The Daily Word of Righteousness

Seven Steps to the Rest of God, #27

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:8,9)

If Eternal Life Himself learned obedience to God through suffering, what will be true of us who are altogether bound in death, corruption, lawlessness, lust, and self-love?

If the Potter was made perfect by suffering, what will be true of the clay?

God wounds us before He heals us. He smites us before He binds us up.

Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. (Hosea 6:1)

It is not always pleasant to go through the process of judgment and reconciliation. But the end of such chastening is the peaceable fruit of righteousness. God rebukes and disciplines us so we may share in His holiness. Whom Jesus loves He rebukes and chastens.

The Lord's people always are judged by a stricter measure than those who are not of God's elect. Jerusalem always receives double for her sins.

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:2)

When the Lord enters through the everlasting gates of our hearts He does so as the Lord strong and mighty in battle, as the General of unconquerable forces. He wages war in us. When that warfare has been accomplished our lawlessness is pardoned and removed from us. But until every enemy has been subdued there is unrest within us.

Judgment always begins with those who are closest to the Lord.

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar [of incense], and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. (Revelation 11:1,2)

We notice in the above passage the principle of judgment beginning with those who are nearest the Presence of God. The Altar of Incense was the furnishing of the Tabernacle that was closest to the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat in that it stood just before the Veil. The "court that is without the temple" indicates an area more removed from the Presence of God.

We spoke previously of the personal spiritual fulfillment of the Blowing of Trumpets, that is, the coming of the King to us. When the Lord Jesus enters us He drives out what is not pleasing to Himself.

And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. (John 2:14-16)

To be continued.