CHRISTEN SECTION

A GOLDSMITH’S DILEMMA

Dear children in Christ Jesus,

Among the Jews there is an old story which goes like this.  Once King David called his goldsmith and ordered him, “Within a span of two days, I want you to make a special ring for me. This is the attribute that I desire from the ring.  When I am sunk in sorrow it should comfort me, when I lose myself in times of joy, it should be able to put a check on me.”  If the ring fails in fulfilling these two demands, the goldsmith was warned that he would be beheaded; as this was the punishment in those days. The demand of His Majesty led the goldsmith to great sorrow and anguish; his thoughts led to brood over the ring; and he could neither see any way out. Meanwhile, the young prince Solomon was playing in the porch. On seeing the goldsmith worried, the prince went up you him enquire and after listening to the narration of the goldsmith the prince realized the anguish that flooded his heart. The countenance of the prince was a reflection of the brightness and wisdom of God’s glory. He suggested a clever idea and after comforting the goldsmith, Solomon retreated to his games. Finally the day came when the ring would be presented to King David.

The King adorned his finger with the ring and he was pleased with what he saw. “This too shall pass” were carved on the golden ring. Being contentment with the result, King David bestowed many gifts to the goldsmith. 

Dear children, alike prince Solomon, God has blessed each of you with wisdom, understanding, compassion to express your love and concern to your parents and others. When your guardians/ parents are anxious or worried about you, take note of it, do approach them and discuss with them. Their cause of concern would be your behavior, or your carefree attitude. Studies and self grooming are very essential at this stage of your life. What might be a minute, careless matter for you it; could be something that would be unacceptable to them. Respect their dreams and ambitions for you; value their concerns regarding you. Console them, promising to do the right thing and do your best to stick to it.  Respecting and obeying them equals to respecting your Creator. Regularly include them in your daily prayers, look for ways to please them; live up to their expectations and experience how Lord Jesus will comfort them. May the Lord shower his choicest favors over each of you.

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

A DREAM PARADISE

Jesus said, “None of those who cry out, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of God, but only the one who does the will of my father in heaven”. (Matthew 7:21)

PART II

Click here for earlier part.

Coming back to King David once again, we see how peacefully and with great delight he hands over the responsibilities to Solomon. Understanding the emotions of the young heart, he encourages Solomon, “Be confident! Don’t let anything stop you. God will stay with you till you finish the work.”

He continued, “The priests and Levites have already been assigned; Work man of every skill are eagerly waiting to help you. All people and leaders are at your command!”

Turning to the assembly gathered the King announced, “My son is chosen by God to build His temple and he is submissive to God.” David was extremely happy and praised the most mysterious and powerful God.

Then a fervent prayer arises from his heart for Solomon, “Give my son Solomon a whole hearted desire to obey everything that You command and to build your temple.” Then the whole assembly praised the God of their ancestors; they bowed low and gave honour to the Lord and also the king.

The innocent love covered in complete unity amidst a king and his people was truly a moment of great blissfulness for the beloved Father in Heaven. Unable to neglect or ignore such love among mankind, God showered His immense love and blessings over them.

Let us pray to obtain the frankness and sincerity of King David. Impersonating such qualities would transform us into guilt free individuals and be of assistance in our approach towards our Heavenly Father.

In the name of the Lord, they anointed and appointed Solomon as their king and ruler; and the son of David took firm control over the kingdom of Israel. Solomon, like his father, would continue his duties towards God. Soon the Lord appeared to Solomon in his worship and began communicating with him. One day the Lord asked Solomon as to what he desires to obtain from Him?

With absolute reverence, Solomon answered God, “You always showed great love for my Father David and now you have let me succeed as king. O Lord, fulfil the promise you made to my father. You made me king over so many uncountable people, so grant me the wisdom and knowledge I need to rule them.”

God was pleased with the young heart’s humble choice and blessed him with immense wealth, treasure and fame than any king that ever ruled.

Here we observe how the Sovereign Lord honoured those who loved and obeyed Him politely and wholeheartedly. He blessed them by adding treasures and imparting victory in all that they did. King David knew from the very beginning the importance of leaning and depending on his Creator. So he would humble himself courageously before the Creator; forsaking all his dreams, power and kingdom. Those who would witness David publicly acknowledging and proclaiming his dependence on God too would follow and join him in the revered acts and please God; thus becoming the vessels of God’s infinite blessings. Halleluiah!!

Words fall short to describe and express how God honoured the humble young king.

Most of you parents here, often find yourselves over laden with unending worries arising from your child’s studies, behaviours , future etc. What all do you do for their secured future and emotional security? You pray for them, offer works of charity on their behalf, compel them to visit counsellors, retreats centres etc. May be, it might work externally... but how about the inner healings?

And this healing begins with you. Sit back and think.

When was the last time I zealously obeyed the Lord’s commandment?

How many times do I truly bow my head in submission to my Lord?

The Sovereign Lord often reminded our ancestors to be in His shadow and welcomed them to live under the wings of his protection and prosperity. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”  (Duet 6:5) 

The Son of God, Lord Jesus, too taught people that this is the greatest law.  Your worship should be only to the True Living God and it should not be diverted to anything or to anybody else.  For example, the Lord who tolerates not rivals, said to his prophet go and make the people understand that they are ignoring the life giving streams of cool water and instead are digging dry cisterns and by their efforts they are bringing disaster and incurable diseases.

Dear devotees of Christ, see how valuable and wonderful is His protecting guidance that secures us from the wicked and cruel foe and its traps.  Follow the above Holy instructions and it brings with it a realisation of His presence and the awareness that He watches over you; He is a strong wall against your enemies.

God our Lord concluded with a warning to all; that never forget this command.  Teach them to your children.  Repeatedly remember it when you rest and when you work.  Tie them in your arms and wear them on your forehead; write on the door post of your houses and your gates.

The Lord uses the same measuring scale that you would use for Him and others. So today itself, leave your past and all its guilt behind. Unload the stiff necked pride and self attitude, egos all at His holy feet and soon you will experience yourself bath in the life- giving streams that flow from Him.

When His love fills in you, it would enable you to visualize your child’s heart. The empty throne adorned for his dad and mom. When you fix your eyes on your Creator, slowly the gap between you both would be sealed with God’s Love. Your child would have his heart turned towards you and your teachings; and you too will gladden to see your child graciously fly into the throne of dreams that you weaved even before he/she was born. Soon your dream paradise will be at your own hand. Just like David and his son Solomon!

One step ahead towards God certainly will add health, wealth, unity and peace to you and your family, especially to your children who is your only treasure.

So let us place our request to King David for his assistance and the young Solomon to help our children and the Spirit of the Living God to spray His fragrance of unity throughout our life.

             

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

A DREAM PARADISE

Jesus said, “None of those who cry out, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of God, but only the one who does the will of my father in heaven”. (Matthew 7:21)

PART I

I would personally like to thank each one of you for your prayers, concerns and support.  It is always a pleasure to know your eagerness for the Living Word.

Lord Jesus always silenced the self justifying tone of the Sadducees with a good answer; that’s when a Teacher of the Law questioned the Lord, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

Jesus responded, “The most important one is this, ‘Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ” (Mark 12:28-30)

Refusal to obey the Law and to turn against the will of God is sin.

Almighty God made His first covenant with mankind when He instructed Adam and Eve neither to eat nor to touch the fruit of the tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden; but satan’s entry and his cunningness succeeded in convincing them into eating the fruit—thus breaking the First Holy Law. They very consciously and casually disobeyed their Creator, only to become slaves of fear and everlasting sorrow.

When an individual walks in the trail of sin he begins to assume himself as Lord or boasts himself as being equal to the Sovereign God; evil thoughts and questions on the obligations to obey God begins to creep in. This, though, is considered as one of the greatest sins by God and He says, as He stamps His seal of Supremacy over his creation, “If you will obey Me completely by doing what I consider right and by keeping my commands, I will not punish you with any of the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians. I am the Lord, the one who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26)

Let us take notice of King David’s obedience to God. David, son of Jesse, obeyed and observed the Holy Laws with faithfulness and loyalty. He ruled over Israel for forty years and died at a ripe old age, wealthy and respected. Many of the Psalms, we recite during Praise and worship, and that bring solace in our distress were authored by him. He took keen interest and contentment in pleasing God. It was his greatest desire to build a Temple for the Covenant Box; and made preparations to begin the work but when God’s will was conveyed to him – forgetting his majesty and highness, he bowed in submission before God and accepted the Holy Will.

Soon David commanded all the officials and everyone involved in building the Temple to gather and addressed to them as, “It was my dream to build a permanent home for God, but according to the Holy will of Sovereign  Lord the authority was to be given to my son Solomon’.

David wholeheartedly instructs the officials to obey carefully everything the Lord commanded as he blissfully hands- over the plans, administration and updated his son on all the materials used.

David’s infinite love for God and the keenness to obey Him is praiseworthy and obtained ample promises. His dreams and desires did not hold a centrestage; all that mattered to David was God’s Will that had to be fulfilled.

David appreciating his son says, “You must realise that the Lord has chosen you to build His Holy Temple. Now do it—and do it with determination.”

The buzzing world and its mankind today have hardly any time to realize the crucial path its taking. Bring consciousness to any severe situation and soon we see it being smoothened by a mass of people who react thus, “Take a chill pill, man!”

Create social awareness and another set stands up, “This can wait! Let’s relax for now!”

Though you know that your little one is ill mannered and needs some tweaking, yet in order not to spoil the atmosphere of the place, you oversee your child’s error. He/ she too are unaware to realize the importance of the basic etiquettes.  

But look how King David instructs his son, “Be attentive, you have been chosen by the Lord your God.” The father points out to the young son that though he may lack in experience he should never forget, that what he would built is not a mere palace for men but a Holy Temple for the Sovereign Lord. Through these instructions King David is preparing Solomon for the task. With complete respect to God’s Will, David confidently tells his son, “Do it with determination.”

The entire chapter enlightens us on the reverence and fear of God the father passes to his son.

The ancient generations would take necessary steps to observe a virtuous life. Every family member big or small would be strictly made to follow it so that a god fearing family or generation would progress. 

Today if you and your family lack in such reverence, take an inspiration from King David to enact his virtues to obtain God’s blessings.

Let us pray that such God pleasing characters do not dissolve or abolish from our life.

Small efforts to bring back the determination and realization in our daily life can wipe out our dissatisfaction.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            (.... To be continued)

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ