FATHER GOD--MY LOVE SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS
December 2016 Devotional
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Luke 2:25
Well here I am again walking the streets of my beloved Jerusalem. Although dismissed by my fellow Pharisees from the high office of President of the Sanhedrin I continue seeking guidance and revelation from the Lord. He has given me the gift of prophecy and, in turn, visions and dreams contrary to the present day (contemporary) view of Messiah’s temporal kingdom. Knowing the Truth of my vision, I presented it to my fellow Pharisees not only for enlightenment but also approval and got mixed results--most of which were negative. Well they took a vote and here I am! All is not lost. You are Jehovah Rapha--You are my healer and you turn my bitterness to joy! Yes, pleasure and fulfillment still come as I train such noteworthy and receptive young scholars such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea who seem to desire the Truth as I do…and my son Gamaliel who has such a natural zeal for the Torah and for the law!
However, today is like no other! The One I have been seeking has arrived at this very moment. You are El Shaddai--Daily blessings are mine! As I pass people on the street they ask “Rabban Simeon--Has the Lord Yahweh spoken a good word for you today?” I tell them “The Lord be praised. I go to the Temple to find what the Lord has spoken for all of us this very day!”
So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." Luke 2: 27-32
Indeed, the Lord be praised! My prayers before the Wailing Wall have been answered to the wonder of fulfillment and delight. By your holy decree I see ancient walls of ignorance and confusion begin to tumble down by obedience to the Truth and the sacrifice of praise! You are Jehovah Tsidkenu--You and You alone are my righteousness! I see before me the ultimate joy of all who will choose to embrace and express this same Truth. Lifting up this Child to You I see the promise of your great heart of Love as You bring about the salvation of all people who will love You through this Holy One You have sent…Through perpetual generations…Selah.
MY SACRIFICE OF PRAISE
The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." Matthew 4:16
How predictable the seasons when caught up in the plateau experiences of life! Many times my God will lead me through the valley of unpredictability. There, my spirit is renewed by the refining presence of the Holy Spirit of my Lord. I am then lifted to previously inaccessible heights before only imagined! Lord God, You are Jehovah M’Kaddesh--You sanctify my life! You, Lord, are my Light in those deep, dark valleys of discouragement and despair. By faith I trust in your very presence. In hope I delight in the knowledge that over that next rise will always be that which surpasses my expectations. Through your exceeding Love I experience (daily) the reality of your abundance! Lord God, You are Jehovah Nissi--My victory is in you! AMEN