). He prays for our preservation; "Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are" (John 17:11). There is absolutely no possibility that one of His elect will ever perish (John 6:37-39; John 10:27-30). His covenant (2 Sam. 23:5), His word (Jas.1:18) and His atonement (Heb.9:12, 26) are certain guarantees to our complete and everlasting salvation (1 Peter 1:5).

2). He prays for our jubilation; "And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves" (John 17:13. Every believer has abundant reasons to always rejoice in the Lord (Phil.3:3). But mainly it is in this, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He is made unto us all that we need to stand before God accepted (Eph. 1:6; 1 Cor. 1:30).

3). He prays for our emancipation; "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" (John 17:15. Our Lord has set the believer free from the bondage of sin, the curse of the law, the grasp of the devil and the power of death (Gal. 3:13, 5:1).

4). He prays for our sanctification; "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth" (John 17: 17, 19). Our Lord has set Himself apart in the covenant of grace to be the believer's sanctification, through His sacrifice (Eph.5:25-27; Heb.10:14).

5). He prays for our unification; "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:21). No question that our sin has separated us from God (Isa. 59:2). However, because of the substitutionary work the Lord did for His elect, we shall be reconciled unto God forever (2 Cor. 5:17-21; 1 Peter 3:18).