AaronEberline.com » God’s Faithfulness http://www.aaroneberline.com Ruminations on faith, hope, and life while journeying through the Bible and life. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:00:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Turn, walk, and love the fear of God: Jeremiah 5 and 6 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/10/turn-walk-and-love-the-fear-of-god-jeremiah-5-and-6/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/10/turn-walk-and-love-the-fear-of-god-jeremiah-5-and-6/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:00:54 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=5540 Have you ever spent an entire night before and examination studying in the hopes that you can earn a passing grade? I never found cramming to be an effective way of learning. The rapid review of facts may give and illusion of comprehension but there will be no knowledge. “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it. But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’”Jeremiah 5:21-24

Just as cramming for an exam is ineffective so also is a life without a fear of God. How do we learn to fear God? We must know God by learning who He is. We must ”Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16  By looking back upon who God is and what He has done throughout the lives of those who have gone before us we learn to fear Him. This fear is birthed out of our reverent love for God. Listen to God and find hope in Him.

The people of Israel consistently wandered from their devotion to God. The things of life continually crowded into their lives and upon the slippery slope of apathy and lethargy idols took the throne of their lives. The wonderful truth that God was faithful regardless of the actions of the Israelites is our hope. God worked to redeem Israel and myself, even as we were in our sinful state. What do we do when we find ourselves wandering? What happens when our devotion seems to wain? We must first and foremost remember that God is the faithful constant. We are the ones who wander, waver, and wain. Remember that the path traveled is governed by God. He enables us to walk in Him. Rest knowing that your life is in His hands. Your present circumstances may not transform in an instant but your outlook will be at peace in Him.

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/10/turn-walk-and-love-the-fear-of-god-jeremiah-5-and-6/feed/ 0 Urgency and devotion of the hearts desire: Isaiah 56 and 57 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/08/urgency-and-devotion-of-the-hearts-desire-isaiah-56-and-57/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/08/urgency-and-devotion-of-the-hearts-desire-isaiah-56-and-57/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:00:35 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=5474 “Thus says the LORD: ‘Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.’” Isaiah 56:1 The message within Isaiah 56 and 57 talks of two groups of people, those who set their hearts toward God and those who set their hearts away from God. The message proclaimed is one of urgency, devotion, and dependence. The time is drawing near when God will collect all those who have trusted, hoped, and believed in His Son, Jesus Christ. Where have you set your heart? Are you resting steadfast upon the promises of God or have you decided that your life is your own kingdom to be conquered? There is hope for everyone. No matter where you find your hearts devotion you can turn and trust in God alone for your hope.

The beauty of God’s grace is that it is not and exclusive club that requires premium membership. The wonderful salvation of God is available to everyone who calls out to God. Isaiah 56 proclaims the all inclusiveness of God’s grace. “Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will surely separate me from his people’; and let not the eunuch say, ‘Behold, I am a dry tree.’ For thus says the LORD: ‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.’” Isaiah 56:3-5  God defines worth where there is worthlessness. God displays His faithful grace to the broken of this world. God includes those who dwell on the fringe of society, culture, and acceptance. Even when the battle lies in our mind God destroys the voice of doubt and proclaims worth. Are you filled with hope because of God?

Are you an enemy of God? Do you believe that you can do anything you set your heart towards? Has pride overtake your life? You are living a life that will not last forever. God promises that He will not strive against the evil of this world forever. “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made.’” Isaiah 57:15,16

The time has come for you to choose today who you will serve. I cannot make you decide today to follow God. The choice is yours to make. God may be the ethereal being to you who exists only in thought but I challenge you to dwell upon the truths found in Scripture. I challenge you to cry out for help. God restores. God renews. God loves. Turn aside from your life of idols and seek out God.

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/08/urgency-and-devotion-of-the-hearts-desire-isaiah-56-and-57/feed/ 0 Will you abdicate the throne of life to the True King: Isaiah 48 and 49 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/08/will-you-abdicate-the-throne-of-life-to-the-true-king-isaiah-48-and-49/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/08/will-you-abdicate-the-throne-of-life-to-the-true-king-isaiah-48-and-49/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:00:57 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=5450 What can be learned of God? As we look upon the interaction between God and his creation throughout scripture we start to glimpse how perfect God is and the completely dysfunctionality of mankind. We easily align ourselves in complete allegiance to God but do we truly live as a child of God? “Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came from the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right. For they call themselves after the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; the LORD of hosts is his name.” Isaiah 48:1,2  Have we progressed to a point where we only view our faith and religious endevours as chic, trendy, fashion? What percentage of people claim to be religious because they attend church once a year or because they feel in tune with themselves or nature?

We should not be so quick to disassociate and dissolve ourselves from the knowledge and relationship with God that we were created to abide within. Throughout Scripture we see that God is working out His purpose for His glory. ”For my name’s sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.” Isaiah 48:9-10  Can you sense the power, authority, and splendor of God? Our lives are trivial exercises in futility compared to the mere eternal existence of God.

The marvel of God is that He takes an interest in mankind. We are complete failures that God deems precious. The intent of God that is documented through scripture tells of His desire to restore mankind from his rebellious nature. Time after time we rebel against God as we waiver and seek to be our own god. Throughout our disobedience God remains faithful and true. ”Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me.” Isaiah 48:18,19  What would our live be like if we fully submitted to God? Would all that we would deem loss be truly lost? ”Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.” Isaiah 49:13  We cannot begin to fathom what God is purposing to do through us.

Will you give up the fight that is occurring within your soul and abdicate the throne to God? Can there be anything that will keep God from working in our lives? Can His nature be thwarted? “Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? For thus says the LORD: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children. I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine. Then all flesh shall know that I am the LORD your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” Isaiah 49:24-26  Will you take hope knowing that God is working? Not even your sinful nature is strong enough to thwart God. Will you abdicate the throne of life? Your life and existence depends upon your answer.

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/08/will-you-abdicate-the-throne-of-life-to-the-true-king-isaiah-48-and-49/feed/ 0 And we will see the Lord in His glory: Isaiah 35 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/07/and-we-will-see-the-lord-in-his-glory-isaiah-35/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/07/and-we-will-see-the-lord-in-his-glory-isaiah-35/#comments Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:00:55 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=5246 Are you broken and weary by the trials and trouble of life? Do you look upon your life and despair think that all hope is lost? I challenge you to aspire to hope again. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.” Isaiah 35:1,2  Jesus Christ lives! That is your hope. You can never change the fact that Jesus gave up His life that you could live. Will you trust fully in His provision?

Tell of the greatness of God. Proclaim the great truth that Jesus Christ brings hope to the weariness of life. The mundane has purpose and the dreary becomes vibrant when Jesus Christ enters the fray. “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.” Isaiah 35:3-6a  Nothing in this world is able to prevent the vengeful love of God from healing your brokenness. Will you be strong? Will you wait upon the Lord?

The path is before you. Will you walk in peace and trust? God has made a way for you to endure this life of pain and trouble. Jesus Christ has died on the cross of Calvary to bring you salvation. “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:8-10  Will you live out your eternal blessedness today? We have been given the full measure of Jesus Christ’s blessing today. We can shout and sing for joy because our Hope and Joy lives. Take your trust in Jesus Christ alone today and you will not be ashamed.

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/07/and-we-will-see-the-lord-in-his-glory-isaiah-35/feed/ 0 Is God your all encompassing everything who sustains you: Psalms 144 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/is-god-your-all-encompassing-everything-who-sustains-you-psalms-144/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/is-god-your-all-encompassing-everything-who-sustains-you-psalms-144/#comments Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:00:41 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=4884 “My lovingkindness and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me. O Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him? Man is like a mere breath; his days are like a passing shadow.” Psalm 144:2-4  Have we forgotten the love for God that was encompassed in complete awe and wonder because of God’s sufficient faithfulness? Listen to David’s words in Psalm 144; God is David’s lovingkindness, fortress, stronghold, deliverer, shield, and refuge. This list of who God was for David is all encompassing to every corner of David’s life. There is no area within David’s life that God was not intimately present in. God by our limited human understanding should have no desire to interact with us but His grace is greater than our inability.

Can you say that God is your all encompassing everything who sustains you? ”How blessed are the people who are so situated; how blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!” Psalm 144:15  If you find yourself on the precipice of uncertainty today I exhort you to stop striving to claw your way through life and embrace the grace of God. Will you today declare that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. The simply unfathomable truth that Jesus Christ died so that man might live breaks all bonds that hold us captive. Rejoice for God loved us enough to restore us. Have you placed your trust in Jesus Christ?

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/is-god-your-all-encompassing-everything-who-sustains-you-psalms-144/feed/ 0 Give up the pretense of striving to be good and cling to God: Psalm 143 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/give-up-the-pretense-of-striving-to-be-good-and-cling-to-god-psalm-143/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/give-up-the-pretense-of-striving-to-be-good-and-cling-to-god-psalm-143/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:00:07 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=4877 How are you feeling today? Is your life marked by an eternal perspective or has your perspective wavered as you fight, strive, and toil against your sinful nature? We claim to fully acknowledge our helplessness before God but our thoughts and actions often tell a different story. We consider ourselves to be good but are we living and embracing the grace of God? The grace of God is to be consistently abided in, clung to, and treasured above everything else in our lives. We must give up our pretense, full of our striving to be good enough, and cling to God in our weakness. We cannot make a way through our but God is more than able to help us. “Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in You; teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I take refuge in You.” Psalm 143:8,9  David knew that in the despairing moments of life it was only God who could move to bring lasting deliverance. His enemies were surrounding him but despite the imminent danger David clung to God. When all you see is despair will you cling to God? Will you give up you attempts to save yourself and let God save you?

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/give-up-the-pretense-of-striving-to-be-good-and-cling-to-god-psalm-143/feed/ 0 Find your trust in God’s faithfulness and sufficiency: Psalm 138 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/find-your-trust-in-gods-faithfulness-and-sufficiency-psalm-138/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/find-your-trust-in-gods-faithfulness-and-sufficiency-psalm-138/#comments Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:00:51 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=4858 Do you believe that God answers every prayer? Do you view answered prayers as the ones with results matching your expectations? Do not fall into the habit of believing that God’s care and concern for you is summed up in whether you get what you desire. Remember that when God decides that your desire is not ultimately best for your life that He is answering your prayer. Are you willing to rest in God and wait on Him? Do you respond with humility, thankfulness, and reverence to God? Do you find strength in God? ”On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3  It is imperative that we trust God and believe that He will work for our best when we come to Him in prayer. ”The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8  Will you trust in God’s faithfulness? Will you trust in the sufficiency of God?

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/find-your-trust-in-gods-faithfulness-and-sufficiency-psalm-138/feed/ 0 God’s lovingkindness is truly everlasting: Psalm 136 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/gods-lovingkindness-is-truly-everlasting-psalm-136/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/gods-lovingkindness-is-truly-everlasting-psalm-136/#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:00:32 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=4847 What comes to mind when you think about the lovingkindness of God? Is the lovingkindness of God a solitary act or a renewing act for mankind? Was it loving kindness that caused God to create this creation we live in? Was it lovingkindness that continually delivered the people of Israel from themselves? Was the lovingkindness expressed wholly upon the cross of Calvary? Was it lovingkindness that brought you through life to this exact moment? The lovingkindness of God is not a small act played out in a single moment but it is woven throughout time from the past, through the present, and into the future. The lovingkindness of God speaks to His unfailing faithfulness and covenant with mankind. “Who remembered us in our low estate, for His lovingkindness is everlasting, and has rescued us from our adversaries, for His lovingkindness is everlasting; who gives food to all flesh, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 136:23-26

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/gods-lovingkindness-is-truly-everlasting-psalm-136/feed/ 0 Who sits on the throne of authority in your life: Psalm 134 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/who-sits-on-the-throne-of-authority-in-your-life-psalm-134/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/who-sits-on-the-throne-of-authority-in-your-life-psalm-134/#comments Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:00:46 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=4837 Have we become so busy that we cease worshiping God? Our days become more and more cluttered with tasks and errands as we continue in the race of life. We have bills to pay, food to provide, shelter to pay off, and clothing to purchase on a continual basis but has this grind of life drawn us away from worshiping God? We have taken our belief and trust that God will provide for our needs and taken the burden of provision upon our own shoulders. What would happen if we returned to our first love? We so easily say that God will provide for us but then we do not rest and wait for Him. What would happen if we took time regularly to rest before God and share our heart with Him in worship? When we return to our first love of God we will find that all of the worries and concerns don’t press upon our lives as they once did. God stands ready for you to cast aside your burdens and worries of life upon Him. In His complete sufficiency there will be total satisfaction and rest. Will you return to worship the God who loved you so much He gave you eternal life through His only son?

]]> http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/who-sits-on-the-throne-of-authority-in-your-life-psalm-134/feed/ 0 Taste the pure faithfulness of God: Psalm 132 http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/taste-the-pure-faithfulness-of-god-psalm-132/ http://www.aaroneberline.com/2011/02/taste-the-pure-faithfulness-of-god-psalm-132/#comments Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:00:37 +0000 Aaron Eberline http://www.aaroneberline.com/?p=4828 What is faithfulness? We too easily perceive with a feigned understanding the truly unknowable faithfulness that is sourced in God alone. We cannot know God or comprehend the depth of His faithfulness to us. In Psalm 132 the return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem is recalled and celebrated as the great faithfulness of God is praised. The psalmist cries out for God to remain faithful to His promises to the line of David. He knows that God is the true source of hope because He remains faithful to His lovingkindness. We look upon our friends, family, or pets as examples of faithfulness but this faithfulness is built upon flawed humanity and our emotional expectations cannot be truly faithful. Have you tasted the pure faithfulness that is found in God alone? Can you rely on God’s lovingkindness? In your helplessness will you trust in God’s faithfulness?

“The Lord has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back; ‘Of the fruit of your body I will set upon you throne. And My testimony which I will teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever.’” Psalm 132:11,12  We are living out this promise of God today. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s lovingkindness. Jesus is the heir of David that has restored the fellowship between God and mankind. Will you embrace the faithful and loving grace of God? Jesus Christ is the pure expression of God faithfulness; He died that we may live. Will you believe?

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