The Angel of the Lord...

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My favourite Psalms are the 34th, 37th, 73rd, and 91st. I am thinking about the 34th this morning. I feel a burden to keep reminding the people in the church that Divine judgment is on the way. As I ask the Lord about this, He tells me to exhort everyone who will listen to me to learn to live by the Life of the Lord Jesus.

This means we must pray without ceasing and walk quietly before the Lord at all times so we know what He wants us to do. If we will obey His command we will save ourselves and those who hear us in the days of judgment that are approaching America.

(7/10/2011). Do you look to Jesus continually for wisdom, strength, survival, and security? If you do not, you are not going to be able to stand during the pressures that are on the way. It is being said that the Christian churches are becoming irrelevant. This is true, I think. "The Spartans are at the door," so to speak, but the play goes on.

If we are wise we will seek the Presence of Jesus as we never have before.

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. (Psalms 34:1)

I wonder what "all times" means? Yesterday was the fourth of July, a traditional American holiday. How many of God's people extolled the Lord Jesus yesterday? How many were constantly praising Him while they were at a barbecue or watching fireworks? I know the Lord could answer that question, while the eastern nations are plotting our destruction.

My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. (Psalms 34:2)

I spoke last Sunday about the weakening influence we have on others when we fret about the condition of our country and of the world. If we are to strengthen those around us we must boast in the Lord. We must reveal by our actions and words that we are confident that Christ is in charge of the world. Then those who are suffering affliction will rejoice rather than be overcome by fear and despair.

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. (Psalms 34:3)

When we see the increasing secularism in our country and in the rest of the world, our response must be to glorify the Lord; to exalt His name. The Bible claims the whole earth is filled with God's Glory. We can see His Glory if we will ask God to blind us to the world and open our eyes to His marvellous works in the earth. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalms 34:4)

Why do we have to seek God so intensely and continually? Truly He hides Himself. Why does He do this? Why doesn't He show Himself plainly to everyone? If He would rain down fiery judgments on the sexual perversions and public nakedness that are filling our country, numerous people would fear and change their ways.

But He does not reveal Himself in this manner. Why not? The answer is found in the reason He has created this valley of the shadow of death. God is looking for those who will serve Him during times of great difficulty. He has reserved for them a new world of righteousness, over which they will be rulers. This is why our discipleship is so challenging.

If we do not give up but keep seeking God, He will answer. He will deliver us from all our fears; not just some of our fears but all of our fears.

During World War Two the President said: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." I believe he may have been quoting Winston Churchill. Like all human sayings this truth has limitations. Nevertheless, it is a fact that much of our pain and torment arises from our fears. Isn't that true? God says He will deliver us from all our fears if we keep looking to Him.

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalms 34:5)

It certainly is not exclusively true, but it often is a fact that a true Christian disciple has a radiant expression. How often in America we can see evil in a person's face and yet we act as though what we see is not reality.

Yesterday I noticed the face of a popular singer. It was like looking at a demon. I thought to myself, "How come other people cannot see they are worshiping a demon spirit? Is it because of my age that I can see this? I do not claim to have a gift of discernment. Yet what people truly are often can be seen in their face. I know this will be true in the spirit world and in the resurrection. We will see people exactly for what they are, just as God sees them and us."

In my role as Pastor I sometimes ask God to give me a true glimpse of the members of the congregation so I will know what to emphasize in my teaching. I may get one word that sums up the personality of the individual, which I might not perceive by looking at him or her.

The faces of guilty people sometimes are "covered with shame." When we are behaving in an upright, straightforward manner we can confidently look everyone in the eye. This is not true when we are hiding something that is unworthy. But when we are walking in the Presence of Christ we are as bold as a lion.

This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. (Psalms 34:6)

It is no wonder that King David, in spite of his transgressions, has been honoured so greatly by the Lord. Jesus is never referred to as the son of Solomon but as the Son of David. Did you ever notice that?

In spite of his great wealth, authority as king, and success in battle, David regarded himself as "this poor man." Humility is highly esteemed by the Lord Jesus and His Father. How often do we hear Christians described as being smug and arrogant.

The reward for humility is to be saved out of all our troubles. So we are wise when we recognize that we are but dust, sometimes talented dust, but dust notwithstanding. Whatever our accomplishments may be, they have come from the Lord. "A man receives nothing unless it is given to him from Heaven."

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. (Psalms 34:7)

How can the angel of the Lord be encamped "around" us? He is in front of us, behind us, and on each side of us. There are angels, and then there are angels who excel in strength and do God's will. But God's very Name is in His angel. There is no evil force that can overcome the angel of the Lord.

The condition is that we fear the Lord. There is a lot of church talk about how we should "reverence" God but not fear Him. This concept probably arises from the wicked philosophy of Humanism, which holds man to be in supreme importance in the world and does not recognize the importance of God in human affairs.

The fear of God is sensible, realistic, and wholesome. It recognizes that God has the power to instantly bring us into unbelievable torment—torment that cannot be avoided by losing consciousness.

Paul warned, "Knowing therefore (that all of us will answer for our conduct while living in the world) the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." "Reverence" just doesn't seem to fit here.

Part of the problem with Humanism is that it does not distinguish between God's love and human love. Human love is frail at best. People are madly in love on one occasion and ready to murder each other a short time later.

God's love is different in kind from human love. It never is sentimental, or nostalgic, or maudlin, or given to soulish outbursts. It is patient, putting up with all sorts of problems. It is not self-centered. Human love often depends on how another person makes us feel.

The idea that God is so loving He will not let us suffer is not realistic. More often than not, our sufferings make us a better person if we let them drive us into the Lord and do not blame God or people for our pain.

The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear God. To fear God is to recognize that going against His will for us will bring us into pain, dismay, shame, and confusion.

The greatest blessing anyone can experience is to receive righteousness, love, joy, and peace, from God. Nothing else can compare with these in value. But they come only to those who fear God, never to those who parade around in a haughty, self-cantered manner—even a religious haughty, self-cantered manner. Amen to that, Brother Thompson!

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalms 34:8)

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