I don’t think I’m capable of saying who this passage is referring to, or when this time period will take place. I haven’t studied prophecy – the whole Bible – enough. What I can see however, is what God is capable of doing.

God can make His light shine through his people, even in thick darkness. What is this light?

This light is love in action – love for God and love for people. It is this love that compells one to bring God’s justice, mercy, grace. This is the true light – it is not merely the absence of sin, or the (passive) goodness of one’s heart. This is the kind of light that attracts peoples, nations. It makes them recognize the goodness of God, and moves them to contribute to His cause through you. And those who oppose you – those who oppose God by causing injustice – they will be brought low. Then there will be peace, there will be joy.

Balak was doing everything he can to have Balaam curse the Israel camp. He just couldn’t take no for an answer, and kept upping the ante. Each time, Balaam – speaking the words given to him by God – answered the same way. We can even see Balaam gradually understanding the heart of God – from someone somewhat neutral when we first saw him, to one who showered blessings toward Israel. Both wanted to know the will and power of God, both heard the same message, but they reacted differently. Balak was indignant and left with a bitter heart. Balaam was transformed and left with joy.

When we ask God for something, we must be prepared whatever His answer. Yes, No, Stop, Wait, Go – we need to learn to let go of our agenda and trust God’s wisdom. Don’t try to convince the messenger, go straight to the master.

Again, what a beautiful psalm. I could just paste the whole thing here and that should be enough. Would be really cool if I could memorize whole passages like these.

This chapter has a lot of exclamation points! Which must be intentional. It starts powerfully with “Oh Lord, you have searched me and known me!” Right there at the beginning, everything we have done and will do, everything we were and will be, comes to the surface. Nothing is hidden. It is a cry of Amazed Surrender. Walang takas.

You love me, you created me – carefully, thoughtfully. You love me in spite of my stubbornness, in spite of my disbelief, in spite of my wicked thoughts. You love me enough to admonish me, to bring me to the right path – with you, with others. “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!”

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭23-24‬ ESV)

Because my mind responds better to lists..

Final Instructions:
– respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you (v12‬)
– esteem them very highly in love because of their work (v13)
– be at peace among yourselves (v13)
– admonish the idle, (v14)
– encourage the fainthearted, (v14)
– help the weak, (v14)
– be patient with them all (v14)
– see that no one repays anyone evil for evil, (v15)
– but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone (v15)
– rejoice always, (v16)
– pray without ceasing, (v17)
– give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (v18)
– do not quench the Spirit. (v19)
– do not despise prophecies, (v20)
– but test everything; (v21)
– hold fast what is good (v21)
– abstain from every form of evil (v22)

Action:
Look through each item, and think of how you can apply that now, and how you can develop a habit of it in the future. These are good guidelines to follow.

Other thoughts:
Serving the Lord and serving the Church is a wonderful experience and a blessing in of itself. But, as we know, it is not without its share of doubts, fears, disappointments, struggles and challenges. These require physical, mental and spiritual effort. How can I show respect and esteem to those who serve? By showing them appreciation, by making their loads lighter, by constantly praying for them.

Applying Verse 14 is pointless unless you have a personal relationship and trust with who you are trying to admonish, encourage or help. You should develop relationships.

At first I was looking at this passage from the point of view of my current circumstances. I couldn’t see how it was related, until God made me realize the following. Sometimes I get caught up on the little things.

There is injustice in the world, and we are to blame. Whether intentional or not, whether we are actively causing it or passively allowing and therefore contributing to it. This is our iniquity – God’s command is to love Him and to love others. We fail at one, we fail at both. Our iniquity is what separates us from our Holy God. We were helpless. We are still helpless without Jesus. Then God made the way.

The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭59‬:‭15b-17‬ ESV)

He will bring justice. With it – mercy, grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, hope, joy, victory.