Monday, June 22, 2015
Trading The Old For The New
We believers are offered the deal of the century. When we were in a bad state and downtrodden, we were offered a brand new life for the old dilapidated one we owned. As I thought about the transaction, I wondered if there was a clear description of it in scripture. What I wanted to find was some passage that described how to move from where we were to where we wanted to be with the Father. We all know that it was the work of our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) on the cross that bought us this new life. But how did we get to that point, and how do we move beyond that point? This morning I found a passage that describes this transition well.
Psalms 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
The law of Yahuah (Lord) is perfect. It converts the soul. This is the new covenant.
Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
The passage from Psalms 19 actually records the events of turning to God from the perspective of the point of new birth looking backward. At the new birth the Law is written in our hearts and minds. That which testifies of God, like the signs and wonders He did for the children of Israel in Egypt and the desert make us wise enough to consider Him. When we hear about the Father and that through our Messiah we can have access to Him, our heart rejoices. Yahuah’s commandments enlighten our eyes to the need to change our lives. The reverent fear of Yahuah is clean, unlike the fears from darkness that make us feel like we need a shower. And God’s judgments bring truth and reorder things to being right and true. It is God’s Law that teaches us and brings us to the Messiah, just as this scripture describes.
Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
What a wonderful trade we have been offered from the Father! He gives us the source of teaching that brings us to the Messiah, then He gives us Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), trading His life for ours. Indeed, we are a most blessed people.
Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High. You alone are King. We thank You so much for saving us through the blood of Yeshua (Jesus) on the cross. How You were ever able to endure that, we do not know, but we are glad You did. We need Your kingdom here. We bless You, and we praise Your name Yahuah! Send us today Your overwhelming provision that we might not have the room to contain it, that it overflows to those around us. Forgive us our sins. Help us to get past temptations in this world. Open the eyes of people to Your grace and mercy in the Law. Let Your people see Your desire to dwell in Jerusalem. Help us to mourn for her, and for the evil that is done in this world amongst Your people. Heal our hearts, creating new ones in their place. Deliver us from the evil that would steal from us what You alone have provided. Come with a strong hand and outstretched arm and deliver Your people. We pray all these things in Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.