Trusting In God’s Deliverance. Part [9] 08/09/2025 (Evening thought)

Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

This particular temptation of presumption, with all its catastrophic consequences, if yielded to, nipped at the heels of Jesus constantly, as the devil sought to thwart the plan of salvation in various ways and through many different agencies. As was stated before in a previous Bible study, John was probably wondering why Jesus did not come to look for him in prison, seeing that He was his cousin and he had been faithful in the execution of duty. In fact, the Bible mentions prison visits particularly, as The Lord tallies the numbers of the faithful.

So yes, there is even a Scriptural basis for Jesus to have visited John, and therefore, the question is: Why didn’t Jesus go? The answer is as simple as it gets, for Jesus was neither sent, or directed by The Father to go, even though it is a good thing. It must be observed here that going to look for John in prison would have been a good thing, especially because he was thrown in jail for speaking the truth. But we should always remember that just because something is good, does not necessarily mean that it is God’s will that you do it, or you go there.

[The Desire of Ages pp 216] John would not discuss his doubts and anxieties with his companions. He determined to send a message of inquiry to Jesus. This he entrusted to two of his disciples, hoping that an interview with the Savior would confirm their faith, and bring assurance to their brethren. And he longed for some word from Christ spoken directly for himself. The disciples came to Jesus with their message, “Art Thou He that should come, or do we look for another?”

Matthew 11:4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which you do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

May God add is blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

Trusting In God’s Deliverance. Part [8] 08/08/2025 (Morning thought)

Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

[19LTMS MS 29, 1904 par. 6] God does not require His children to remain where, by the course of wicked men, their influence is made of no effect and their lives endangered. When liberty and life are imperiled, it is not merely our privilege, it is our positive duty to go to places where the people are willing to hear the word of life and where the opportunities for preaching the Word will be more favorable.

This does not mean that God will never ever send a preacher or teacher into enemy territory; all God is saying to us is just make sure that He sent you, and you did not presume to go of your own volition. He sent Elijah, and He sent Moses and Aaron but He  also provided protection to meet the emergency as they went upon satan’s enchanted ground. Again, it is not in every situation where God definitely sent a preacher, that he would escape unscathed.

All we are saying by the grace of God is that if that turns out to be the case, at least the preacher will have the assurance that he did not place himself in harm’s way unbidden, and this very fact would be as an assurance and strength to suffer for Christ’s sake. Several instances in the life of Christ do illustrate the grave importance of being sent by God, so that we would not unnecessarily imperil life and thereby, cut our work short, as did Paul.

Matthew 25: 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!