THE MOST HIGH LORD'S MINISTRY

CHAPTER – 7 JESUS CHRIST – THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. (John 11:25) The concept of resurrecting oneself after death is known as resurrection. Many religions have different perspectives on the concept of rebirth. Some religions believe that when a holy person dies, he or she returns to life or reincarnates in a different form for a variety of reasons. Even within Jewish cultures, some supported the concept as well as those who opposed it. The Bible mentions a popular group known as the Sadducees, who were opposed to the concept of resurrection. They were the ones in charge of the temple's upkeep. They were serving as priests in Jerusalem's temple, where they offered sacrifices to the Lord. However, not all priests were Sadducees; only high priests and aristocrats belonged to the Sadducees, a group of high social status. They refused to go beyond what was written in the Torah or the law of Moses. They denied the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body. The people of the Old Testament followed Moses' law, which prescribed various concepts such as the types of sacrifices, different festivals to celebrate, guidelines for treating someone with ailments, the foods to eat, the clothes to wear, and even specific instructions for burying the mortal after death. There was no mention of the concept of resurrection in the law. However, there were prophets such as Elisha who, by praying to God, was able to bring a dead boy back to life. Elisha's bones were kept in a tomb after his death, and they resurrected a person who had also been kept there after his death. Miracles such as healing from illness, destruction of enemies with the help of nature such as the sun and lightning, the appearance of angels who visited people, and prophets prophesying were all common during the time. God's servants, such as Job, believed that on the Day of Judgment, God would resurrect everyone based on their deeds. During Jesus' earthly ministry, he traveled to various locations to share the gospel of salvation with the people. Many people accepted him as the son of God and welcomed him. His presence gave many people hope and comfort. He visited various houses and was invited to dine with the residents. Everywhere Jesus went, there was a large crowd following him. Now, Jesus frequently visited Bethany, where he befriended a family of two sisters and a brother named Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. They were close to Jesus, and Jesus loved all of them. According to the Bible, he would preach to them while they were sitting in their home, and Mary would sit at Jesus' feet and listen to his words while Martha was busy with household chores. When Jesus went to Jerusalem with his disciples to preach the gospel, he stayed with them. While he was there, the sisters summoned him to an emergency where Lazarus, the one whom Jesus loved, was dying on the bed of death. The disciples assumed that as soon as they heard the news, Jesus would rush to Bethany to assist Lazarus. But, to their surprise, Jesus stayed for another two days. After two days, Jesus told the disciples that they needed to go to Bethany because Lazarus had fallen asleep and needed to be awakened. The disciples misinterpreted Jesus' statement that the sick man was resting and that by sleeping, his illness would improve, implying that he was dead. And when Jesus arrived, he discovered that Lazarus had been dead in the tomb for four days. Many Jews from the neighborhood came to the mourning house to console them. When Martha heard that Jesus was on his way, she hurried to meet him. She ran into him on the road and told him, "Lord, if you were here, my brother would not have died." Jesus responded by telling her that her brother would rise again. Hearing it, Martha realized that on the last day, everyone who died physically would resurrect before God's throne. Jesus then made an important statement, saying, "I am the resurrection and the life." Jesus went to Lazarus' tomb and commanded him to come out in a loud voice. The dead Lazarus came back to life after being dead for four days, and it was a surreal moment for everyone who witnessed it. What did Jesus mean when he said, "I am the resurrection and the life?" When the first man sinned against God in the Garden of Eden, he was expelled from the garden and God's presence. The curse of God turned the breath of God in his nostril that made him immortal into a mortal man. Death came into the world as a result of sin. Everyone born on Earth is doomed to die at some point. Death manifested itself in various ways in a person's life, such as sickness, accident, or sudden death. Life became chaotically unpredictable, and living in the next moment became a risk. Nevertheless, Jesus stated that if someone believes in him, even if they die, they will be raised from the dead. When she heard it from Jesus, Martha was perplexed? According to the Bible, we must die to our earthly selves, which are wicked and evil in their thoughts and actions. Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Life on Earth was destroyed by Satan, who took the souls and enslaved them in hell or hades. Jesus, who came to restore the lost's life, demonstrated a way to enter eternal life. Since Jesus defeated death on the cross, it no longer has any power. Death could no longer hold him as Jesus was resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit and triumphed over it. Through the resurrection of Jesus, death and the grave were destroyed. Anyone who believes that Jesus has risen from the dead and places their hope in God will also be resurrected (i.e., to eternal life). Through Jesus, we can avoid the second death, which is hell's captivity. Because the light of Jesus Christ would lead us into God's kingdom, our souls are no longer bound to the darkness and its dominion. We are called to crucify our worldly desires, thoughts, and actions that are contrary to God. We are resurrected like Jesus when we are crucified like him. Now, the crucifixion does not imply carrying a huge cross on our shoulders because Jesus has already paid the price. It simply means killing the sinful nature of the inward man. We are given the privilege to rule with him in his kingdom if we endure and share in his sufferings. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY AND GUIDE YOU INTO ETERNAL LIFE. AMEN!

CHAPTER – 6 JESUS CHRIST – THE MAN OF SORROWS He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Is 53:3 The theme of the gospel was that Lord Jesus Christ died for mankind's sins to redeem them. The human race succumbs to Satan's temptation and disobeys God, resulting in the establishment of death throughout the world. Disobedience destroyed things that were once perfect in God's eyes. The darkness and its authorities began to rule the world, enslaving humanity. Man, on the other hand, was no longer permitted to enter God's presence and eventually became an enemy of God. As the days and years passed, a man completely forgot why he was created and engaged in acts that provoked God's wrath. To bring evil under control, God destroyed the entire race, except for one righteous man's family named Noah. Even so, man could not resist evil and capitulated to it because sin was ingrained in him from birth. Man was perfect in God's eyes when he created him. Of course, among all of God's creations, man is his masterpiece. However, when he disobeyed God, he became flawed and sinful in God's sight. There were numerous ways in which God interacted with humanity to save them from the abyss of sin. There have been sacrifices made for forgiveness, but they have not resulted in man's salvation. God occasionally handed his people over to the enemy kingdom for them to remember God and his love for them, but it failed because once God saved them from their enemies, they turned their backs on God, and the cycle continued. God sent his messengers, prophets, and servants to warn the people to abandon their wicked ways and return to him wholeheartedly. People who were stubborn and wicked, on the other hand, did not listen to them and ruthlessly killed his prophets. Many of God's servants were stoned to death, persecuted, and publicly humiliated. So, God decided to send his son to redeem mankind. The prophet Isaiah saw God's throne, which was surrounded by angels, saints, and the entire courtroom. God was debating whether to send a man who could go and offer himself as a sacrifice to retrieve mankind. He asked who would complete the task, and the room fell silent because neither the saints nor the angels spoke. After a brief moment, the voice of the son of God spoke, willing to shed his blood to save humanity from the darkness. As a result, Jesus Christ entered the world to offer himself as an atonement. He did not choose a lavish lifestyle or boast that he was directly from heaven. Rather, he took the guise of humility and preached the gospel everywhere in humility and obedience. Even before Jesus could speak, men who saw him could see that he was the incarnation of God. He wandered the streets of villages and towns, healing people, consoling broken hearts, and driving demons away. Nevertheless, his ministry was not as easy as it appeared. His people rejected and humiliated him. They referred to him as the leader of the Satanic cult and attempted to murder him several times. They despised him and were envious of his authority, which was demonstrated in front of them. They worked hard to find flaws in his sermons and even accused him of breaking God's laws. Even though he did good for people, they did not recognize him for who he truly was. They plotted against him and arrested him for claiming to be the son of God, even though he is the son of God. They used false testimony against him and made up false statements to murder him. Even after the chief ruler investigated him and determined that he was not guilty and was willing to release him, the crowd demanded that he be crucified. To demonstrate their rejection of his kingdom, they tortured him with whip lashes, mocked him, and crowned him with thorns. He was forced to stand in front of the court of elders all night like a criminal. They ripped his clothes and drained every drop of blood from his body. They forced him to bear a heavy cross and crucified him on Calvary. Jesus died so that we could all be saved by his blood. He was tortured every second of every day until he died. The bruises on his body represent his acceptance of us. It is a symbol of his unending love for us. It is the greatest and most deserving sacrifice made thus far. When he was on the cross hanging, you were on his mind, according to an old saying. By simply calling out to the Father, Jesus could have averted his death. But he chose the agonizing death for the sake of us. just so we can be in His presence forever. All he desires is a heart that will obey him and love him back. Except for us, he anticipates nothing in return. Why don't we remember the sacrifice that was made for us and make amends with him? Surely, he will accept us exactly as we are and will lead us to a place where we will not be afraid of sorrow or tears. As you open your hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ, may he be with you. May you feel his love for you. May you find your way to his light and live happily ever after in his arms. You are blessed by God.

CHAPTER – 5 JESUS CHRIST – THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church. (Eph 1:22) Lord Jesus Christ is the supreme of all beings. He is the manifestation of the invisible God who was sent to the earth to redeem mankind. Because of his central role in our creation and redemption, Jesus is the head of the Church. The Church was established by Jesus. Through his death and resurrection, he gave birth to the Church and gave it life. Jesus encouraged his disciples to assemble and pray to God that when two or three gather in his name, he will be evident. The assembly of God's people demonstrated the people's unity and oneness. There was segregation in the church at the time as to who sat first and who sat last based on societal status. People who were physically challenged were not permitted to enter the temple. They were considered sinners, and the ailments were punishment. Religious leaders strictly adhered to these absurd practices. However, Christ's teachings were based on love and compassion. He never turned down anyone who approached him for assistance. Once, while he was preaching, a group of small children approached him, and their parents drew them close to Jesus to bless them. Nevertheless, when the disciples notice this, they drag the children away and condemn them. They, like the religious leaders, were harsh with them. However, Jesus immediately took the little children near them and said, "The kingdom of God is like these children; whoever accepts God's kingdom as these little children enters." The church is a place of worship for everyone. It makes no distinction between rich and poor, black and white, sinner and righteous, or any other category. It is God's domain, and he welcomes all who seek him. It's a place where you can talk to God. David, despite being a great king of Israel, dreamed of dwelling in God's sanctuary in union with him. He was never content living in a large palace and yearned to be in the sight of the Lord. Initially, only the Levites were permitted to enter the presence of God, according to the law of Moses. He spoke with the Priests, and they delivered God's message to the people. But even so, when Christ died on the cross, the huge screen in the altar was torn down from top to bottom, allowing everyone to enter God's presence. God was no longer interested in dwelling in the structures that man had built for him, but he longed to reside in the hearts of anyone who opens for him as he knocks. "You are the temple of God," God says (1Cor 6) and he is the head of it. He is the High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies once for all of us, offering himself as a sacrifice. We live, move, and have our being in him. The apostles were assigned to spreading the good news to people all over the world. They went on to found several congregations of people who worshipped God in truth and holiness. As his people gathered, the spirit of God descended upon them. In the church, they observed Christ's Communion in remembrance of his death for the forgiveness of sins. The church is to obey God by obeying all of God's commandments, just as Christ obeyed the Father. Its purpose is to safeguard the people's fellowship from false preaching and preachers. Its purpose is to lead the people in the way of truth and light. It must provide comfort to all who enter without discrimination. It should never encourage unrighteousness, but rather pray for the salvation of all who are lost. I pray that you will find a church or group that will lead you to God's love and salvation. May the Lord Jesus bless you and lead you to a place of peace and comfort.

CHAPTER – 4 JESUS CHRIST – A NAZARENE. “And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.” (Matt 2:23) Nazareth is located on a steep hillside among Lebanon's southern ridges, approximately 14 miles from the Sea of Galilee and approximately 6 miles west of Mount Tabor. It corresponds to the modern village of en-Nazirah. It is situated "as in a hollow cup" lower down the hill than the ancient city. The main route for traffic between Egypt and the interior of Asia passed through Nazareth near the foot of Tabor, and then northward to Damascus. In the New Testament, Gabriel, an angel of God, visited a woman named Mary in the town of Nazareth to inform her of the birth of the Holy Child Jesus Christ. The angel told Mary that she would bear the foretold Messiah through the power of the Holy Spirit. Many young girls skipped marriages back then because they believed the prophecy about a virgin delivering the messiah would come true through them. Mary, on the other hand, was engaged to Joseph, a young man from the same town. Following her conversation with the angel, Mary surrendered to God and prepared to carry the child. When Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, he decided to call off the marriage in private so as not to embarrass her. While he was contemplating how to proceed, an angel of God appeared to him in a dream and told him not to abandon the child because it is holy. Therefore, he married her by obeying God’s word. When Mary's due date approached, the government ordered all citizens to return to their home country for a census. As a result, they traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and then back to Nazareth. Jesus was raised in Nazareth until he began preaching publicly. Nazareth was where he spent his childhood and adolescence. (Matt 4:16) Micah, prophesied, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) As an outcome, the Jews believed that the Messiah would be born only in Bethlehem. The phrase "Jesus of Nazareth" is used for the first time in the Bible by Phillip, who told Nathaniel after being called by Jesus to follow Him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John 1:45). Nathaniel was not amused and replied, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Nathaniel made his statement because the people of Nazareth were reviled and condemned by their neighbors. As previously stated, Jews believed that the Messiah would come to them with sovereignty and authority, destroying their enemies and ruling over them. As a consequence, the location of a king would undoubtedly be Jerusalem rather than Nazareth. Nathaniel had the same thought. Going back to the time of Jesus' birth, the wise men went straight to the palace after seeing the star that indicated the birth of a new ruler. However, much to their surprise, the star led them to a humble manger where the King of Kings was born. Jesus was born to humble parents in modest circumstances. Throughout his ministry, he stated that he was sent to seek the lost, the needy, the sick, and the community that had been rejected by others. Even though he lived a simple life, he is the king of all kings. When Jesus revealed himself to Nathaniel, Nathaniel declared that he is indeed the chosen Messiah. The name Nazareth perhaps means ‘a watch tower’ (now en-Nasrah), but is connected in the New Testament with Netzer, ‘a branch’. Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah all predicted that a branch or a shoot would grow in the House of David, Son of Jesse, and rule the people righteously. This meant that even if Judah was destroyed and taken into captivity in Babylon, a shoot would grow to show that Judah would be rebuilt and redeemed. The prophecy was fulfilled with the birth of Jesus Christ. Because of their lack of faith in him, Jesus preached in Nazareth's synagogues and performed only a few miracles there. In his town, he stated, a prophet is not respected. Today, God's people are called to care for the needy, assist the poor, and love and guide the lost. Many times, we judge people based on their outward appearance and fail to look into their hearts. However, when we examine Jesus' life, we see that he never condemned anyone, even when he was aware of their sins. He loved them and was compassionate enough to forgive them, and he dined with them together. We are to love each other as much as we love ourselves as a result of his life. God created each of us uniquely and with a purpose in mind. Rejecting and confronting another creator is equivalent to causing harm to his or her creator. Jesus was not ashamed to be referred to as a "Nazarene," nor was he ashamed of his parents or his social standing. He was only there to complete the task for which he had been assigned. Similarly, you should never be afraid of other people's opinions or criticism. May the Lord Jesus of Nazareth be with you, guide you, and bless you abundantly.

CHAPTER – 3 JESUS CHRIST - THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATER But whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 Water is a basic requirement for the survival of all life forms on Earth. It is reasonable to say that water is the chief factor that Earth is the only planet capable of supporting life. This universal solvent is one of the most important resources on the planet. Life cannot exist in the absence of water. Many essential functions of the body, such as maintaining internal temperature and keeping cells alive, require a lot of water. A person can survive for about 3 days without water as a general rule of thumb. Similarly, the word "water" appears 722 times in the Bible, where it refers to faith, hope, and worship. Water was created on the first day of creation by God. "Come, all who thirst, come to the waters," says Isaiah 55:1. Water is regarded as essential for both physical and spiritual well-being throughout the Bible. The Israelites were thirsty while wandering in the desert due to the heat. They were too tired to continue the journey and asked Moses for water. As soon as he heard their grumbling, Moses went to God and begged him to save the people who would perish from thirst. As a result, God showed Moses a massive rock and instructed him to beat it. When Moses struck the rock, water gushed forth, and the Israelites drank. The water from the rock quenched the thirst of the entire Israelite population as well as their livestock.' “And drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” (1Cor 10:4) Jesus Christ is the source of the living water. The rock that Moses struck is compared to Jesus, who was stricken by our affliction. WATER THAT GIVES LIFE. Sarah gave Abraham her servant Hagar to bear a child for him because Sarah was barren and old. So, Abraham took Hagar for himself, and she became pregnant with Abraham's child. She gave birth to a son named Ishmael. Hagar despised Sarah and looked down on her after she had conceived Abraham's child. This aggravated their relationship, and Sarah abhorred her mistress even more. God, having witnessed Hagar's silent mockery, blessed Sarah with a son named Isaac. As the elder son, Ishmael treated Isaac unfairly, which resulted in Sarah sending Hagar and her son away from Abraham's home. With a heavy heart, Abraham packed some food and a skin of water for them and sent them away. They ran out of water and food as they wandered through the desert. The child was thirsty for water and was on the verge of dying if he did not get some. The helpless Hagar carried the child a short distance and cried, unable to see the child die. But as she cried out, an angel of God appeared, hearing the child's cries of pain, and opened Hagar's eyes to see a fountain in the desert. Hagar discovered the fountain, took the boy and provided him with water. After drinking from it, the boy survived. Anyone who drinks the living water comes to life. This implies that we do not die spiritually. Jesus' living water is a metaphor for salvation. (Is 2:3) When we accept Jesus' salvation, even if we die physically, our soul lives the eternal life that Christ provides. And we will never be thirsty if we drink the water of life. WATER THAT CLEANSES. The Syrian army's commander, Naaman, was a leper. He learned about Elisha, an Israelite prophet who can heal him, and traveled to see him. Elisha tells him dismissively that he needs to take a bath in the Jordan River when they meet. Naaman is upset and decides to return home. Elisha, he reasoned, would heal him if he placed his hands over him and prayed. However, the servants insisted that Naaman obey the prophet because he said that a simple act of healing was all that was required. So Naaman went to the Jordan River and drowned six times. The seventh time he drowned and returned, his body was healed like that of a child. Any physical ailment was thought to be God's punishment for sins. When the Israelites sinned against God, God punished them with various illnesses. However, God says in Ezekiel 36, "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness." The water persuades hardened hearts to obey God's command. When we thirst for it, God provides us with living water, just as a deer longs for streams of water. It fortifies our soul, purifies us of impurities, and heals us. May God fill your lives with his water so that his living water flows out of you. Amen!

CHAPTER – 2 JESUS CHRIST - THE HIGH PRIEST Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Heb 4:14 Jesus, the Son of God, was sent to earth to serve as a ransom for us, rescuing us from the encroaching darkness. We were able to reconcile with the Father through him and have eternal life in heaven because of him. Jesus Christ's sacrifice is the greatest sacrifice made to redeem all of humanity. When He was sinless, Jesus was made to pay our debt for our sins. He was sent to earth with specific tasks to complete, and he did everything following Father's will. Today, we will discuss his role as the great high priest. After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, they spent a long time in the wilderness, camping near Mount Sinai. And while they were resting there, God called up Moses to the mountain for 40 days so that he could speak to him about the covenant that he had made with the people of Israel. As such Moses prepared himself and went to the mountain early in the morning, where he stayed for 40 days and nights. Meanwhile, the Israelites were concerned about a lack of leadership due to Moses' absence. So, Aaron summoned them to bring their gold ornaments and fashioned a calf as an idol for them to worship. The Israelites worshipped the calf and boasted that "this calf brought us out of Egypt." After 40 days, Moses returned to the people and found them half-naked and drunk in front of the calf. In a fit of rage, he shattered the commandment tablets written on the idol by God's finger. He raised his voice and condemned Israel for their idolatry, saying that those on God's side could approach him while the rest could oppose him. The tribe of Levi immediately joined Moses in honoring God after hearing those words. The Levites were then given the task of killing anyone who practiced idolatry, as instructed by Moses. God saw the Levites' actions as just. When the inherited land of Canaan was to be divided among the 12 tribes of Israel, God declared that the Levites would have no inheritance but that God Himself would be their inheritance. He bestowed priesthood upon them, allowing them to worship and serve the Lord at his altar and to dwell in his holy sanctuary. The rest of the tribes were forbidden from living in the tabernacle, entering the holiest of holies, sacrificing, making offerings, taking care of everything inside the tabernacle, and wearing priestly garments because Levites chose to obey God and stand for him. You might be wondering how Jesus, a member of the tribe of Judah, could be a high priest. "If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law," says Hebrews 8:4. A priest's important role is to enter the most Holy God's sanctuary and offer the sacrifices that each individual or family brings. As a result, Jesus, the High Priest, is distinguished by entering the holy place and submitting himself as an atonement for the sins of many. Instead of animal blood, Christ's blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. According to the order of Melchizedek, Jesus is the High Priest, and Christ can be both King and Priest. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our frailties, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrew 4:15) Jesus, the High Priest, understands your anguish and can help you triumph over it. The death of Jesus on the cross tore the altar screen at the temple, allowing everyone to enter the throne of grace. As a result, if you are having difficulty enduring trials and temptations, simply approach the mercy seat. There is no sin that he cannot forgive, nor any weakness that he cannot help. With his everlasting love and abundant grace, he will guide you through all the trials that lie ahead of you and present you blameless before the throne of the Father. I encourage you to seek his presence for deliverance, healing, peace, and victory. May the High Priest Jesus be with you and keep you safe at all times. Amen!

HOLY WEEK CHAPTER – 1 JESUS CHRIST – THE GOOD SHEPHERD “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 Dear God's Children, I'm hoping that Psalm 23 will be the most popular song for many of us. This Psalm beautifully exemplifies our God's role as a great caring shepherd. He is our shepherd, and we, the children, are His sheep. We are the sheepfold that He has entrusted to us. He is the shepherd who is with us every step of the way, leading, guiding, and protecting us. The Psalmist David, who used to be the shepherd of his Father's herd, recognized the value and necessity of a Shepherd. When little David wanted to fight Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:34-36, King Saul initially refused to let him go to the battlefield. Goliath's appearance terrified Saul and his army because Goliath was both a giant and a well-trained Philistine soldier. Saul's reasoning was simple: Giant Goliath was stronger than David, a shepherd. David was young, and he lacked the experience to take on such a formidable foe as Goliath. David was on his way out, and his death would benefit no one. When Saul and his army had given up hope of fighting the giant, David remained steadfast in his desire to fight. But the little boy wanted King's permission to go to the Warfield. That is when David addressed King Saul. David stated, "Your servant used to look after his father's sheep, and when a lion and a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I (David) went out after it and struck it, delivering the lamb from its mouth. But when it became enraged against me, I grabbed it by the beard and struck and killed it." David could have escaped, saving his own life, when he saw the roaring lion and bear because he was a small boy and it was only a matter of one or two sheep. When the sheep were in danger, David fought back valiantly. That is our Heavenly Shepherd, Jesus Christ's, heart. He stated, "I am the wise shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sake of the sheep." (Matthew 10:11) Jesus came down to save every one of us from the enemy who seeks to destroy us like a roaring lion. He died on the cross for His sheep to save them. He rescues our soul from the eternal fire and leads us to eternal life with Him. We were all betrayed like sheep without knowing Him, but God sent His only Son Jesus so that whoever believes in Him will spend eternity with Him. We have everything we need in Jesus Christ. In the gospel, we can find a beautiful parable of Jesus. It's the story of the lost sheep. There lived a shepherd who cared for his herd safely and carefully every day. Unfortunately, one of the hundred sheep has gone missing. One of the little sheep vanished. So, what exactly does a good shepherd do? He went in search of the lost sheep, found it, and joyfully returned it to his flock. Similarly, Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost sheep (mankind). He looked for it on the roads, valleys, and mountains until he found it stuck among the thorns. (sin) He gently removed the thorns and returned them to Himself. Jesus stated that the shepherd was overjoyed because He had found the lost sheep. Yes, Jesus Christ will shepherd his flock; he will gather the lambs in his arms, carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those who are pregnant. (Exodus 40:11) He stated, "My sheep pay attention to what I say. They recognize me and follow me." (Matthew 10:27) Sheep have incredible hearing, which is one of their most distinguishing characteristics. This is significant because one of the disadvantages of sheep is that they are easily distracted and, due to their poor vision, can wander off without realizing how far they have wandered from the flock. When the shepherd calls out to them, they recognize his voice and come to him. The sheep recognizes the shepherd's voice because it spends all of its time with and depends on him. We need to spend more time with our shepherd to understand His voice. We must be able to identify the true voice of God, which can only be accomplished through the scriptures. When our shepherd calls to us, we should obey and return to Him, just as sheep do. We are constantly reminded of our need for His (the shepherd's) loving care and provision, and we run back to His flock where there is safety and peace. And He will provide for all of our needs. Amen!!

DAY – 38 YAHWEH HESED GOD OF FORGIVENESS "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. " (Luke 6:37) Before we get into today's topic, let me emphasize that Our Almighty God is not just God, but a ruler above all rulers; He is the King of Kings, His Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and power, authority, and dominion belong solely to Him. God sits on His throne as a just and fair Judge. The Psalmist sings in (Ps 89:14), "Righteousness and Justice are the foundation of God's throne." He knows what is right, He sees what is right, He does what is right, and His judgments are always just. His decisions are all oracles, and none are ever overturned. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, distinguishes between two types of people. The first category consists of legalistic people who are ardent followers of heart but have completely lost their hearts behind the Law, whereas the second category consists of people who are living and yearning for God's mercy. He insisted that obeying the Law isn't about doing or not doing certain things. The Law was given as a means of obeying God. It leads us to God by transforming us from a sinful nature to a pure and holy person. Understanding their hatred, enmity, pride, and other laziness, He said, "Do not judge, for you will be judged." Don't condemn, because you'll be condemned as well. However, if you forgive, you will be forgiven. 1. Don't judge, because you will be judged. To begin, we must define what it means to judge others. It is nothing more than separating, picking out, or selecting. According to the Bible, "man sees the outward appearance, but God looks into the hearts." He knows a person's deepest thoughts even before he/she comes to Him. He is the only one who can discern the righteousness or wickedness of a human heart. However, many times, we have a tendency to comment or criticize based solely on the behavioral pattern, rather than the hidden or real emotion. We make a mistake by converting a righteous person into a wicked person and vice versa. Look at this elderly gentleman. Eli, Eli, was a Priest in the House of the Lord. The couple, Elkanah and Hannah, went to the Temple to offer sacrifice to the Lord. Hannah carried grief with her on the journey because she had been mistreated by her rival – Elkanah’s other wife - for being barren. She had planned to express her grief in this holy place. Elkanah adored Hannah, but he didn't seem to understand the depth of his wife's grief. He saw her tears and refusal to eat, but he didn't seem to understand the weight of barrenness. Hannah stood up after everyone had finished eating and drinking. Eli the Priest was now sitting on the threshold of the Lord's tabernacle. Hannah entered the presence of the Lord and began her prayer by addressing the Lord of Hosts. There was no sound, no utterance, just the groaning of Hannah's spirit as she prayed desperately to Her faithful God. As she was in excruciating pain, she communicated with God through prayer and tears. She had a private conversation with God about her desire for a child. Now Eli, who was watching Hannah, misunderstood the woman who was weeping. He mistook her for drunk. Eli made a decision and gave instructions. He was demonstrating his moral authority. And Eli told her, "How long will you be inebriated? Take your wine and put it away." Hannah, how hard did those words hit you? While no one understood her, the spiritual leader of the time did not either. We often pass judgment on others without knowing what they are going through. Heartbroken people frequently hide their pain behind a smile. Making a snide remark will break them even more. We, as imitators, must learn to see others as Christ sees them. Consider Hannah's words when Eli accused her of being drunk: "Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation." (1 Samuel 1:16) Hannah chose to respond with proper respect rather than simply mouthing back at him, because it was Eli who was at fault, regardless of age. Eli immediately realized his error after listening to her. He then assured her that God intended to grant her a wish for a son. 2. Don't condemn, because you will be condemned. Let us turn our thoughts to the Lord Jesus Christ's time. While the Lord Jesus was preaching, a crowd rushed towards Him. The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman who has been caught in the act of adultery before him. They seek Jesus' opinion on the matter, citing Mosaic Law, which calls for the stoning of the woman. Jesus says nothing at first, preferring to write on the ground with his finger. But, when the scribes and Pharisees press him for an answer, Jesus famously says, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her," before returning to his writing on the ground. One by one, the woman's accusers depart, leaving only the woman and Jesus. Jesus inquires as to where everyone has gone. When she responds that no one is left to condemn her, Jesus indicates that he, too, does not condemn her, and then says, "Go, and do not sin any longer." Many people condemned Apostle Paul for his past life while he was preaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. They refused to accept Paul, who had previously been known as Saul. Their gaze was drawn to the former Saul and they failed to notice the new Paul. They continued to charge him "Are you not the one who assassinated Lord Jesus' servants? Aren't you the one who caused havoc among the brethren? Are you not the one who despised the name, Jesus Christ?" While they were accusing Paul, he boldly declared, "Who will bring a charge against God's chosen people? Who is the one who judges? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, no, who was raised, who sits at God's right hand and also intercedes for us." (Romans 8:34–35) Yes, it was God who died for our sins and washed away all of our iniquities. Other than through the Lord Jesus Christ, no one is considered righteous before God. As a result, my friends never dismiss or judge people based solely on their outward appearance and behaviors. Never abuse or accuse others based solely on their past. In less than a minute, God can transform any dreadful sinner. He touches people's hearts and draws them back to Him because He alone is aware of their deepest thoughts. 3. IF YOU FORGIVE, YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN. "...Forgiving others as God in Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32) I'm sure that at some point in our lives, we've all been injured or hurt by others, sometimes physically, but more often than not through disgraceful words. And many times, people would have broken us on purpose. When we hear the word "forgiveness," we immediately recall certain heartaches, hurts, and problems from our past. We've been deeply hurt, so the memories are still vivid. We find it difficult to forgive the perpetrators because of how deeply we have been hurt. However, the Bible gives us one very important reason why we must forgive. Because God forgave us, we forgive others. It takes tremendous strength and courage to cultivate this wonderful quality known as forgiveness. Forgiving others brings God's happiness to us, and we feel His peace in us by letting go of the heavy baggage we've been carrying this far. Most importantly, we can forgive only when we believe our Heavenly Father has forgiven us for our sins through the Lord Jesus Christ. Following the Savior's response to Peter, a parable about the importance of forgiveness was told. "Then Peter approached him and said, Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?" up to seven times? I say not to thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven says, Jesus. As a result, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a certain king who would account for his servants. When he began to count, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But because he couldn't pay, his lord ordered that he be sold, along with his wife, children, and everything else he owned, and that payment be made. As a result, the servant fell to his knees and worshipped him, saying, "Lord, be patient with me, and I will pay thee all." The servant's lord was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave his debt. But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence, and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that which thou owe. And his fellow servant fell at his feet and pleaded with him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." And he refused, so he went and imprisoned him until he paid the debt. So, when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very sorry and came and told their lord everything that had happened. After calling him, his lord said to him, "O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt because thou desire me: Should not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, as I pitied thee?" And his lord was enraged, and he delivered him to the tormentors until he paid all that was due to him. So will my heavenly Father treat you if you do not forgive every one his brother his trespasses from the bottom of your hearts?" (Matthew 18: 21–35) Those who wish to call themselves disciples of the Master must understand that, like the first servant, we owe our Heavenly King a great debt for the many gifts and blessings we have received from Him. This understanding opens the door to the gifts of repentance and forgiveness for ourselves. The preservation of these gifts is contingent on our faithful forgiveness of those who have wronged us. God bless you with the strength to be like Him and for Him. Amen!!

DAY – 37 YEHOHANAN JEHOVAH – THE GRACIOUS GOD "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious.” (Ex 33:19) Dear God's Children, the most basic definition of GRACE is "Unmerited favor" or "Unconditional love" of God. The term "unmerited" refers to receiving something that we did not earn or deserve. Similarly, "Unconditional" means "beyond conditions." God's Grace is the most powerful and beautiful thing we will ever require in our lives. GRACE means that we are loved even when we are unlovable. God, in His wonderful grace, reached down to us while we were pushing back. We all sinned and fell short of God's glory (Rom 3:23), and we all deserved death by capital punishment. (Romans 6:23) As a result, God chose to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to demonstrate His unconditional love for the entire world, so that anyone who believes in Him will be spared from death. (See John 3:16) What role does Grace play in our lives? 1) We receive God's forgiveness as a result of His unfathomable grace. The Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (1 John 1:4) Jesus was overflowing with Grace. He became flesh for us to receive God's forgiveness by dying on the cross. God demonstrated His love for us and chose to redeem us through the life of Jesus when we were sinners. (Romans 5:8) The cross was the place where the fullness of grace shone the brightest. It was both performed and purchased there. And keep in mind that the Son of Man has the authority to forgive the sins of the entire human race. And we were forgiven because of Jesus' bloodshed. As a consequence, there is no condemnation for sin because of the freely given Grace. 2) Grace is useful in times of weakness. "My grace is enough for You." (2 Corinthians 12:8-9) Paul preaches to the Corinthians, who were self-sufficient and boastful, that he has nothing to boast about except his weakness because the sickness in him made Paul realize how much he needed to be dependent on God's Grace. He mentions a thorn (ailment) in His flesh and requests that God remove it. But God told him, "My grace is sufficient for you." According to many scholars, Paul suffered from epilepsy. Even if we have a thorn in our lives, we can pray to God, as Paul did, to remove it. The thorn pricking our lives and causing us to cry will be removed by His unfailing love. Remember that it is to make us realize that God's grace is sufficient to carry us, just as it did Paul. 3) Grace is the path that leads us to eternal life. "So that, having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life." 3:7 (Titus) God justifies us as His children by grace through the Law of Jesus Christ. We are no longer bound by the bonds of slavery. We have been delivered from future punishment (i.e., eternal torment in hell). "By His grace," we have restored to God the Father's love and friendship, which Adam had lost. We will be transfigured and caught up to heaven in the blink of an eye at Jesus' second coming. We will always be with the Lord, and it is with this thought and these words that we are to console one another. (1Thesso 4:17-18) Why is Grace bestowed upon us? Grace is given in our lives in proportion to the amount of Christ's gift. (Eph 4:7) We are all saved from the darkness by the Grace that has been given to us. The ultimate goal of God's gift of grace to us is that we may be able to live for Him and serve Him. In (Acts 6:5), we see a man named Stephen who was obedient to God and filled with His Grace. He worked great miracles and signs among the people. There was an opposition group, but the men who argued with Stephen were no match for the wisdom given to him by the Holy Spirit. As a result, the men decided to falsely accuse Stephen, labeling him a blasphemer and arresting him. Stephen was unconcerned about his earthly existence, instead deciding to stand firmly on the side of Jesus Christ, regardless of the consequences. God inspired him to speak boldly, accusing Israel of failing to recognize Jesus as their Messiah, rejecting and murdering Him, just as they had murdered Zechariah and other prophets and faithful men throughout their generations. However, his accusations were not well received by the Jews, and he was stoned to death. During his final moments on Earth, just before stepping through the veil that separates heaven and earth: "But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God's glory, and Jesus standing at God's right hand." 'Look,' he exclaimed, 'I see heaven open, and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand.' Stephen died as a Martyr for God. He lived and served the Living God. God's grace sustained him throughout his life. God's grace enabled Stephen to demonstrate that Almighty God, Jesus Christ, once died but is alive forevermore. He stood as a firm witness for Jesus, and it (Grace) eventually led him to eternal life. Because of his death, Saul, a mighty apostle who witnessed Stephen's death, was reborn, which shook Paul who was looking at Stephen's courage to give up his life for God, which stirred up Paul's emotions and completely transformed him to carry the legacy of Jesus. Friends, the main (and only) operation of this earthly life is to live for God. To proclaim the Gospel's goodness. Grace is given to us for us to live like Stephen. To boldly proclaim that Christ is alive and well forever and ever. To tell the world about eternity spent with Him for millennia. Confession Christ at every opportunity and help to build God's Kingdom. Proclaim the Gospel with boldness. Use the gifts (Grace) that God has given you for the glory of God. Demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit in your daily life. Even if your life is in danger, keep the faith. Shake the nations for the sake of His name. May God use you for His glory and the benefit of others. Let God's Grace sustain us in all we do. Amen!!

DAY – 36 JEHOVAH SHAMMAH THE LORD IS THERE. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.” Ezek 48:35 Jehovah-Shammah is a Christian transliteration of the Hebrew word for "Jehovah is there," which was the name given to the city in Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 48:35. These are the final verses of Ezekiel's book. Ezekiel, whose name means "God's strength" or "God's strength strengthened," was taken to Babylon in the second group of captives 11 years before Jerusalem was destroyed. In Babylon, God chose Ezekiel to be the Prophet who ministered among the captives for the first 25 years. God appeared to him in a vision, showing him his glorious throne, the large creatures known as cherubs and seraphim, the wheel with many eyes, and God's majesty and glory in heaven. God appointed Ezekiel as a watchman for the Israelites in Babylon and communicated with them through him. Ezekiel forewarned Judah and Israel about their sins and abominations, which led to Jerusalem's destruction. He condemned the neighboring nations of Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Philistines, Sidonians, Tyrians, and Egyptians for their adultery and cruelty toward God's people. He also foretold the restoration of God's people and the Holy Land, where the Lord Jehovah Shammah will dwell once more among his people. As previously stated, Jehovah Shammah means "the Lord is there." God told Moses to build an ark of the covenant, cherub models, altars, lampstands, and so on, all of which were placed in the holy sanctuary. The Sanctuary followed the Israelites wherever they went. On numerous occasions, the Israelites' enemies attacked them and took the ark of the covenant for themselves. To bring it back, Israel fights with them again, which occurs frequently. So, God chose King Solomon to build a temple in his honor, where God could dwell and hear all the petitions that were made. Solomon, King David's successor, erected a massive temple in Jerusalem with the assistance of neighboring kings and dedicated it to God. God's surreal glory descended upon the temple on the day of dedication, and the priests were unable to withstand his presence and could not perform the priestly manner. The Shekinah glory shone brightly on the temple. There were certain rules that the priest had to follow, as well as the order of services in which one had to worship God. However, the Israelites rejected it and continued to practice pagan rituals, which enraged God. Even after repeated warnings from God through various prophets, they refused to listen to him. As a result, God gave them to the king of Babylon for 70 years. In their anguish, they begged God to deliver them from Babylon. They concluded that God was no longer with them. In their anguish, they repented and resolved to obey God. In a vision, God revealed to Ezekiel the restoration of Jerusalem, where God would once again dwell among his people. God revealed to John the new heaven and earth, which is square and has 12 gates, each with the name of one of Israel's 12 tribes. God will come to us to deliver us from the grip of darkness, and he will live with us. After the day of judgment, the new Jerusalem will be a place of righteous people, with no pain, death, or tears. The people will be filled with joy and peace as they celebrate the victory of the lamb who defeated the enemy. No one can stand against you if God is on your side. He is a God who is always close by to encourage, comfort, give you peace, and bless you. When you hold on to him, he will be present in your lives, your home, and your family. When he is in your midst, there will be no more pain or defeat. God will restore all that you have lost and will bless your lives abundantly. Amen!

DAY 35 MESSIAH THE ANOITED ONE “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble." Dan 9:25 A messiah or messiah ('the anointed one') is a savior or liberator of a group of people in Abrahamic religions. The concepts of Mashiach, messianism, and a Messianic Age are rooted in Judaism and the Hebrew Bible, where a Mashiach is a king or High Priest who is conventionally ordained with holy anointing oil. God revealed to his prophets in the Bible an astounding plan of sending a Messiah to them to redeem them over time. Many prophets received revelations about the coming Messiah and his character traits. Numerous signs were given to them in an attempt for them to recognize the Messiah whom God had sent. Among them was a prophecy that the Son of God, the Redeemer, and the Holy One would be born from a virgin in the tribe of Judah in the town of Bethlehem, from the clan of King David. God sent a man named Moses to redeem the Israelites from the ruler of the land while they were enslaved in Egypt for over four centuries. He used God's power to perform many miracles and destroy the authority while liberating the people. As a result, the people expected the Messiah to appear as a king, with full authority and power, to fight and destroy their enemies. Christ, the Messiah, on the other hand, was born into a humble family in a manger and came to serve others. This irritated the law teachers, and despite witnessing the miracles he performed, they did not believe in the son of God. They were constantly looking for new flaws in him, rejecting his teaching, and plotting to murder him on multiple occasions. Despite this, Jesus fulfilled the Father's will and the purpose of his life by submitting himself as a sacrifice for the redemption of mankind on the cross and conquering the power of darkness above all. He did not consider the throne or equality with the Father but instead humbled himself until his death on the cross. Prophet Isaiah prophesied about the empowerment of the Messiah’s ministry in Chapter 61. 1. The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2. to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3. and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. The birth of Lord Jesus brought the good news, which was communicated to the shepherds by angels. It is the good news of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. Lord Jesus preached in numerous places about repentance and acceptance of sins as a means of gaining God's forgiveness. To please God, he taught them how to completely obey Moses' laws. He went to the people who had been rejected by the community because of their social status and preached to them about God's kingdom. He claimed that in God's kingdom, everyone is treated equally. Furthermore, he taught the people to love God by loving their neighbors and caring for all those in need. When he discovered that the people were violent, selfish, and cruel to one another, he insisted that they love one another in several places. He lived his life exactly as he preached to others. Even today, as we read the four gospels, we can recognize that a feeling of divine peace and love fills us, allowing us to live the way Jesus lived, bringing more happiness and harmony. Jesus was the personification of the Father's love. Through compassion, he demonstrated God's love. Several miracles were performed as a result of his compassion. He healed everyone who came to him with a variety of ailments. Every time, he prayed to the Father for the people. He never turned down anyone who came to him for assistance. He was there for them in their joy as well as their sorrow. He consoled the bereaved and ate and slept with those whom society labeled as sinners. He went wherever he pleased. He continues to spread kindness and happiness throughout the community. He also preached about eternal life in God's kingdom and eternal fire in hell. He prepared the people for God's judgment on their words and actions on the Day of Judgment. He used several parables to explain the Kingdom of God and eternal lake fire. To enter God's kingdom, he insisted on people living righteously and holy. The ultimate purpose of Jesus Christ's birth was to liberate people from the dominion of darkness. He set free everyone who had been imprisoned by Satan's power in various ways. The presence of the Lord Jesus astounded and comforted the people, and they accepted salvation. Many, on the other hand, condemned him as a lawbreaker. Many Christians today argue that because we live after the time of Jesus, the Old Testament laws are no longer necessary. They are obstinate that everything (right or wrong) is validated through the grace of Jesus. However, if you look at Christ's life, you will notice that he came to fulfill the law rather than reject it. The presence of the Holy Spirit in Jesus enabled him to conquer the world and fulfill all that had been prophesied about him. He is the anointed Messiah, who came to pay the penalty for our sins. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove in front of a large crowd at Jordan. God is gracious to pour out his spirit on those who thirst for it when we ask for it. I pray that God lavishes his spirit on everyone who seeks it and fills your lives with crown and victory. May he console all who mourn and transform your sorrows into joy. Amen!

DAY – 34 GOD – THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness. (Ps 9:4) Dear God's Children, the Bible declares that our God is a Righteous Judge and that the final judgment belongs solely to Him. God's kingdom has judicial, legislative, and executive powers, just like any other functioning government. He is a just and fair judge who is always on the right side of the law (Ps 7:11). We could see that righteousness and justice are the pillars upon which God's throne stands. (Psalm 84:19) Furthermore, according to the Bible, the Lord is the Judge, the Lawgiver, and the King of all Humankind. (Exodus 33:22) Above Him, there is no King, no Kingdom, no Power, no Authority, and no Laws. What is it about God's government that makes it so unique? God does not abuse His authority in the same way that the worldly government does. He does not accept bribes or favors. He sees and understands everything, including Heart's "thoughts and intentions." The Lord is incomparably qualified to serve as Judge, Lawgiver, and King because of His holiness, justice, knowledge, wisdom, love, goodness, mercy, and power. Let's take a look at Sarah's life. Sarah, Abraham's wife, had not given birth to any children at the time of God's promise, and Sarah was past child-bearing age. As a result, she sent Hagar, her maid or slave, to Abraham to bear a child for him. Hagar began to despise Sarah after she became pregnant. Sarah, the mistress, was humiliated by Hagar, her maid. Hagar took advantage of her pregnancy and began making fun of Sarah. She would have attempted to replace her governess. Sarah, who had not anticipated the maid's behavior, rushed to Abraham and said, "May the Lord judge between you and me, for my maid has ignored me after learning that she is pregnant." (See Genesis 16:5) God, seeing everything that was happening to Sarah, renewed the covenant He had made with Abraham and blessed Sarah with a son, Isaac. In Genesis 21, Hagar and her son Ishmael were unconcerned about the birth of Isaac. However, Isaac's development exacerbated the family's problems. Ishmael began to mock Isaac as he grew older. (See Genesis 21:9) This means that Ishmael was persecuting Isaac in the biblical sense. Ishmael would have mistreated or injured Isaac. God even considered Ishmael's persecution of Isaac to be the start of His people's 400-year persecution. Acts 7:6; 15:13). As a result, "persecution" can be interpreted as "slavery" in this context. Ishmael dominated Isaac in all aspects of life, including their birthright. He attempted to enslave Isaac. Ishmael's mockery was serious because Isaac was God's ordained (established) seed and Ishmael was the forger (fake). The ordained are always despised by the counterfeit. The counterfeit despises us, the ordained seed. "But as then he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to Spirit, so it is now," Paul says in Galatians 4:29. That persecution was sparked by Isaac's growth. Sarah, who represented grace, would not put up with Ishmael's mockery of Isaac and said, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac." Genesis 21:10 Many of us will disagree with Sarah and believe she was jealous and unjust because she was the one who proposed to Abraham that he have a son with Hagar and now she tells him to cast Hagar and Ishmael out. But, rather than our judgments, we must learn to adopt God's perspective as the righteous Judge. It was painful for Abraham to send his son Ishmael away. When things were falling apart in Abraham's life, God, the righteous Judge, appeared and said to him, "Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah has said unto you, hear her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called." (21:12) The heavenly Judge made the final decision, instructing him to carry out Sarah's request. Only Isaac was to be counted as the seed, not Ishmael. God makes decisions based on His wisdom to discern the truth. The concept of justice is linked to the concept of merit: those who engage in morally corrupt behavior will be punished, while those who engage in morally upright behavior will be rewarded. God is the author of justice, and God is without flaw. He shows no favoritism to anyone. (See Acts 10:34.) As a result, His judgments, ways, and the justice He administers are all flawless. He not only enforces justice, but He also loves it: "For the LORD is righteous, and he loves justice; the upright will see his face." (Psalm 11:7) God promised Abraham that the generations would be multiplied only through Isaac. So, when Isaac's life was in danger, God intervened and served justice to both Isaac and Ishmael. God is the same God who is with us and for us. He never allows our adversaries to mock us. He never puts us down. He will rightfully intervene and resolve our issues. Even when the entire world accuses us, keep in mind that God, our Judge, looks into our hearts. He will not only bring us justice but also justify us. He will walk in your ways if you walk in His commandments. Amen!!