Without exception, the right hand and arm of God are referred to in the Old Testament as instruments of salvation toward those who put their trust in God. To be on the right hand of God is to be safe, secure, and full of joy —being a partaker of God’s life. It is the place of righteousness, or right standing with God. Here is the absence of sin and sin consciousness and the presence of confidence in His salvation —not in one’s own ability. (Psalms 16:11 (KJV) Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalms 17:7 (KJV) Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Psalms 44:3 (KJV) For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. Psalms 89:13 (KJV) Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. Psalms 98:1 (KJV) O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. Psalms 48:10 (KJV) According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness. Isaiah 41:10 (KJV) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.)
Purpose of the Cross
I must make the attempt to say that which cannot be conveyed in words, but only through revelation by the Spirit of God. But words are necessary (Jesus used them) to bring light into a world which needs words to confirm what is being revealed.
Recently I heard a sermon on the cross. The speaker was very gifted in dramatic presentation, and many were profoundly moved by his sermon —and with good reason.
Baptism by Fire
In the discussion between Jesus and His disciples recorded in Mark 10:32-45, Jesus, first of all, tells them of His upcoming crucifixion and resurrection which, of course, they do not comprehend. He is telling them that, as the last Adam, He is about to destroy the devil —the humanity, the ego, which characterizes man living in this world. This is what must take place before the man Jesus can be resurrected as the Christ, the Life-giving Spirit that enlightens every man that comes into the world (John 1:9).
What Is Your “Giant”?
We read the stories of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, of Daniel, of the men who spied out the Promised Land (and even of Peter and Paul) and wonder what we would do if we were in their shoes. Those of us who enjoy freedom of religion are very thankful that we will probably never be put to the test.
We think this way because we read the Scriptures only as historical accounts of God’s people.
What we fail to realize is that every story is our story —even when we are unaware of it. Every time I make a decision to believe the promises of God (which Paul tells us are yea
and Amen
—2Corinthians 1:20) rather than the wisdom of this world (which is foolishness in the eyes of God —1Corinthians 3:19), I am immediately face to face with my fears (the Nebuchadnezzars or the other giants
of Scripture) which are threatening my very life. This is equally true in every area of our lives —physical, financial, mental, social. I may not be facing the same giants
that you are, but all of us do face them. The moment you decide to believe anything promised by God, every conscious and subconscious fear you retain in that area immediately asserts itself.
One with God
Jesus prayed this prayer for us:
John 17:11-21 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. … 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. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.