September (part 2 of 2)

King Abimelech and his men tried to take away everything from Isaac, but he bore it very patiently. God spoke to him not to get involved in dealings of strife and hatred with them. He had many servants with him, but he refused to strive with Abimelech. The Lord brought Isaac to Rehoboth. Then Abimelech and his men came to Isaac to apologise and make peace with him. Isaac said to him, "Why do you come to me now, seeing you hated me and sent me away from you?" He replied, "We saw certainly that the LORD was with you" (Gen. 26:26-28).

In the same way we also have to declare our salvation. The heathen may try to revile and reproach us, but we should not take any notice. We refuse to use any worldly weapon. For a time we might have to suffer earthly loss, but one day the very same people will come to us and say, "Certainly, we have seen that the Lord is with you?.

We have proved the faithfulness of God in our lives, how able He is to help us in our needs. There were times when no man could help us and then the Lord Himself came to our aid and solved all our difficulties. Thus He has given us a new song. Those who have no new song will murmur wherever they go; they will find fault with everyone and everything; they will carry tales and spread scandal wherever they go. But those who have the new song will go on declaring God's glory to the heathen and His wonders among all people. Has God given you that new song? Are you singing that new song everyday? Are you showing your neighbours His wonderful works?

September 20

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof" (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

Although Asa accomplished much we notice that he did fail in just one thing; he did not remove some of the high places in the land, and people continued to sacrifice to other gods upon those high places (2 Chronicles 15:17 and 1 Kings 15:14). This showed their disobedience, blindness and stubbornness. King Asa allowed some of these high places to remain. This weakened his faith and brought about his downfall. Baasha king of Israel came to fight against Judah. King Asa turned to the king of Assyria for help instead of trusting in God (2 Chron 16:1-6). Although by this means Asa succeeded in defeating Israel, he brought upon himself the judgment of God. It was this time that the words of 2 Chronicles 16:9 were spoken by God through the prophet Hanani: "... the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him...'. In these words we have a promise which brings us much comfort, inspiration and strength. As long as we continue to put our trust in God, and seek to honour and obey Him implicitly, His eyes will run to and fro throughout the whole earth on our behalf; and no matter what our danger, need, problem or temptation, He will cast down our enemies, meet every need, solve every problem and give us victory over every temptation.

Because King Asa had failed in a small matter of obedience and faithfulness, the Lord was not able to fulfill his promise for him and in the second part of the same verse the Lord had to tell him. "Herein thou hast done foolishly; therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars". In this we have a warning for ourselves, that if we fail as Asa failed, we also will forfeit the promise of God. Sometimes when people fail to get a promotion in their job, they are persuaded by their friends to give bribes in order to secure it. They argue, " We prayed to God and waited long enough, but He did not answer our prayers; so we were compelled to use the usual method". They succeed in getting the promotion which they longed for, but they lose their faith in God. As a result, they end their lives, like Asa, without peace or joy.

Thus although King Asa began his life well, with faith in God, he ended it in misery. What a great lesson this is to us all! You too, might have begun your spiritual life well, but now because of your trials, perhaps you are being tempted to give bribes or submit a false statement. If that is so, you would do well to take a warning from the life of King Asa.

September 21

"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup" (1 Cor. 11:28).

The Lord says to us believers, "You are very precious to Me". We also say, "Yes Lord, You are also very precious unto us", He is more precious than father, mother, husband, wife, children, job, position, property and everything. Only those who know Him by experience and are looking for Him, are ready for Him, love His appearing, can say these words. "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Heb 9:28). "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Tim.4:8). And that is why we are expected to love Him more than father, mother, husband, wife, children, relations or any earthly possession of any kind. Such a testimony must come from our heart.

True worship comes only out of a pure heart. Those who are born again have become righteous with the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, have been washed and are being washed by His precious blood day by day, can worship Him saying, "Yes Lord, we are looking for Thee; we are ready for Thee, longing for Thee". We are purchased by the same blood, that is why we are unto Him equally precious, equally necessary and equally important. We can say truthfully that we are all one family in the Lord Jesus Christ. No more rich or poor, high or low, white or black; all are one in Christ. To help us to maintain such oneness our Lord ordained the Testimony of Breaking of Bread. By eating the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ we testify that we are abundantly satisfied. He is our spiritual meat and heavenly drink. Day by day we feed upon Him and are fully satisfied. We no longer hanker for worldly pleasures, and worldly activities. With that boldness, we will welcome our Lord with joy when He comes again the second time, "Even so, Lord, come quickly".

For the same reason, we examine our hearts, search ourselves, put things right and then take part in the Lord's table. "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup" (1 Cor.11:28). Before we take part in the Lord's table, we should keep the following portions of the Scripture in mind - 1 Cor. 5:6-13; 10:16-22; 11:23-32. It is not a ceremony to take part in, it is a testimony. All those who are born again, having good conscience, looking forward to the Second coming of the Lord Jesus with joy and gladness, can take part. Those who are not born again, who do not have the assurance that their sins are forgiven, have not found true peace in the Lord Jesus Christ, should refrain from taking part. Those who are born again, and are defiled by some sin or habit of sin also should not take part. If you find in your heart any bitter root of hatred, enmity, jealously, suspicion, impurity, greed, or hypocrisy, ask the Lord to pull it out. We have to put all things right with God and man. If God shows any matter, promise Him that you will put things right, and then participate. If you have been careless and negligent in giving God His time, or tithe, and have failed to honour Him by not giving your testimony, ask God's forgiveness and then take part. If you have lost your first love for God, ask Him to help you to recover it. If your hunger and thirst for the Word of God has become less, ask God to help you to recover it. If you have denied, or failed to confess Him, ask God's forgiveness, then you can take part worthily. And thus after searching your heart, examining yourselves and putting all things right before God and man, you should take part with good conscience, pure heart and clean hands. Then you are blessed.

September 22

"... his eyes were as a flame of fire" (Revelation 1:14).

Many things can be said with eyes. A story is told of Napoleon, Emperor of France. There was in his army a company of soldiers who were rebelling against him. So Napoleon pitched his tent and gave an order, "Bring those rebellious soldiers into my tent one by one". The Emperor sat in his tent, and according to command, the soldiers were brought before him one by one. He did not say a word, but he just sat and looked at each of them one by one, from head to foot, and sent them away. From that day none rebelled against him. Napoleon did not speak. He did not say, "Look here, you have done something wrong". The soldiers could see from his eyes that he was very angry. So they feared him and said to themselves. "If we do not obey him, he will punish us".

A wealthy man in America had one good eye and one glass eye. The glass eye was so beautifully made that nobody could tell which was the glass eye and which was the real one. One day he called a child and asked it, "My child, which of my eyes is the real one and which is the glass one?" The child at once pointed out the glass eye correctly. The man said, "How do you know?" The child answered, "Because there is no love in it." The glass eye was only shining but there was no love in it. In God's Word I see the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are full of love: divine love, eternal love. In Jeremiah 31:3 we read "... Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee." The fire in the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ is not to terrify you but to pour His love into you. He wants that divine fire to come into you. God wants you to be holy. But how can we be holy? It is by looking into his eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ and by seeing Him face to face. In the beginning it is not pleasant, because the fire will burn away every dross of sin in you. But as you continue to look into His eyes, divine love will be poured into you.

September 23

"... without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

The ministry of the Lord Jesus as our Heavenly High Priest becomes more effective through faith. All that has been said in the first ten chapters of Hebrews becomes clearer through faith. By faith only we can enjoy all the spiritual blessings. "NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (11:1). As human beings we are more interested in the things seen than the unseen. When we receive the life of God, unseen things become more real to us than the seen things. Real faith gives us more and more affection for heavenly things, such as the Word of God, the kingdom of God and our share in it (Col.3:2-4). "For by it the elders obtained a good report" (Heb 11:2). By faith great men of God could live a life that was pleasing to Him. Whatever God showed and declared they believed and obeyed. Our faith also becomes strong when we obey implicitly.

"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear" (v. 3). According to God's Word, He created everything out of nothing. Those who do not believe in the Bible have many theories about creation. Some say, it took many years to create all things. But God' Word says that by one word of the Lord Jesus all things came into being (Ps. 33:6). If we try to understand it by human wisdom or knowledge or science, we will be all the more confused. Those who have not received the life of God believe only in man's theories. For them unseen things have no value. But we believe what the Bible says. God took the dust of the earth and created man. Also, without sowing or tilling all the vegetation came into existence (Gen. 1:12). Without the sun and the moon, light came into existence by the word of God. As we read in Genesis chapter 1, "He said and it was so." By faith we understand this and by faith we believe it. Those who do not believe are full of fear and doubt and fail to understand what God has kept for them.

September 24

"... the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter" (Luke 22:61)

Peter had told the Lord, "I will never deny Thee." But when temptation came he denied the Lord three times, and the third time he began to swear and curse, " I know not this man, of whom ye speak." No doubt that was a very difficult moment for Peter. We may not be able to imagine it. He was surrounded by wicked men who were the enemies of the Lord Jesus. So now he was filled with fear. Yet he had said before, "I will never deny Thee." Most of us also say the same thing, and yet we deny Him. Some people will not even carry their Bibles with them. They say, "What will my neighbour think? What will my officer say? Perhaps they might say, Even this man has become very religious!" They are afraid, and when they do carry their Bibles, they hide them under their coats or somewhere else. They are ashamed of what people may say. Others feel too shy even to say a few words about our Lord. It is very easy for us to condemn Peter. But what about ourselves? Have we not miserably failed Him and denied Him so many times?

The Lord Jesus Christ loved Peter and He used a cock to show it. We do not know how it came, but we know that the Lord did not command an angel but a cock, and used it to tell Peter that he had denied Him. And the cock obeyed the Lord Jesus Christ and said, "Cookaroo, Cookaroo." Then Peter remembered the Lord. The Lord can use even a cock if He wants to. He is not depending upon preachers. Sometimes preachers preach for hours and no one repents. But that morning a mere cock which obeyed the Lord made Peter repent. When the cock crew "the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter" (Luke 22:61). Peter also looked at the Lord. His heart became softened, he remembered the word of the Lord and he wept bitterly.

Peter looked to the Lord and obtained victory over his temptation. Now the Lord is saying to you, "Look unto me". Whatever your sins may be, whatever your failures may be and however shameful and great your sins, He is saying the same words, "Look unto me. Do not look at your preacher, or your friends, or even at angels. Look unto Me and be ye saved." Whenever you look at the Lord, tears of repentance will start falling. Do not refuse to feel sorry for your sins today. The Lord is calling you to look unto Him no matter what your fears, troubles or afflictions may be. We tell you with authority, all your afflictions, troubles and trials will disappear provided you look at the One Who loved you and dies for you. Showing His wounded hands and feet. He says, "Look unto Me and see what I done for you. How much I have suffered for you to forgive you and to transform you and to take away all your fears, afflictions and trials."

September 25

"But we preach Christ crucified" (1 Cor. 1:23)

There is a great deal of wrong teaching prevalent these days concerning the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. When people go through suffering they say, " This is my cross, I have to bear it". When one is unable to get on with one's wife or husband, or when one has to struggle with poverty, they think it is their cross. Some Christians have crosses everywhere, inside and outside their churches and homes. They carry them in their pockets, or wear them on their necks. They make the sign of the cross several times a day and think they get many blessings thereby. No amount of cross-wearing and cross-bearing and cross-worshipping can bring the power of the cross into our lives. Only the power of the cross working in us can bring victory and blessing into our lives. That is why we should understand and claim our oneness with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.

We have to understand the meaning of the cross spiritually by revelation. That is why the apostle Paul says, "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2). Again in Gal. 6:14 he writes, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus...". He does not glory in "tongues" (1 Cor.14:18), or in visions, or in being caught up to the third heaven or in his having wrought signs, wonders and mighty deeds (2 Cor. 12:12). He does not glory in the number of churches he established. He says earnestly, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord...". The cross was the daily experience of the apostle, and his life was strengthened by it. The power of God came into him constantly because he understood the meaning of the cross. The understanding of the cross, and the experiencing of it are both necessary. God's power can come into us only in and through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1 :18). Our Lord Jesus died, was buried and rose again that we might enjoy that power fully in our own lives.

God has made available to us a great power when we put our trust in the Lord Jesus. Paul explains this power in his epistle to the Ephesians (ch. 1: 14-23). He prayed that the Lord may open the eyes of their understanding, so that they may comprehend the exceeding greatness of the power that was put into them. It is exactly the same power that God used in Christ Jesus when He raised Him from the dead. This same power is now available for every believer. If you believe that the Lord Jesus died for your sins and rose again, then you must also believe that it is for your sake that He did all this. He rose again to live in you and manifest the power of resurrection in and through you constantly.

September 26

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but ... of the household of God" (Eph 2:19).

One of the fundamental principle of salvation is laying on of hands (Heb. 6:2). In the Bible laying on of hands was used for different purposes such as showing relationship, oneness, equality and identification. The first mention of the laying on of hands is found in Genesis 48:14. "And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. "Jacob laid his hands upon his grandsons and blessed them. Joseph had become a very great and wealthy man in Egypt; he was next to Pharaoh, and yet he brought his sons before his poor father Jacob so that he might bless them. He did not bring them for a worldly blessing. Materially Joseph was much more wealthy than Jacob yet he brought his sons to his father Jacob because he knew that God had promised a sevenfold blessing to Abraham and his seed (Gen. 12:2-3).

There are many believers who are deceived by worldly people. They walk in the ways of the world. They are more interested in dinner parties and picnics than in the things of God. That is why they do not grow spiritually. As believers we cannot have any fellowship with worldly people. We should not have any share in their worldly activities. We can be kind and polite to them, but our fellowship should be only with God's people even if they are poor or illiterate, because they are our people. So by laying on the hands after baptism, we declare together that we are identified with God's people.

I remember an incident in my life. During my college days I had a very good friend. When I returned to India from Canada, I went to see him. By then he had become very wealthy. He requested me to spend a few days with him. He was very kind to me, and made me very comfortable, but I felt only like a stranger in his house. I could not pray with him or talk to him about God. I could not even find a proper place for my quiet time. So every morning, I used to go to a nearby field. One day after finishing my quiet time, I heard some singing from the other side of the field. I went in that direction and saw a very small hut made of mud and straw. I stood there and heard the family singing a Christian song. Seeing me standing there, a man came outside and asked me, " Sir, do you want to see someone?" I said, "No, I am a Christian. I heard a Christian song being sung and my heart is drawn towards you." He said, "Come inside please." I went inside. It was a small hut. There was no furniture. I sat on the floor, but I was very happy. Though my friend was so very good to me, his house was furnished with costly furniture and everything was so wonderful, still I felt like a stranger. But I met this man for the first time. I did not even know his name. He was very, very poor, earning hardly Rs. 10/- a month, yet I was happy with him because we sang together and prayed together. I said to myself. " I have found my people". We belong to God and His people. Those who are attracted by their worldly friends do not grow spiritually.

September 27

"...happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee" (Ps 128:2).

In Ephesians 5:17 to 31 we are given seven secrets of a very happy married life or the secret of a happy home.

The first secret of a happy married life is given in Eph 5:17. "...be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." This is a simple Scripture verse which can be remembered or learned by experience. If you want success in your home, job, business, or any other activity, that verse should be remembered; understand what God's will is. If anyone questions you, "Do you know how to find God' will?" What will you say? Can you prove that you have found God's will? Just saying, " Let thy will be done" is not sufficient. God's Word says, you have to understand what God's will is. That is why we should have the gift of the Holy spirit to help us to find God's will, otherwise, we will be wasting our money and energy on things of nought.

In 1932 many times I wasted my time, energy and money on shameful things. But thank God, one day He taught me that I am not my own and He taught me also to find His perfect will in every matter. We are told in Rom. 8:14, how we can find god's will. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God". We must be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. To be indwelt by the Holy Spirit we must be pure and holy. God is holy. He says, " Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Pet 1:16). That is why we have to have our sins forgiven before we can receive into us the Holy Spirit. To those who come to us and ask us to help them in arranging their marriages, our first question is, "Are your sins forgiven?" We are not concerned about their family, wealth, property or education. We are only concerned about their experience of new birth and whether they have received the gift of eternal life. Then we ask them, "Do you know how to find God's will? Did you pray to find God's will before consenting to this marriage?" That is the first foundational condition to be fulfilled for a happy home. We thank God, He is willing to forgive any sinner and give him the gift of eternal life.

The second condition for a happy home is given in Eph.5:18, "...be filled with the Spirit". For a happy home, you should be willing to be led by the Spirit not only for the marriage but also for every step of your life. In all things you should be led by the Spirit. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way" (Psa. 37:23). Every step you take before going anywhere, taking up any business or making any plan for building a house, you should find God's will, and do all things in accordance with God's will. That is the result of being filled with the Spirit. As believers we have privilege of going to the Lord Jesus to find everything from Him. He is the living God Who rose again and we as believers in Him have the right to go to Him, to be led by Him every day for every matter. We have the great joy of going to him because He is our Creator.

September 28

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22)

The third secret of a happy married life is, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). The third condition for a happy home is to express your thanksgiving by songs. But some people are filled with murmurings and complaints. If you are really happy, there will be a song in your heart throughout the day. According to Psa. 40:3 we have a new song of thanksgiving which enables us to thank God for all that we receive from Him. Some people thank God for lunch but not for breakfast or tea. Some thank Him only for good things but not for all things. If you know God by experience, you will praise Him for everything, for His love, mercy, kindness, favour, gifts and guidance. Thank Him for the way He sought you and saved you. Thank Him for everything. Usually we say "Thank you" to people for everything. In one hour we say "Thank you " forty-five times. For everything we say, "Thank you, thank you". Those who have received God's grace will have a song of praise in their hearts all the time. We can thank God even for every trial and temptation. It is only the song of praise and thanksgiving which will give you heavenly joy. "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph.5 :20). Note the words, "always for all things". Begin the day with thanksgiving. Before you have your tea or coffee or anything else, spend some time in thanksgiving, and end your day with thanksgiving. Remember what you have received from God's loving hands in so many ways and thank Him from the very depth of your heart.

The fourth condition for a happy home is given in Eph.5:21, "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God". Maintain divine order in your home. Those who should be respected must be respected. Those who should be honoured must be honoured. Elders must be honoured. That is God's order. If you do not respect elders, you will not enjoy divine favour. Wife should be in subjection to her husband. (Eph.5:22). It is simple thing but many wives find it hard to obey their husbands. We cannot change God's order. Your husband may be P.U.C. failed or B.A. failed, yet he is your husband. You must obey him, whether he is rich or poor, educated or illiterate you must obey him in the Lord. You cannot go against the Word of God. But if the husband asks you to go with him to cinema you should not obey him. Obedience is only in the Lord. This is a simple lesson to learn. We cannot twist the Word of God. Some wives change God's order and His Word. That is why, they are unhappy in their married lives (Eph. 5:24). Divine order must be maintained. In some homes wives earn Rs. 700/- while the husband earns only Rs. 120/-. So the wife may say, "You have to obey me, because you are earning only Rs. 120/-. You wash the baby's napkins and I will go to the office". This is not divine order. Husband must be given the right place. He is responsible for the family. He must bear the family burden as a man. Then, there will be subjection and divine order.

September 29

"... heirs together of the grace of life..." (1 Peter 3:7).

The fifth condition is, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Eph. 5:25). This is very, very important principle for a happy home. It is repeated four times in these few verses (Eph. 5:25, 28a, 28b, 33). God knows beforehand that many husbands are selfish. They want good food, every comfort, every convenience and especially they want obedience from the wife but no love. They say "You must obey, you must obey". That is all they want. They are hardhearted husbands. They only demand certain things. Again and Again Scripture says, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church". How did He love us? Not because we deserved it. We had no virtue in us. We were totally ruined by sin and defilement, yet He loved us. By grace we are saved. As we came to Him, He loved us. When we humbled ourselves, He forgave all our sins and goes on loving us. His love will never change as it says in Jer. 31:3. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love". Many husbands regard lust as love. God wants pure love coming from heaven. It does not depend upon physical beauty or qualification or position or property. It is the gift of God. The Lord Jesus Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. We can feel His presence. When we go to Him He receives us. Such a love is necessary. But I am sad to say, very few husbands have such a love. "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies" (Eph. 5:28). We take much care of our bodies, especially when we are sick or have some pain in the body. Also we spend much time and take much care to keep the body clean and healthy. Even so, husband must be equally concerned about his wife. Then there will be oneness.

The sixth condition is, "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Eph. 5:30). Do all things with one mind. True spiritual oneness must be maintained by the husband and wife to enjoy divine favour in married life. There is no need to argue about anything. By praying together, you can come to one mind for all family problems. No need to waste your time in arguments for hours together. Go upon your knees and find God's will for all your family matters and problems.

The seventh condition for a happy home is given in Eph. 5:31. "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh". This is a very, very important principle. When you are married, live separately from your parents, whosoever you are, otherwise there will be quarrels between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law. They quarrel with each other. The mother-in-law waits till her son comes home. When he comes home, she takes him aside, and tells him that his wife said this or that and so many things. The same thing happens the next day. Then the husband takes action against his wife. Live separately whosoever you are, if you want a happy home. Even though you have to live in a small room, it will avoid quarrels between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law. Otherwise, there is bound to be quarrels. The mother-in-law is bound to be jealous. Divine law cannot be changed. Live separately. Then you will be happy.

Many wives depend upon gold, silver and expensive garments to look beautiful. All these things cannot give true beauty. It cannot bring true satisfaction. But learning to serve others with all humility and love, give more beauty. "...the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price' (1 Pet. 3:4). In the same way, according to 1 Peter 3:6,7 all the burdens must be borne by the husband. That is how they can show love and respect to each other and thus become true joint-heirs of the grace of life. Then they can share together all their spiritual experiences. That makes a happy home.

September 30

"...he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

As our heavenly High Priest the Lord Jesus has fourfold ministry. Firstly, He intercedes on our behalf. Secondly He has offered one perfect sacrifice on our behalf. Thirdly, He helps us to find God's will. Fourthly, as our great High Priest, the Lord Jesus gives us heavenly food.

Melchizedek appeared to Abraham as the High Priest in Gen. 14:18. "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God." No one knows from where he came. He was without father and without mother. He was without beginning and without ending. He was made like unto the Son of God. That proves that God Himself took the form of Melchizedek and brought heavenly food for Abraham. This was the prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus Christ how He would offer His body and shed His blood. By eating that heavenly food Abraham got extra strength to overcome the temptation brought by the king of Sodom. We need heavenly food by which we get spiritual strength. The Lord has made provision for victory over every temptation which we have to face during childhood, youth and old age. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13). That victory is made possible by receiving the heavenly food from the hand of Melchizedek. Our Bible knowledge and will power cannot help us at the time of temptations. The Lord Jesus Christ is our merciful and faithful High Priest. If we go to Him by faith according to Heb. 2:17,18 and derive strength through His ministry as the great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, He will give us victory over all the devices of the enemy. Those who depend upon themselves or upon their Bible knowledge, fasting and long prayers will remain spiritually defeated and barren. But those who know how to be benefitted by the High Priestly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ become spiritually strong day by day. We first know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Then we know Him as our Lord and King. Then we know Him as our great High Priest. May the Lord teach us how to appropriate His High Priestly ministry in our day to day life.