"Promises Kept!"

"To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;" (Psalms 149:7)

  You see, this is what we can do, is to declare Him and His promises; He, on the other hand, He does what we cannot: He keeps every promise that He makes, even those that we might not like! I was reminded yesterday about something else that makes the testimony of David's reaction to the death of that child relevant to Hope: that the child died! If you had anything held over your head as something to administer punishment for something you might have done, and then had it somehow lifted, would you feel vindicated or violated? I couldn't help but think of what David might have been praying for, as he fasted and prayed for that child's life to be spared. Could he have been secretly asking for God to take his life instead? I am certain that David felt a terrible shame for what he had done; however, he knew full well that God had forgiven him, just as He promised that He would. But alone with that promise, there came a certain thorn; much the same as a beautiful rose, when you lay hold of the stem, you can expect to get pricked! I know it might be hard to grasp, but God's judgment goes hand in hand with His mercy and grace. He cannot withhold judgment without withholding His mercy also; and He cannot withhold punishment without also withholding His grace! This is where we need to look deep inside and see what kind of person we really need to become! I am sorry for so many things, and I know that I have been forgiven, but it still hurts; deep down inside, it hurts to remind myself of how much of a heathen I was, and sometimes, still am! I was reminded of something else yesterday, that as far as God is concerned, I am perfect and justified in His sight; not because of what I am right now, but because of what I am in heaven, where He hangs out! That is pretty much what David came to terms with, as he was reminded of God's promises to him; he could not expect the good promises and not expect those bad ones as well; a promise is a promise, good or bad. That is what Holy means: Holy means you keep your promises! Thanks be to God, we have a Redeemer...

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:11-16)