Daily Wisdom

 Isa 49:11  “And I will make all my mountains a way…”

Be assured, what you see as obstacles God uses to serve His purpose. We all have mountains in our lives which threaten to bar our spiritual progress. That thorn in the flesh, that daily cross – we think that if only the Father would remove it, we’d be more faithful and holier. “O fools, and slow of heart… Ought not Christ suffered these things” (Lk 24:25-26). These are the very conditions for spiritual holiness and maturity.  Such  mountains unlock the Father’s grace and mercy in our lives. Patience is our virtue, our fruit of the spirit, that is brought about in our lives through perseverance against such. The mountain you see is the Lord’s, and subservient to His great purpose. Don’t be a casualty or compromise your faith, just climb – the view the Lord will provide is worth it.

 The best view comes after the hardest climb… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

 Zec 10:1  Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. 

In Zech 10 (vss 1-4), Israel is directed to keep their eyes upon the Lord. They had done the opposite and by removing their eyes wondered away and became lost. But now the redemption of God had found them, and as they cried out in prayer for rain (restoration) the Lord favored them with such so that every man had fields of grass. But the ‘latter rain’ shows the extent of the Father’s mercy, when they needed it the most, when their souls were the most parched and dry. We must keep our eyes on the Lord, remain humble in prayer seeking His mercy and favor continually. Don’t let pride cause your eyes wonder towards supposed greener fields.

The grass over the fence may appear greener, but often it’s lying over a septic tank… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

 Zec 3:3  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 

Satan accused Jeshua of his filthiness, and the accusations were accurate - Jeshua stood in "filthy" clothes of sins. Yet God revealed his mercy, stating that he chose to save his people in spite of their sin. Zechariah's vision graphically portrays how we receive God's mercy. We do nothing ourselves. God removes our filthy clothes (sins), then provides us with fine, new clothes (the righteousness of God - 2 Cor 5:21). Notice we put on filth, it’s the Lord’s mercy that puts upon us fine linen.

Don’t let satan shame you in the filth of your appearance, under Christ’s coat of righteousness dwells the richest and cleanest of heart… HSAY 

Daily Wisdom

Ezra 9:9 ‘For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us…’

It’s not what we have, but what we’ve been given. Mercy offers love greater than our iniquities, wealth greater than the world, righteousness greater than our trespasses. This is what Ezra states in (vss 10-15). Don’t lose sight of mercy, it matters greatly. We often keep in sight a desire for a little more, but don’t allow it to be at the expense of what you already have been given. It’s the one area of our life we should look back on to keep in sight, allowing us to focus on what really matters, God’s mercy and love upon our life. 

Grace got you right and Mercy allows you to stay right, don’t lose sight of it… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jdg 20:45  ‘And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.’

The word “gleaned” is the Hebrew word (aw-lal’), meaning to overdo, abuse… is used only two times in the book of judges, here in (vs 45) and in (Jdgs 19:25) referencing the atrocity that started Israel’s poor decisions when a young Israeli woman was raped and killed. This action by Israel that led to them (over doing/abusing) one of its own tribes is so void of mercy that they cry out/lament to God as to why He would allow such atrocity against His own children? What happen to Israel’s mercy toward its own considering the mercy they received from the Lord! This horrible story is of moral anarchy that rises up in man’s heart when they live outside Kingship of the Lord. Mercy matters, we must look in the mirror at our own from the Lord. 

A man who lives merciless in his manners is morally misguided in his might… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

Tit 1:4 “To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.”

If God is a God of order, and He is (1 Cor 14:33), then notice the progression: grace, mercy, then peace (II Jn 3). In order to find the peace of God, one must first discover the grace and mercy of God (Gen 6:8). The grace in which Noah found in God (Gen 6:8) is the very first time the word “grace” appears in the Bible. Grace describes God’s attitude toward the sinner. Whereas mercy is defined as not receiving what we do deserve, grace is defined as receiving what we don’t deserve which is deliverance! Noah deserved to die in the flood as well, he was a sinner. However, he found the grace of God for his life by giving God the “last say” in his life (Gen 6:13-22) and was delivered. And with God’s grace came God’s mercy and Noah was delivered through the flood, which provided Noah’s peace once he was inside the ark (a picture of God and His salvation). Therefore, realizing what we are and don’t deserve and acknowledging what we got though we didn’t deserve it… then you’ll find your Peace in the greatest gift and promise of all, Jesus!  

God’s peace isn’t the calm after the storm. It’s the steadfastness during it… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

Psa 136:1 “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” 

What greater Psalm or verse(s) illustrate God’s enduring love for us. The Psalm’s composition repeats itself (26) times in the latter half of every verse in reference to God’s eternal love and promise to us that, “his mercy endureth forever.” Mercy, defined as not getting what one deserves, is only applicable and sustained by God’s greatest of love for us. There’s no weightier matter, or more worthy to be repeated, than “God’s mercy endureth forever.”  Repeated with a crescendo to His children for our acknowledgment that every favor offered and promised gifted comes by way of His great mercy.  We are never so earnestly called upon to pray and repent as we are to give thanks; (Heb 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”)

Mercy is like the rainbow; it never shines after it is night. If we refuse to praise His mercy, we shall only have justice… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Gen 20:17 “So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife…; (18) For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.”

Why did God punish Abimelech for Abraham’s sin, he had no idea Sarah was married?  Even though Abimelech's intentions were good, as long as Sarah was living in his harem he was in danger of sinning. A person who eats a poisonous mushroom, thinking it's harmless, no doubt has perfectly good intentions—but will still suffer. The effect of sin can fall on those around us as well. Abimelech’s house suffered infertility as long as the sin was ever present. But God’s punishment was not in wrath but to protect the innocent caught in the sin. Be grateful, God’s mercy protects us from not getting what we deserve… our sin or not.

God’s mercy is bigger than any of our mistakes (Lam 3:22-23), knowingly or unknowingly … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Tim 1:2 “Unto Timothy my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ.”

Grace grants us what we don’t deserve, Mercy delivers us from what we do deserve, and Peace provides us what we can’t produce. Meaning one will not obtain the peace of God without finding the grace and mercy of salvation. God’s grace is immeasurable, His mercy is inexhaustible, His peace is inexpressible. Wallowing in guilt, remorse, or shame over our past only produces disdain in God’s gift of grace and mercy and robs us of our peace in Jesus.

In the midst of our failed attempts in loving Jesus, His grace provides mercy so we can still find peace… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Tim 1:8 “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.”

The only purpose for the law (old covenant) is to better us, not burden us. The proper use of the law will direct us to the power of God’s Grace, the promise of His Mercy and the joy of His Peace (vs 2). None of which can man obtain or materialize on his own!  

Point being: The law doesn’t give us life, it makes life better in and through the Lord.

In Rom 3:31, Paul says “we establish the law.”  That is by the law of justification by faith.  In this the moral law is confirmed, its obligation is enforced, and its obedience secured by the following:

1.      God used the law to show sinners it could not be violated with impunity.

2.      Jesus magnified it by showing God was just and determined to judge the unrighteous.

3.      The sinner sees the evil by way of the law, thus giving his heart in faith by obedience.

In the glory of salvation is, that while it justifies the sinner, it brings the newest of influence from heaven, more tender and mightier than can be drawn from any other source to produce obedience.

The law showed man’s demise, Grace showed man a promised destiny!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Psa 107:7a “And he led them forth, by the right way…”

The Psalmist records four types of people: Wanderer (vs 4-9); Prisoner (vss 10-16); Distressed (vss 17-20, and Storm-tossed (vss 23-30). Despite how extreme the calamity, God still has a path set forth that leads to His goodness (vs 9 “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.) This promise goes beyond just the physical need, and delivers the soul out of spiritual distress (vs 6). We know Jesus is the way (Jn 14:6); bread of life (Jn 6:35); living water (Jn 4:10-14), and the giver of rest (Mt 11:28-30). The path which leads to the Lord’s goodness is the same one you set-forth on in your salvation. The path hasn’t changed, if you’re wandering, in bondage, distressed or stuck in a storm, it’s because you changed or redirected your path in another direction. Your hope is promised in vs 1 “Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” He’s already redeemed you from the enemy (vs 2), and is directing you towards an eternal inn, habitation. Just as the Lord led the Israelites (Deu 32:10) for forty years, so will he direct your path in the right way. But we must direct our soul in that path which longs and thirst for His goodness (9). This is applicable to our condition in this world, we are here as in a wilderness, a journey knowing this isn’t our eternal habitation. But, if we hold to his path, the right way, we are under his guidance, provision, mercy and His goodness we can dwell in… “let the redeemed of the Lord say so” the Lord is GOOD!

Over every mountain God has a path, you just may not be able to see it from the valley!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.” Isa 54:7

The promised covenant of the Lord is that the church would no more face the wrath of desolation, but rather the work of restoration through Jesus. In such a great promise we must remain humble knowing the Father's wrath is still justified by our actions. It’s by his great mercy (getting what we don’t deserve) that we can rejoice in his promised restoration. Our sin had provoked the Lord to hide his face for a moment (vs 8), but with his everlasting kindness and mercy our redemption rises with the promise of the morning sun. Never again to face the desolation of the Days of Noah (vs 9), but instead able to rejoice in the promise and eternal work of Jesus who bore the wrath for our sin and shame. Every ransomed soul owes his salvation to this promise and to the fact that during our days of sinning God keep the door of mercy open, refusing to accept any of our sinful acts as final. Only through God’s infinite mercy is he able to devise a way by which justice can be satisfied, and yet mercy can still be triumphant… Jesus! The divine justice that was accepted as an equivalent atonement for the wrath due us. The Lord tells us that time and matter will depart, but his covenant of peace and mercy will never be removed (vs 10). The mercy of God is the hope we have as an anchor for the soul (Heb 6:19)

A morsel of God’s mercy is greater than a mountain of our mistakes. (Lam 3:22-23)

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Eph 4:32

Love yourself enough to forgive the acts of others!  Unforgiveness unleashes a myriad of emotions: hurt, anger, hatred and eventually bitterness, all upon yourself.  Forgiveness doesn’t always heal the relationship, but it does allow God the heal your heart.  Lifting the weight of emotions that weaken you making room for those that strengthen: peace, joy, hope, love and freeing both the unforgiven and the unforgiving.  It’s ultimately defined as a promise, not a feeling. When forgiving someone you promise not to hold their sins against them, as Christ did you, and more so stop harboring internally the emotions that come by their acts. Don’t cheat yourself out of your peace because of your pride in waiting on a apology, thus allowing their weakness of embarrassment, guilt, or being ashamed to stop you from your healing. Be ok with a sorry you never get, knowing what you get in return is far greater.  To be a Christian (Christ-like) means forgiving the inexcusable, because God has forgiving the inexcusable in you.  Remember, forgiveness is not achieved by the guilty being punished, but because the wounded are merciful!  Want to feel loved, love to forgive.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and realize the prisoner was you.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Cor 12:10

It’s been an argument and belief in humanity that the stronger dominate the weaker and in some warped justification even determine who lives and who dies, and yet they can’t make their own heartbeat; arrogance.  The power they desire and claim, they possess none of it, it’s the mercy of God that sustains man even when God is hated. The proclaimed weakest among us have a story, that when told through the mercy and power of God gives hope to the so called strong. Though it appears foolish to many, it’s still empowering “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor 1:25)  Man often gets confused in his efforts by mistaking them as his success, and becomes obsessed with his own glory, rather than obsessed with the glory of God. Paul realized that in both his physical and spiritual weakness, he found the power and glory of God that sustained him better than life itself.  Your only real strength comes from what you stand upon, and that will define the story you tell. So, is it about what you built or is it “Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.” Eph 2:20

Strength can’t come from you and God, it’s either you or God!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not:... (39) For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.” Psa 78:38-39

God acknowledges our frame and that we are but dust blown in the wind (Psa 103:14), what a striking description is this of man! How true of an individual! How true of a generation! And thus God judges with compassion in our weakness and fallen nature. If God acted on the principle and in the manner according to which we act, we could hope for no mercy at his hand. It is well for us that there is not one like ourselves on the throne. But, verse 36 & 37 identifies the depth and fullness of his compassion: (vs 36-37) “Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.”  They were full of flattery, he was full of mercy.  He allows his mercy to work, not because of pitiful and hypocritical pretensions to penitence, but because of his own real compassion for them he overlooked the provocations.  God himself allows his mercy to flow seventy times seven (Mt 18:22).  How deep does your compassion flow from you, allowing mercy to drown your anger against those who hurt you?  Compassion is not weakness, but rather a great strength when offered as forgiveness.

Compassion will cure and heal more sins than condemnation.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“My Soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.” Lam 3:20

Humility is the gateway into God’s favor. It’s the giant of character traits; in the valley one sees great things and small things from the mountain tops. In the midst of Jerusalem’s pain from its destruction, they were able bring into remembrance their humility and recall the Lord is their portion (vs 24).  In doing so it opened the spiritual flood gates of God’s promises in their time of need. In humility we find our HOPE (vs 21). With hope we recall God’s MERCIES (vs 22).  In His mercy we discover His COMPASSION fails not (vs 22); and we see they’re new every morning by way of His FAITHFULNESS (vs 23).  God’s hope, mercy, compassion and faithfulness are all triggered by our humility and its proper spiritual order “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Mat 23:12  

Humility should lead you to work for a cause not applause; live to express not impress; and not try to make your presence noticed, but rather your absence felt.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“He hath shown thee, O man, what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God.” Micah 6:8

Concerning God being pleased with us, our acts must be an investment in the atonement of Christ, and that the sin by which we displease Him may be taken away. What will be a satisfaction to God's justice? In what righteousness shall we appear before him? Our proposals often betray ignorance, though they may show zeal. We become spiritually arrogant, offering that which is rich and costly, as if it will appease the God that owns it all (vs 6-7). The Lord wants a living sacrifice not a material or monetary substitution. One cannot bribe God spiritually with rituals and religious acts, “the Lord requires of thee” changed lives a living sacrifice (Rom 12: 1-2). Our walk is not about finding ways to please God, but simply to serve Him. God has made His wishes clear: He requires thee “to do justly, love mercy and to walk humbly” with Him; as an offering to others, not simply for your own consumption.

For the man who gets all he can and saves all he can, but doesn't give all he can, better devise another plan!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Thus saith the Lord; Deceive not yourselves…” Jere 37:9

Deception often gives you what you want in the beginning, but will always fail you in the end. “The greatest deception man suffers from is their own opinion.” This comes about when you see the truth, know the truth, but still act on your own desire. Avoid reasoning as your source of guidance; knowing it opens the door to deception and confusion. Rather seek the truth “Sow to yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy...” (Hosea 10:12). Notice you reap in proportion to His mercy, not what proportion you have sown. The capacity and fullness of the mercy of God; which is boundless overlooks man’s failings, and gives an infinite reward for imperfect labor.

The allure that comes by deception is like an iceberg, there’s more to it than what you see.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.” Psa 57:10

Mercy and Truth is a strange pair, yet they are linked together 47 times in the bible. Mercy is emotional and truth is practical. Mercy is flexible and truth is absolute. As Moses was told to build the ark, he was instructed to place the tablets of stone with the law written on them—cold, hard, and unchangeable. Truth was in the ark, and mercy was right there, too, above it. The mercy seat with the cherubim’s’ wings spread above the ark covered the law.  What is higher than the clouds? What covers the clouds like a canopy? The heavens. Truth reaches to the clouds, but mercy reaches unto the heavens. Mercy is the canopy that covers truth. Matthew 1, lineage of Christ contains some important illustrations of truth and mercy.  Truth says…Tamar was a harlot; Mercy says, she’s a survivor and worth saving. Truth says…Rahab was a harlot, liar; Mercy says, she’s a believer and I have a place for her. Truth says…Ruth is an idol worshiper; Mercy says, I’ll show her the way. Truth says…Bathsheba was a has been; Mercy says, she’ll be a can be.  We are well acquainted with truth. We stand on truth, we live by truth, we glorify truth, and so we should. Truth must be faced and dealt with. Truth cannot be changed, hidden, ran from, or ignored. For some truth is . . . “I’ve had an abortion.” “I was unfaithful to my spouse.” “I’ve been on drugs.” “I’ve embezzled from my employer.” “I’ve practiced homosexuality.” “I’ve ignored God.” Oh yes, we know the truth . But we are not as well acquainted with mercy as we should be. Read the words of the Savior. “…I will have mercy and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners [the Tamars, the Rahabs, the Ruths, the Bathshebas] to repentance” (Mat 9:13). Truth points out the prostitutes, the adulteresses, the idol worshipers, the drug addicts, the lesbians. Mercy calls them to repentance… “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged” (Pro 16:6).

No Truth no freedom; no Mercy no hope.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom

“He delighteth not in the strength of the horse; he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” Psa 147:10-11

The horse in amongst the noblest of all the creations of God (Job 39:19-25) and man, whom God gave dominion over such creations, even greater; and yet God takes no pleasure in either’s strength or physical accomplishment. Instead His pleasure is found in our ability to humble ourselves to His will and place our hope in His mercy and love. Your strengths and gifts are God’s favour towards you, such acknowledgment and use of them is your gift to God.  If in your humility you reduce yourself to God being your only hope, you’ve found your greatest strength. Fear only that which has no fear of God

Obedience is the evidence of true fear.

HSAY…Todd