Sugar Sticks for 9-02

Divine Sugar Sticks for September 2002

Need a quick spiritual energy boost? Here's just what you need ... Divine Sugar Sticks. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
Buddy develops these on a daily basis. I'll try to keep up with his creations as often as I can, so check back often for the latest treats of the day.

What's the background behind Sugar Sticks? Click here to find out.

Thursday, September 26, 2002

“For Thy Word’s Sake”

This is the ultimate appeal of those who can say with David as he sat before the Lord, “O Lord God, Thou art that God, and Thy Words are true, and Thou hast promised this goodness unto Thy servant,” 2 Sam 27:28.

All fear regarding the fulfillment of any Divine Promise is banished if we remember that Truth enters essentially into the Divine character, and that each Person in the Trinity cannot be anything else but truthful, both in His Words and in His works.

Their Promises are all the free and spontaneous dictates of Divine goodness.

None of the Divine Persons in the Godhead were obliged to make the Promises They did, and no power in the universe could hinder any of these Persons from breaking any of Their Promises, or call Them to account for any breach of Promise.

Further, there is no higher authority to compel Them to fulfill such Promises which are binding upon Them by those immutable principles of moral nature.

There is Only One Thing Our Lord Forgets – And That is the Sins of Believers

“Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more,” Hebrews 10:17

There is one thing He never forgets and that is the soul redeemed by the precious blood of His precious Son.

“Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands, thy walls are continually before Me,” Isa 49:16.

Behind all God’s Promises there is the love beat of a Father’s heart, seeking the highest and the best for those He loves. It may be hard at times when tears and trials are ours to rest in His love, and to accept His Promise of protection.

Yet nevertheless, because He is all wise as well as all loving, He knows what is best for those He has promised to bless. God is His own Interpreter and able therefore to make everything plain.

Lord, my heart hath not a doubt,
That Thou dost compass me about,
With compassion Divine,
The love for me once crucified,
Is not a love to leave my side,
But waiteth ever to divide,
Each smallest care of mine.

There is Love

John, the apostle of love, gives us a brief but comprehensive statement of the Divine character in the twice-repeated three-word phrase, “God is love,” 1 John 4:6, 18.

Benevolence then belongs essentially and pre-eminently to God’s moral nature, and is inseparably associated in its exercise with all His other perfections.

All creation is stored with the most irresistible proofs that He who made the universe is good, supremely good, and not only good, but righteous, kind, and loving. And that this love will not suffer Him to go back upon, or to forget, what He promised.

	“Thou shalt not be forgotten of Me,” Isa 44:21.
	“Can a woman forsake her suckling child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? They may forget, yet will I not forget thee,” Isa 49:15.
	“He remembered His holy Promise,” Psa 105:42.
	“The mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,” Luke 1:72.

Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Divine Names and Divine Promises

There are many more Divine names and titles we could dwell upon, each of which imply the certainty of the fulfillment of the Divine Promises.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is described in some 300 ways, either directly by name or indirectly by metaphor, or figure of speech, and all combined prove His power and willingness to fulfill His promised Word on our behalf.

When we join all the glorious names of wisdom, love, and power, that mortals ever knew, that angels ever bore, all of them would not be, to mean to speak His worth, but amply sufficient to assure our souls of the performance of His Promises.

All of God’s Promises Are Sure is Proven by a Trinity of Virtues the Bible Presents of His Being or Nature

In Him dwell truth, love, and power in all their perfection. The Promises are not only “exceedingly great and precious” because of their varied character, but because of all the certainty of their fulfillment, a certainty resting upon the solid foundation of these three great aspects of His Divine character: Truth, love, power.

Truth!

Amongst the moral excellencies which the Bible, by its universal tenor and in numberless specific instances, affirms belong to God, is “Truth,” which covers veracity in all His statements, sincerity in all His invitations, faithfulness in all His Promises and threatenings.

His revealed character throughout the Bible is that He cannot act contrary to His nature. Neither can the Lord Jesus Christ as “the Truth,” nor God the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of Truth.”

Because of this attribute of trustworthiness, all the Holy Three are bound to fulfill their respective Promises on man’s behalf.

Truth!

A promise can be of little account if we have no confidence in the promiser. And every suspicion of his trust-worthiness becomes a proportional deduction from its value. Had the Divine Promiser, the most High God, the only True God, and the God of Truth, be found in only one instance to depart from any Word of His, and to fail in the realization of it, that solitary instance would throw a gloom of uncertainty over all hopes which all His Promises inspire.

But how encouraged we are by the absolute assurance that He had not and cannot fail in any instance.

	“There faileth not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel. All came to pass,” Joshua 4:21.
	“Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you,” Joshua 23:14.
	“According to all that He promised there hath not failed one Word of all His good Promise which He Promised by the hand of Moses, His servant,” 1 Kings 8:56.
	“Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it,” 1 Thes 5:24.

Truth

Therefore with unshaken and unshakable security, we rest in the Lord, and in any Word of His.

“Faithful is He that promised.”

And it is this union of fidelity in His Promises with the preciousness of blessing in His Promises that completes the soul’s happiness in the exercise of faith and hope.

	“God is not a man that He should lie, hath He said and shall He not do it, or hath He spoken and shall He not make it good,” Num 23:19.
	“The Word of the Lord is tried,” Psa 18:30.
	“I trust in Thy Word,” Psa 119:42.
	“Thy Word is from the beginning,” Psa 119:160.
	“My heart standeth in awe at Thy Words,” Psa 119:161.
	“God which keepeth Truth for ever,” Psa 146:6.
	“Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth,” Isa 25:1.
	“He cannot deny Himself,” 2 Tim 2:13.
	“God that cannot lie promised before the world began,” Titus 1:2.
	“It was impossible for God to lie,” Heb 6:18.
	“With Whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning,” James 1:17.

Thursday, September 19, 2002

“God Almighty,” Genesis 28:3

Here is a title for God which the translators have not translated from the original language. Therefore they have deprived the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ from receiving the beauty of this title.

“EL-SHADDAI” is rendered God Almighty.

“SH” implies who He is.

“DAD” means all sufficient.

“SHADDAI” implies the breasted one, and suggests God as the Great Nourisher, the Strength Giver, the Satisfier, Who pours Himself into our believing lives.

As a fretful satisfied babe is not only strengthened and nourished from the mother’s breast, but is also quieted, rested, and satisfied, so “EL-SHADDAI” is the name of God which sets Him forth as the Strength Giver and Satisfier of His people.

“The Lord God Almighty,” Rev 1:8; 4:8, 11; 17; 15:3; 21:22.

“Immanuel”

Isaiah, Matthew – “God with us”

For the city, the church, or the Christian, the presence of God is assured.

“Surely I will be with thee,” Judges 6:16.

Christ is not only in His Church metaphorically, or symbolically, or materially, but really and spiritually.

He dwells in the hearts of His people and makes Himself made known in assemblies gathered in His name.

Does He not speak of His true church as His habitation? Eph 2:20, 21.

“God is in the midst of her,” Psa 46:5. He is ever in the midst of His own, thus when we gather in His name, we have not to pray for His presence, but seek by the Spirit’s aid to realize His presence.

“I am with you always,” Matt 22:20.

“The Shepherd, the Stone of Israel,” Genesis 49:24

This title of JEHOVAH is full of Promises.

“JEHOVAH-RA-AH” means “the Lord,” “the Shepherd.”

As we think of Him thus, the shepherd Psalm is immediately suggested.

	In Psa 22, “JEHOVAH-SHALEM” is seen making peace by the blood of the Cross.
	In Psa 23, “JEHOVAH-RA-AH” is shepherding those redeemed by His blood who are in the world.

Divine Promises of Divine shepherding are many and varied.

	“He shall feed His flock like a shepherd,” Isa 40:11.
	“The Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep,” Heb 13:20.

The Three Aspects of the Divine Shepherd

So rich in Promise are these depicting Him as “good,” “great,” and “chief”

The first to receive the announcement of our Lord’s birth were the lowly shepherds, which was fitting seeing that the One born in the manger came as the Good Shepherd.

In this designation, John 10:11-29, there is emphasized the design and extent of His atoning death in its saving effect in respect to His own believing people, His sheep in whose place He died. He saw them in peril from which they could be rescued only by the voluntary surrender of His own life.

Christ is Truly Called the Good Shepherd Because by His Vicarious Suffering, He Furnished the Strongest Proof of His Love for Us …

... and of His willingness to give Himself to save us from destruction

The satanic wolf was upon us and there was no possible way of escape except by the Shepherd throwing His body before the wolf’s devouring jaws.

How wonderful to know that the swift pursuit of the enemy has been stayed forever and that His flock shall be safely gathered into the fold.

As the “Great Shepherd,” His Resurrection and Exaltation are Prominent, Hebrews 13:20, 21

From the Holy Spirit Christ as the “Good Shepherd” receives the additional title of the “Great Shepherd” because of the efficacy of His death and His victory over it.

“The God of peace” Who raised His Son from the grave assures us that the blood of the “Good Shepherd” is the blood of the everlasting covenant, confirming and sealing both now and through all eternity, the Promise of the Father to save the sheep for whom the Shepherd died. Alive forevermore, the Shepherd is able to provide for and protect His sheep.

As the Chief Shepherd, Christ is the Radiant Object of the Believer’s Hope, 1 Peter 5:1-4

All who are called of God to minister the Word of God are “under shepherds” and will be rewarded for their faithful service by the “Chief Shepherd” when He returns to gather His flock around Him.

How sad it is that thousands do not allow a single beam of our Lord’s return to brighten their pilgrim way in the wilderness of this world.

We are thrice blessed if we can sing out of our redeemed and grateful souls.

Tuesday September 17, 2002

The Imputation of Divine Righteousness

“He made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him,” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Therefore we are acceptable in Him.

“We are found in Him not having our own righteousness, but the righteousness of God by faith in Him,” Phil 3:9.

There is another JEHOVAH combination so full of promise for all who are guilty, vile, and full of sin. It is “JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU,” the Lord our righteousness, Jer 23:6, 33:16.

God Condemns Self-Righteousness, Isaiah 64:6, Filthy Rags

By His own works a sinner can never be justified, Rom 3:19-21, 4:4, 5.

He is under God’s wrath because he is ungodly and unrighteous, and holds the truths in unrighteousness. 1 Cor 1:18-32.

The glorious Promise of the Gospel, however, is that righteousness before God for sinful men has been provided by God and can be found only by believing sinners in Christ.

Righteousness satisfying God is a universal need of man, a righteousness which puts a sinful soul right before God.

“The Righteousness Which is by Faith,” Hebrews 11:7

Such a righteousness is an impossible attainment by man, whose sinful endeavors can never gain favor with God.

A sinner is absolutely helpless when it comes to working out a justifying righteousness for himself.

But the Promises we have assure us that such a required righteousness has been Divinely provided.

This righteousness can never be attained, it is only obtained by faith, Rom 3:22, 5:18, 10:11, Phil 3:9.

“Grace reigns through righteousness,” Rom 5:21.

“Righteousness Exalteth a Nation,” Proverbs 14:34

“A King shall reign in righteousness,” Isa 32:1.

It is God’s free gift to the sinner and becomes his, not through any self merit, but only through Christ’s merit.

Our own much-vaunted self righteousnesses are as filthy rags in His sight, in the sight of a thrice-holy God, Who is our righteousness.

I once was a stranger to Grace and God,
I knew not my danger and felt not my load,
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,
“JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU” was nothing to me.

When free Grace awoke by light from on high,
Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die.
No refuge, no safety, in self could I see,
“JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU” my Saviour must be.
My terrors all vanished before the sweet name,
My guilty fears vanished, with boldness I came,
To drink at the Fountain of life – giving and free,
“JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU” is all things to me.

Monday, September 16, 2002

The Promise and Performance of Our Personal Sanctification Are Resident in Another “JEHOVAH” Title, Namely, “JEHOVAH MEKADDISHKE” “the Lord Our Sanctification”

	“The Lord that doth sanctify thee,” Ex 31:13.
	“Sanctify yourselves,” 2 Chr 19:34, 30:17.
	“I am the Lord that sanctifies them,” Ezek 37:28.
	“Sanctify them through Thy Truth,” John 17:17.
	“Sanctified by the Spirit of God,” 1 Cor 1:2, 6:11.
	“The very God of peace sanctify you wholly,” 1 Thes 5:23.

The primary root of “sanctification” is that of separation, or setting apart. It is a separation including a dedication, with the general sense being the separation and dedication of an object or a person to and for God, to belong wholly to Him and to be used for His glory.

“But Know That the Lord Hath Set Apart Him That is Godly for Himself, the Lord Will Hear When I Call Unto Him,” Psalm 4:3

The double aspect of the separation is that of separation from all that is antagonistic to God’s holy will, and then separation unto Him for the witness and the work as those who are His.

Such a separation is positional, practical, and progressive. And in its entirety is all of God, seeing it is His provision, will, and call.

We are set apart at the point of salvation for all eternity. We are set apart in time when we are in fellowship, filled by the Holy Spirit, and our ultimate sanctification is in eternity with a resurrection body.

There are Three Greek Verbs Translated “Redeem” in the New Testament

One means to go into the market place to buy a captive.
Another implies to bring out of that market place that which has been bought.
The third signifies to set free and let go.

All three verbs are required to tell the whole story of sin, bondage, and redemption.

The first promise is to be found in the opening of the pages of the Bible. As soon as Adam and Eve sinned, God promised a perfect redemption in these words:

“The Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head,” Gen 3:15.

At Calvary, Christ as the Seed Destroyed Satan’s Power and Authority and Brought Us Back From Sin’s Slavery, Captivity, and Death

“Ye were bought with a price,” 1 Cor 6:20, and what a price!

He gave His life a ransom, Matt 20:28, 1 Tim 2:8. As ELOHIM is His creative name, and JEHOVAH is His redemptive and covenanting-keeping name.

Saturday, September 14, 2002

Promise is Also Laid Up in the Further Divine Designation of “JEHOVAH-NISSI,” “The Lord is My Banner”

	“Moses built an altar and called the name of it JEHOVAH-NISSI,” Ex 17:15.
	“We will set up our banners,” Psa 20:5.
	“A banner to them that fear thee,” Psa 60:4.
	“His banner over me was love,” S.O.S. 8:4.
	“A standard for the people,” Isa 49:22.

Banners bearing a figure or a device of some sort, and frequently inscribed, have been from time immemorial been born in front of armies sometimes as rallying points for the soldiers, as with the Israelites, every tribe of whom had its own particular standard.

“Rally round the flag, boys, rally round the flag.”

“JEHOVAH-NISSI,” The Lord Our Banner

Constantine’s banner bore the sign of the Cross.

Across the altar Moses reared, he wrote, “The Lord is my Banner” in commemoration of the recent victory over Amalek, one of the fiercest of Israel’s enemies.

The banner speaks of God as a Campaigner, and a victorious One at that.

“The Lord shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace.”

The Lord is My Banner!

In every subsequent age, hostile forces have waged war against God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and against the body of Christ.

But the Lord is a Man of war, and eternally participates in the warfare against darkness, error, and sin.

The promise for our souls is that with the Lord’s help, victory is sure. All against Him and His own are certain to be overthrown.

“We are more than conquerors through Him that loves us.” Victory is ever of the Lord. Terrorists are fighting the Lord, and the Lord’s own.

Every virtue we possess,
And every victory won,
And every thought of holiness,
Are His alone.

Friday, September 13, 2002

Divine Names Also Include in Them Many Promises

“My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ,” Phil 4:19

Paul’s words are simply the New Testament version of “JEHOVAH-JIREH.” The supplies which He provides for His own today are just the same things He provided for Abraham.

	One: Propitiation for guilt – a lamb for a burnt offering.
	Two: Strength for duty – faith was applied.
	Three: Deliverance from danger – the ram substituted for Isaac.
	Four: Blessing for obedience – sacrifice is always rewarded.

No matter what need may arise, “JEHOVAH-JIREH” is a name promising relief. In ways and by means unknown and unthought of, God can interpose and effect deliverance.

Another Divine Name so Full of Promise for Those Who Are Physically and Spiritually Sick is “JEHOVAH ROPHI”

	“I am the Lord that healeth thee,” Ex 15:16.
	“Be merciful unto me and heal my soul,” Psa 41:4.
	“Who healeth all thy diseases,” Psa 103:3.
	“I would have healed Israel,” Hosea 7:1.
	“Many followed Jesus, and He healed them all,” Matt 12:15.
	“To heal the broken hearted,” Luke 4:18.
	“The healing of the nations,” Rev 22:2.

The foregoing passages and many others intimate that humanity collectively and individually stands in need of a physician who is able to heal diseases of various sorts – physical, mental, and moral. And that in the Lord there is One who is well able to heal the sinner sick of their wounds.

JEHOVAH-ROPHA

When in a response to a cry of Moses, God healed the bitter water of Marah, and He revealed Himself as the One Who is always ready to act as the Physician of the people.

The character of Himself here displayed was pre-eminently that in which the Lord Jesus Christ presented Himself to Israel when He appeared as God’s Representative.

What miracle healings were His as He moved among the sick and needy!

JEHOVAH-ROPHA

The tragedy is that so frequently the physically and spiritually diseased will not seek the healing balm in Gilead.

Divine prescriptions for relief are not followed. Israel did not follow the prescription and enjoy the blessing.

“If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God and will do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians,” Ex 15:26.

JEHOVAH JESUS

The medicine prescribed by the Lord Jesus Christ for all with physical ills and spiritual woes, implies that men and women must believe in His Person, rest upon His works, listen to His teaching, and follow His example.

“Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest,” “Ye shall find rest unto your souls,” Matt 11:28-30.

Monday, September 2, 2002

Another Guarantee for the Fulfillment of the Promises of God is in the Very Names of God

Among the names given to the Divine Being in the Old Testament, that of “JEHOVAH” in the Authorized Version is “Lord” is by far the most frequently employed, occurring no fewer than 6823 times.

Other designations are used less often.

	“ELOHIM” – “God” 2570 times.
	“ADONAI” – “Lord” 134 times.
	“SHADDAI” – “Almighty” 39 times.

Each name or designation is a Promise.

There is a General Recognition of the Fact That “JEHOVAH” Was the Specific Name of the God of the Israelites…

... As distinguished from the deities or tribal gods of the surrounding Gentile nations.

Such a name was first revealed to Moses when shepherding his flocks in Horeb.

	“The Lord, JEHOVAH, the God of the fathers of Israel,” Ex 3:15.
	“My name JEHOVAH,” Ex 6:3.
	“Thou alone, whose name is JEHOVAH,” Psa 83:18.

Peter, in the Pentecostal Message, Called Jesus Christ “Lord,” the Word Used in the Septuagint as the Translation of “JEHOVAH”

Paul spoke of him as “the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Thou shalt call His name Jesus,” Matt 1:21.

Christ, then was “JEHOVAH” Himself, becoming incarnate, God manifest in the flesh.

“JEHOVAH” was the covenant name and in Christ, God was mindful of His gracious covenant.

Abraham Commemorated God’s Deliverance and Grace Manifested on Mt. Moriah by calling the place “JEHOVAH JIREH,” the Lord Will See and Provide

“Abraham called the name of the place “JEHOVAH JIREH” as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen,” literally, provided. Gen 22:14.

“My God Shall Supply All Your Need According to His Riches in Glory” by, “in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:19

What a dread transaction that was up to the last act when Abraham’s hand was stayed and Isaac was spared. How dramatic was God’s deliverance and provision.

Truly there is no actor like God. When He steps upon the stage, all human actors are put into the shade.

“There is none like unto the God of Jeshurum, Who rideth upon the heavens for thy help, and in His excellency in the skies,” Deut 33:26.

Paul’s Words in Philippians 4:19 Are Simply the New Testament Version of “JEHOVAH JIREH”

And the supplies which God provides for His own today are just the four things He provided for Abraham.

Propitiation for guilt – a lamb, a burnt offering.
Strength for duty – the necessary faith was supplied.
Deliverance from danger – the ram substituted for Isaac.
Blessing for obedience – sacrifice is always rewarded.

No matter what need may arise, “JEHOVAH JIREH” is a name promising relief. In ways and means unknown and unthought of, God can interpose and effect deliverance.

Check back tomorrow for more Divine Sugar Sticks!

Comments about this web site? E-mail me.

Back to my home page

Page updated 06/26/05 10:12 PM.

This page has been viewed times since September 3, 2002.