OUR FATHER WHO PROVIDES ANSWERS TO THOSE WHO ARE LOYAL TO HIM

From the book of Ezekiel chapter 14 verse 2 -3 says this;

Then the word of the Lord came to me:  “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?

This passage captures the Lord's statement to the prophet Ezekiel that pointed out that the leaders of Israel had idols in their hearts and that they had regarded wicked stumblimg block.

The question was then asked whether the Lord should have let them make an enquiry to Him at all.

To make any demands on heavens resources, we must harbor no allegiances or have any incumberances to the kingdom of darkness.

Amen 

2

OUR FATHER WHO VALUES FAITHFULNESS

The book of Ezekiel chapter 15 verse 2 says this;

“Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest? 

The Lord, in giving Ezekiel an analogy of the faithlessness of the people who lived in Jerusalem, asks him in what way the wood from a vine was not the same the wood from any other tree in the forest.

The Lord completed the analogy by describing how the wood from a vine had no practical purpose when it was whole and even less when it charred by fire.

The Lord compared the people of Jerusalem to a burned twig that had no useful purpose because they were unfaithful.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO IS THE LORD OF ISRAEL

The book of Ezekiel chapter 14 verse 8 says this;

I will set my face against them and make them an example and a byword. I will remove them from my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

This verse, speaking of the people of Israel or foreigners who dwelt in Israel and who separated themselves from the Lord and then pursued idols and set wicked stumbling blocks before their faces, declares that the Lord will set His face against them and so as to set an example for others, would remove them from the midst of His people.

This just governance would be a demonstration of the Lordship of God over His people.

Amen.

1

 

OUR FATHER WHO WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON HIS PEOPLE

The book of Isaiah chapter 14 verses 1 - 3 foretells of the day that the Lord will have compassion on Israel and at that moment, the state of affairs will undergo an inversion. The passage reads like this;

The Lord will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.

Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob.

Nations will take them and bring them to their own place.

And Israel will take possession of the nations and make them male and female servants in the Lord’s land.

They will make captives of their captors  and rule over their oppressors.

On the day the Lord gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you, You will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon.

Israel will have foreign nations join and support them even as the kingdom of darkness tries gain permanent  control the Lord's people.

The nations that oppressed God's people will be brought under the ownership of Israel.

On this day, Israel (and the spiritual kingdom of Israel),  freed by the Lord from the dominance of the kingdom of darkness, will take up a taunt against her oppressor that is recorded in Isaiah chapter 14 verses  5 - 20.

The taunt will tell of the sudden fall of the kingdom of darkness where the king of Babylon will be exposed for what he actually is.

The whole of  creation will wonder why they feared him when they see him under the judgement of the Lord.

Amen.

3

OUR FATHER WHO ASSOCIATES WITH THE FAITHFUL

From Psalm 101;

My eyes, says the Lord, will be on the faithful

That they may dwell with Me forever

And those whose walk is blameless

They will ever minister unto Me 

1

OUR FATHER IS WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE

From Psalm 100;

Shout for joy all the earth.

Worship the Lord with hearts of gladness

Know that the Lord is God We are His creations

His faithfulness endures for all generations

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

Fill His courts with cheerful laughter

Give thanks and earnestly praise Him

For the Lord is good His love endures forever

7

OUR FATHER WHO IS BRILLIANT TO BEHOLD

Psalm 97 verse 8 says this;

Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, Lord.

The Lord God Almighty approaches the earth and His glory and brilliance are seen by the people of the earth.

His arrival is marked by flashes of lightening and the mountains melt like wax in His presence.

The adversaries of God are judged in fire and those who worship idols are disgraced because even the spiritual entities will be unable to avoid worshipping Him.

At the sight of their God, the settlements of people will be glad because of the judgements that are metted out.

Amen.

18

OUR FATHER WHO REVEALED TO HIS PROPHETS WHAT HE INTENDED TO DO TO SAVE US OUT OF DARKNESS

The book of Isaiah chapter 9 verse 5 says this;

Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

The prophet Isaiah, foretold of a time of darkness when the land of Galilee would host the Light of the world.

The awaited Light would transform the nation into a large kingdom under the throne of David and this kingdom would be marked by joy as victory over the oppressor is celebrated.

The arrival  of the Light would be predicated by bloodshed and the boots and garments stained by blood during the battle in the heavenlies would be added to the fire of judgment against the agents of darkness.

What was being resisted was the arrival of the child mentioned in Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6 which reads;

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Amen.

1

OUR LORD WHOSE BRIDE WILL FLOURISH

The book of Isaiah chapter 54 verses 3 - 5 says this;

For you will spread out to the right and to the left;  your descendants will dispossess nations  and settle in their desolate cities.

 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

The bride described in this passage is the spiritual church which has been sanctified by God and prepared for victory over the kingdom of darkness.

The bride will flourish as the Lord draws His people unto Himself and they will do great exploits and dispossess the realms of spiritual wickedness.

This is achieved because of the close relationship they have with their redeemer who is the Lord Almighty, the Holy God of all the earth

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO IS GREATER THAN ALL

The book of Isaiah chapter 7 verse 9 says this;

The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son.

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’”

Judea, under king Ahaz, learned that they were going to be invaded by the kingdoms Ephraim and Aram. The King and all the people were shaken and fearful.

Our verse captures the central  case that the prophet Isaiah was instructed to make to king Ahaz of Judea.

King Ahaz was told that he and his people must be fearless in the face of the new enemy alliance.

The verse makes the argument that the leaders of the enemy alliance were weak and if King Ahaz and the people of Judea could not stand in faith against them, they would not stand at all in the face of any challenge.

This is a remainder to stand in faith even when we initially perceive that the odds are insurmountable.

As it says in the book of John chapter 10 verse 29;

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

Amen.

5

OUR FATHER WHOSE JUDGEMENT IS INESCAPABLE

The book of Isaiah chapter 15 verse 9 says this;

The waters of Dimon are full of blood, but I will bring still more upon Dimon—a lion upon the fugitives of Moab and upon those who remain in the land.

The people of Moab, under judgment, suffered the swift destruction of their cities and homes. Some of them wailed and lamented and went to their temple and high places to find spiritual help from their gods but get no relief.

They were forced to flee in convoys  of refugees to other lands. In the panic of departure, they grabbed anything of value they had and traversed the ravines and to get away.

As they moved, their cries and wails were heard by other towns which spread even more fear through the whole land.

Even as the the people of Dimon fled, they could not escape for a lion set upon them and caused havoc among the refugees and the remnant stayed behind.

Amen.

3

OUR FATHER WHO HEARS

From Psalm 120;

I call on You Lord in my distress

I cry to you in dismay

Deceitful tongues speak against me 

Please answer when I pray

Save me Lord 

Save me Lord

2 

OUR FATHER WHOSE EYES ARE ON THE FAITHFUL

From Psalm 99 101 verse 15 1 ;

I will sing of Your love and Your justice O Lord

I will be careful to lead a blameless life

Your eyes are on the faithful 

On the faithful  in the land

And we will dwell with You safely 

In the palm of Your hand

Amen.

3

OUR FATHER WHO INVITES US TO DWELL IN HIS HOUSE

Psalm 14 15  verse 9 2 says this;

The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous,  who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;

This passage lists some of the attributes that we would need to have in order to be invited to dwell in the house of God or to dwell  on His holy mountain.

- Our walk in life would be blameless

- We would  always speak the truth

- We would never slander others

- We would do no wrong to neighbours

- we would never cast slurs on other people

These attributes are centered around personal integrity and the unwillingness  to injure other people.

Amen.

5

OUR FATHER FORTELLS THE FUTURE THROUGH HIS PROPHETS BEFORE HE DOES ANYTHING

The book of Ezekiel chapter 12 verses 10 - 14, which records the prophet Ezekiel giving the explanation for his enactment of an exile leaving Jerusalem, says this;

Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: These actions contain a message for King Zedekiah in Jerusalem and for all the people of Israel.’ Explain that your actions are a sign to show what will soon happen to them, for they will be driven into exile as captives.

“Even Zedekiah will leave Jerusalem at night through a hole in the wall, taking only what he can carry with him. He will cover his face, and his eyes will not see the land he is leaving. Then I will throw my net over him and capture him in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Babylonians, though he will never see it, and he will die there. I will scatter his servants and warriors to the four winds and send the sword after them.

Because the people of Israel  were rebels and were described by the Lord as having eyes and refusing to see and having ears but refusing to hear, the Lord had directed Ezekiel to publically carry out the actions of a person going into exile so that they could understand that they were going into captivity in the near future.

The object lesson was still not compreshensible to them so the Lord told Ezekiel to tell the people in plain language that the terrible judgement was about to befall them.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO COUNTERS FALSE PROPHETS

The book of Ezekiel chapter 11 verses 2 - 4 says this (NLT);

The Spirit said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who are planning evil and giving wicked counsel in this city. 

They say to the people, ‘Is it not a good time to build houses? This city is like an iron pot. We are safe inside it like meat in a pot.’

Therefore, son of man, prophesy against them loudly and clearly.”

This passage describes a journey that the prophet Ezekiel was taken on by the Holy Spirit.

On this journey, he was taken to the temple area in Jerusalem where he saw 25 prominent men of the city giving bad advice to the people.

The Spirit of God told Ezekiel that this counsel being dispensed by these men was wicked and wrong because they were telling people that they were safe in the city of Jerusalem because the city was like a pot and they were secure while they remained in it.

Because of this false advise that offered the people false comfort, the Spirit of God instructed Ezekiel to loudly and clearly prophecy against those 25 men because they were obscuring the fact that the invading army was shortly going to overun Jerusalem and destroy it and take the people as captives.

The Lord wanted to counter the false narrative that was being generated by the prominent people in the city and Ezekiel was the one to speak up against the evil deception.

Amen.

10

OUR FATHER WHO HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US

Psalm 77 verse 10 says this;

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.

The psalmist, in a time of distress, had called upon the Lord and Lord could not be reached.

The question that was posed was whether the Lord had abandoned him forever and would never reconnect with him again.

He was concerned that in anger, the Lord had brushed aside His compassion and would not feel mercy on him.

Reaching this point of dispair, it occured to the psalmist that he should try another tact to relate to the Lord

Instead of groaning and fearing, he would instead think of the astonishing things that the Lord had already done for him and for his people.

He would recall the great power that the Lord had displayed in their midst.

He would think of these things and as a result, he is not overwhelmed but rather is filled with faith and hope.

Amen.

3

 OUR FATHER WHO HEARS US

From Psalm 5;

Hear my cry, my God and King

For to You do I pray

With joy and reverence do I sing

For You have made a way

Lead me Lord in righteousness

Surround me with Your great love

In the morning hear my voice

I bow before Your temple above

8

OUR FATHER WHO MADE ALL THINGS

From Psalm 33;

Unto the Lord, sing joyfully

Make music to His name 

On harps and lyres play skillfully 

To Him who all things made

We wait in hope for our help and shield

In Him our hearts rejoice

For we trust in His holy name

May His love ever be with us

The word of God is right and true

The earth's full of His love

He promised He'd make all things new 

He's faithful in all he does

2

OUR FATHER WHO HEARS OUR PRAYERS

From Psalm 44 and Psalm 88;

Rise up oh God and rescue us

Because of Your unfailing love

For it is not by our strength Oh God

But by Your arm and Your light

You are the God who saved us

We call to You every day

May our requests come before You

Lord hear us when we pray

In God we  boast all day long

We lift our hearts together

In God we  boast in joyful song

We will praise Your name forever

3

OUR FATHER WHO REQUIRES SINCERE OBEDIENCE

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that had vexed him so he demanded an interpretation  of the dream from the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers who served in his court.

The astrologers asked the king to tell them what the dream was about so that they could render an interpretation.

The king, responding to the request for a description of his dream, refused to tell it to them because he reasoned that whatever power the astrologers were going to invoke to interprete the dream would necessarily have to have access to the dream itself and therefore, failure to correctly identify the dream would be proof that their claim to have the ability to interprete dreams was fraudulent and thus punishable by death.

The astrologers, taken aback by the demand, again asked for the dream and the king's response is captured this way in the book of Daniel chapter 2 verses 8 - 9;

Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided:

If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”

King Nebuchadnezzar, determined to get  a legitimate interpretation of his dream, put the entire court of astrologers, magicians, enchanters and sorcerers into a crisis by pronouncing a death sentence over them if they failed to tell him his dream and its meaning.

Sometimes, when asked to do something by the Lord that we are reluctant to undertake, we sometimes drag our feet hoping that the delay will allow time for the situation to change and we can be let of the hook.

We avoid fulfilling the obligation quickly so that we can potentially get out of needing to execute the requirements without directly refusing to do so.

However, if Nebudchanezzar was able to perceive the motives of his astrologers and pronounce judgement on them, then the Lord is certainly able to detect the thoughts and intentions of our hearts and knows whether our responses are sincere. He is able to judge us accordingly.

Let us be prompt in fulfilling our obligations to the Lord and avoid slow- walking any of the requirements laid upon us.

As Deutronomy chapter 23 verse 21 says;

If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.

Amen.

OUR FATHER WHO GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON

Psalm chapter 71 verses 10 - 11 says this;

For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.

They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”

This passage is part of a Psalm that in many ways sounds like the words of the Lord Jesus when He contended with the political, religious and spiritual enemies towards the end of His earthly ministry.

These two verses foretel the time in Jesus' life when the pharisees and other religious leaders  were plotting together in order to discredit Him and kill Him. They even paid Judas 30 pieces of silver to help them find Him and identify Him.

During the time of Jesus' ministry, His enemies saw that His organization was small and because they felt that they had grounds to accuse him of blaspheme, they concluded that He could be easily disposed of with no repercussions. 

The psassage, in verse 11, foretels their reasoning, this way;

They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”

Jesus, to fulfil what He had been sent to do, gave Himself into the hands of those were conspiring to kill Him and they proceeded to have Him, an entirely sinless man,  executed as a  criminal and thus in this manner He died to pay for the sins of the whole world.

Amen.

OUR FATHER WHO IS THE JUDGE

The book of Ecclesiates chapter 11 verse 10 says this;

So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body,  for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Aimed at those who are in their youth, this verse counsels us to remember that the energy and drive of youth are fleeting and in fact will be the basis on which we will be judged by God and so we would be wise to keep away from angst and stress. 

As well, we must not obsessively concern ourselves with our physical appearance and health for these things, when measured against the backdrop of eternity, are meaningless.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO CAN STOP THE WICKED

Psalm chapter 10 verses 3 - 5, captures the Psalmist speaking to the Lord and referring to an arrogant and wicked man who preyed on the weak while remaining confident that he would suffer no retribution. The passage says this;

He boasts about the cravings of his heart;

he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;

in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

His ways are always prosperous;

your laws are rejected by him;

he sneers at all his enemies.

This wicked man proudly announces the dark desires of his heart. He speaks highly of greed and shows contempt for the Lord.

Being proud, he never searches for God  and his mind has no consideration for Him.

He always pursues a path that yields the maximal benefit for himself even if doing so disregards the laws of God.

He feels indestructible and mocks those who challenge him.

For the grief and misery that such a man inflicts on the helpless, the psalmist calls on the Lord to stop the wicked man so that he never strikes terror into the hearts of men again.

Amen.

OUR FATHER WHO GIVES COUNSEL TO WHOMEVER ASKS

The book of Ecclesiastes chapter 9 verses 10 - 11 says this;

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

I have seen something else under the sun:

The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.

The writer of Ecclessiastes, having reflected earlier on the fate of all men whether rich or poor, good or bad,  clean or unclean, concluded that they all end up in the same place from which no one is exempt namely, death, which renders all our activities meaningless.

However, in this passage, he counsels that inspite of  the certain fate we all face, whatever we find to do while we live on the earth, we should do it with all our strength and all our vigor because we can do these things only while we live. Once we cross into the realm of the dead, there is no work, no plans, no knowledge and no wisdom.

In considering the fate of mankind, the writer advises that, whatever our advantages are in this world, the swift, the strong, the wise, the brilliant and learned are subject to the same vagaries of time and chance as everyone else.

Amen.

4

OUR FATHER WHOSE LOVE FOR US IS GREAT

From Psalm 117;

Praise the Lord

All you nations

Extol His Holy Name

For great is His love for us

His faithfulness never fails

2

OUR FATHER WHO WILL FAVOUR THOSE WHO TREMBLE AT HIS WORD

From Isaiah 66;

This is what the Lord says:

Heaven is My throne, 

The earth is where I rest My feet

For wherever the soles of My feet will tread

Shall be Mine from the rivers  to the sea

This is what the Lord says:

The new heavens that I made

and the new earth will long endure

So shall My people perservere from age to age

I will bless those who tremble at My word

2

OUR FATHER WHO IS MIGHTIER THAN ALL

The book of Isaiah chapter 7 verses 5 - 6 says this;

Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying,  “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” 

This passage is the beginning of a prophecy that the prophet Isaiah brought to king Ahaz of Jerusalem from the Lord.

King Ahaz was told that the king of Aram and the king of Israel had devised a plan to invade the kingdom of Judah and to bring ruin to it.

They had planned to divide it among themselves and set up a vassal king over it.

However, the Lord instructed king Ahaz to stay calm and not be afraid because, the Lord, in the same prophetic word to Ahaz, said this;

Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘It will not take place, it will not happen,

This assurance to king Ahaz from the Lord is our assurance as well during our times when enemies have plotted to tear our countries apart and divide them among themselves and rule over us with vassal kings. 

Our Lord is mighty and none can overpower Him.

Amen.

3

OUR FATHER BESTOWS HIS AUTHORITY UPON THOSE WHO GOVERN

The book of Romans chapter 13 verses 1 - 5 says this;

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 

Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

The authority of rulers who maintain public order and good governance is a legitimate authority established by God.

Paul tells us in this passage that it is therefore neccessary to submit to governmental authority as part of our submission to God's authority.

Amen.

3 

OUR FATHER TO WHOM WE SHOULD ALWAYS LOOK

The book of Psalms chapter 105 verse 4 says this;

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

In this verse, the Psalmist exhorts us to turn our eyes to the Lord keeping in mind His strength.

When any occasion in our lives brings us to a challenge, the counsel given is to first go to the Lord with the expectation that His strength is greater than any challenge we might face.

The model given to us to follow is that we should be in constant, continuous seeking of the Lord every day of our lives.

Our permanent posture should be one of leaning forward toward the Lord, pressing in to know Him.

Amen.

1