BELIEVER’S DAILY BUSINESS

Jack Davis

“Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the post of my doors” – Proverbs 8:34.

“Hearing:” The writer in describing the man that is indeed blessed, one that is happy, fortunate, to be envied. We may find in the Lord, everyday delights. Some may think of them as duties, or deeds that seem to become drudgery. We do well to follow our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, of whom we read in type as wisdom personified in this Proverb. In verse 30 and 31, He is spoken of as being daily His Father’s delight, and of finding His delights with the sons of men. We are told to delight ourselves in the Lord; “and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” – Psalm 37:4.

The blessed man is one that listens attentively, gives the more earnest heed to Him that is wisdom personified. He is the one in whom God hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. We are richly blessed by esteeming whatever he sends forth as issue worthy of daily consumption.

“Watching daily:” This is not an occasional thing, but shows an attitude that is quite the opposite of ignoring or neglecting the words of this great salvation.

“Waiting:” We may enjoy time wisely spent “at His door post” instead of running around hither and thither tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. We know valuable substance and sustenance is expected to exit. The man is describe opportunist whom dreads missing any chance of issue of importance. 

Daily Battles

He that makes it his daily business to delight in the Lord, also encounters daily dangers. The enemy is on the job everyday, and he has his co-workers. “Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. My enemies would daily swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. My enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many who fight against me, O thou most High” – Psalm 56:1-2.

In this Psalm the writer further states that his enemy wrest his words every day, marks his steps and waits for his soul, but he further states “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.”

There are many good and important reasons for daily prayer. We are under attack, and prayer is part of the way We fight the good fight of faith. The Christian warrior need be in communion with his commander. In times of prayer we may also get our running orders, for the steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord.

There are many scriptures that urge us to daily prayer as well as a constant attitude of prayer. The words “cry and call” are often used to express prayer. Note, “Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily” – Psalm 86:3. “Mine eye moureth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee” – Psalm 88:9.

What’s on the agenda for today? Who knows? Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” Proverbs 27:1. “Go to now, ye that say, To day or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that” – James 4:13-15.

There are days that begin like most any other day, but all of a sudden, BANG! What a change! The events of any given day may become highly unpredictable, and overwhelmingly so. Then there are days that seem a thousand days long, and we wonder if we will make it to the end. We have said, “What a difference a day makes.” We know the expression “Here today, gone tomorrow.”

We do well to live each day in preparation for that golden day break of a glorious morrow. The saints are known to cry, “How long, O Lord, how long.” He says to our longing hearts by the signs of the times, “Behold, I come quickly!” We’ll soon be gone, It won’t be long, and we’ll be leaving here. O, Glorious Hope!

Part 2 next issue

 Pillars of Creation

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them.” 1 Samuel 2:8

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched into space in December 2021. It’s purpose is to take infrared pictures of far space. One of the first pictures that was posted on the NASA website was of a formation called the Pillars of Creation. It was so named because they believe there are stars being created in that formation. It is 39,000,000,000,000,000 miles away.

I love science, and am amazed at what God has allowed man to know. When I see the images from the JWST, it reminds me of the awesome God I serve. The Psalmist says it this way. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Psalms 8:3-4. David was amazed that the God who created the heaven and earth would even have any consideration for tiny little humans. In the scope of creation, we are pretty small.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalms 19:1. The reason I love science, is because when I see the discoveriesmade, it always reminds me of God’s glory. I see it in the images from space, and also in the amazing things discovered on this earth, to the amazing creation that is the human body.

When we understand this planet on which we live, we realize that God created it in a very particular manner to sustain human beings. From the size of the planet to the distance from the sun to the exact composition of the atmosphere, everything is very precise to allow us to live here. “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counseller hath taught him?” Isaiah 40:12-13. Science would like us to believe that this is all just an amazing coincidence of chemicals and elements coming together to form our world and the creatures that live in it. Frankly, that requires far more faith than believing that God created it.

God has always intended for creation to speak about Him. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:20. Man’s willful ignorance of God is simply rejection of God’s presentation of Himself. Man’s prideful thinking about what he knows is simply ridiculous in light of God’s existence. “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” Job 38:4. We only know what we can see and experience in our finite existence, but God has always been.

What is even more amazing is to consider that God not only made this planet specifically for us, but that He sent His Son to die for us to bring us into a direct relationship with Him. Jesus, who is the creator and by whom all of this is sustained, came to give Himself for us. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” Hebrews 1:1-3.

How could we not be humbled by this knowledge. God has revealed Himself to us through His creation, and we can clearly see and understand His glory. If this does not humble us before God, it is because of willful rejection of His extension to us. His longsuffering towards man is incomprehensible, but it should bring forth praise and worship from our hearts and our lips. He has made a way for us to enter into His presence, and we must consider that the greatest privilege we have. 

Consider your creator today and seek Him.

The picture of the Pillars of Creation can be found on the internet by searching JWST Pillars of Creation.

 PRAISE THE LORD!

Anita Clark – Pastor

Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

The book of Psalms is the praise book of Israel.  The Psalms were functional songs that served as a crucial function of making connection between the worshipers and God.  They were sung in the Synagogue and in the Temple of Israel.

What do we mean by the word “praise”?  The most common Hebrew word for “praise” is the Hebrew word “hallah” pronounced “haw-lal,’ which means in the Hebrew “to boast, brag, rave about God, even to the point of looking foolish or loud.”  Very few people get this excited about the Lord in our day.  They shout and scream very loud for their favorite team at a football game or other place.  They are called “fans.”  Not many people get this excited about God and His works.

In Psalms 63: 1-7 we see how King David praised the Lord.  “O God thou art my God: early will I seek Thee: my soul thristeth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is: to see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.  Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name. My soul shall be satisfied with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips: When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches.  Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.”  What a precious passage of Scripture!

There is another Hebrew word that shows worship of God.  It is the Hebrew word “Ya-dah.” It means, “ to worship with extended hands.”  Psalms 28:2 says, “Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto Thee, when I lift up my hands toward Thy Holy oracle.” In Psalms 134:1-2, it says, “Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.  Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the LORD.” Inside the Temple where the ark set, and the presence of God was being manifest, the priests were showing love, and praise by raising their hands to the LORD.  Lamentations 3:41 says “ Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”  Psalms 43:2 says, “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the LORD.” The praise of Israel was boisterous.

In II Chronicles 20:1-21 King Jehoshaphat of Judah was threatened by the Moabites and the Ammonites, which were enemies. In verse 3 Jehoshaphat feared and sought the LORD. In verse 6 he prayed to the LORD, “O LORD God of our fathers ... in Thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?” Then, a prophet named Jahaziel spoke up, (Vs. 14-17) encouraging Jehoshaphat to: “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (Vs. 17) “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD with you,...To morrow go out against them for the LORD will be with you.”

In verse 19, “And the Levites of the children of the Kohathites...stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with aloud voice on high.” Then Jehoshaphat (Vs.21-22) “stood and said...Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established:” In Vs. 21 He appointed singers unto the LORD...He told them, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever.” (Vs. 22) “And when they began to sing and to praise the LORD, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.” After the battle was won, there were great spoils, and Vs.27 tells us “Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.”  

The word “hawla” used in his admonition to the people to “Praise the LORD” - is a Hebrew word which means “to hold out the hands, to revere and worship with extended hands.” Apostle Paul said in I Timothy 2:8 “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting.”

In Nehemiah 8:6, The people taken away to Babylon were allowed to go back to their homeland, Israel.  This was such a glorious time for them. Ezra was a priest who returned and began worship of the LORD God again in the land of Israel.  (Read the book of Ezra & Nehemiah)  This verse in Nehemiah says, “And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God and all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.” How full of PRAISE they were. This was such a glorious time for the Jews.

We need to learn to worship the Lord with all our being.  I Corinthians 6:19-20 states, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Timothy 2:1-6 says, “I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplication, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” Jesus Christ in the Pattern prayer also called “The Lord’s Prayer” showed how to begin the prayer by saying, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  These are words full of praise to the Father God.  As we come before the Lord in prayer the first thing we should always do is to praise and worship  Him.  So, number one is “Praise the Lord.”  The second thing is “Supplication” - petitions- asking the Lord for His help for us and others. The third is “Intercession” for others, asking for deliverance. The fourth is ending with  “Praising and giving of thanks, and worship.” In the beginning and the ending let PRAISE of our Lord come forth. The early church gave much praise, much worship, seeing much movement of the Holy Spirit, and the Truth of the Word coming forth. There was no formality!  What has changed?

In closing I want to give information concerning the words in the Bible which mean “praise” to God.  There are eight words. 1. Hallah - The word “hallelujah” comes from this word. This word means: to be clear, praise, shine, boast, celebrate. 2. Yadah, which means “the extended hand, to throw out the hand, worship with extended hands.” 3. Towdah which means “an extension of the hand in adoration, showing acceptance, and used for thanking God for things not yet received, as well as already at hand.” 4. Tehillah which means “laudation, singing a hymn or to be loud.”  Psalms 22:3, says, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”  5. Shebach which means “to shout, to address in a loud tone.” 6. Barak which means “ to kneel down, to bless God as an act of adoration.” 7. Zamar which means “to pluck the strings of an instrument, to sing, to praise with joyful expression of music.”

 Psalms 150:1-6 - says, “Praise ye the LORD.  Praise God in his sanctuary: Praise him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts: Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.  Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet: Praise Him with the psaltery and harp.  Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.  Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: Praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath Praise the Lord.  Praise ye the Lord!

 Prophecy

Earlene Davis

Looking Into Heaven continued – Rev. 5

In chapter 4 Christ is worshiped as the Creator (4:11). In Chapter 5 He is worshiped as the Redeemer, the Lamb (Vs: 6 & 9). He is God (Jn. 1:1-3) and because of His condesention He will always be man (Phil. 2:5-8).

Rev. 5, John in spirit is still in heaven viewing the throne room. Of course John is not there in body, he had these experiences by vision. V. 1, Christ seated on His throne  is reigning as God almighty. In His right hand is a book (a scroll) written on both sides, rolled up and sealed with 7 seals.

Vs. 2 & 3, A strong angel or messenger proclaims with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and loose the seals? A search was made everywhere and no man was worthy in heaven nor on earth to open or even look on  the scroll, not even one of the overcomers. John knew the contents was important, because all the attention in heaven was on it. John wept that no man was found worth to open and read it (V. 4). One of the fully mature saints, an elder, announces that the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the scroll and loose the seals. (V. 5).

The Lion as the king of beasts depicts our Lord’s kingly authority; “of the tribe of Juda” speaks of Christ as man, becoming flesh, born of a woman, the Son of man. Yet He was the Root of David, He is God. We learn in chapter 6 that the contents of the Scroll, are God’s judgments that He will pour out on this world and wicked men.

V. 6 tells how He prevailed. John looks to see the Lion and behold he sees a Lamb as it had been slain. The Greek text says a Lambkin, the smallest kind of Lamb. It is small, weak, bruised and slain (Prophesied as such in Isa. 53:3-8). This is why the Jews did not recognize Him, for they expected a mighty king, not the hanged One as they call Him.

Note, the Lamb as it had been stain is standing (Acts 2:23-24). It was by His atoning death that He won the victory, He hath prevailed. The Lamb had 7 horns, which speaks of power. This little Lambkin conquered Satan by His death. Satan may have bruised His heel, but Christ bruised Satan’s head (Gen. 3:15). 

The Lamb also had 7 eyes, which speaks of discernment, being fully equipped through the power of the 7-fold Holy Spirit (Isa. 11:1-4). He is the Spirit filled Man, seen as the Lamb, the Redeemer, that shall judge the world and save Israel. Christ won the right and purchased the authority to reign as King by becoming the sacrifice for the sins of the world.

First He was the Lamb of God, the Redeemer; then He will become the King. Isn’t it interesting that the first ones chosen to hear about Jesus’ birth, the Lamb of God, were keepers of sheep. In John 1:29, John the Baptist announced – “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Do you desire to know Him in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering? (Phil. 3:10). II Tim 2:12, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” V. 7, in symbolic language this simply tells us that as the victorious Lamb, He is the worthy One to loose the sealed up judgments of God upon a Christ rejecting world.

V. 8, This company of overcoming saints have harps, which speaks of their worship and praise of the Lamb. They also have golden vials (bowls) full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. This is precious, the prayers of the saints are as a sweet odour to  God. These are intercessions and prayers associated with Christ and His purposes. These are not  pillow prayers, but where the saints fight battles against principalities and powers.

Vs. 8-10, Some people don’t like noise in worship, only in other things of the world. But heaven will be noisy. For all eternity we will glorify our Lord for His great love and atoning work for us. As I said last lesson, the company of four living ones and 24 elders are not angels, for they sing the song of the redeemed. 

Neither are they Old Testament overcomers, for they sing that they have been redeemed out of every kindred, tongue, people and nation. It is also clear that the number 4 and 24 are representative numbers because they are from all the nations and languages. In Ezek. 1:24 they are said to be “an host.” Jude V. 14 reads, a glorious host, “holy myriads” in the Greek text. 

Rev. 21:2,9 describes the bride as a “City” and Song of Solomon 6:13 as a “company of two armies.” It will be an immense company, but it can be numbered. Note, this company of saints arrive first in heaven and are pictured as worshipers (priests) and as elders on thrones, rulers, (kings). They are around the great throne (4:4,6). They have the most responsible place with Christ in judging the world and establishing peace on earth. They must be there to witness and proclaim Christ worthy to take the government of heaven and of earth.

These saints are in training now – Rom. 5:17, reigning  in life by one, Jesus Christ; and I Cor. 6:3, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” V. 10 was translated “we shall reign on the earth” and is explained by Luke 1:32-33 as over the earth. These saints shall reign with Christ in heaven and from heaven reign with Him over the earth. They are the bride elect, the marriage will be 6 years later after the false bride is judged – Rev. 19. 

V. 11, no wonder the Lord gives us an angel to protect us, there are thousands of thousands. V. 12, notice, it doesn’t say sing, but “saying.” We never actually read in scripture that angels sing unless you have some translation that incert it. It is not in the Greek text. What do these angelic heavenly creatures say? They say amen! to what the elders and living ones have said – Christ deserves it all. Amen and Amen!

V. 13, the universal praise of Christ just swells to involve all creation (Phil. 2:9-11). V. 14, They fall down again, they aren’t too stiff to get off their thrones and fall down before Him and worship Him. Sad to say that some are to stiff to clap their hands or raise their arms in praise. Some day that starch will be removed. We have been privileged to view the throne room of heaven. We want to be there by His grace. Do you find prophecy dull? NO!

 JONAH

Debra Isenbletter, Pastor

Christian Assembly, Springfield, Missouri

Jonah 4:3 —”Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.”

In this verse we see Jonah’s Desire and his Despair. His despair is what motivates his desire and his desire is to die, to give up but he puts the responsibility upon the Lord to take his life.  

Jonah’s desire is seen in what he asks the Lord to do. He asks the Lord to “take” his life and there are two opposing meanings to this word. It can mean to “receive” or to “seize.”  To “receive” speaks of an offering up and to “seize” speaks of a giving up.  It speaks of being taken by judgment by discipline. Jonah is not surrendering his life to the Lord when he says “take” my life. This is not about surrender, it is about resistance to God’s Will.  Jonah is not offering up his life, he is giving up on his life. There is nothing wrong with surrendering our life to the Lord but there is a right way and a wrong way to do this and it is about the attitude heart. Paul, all though his years of ministry and labor and suffering never once gave up on life. He offered up his life. He surrendered it willingly and joyfully. It was not about knowing, it was about obeying.  Jonah needs to learn the lesson Paul teaches us, that our lives are not our own, that we belong to the Lord, to be used by Him in whatever way He wants and to trust in the outcome.  (1Cor.6:19-20). He knows what we do not know.  Jonah needs to see this but he is caught up in “my life” and “me.”  It is not about me, it is all about Him.  

Jonah’s despair is clearly seen when he says: “for it is better for me to die than to live.”  That declaration shows how Jonah is not seeing clearly.  He says it is “better,” it is a “good thing,” it is the “best thing.” It is not, it is not better, it is just easy, because it is harder to go on. And the obstacle he sees before him, his prophecy that has not come to pass is not an obstacle, it is an opportunity.  But Jonah thinks it is better to die than to live. Sometimes it is easier to die for the Lord than it is to live for the Lord. Living for the Lord sometimes takes greater strength. Notice the word “me.” When it is all about “me” it is selfish and not selfless. Jonah has forgotten Nineveh, he has forgotten others.  Jonah is really not offering up his life, he is giving up on life.  To live means he had to face himself and his true motive for preaching and true feelings about the Gentiles.  To live means he had to surrender himself fully and completely and hold nothing back. There was a surrender in Jonah’s life when he did go and preach to Nineveh but it seems he was holding back, it was not a full surrender.  We can do that and, on the surface, it looks fine and everyone sees something wonderful but the Lord sees the heart and the motive.  I believe the Lord wanted Jonah to see that his heart attitude and his heart motive did not measure up.

Paul shows us how to have a balance between dying and living. His life was a fully surrendered life. He was ready to die for Christ but he chose to live for Christ. Paul chose to live for Christ which was harder because he put the needs of others before his own desire.  (Phil.1:21-25).  Paul overcame, and sometimes overcoming is harder when we have to go on and go forward.  At that time Paul had no idea how long he would be laboring for the Lord, suffering for the Lord, imprisoned for the Lord but he put the needs of the saints before his own needs and served the Lord.  What a testimony!

It is interesting that Jonah is not the only one who felt despair and became discouraged and wanted to give up.  Job despaired of the burden of suffering and asked God to take his life.  He said, “Oh that I might have my request: and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!”  (Job 6:8) What did he long for? He longed for death. He longed for the suffering and the trial to end. He said “destroy me,” he said “cut me off” (Job 6:9). Unlike Job, Jonah is not suffering and this is not a trial, there is no reason for Jonah to feel this way. Moses despaired of the burden of responsibility and asked God to take his life.  The complaining and murmuring of God’s people wore Moses down. They were tired of manna (Num.11:6), they wanted meat (Num.11:4-5,11).   Finally Moses said, “kill me, I pray thee” (Num.11:15). It was a heart-felt plea.  Instead the Lord sustained him and strengthened him and enabled him to go on. There is the real victory and the real overcoming. Jonah had a burden of responsibility but it was not like what Moses had. Nineveh did not complain, they repented.  Elijah had the burden of persecution and asked God to take his life when Jezebel threatened him.  He said, “O Lord, take away my life” (1Kings19:1-4). The Lord instead taught him a lesson, revealed Himself in a wondrous way and Elijah went on. Jonah had no persecution or threat against his life but the Lord will reveal Himself in a wonderful way. 

There is a contrast between the despair of these men and the despair of Jonah.  Their despair was because of negative circumstances, it was justified.  For Job it was everything. The loss of family, friends, wealth, health.  For Moses it was the people. The loss of control (they were out of control) and the loss of patience.  For Elijah it was Jezebel. The loss of his life.  Jonah’s despair was because of positive circumstances. It was not justified.  His burden was the burden of pride and the burden of prejudice.  It was an imagined burden.  Each loss seen is a loss these men could learn from and had tried to run from.  They learned the lesson of faith and faithfulness.  Jonah in his attitude is still running away and does not realize it.  He is just running in a different way.  Paul accepted every loss, faced every obstacle, endured every criticism and he did not run away, instead he ran on! (Phil.3:8-14).  There is no real loss, but there is a very real reward, it is “the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.” 

 God’s Timing and Purposes – Ecc. 3:1-8

Part 14

Vicky Moots, Pastor

Kingman, Kansas

Ecc. 3:7b: “…and a time to sew…”  “To sew” means “to join, to make, mend, fasten or close, usually with needle and thread.”  It would make sense that after a time of rending there would come a time to sew, for that which was rent (or torn) might need to be mended, to be joined back together.

The first time that sewing is mentioned in the Bible is in Gen. 3:7, after Adam and Eve disobeyed God by partaking of the forbidden fruit: “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”  It is interesting to note that they both did the sewing, not just the woman.

God, however, was not impressed by the fig-leaf fashion statement that they made; and neither is He impressed by our own feeble attempts to cover our nakedness and shame before Him.  Their self-made garments were not adequate to cover their sin, and so we read in Gen. 3:21 that God, Himself, had to do some sewing in order to clothe them: “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”

Their new garments were not cheap to make.  The material was costly, for it required innocent blood to be shed.  Our new spiritual garments which God, Himself, has fashioned, and not our own hands, are also costly, but paid for in full by the blood of the Lamb, sacrificed for us.

Some people enjoy sewing and making new clothing or other items, but not me! My sewing consists of mending things that need repair.  As a physician I enjoyed sewing up lacerations or doing surgery to remove suspicious skin lesions.

But God is not in the repair business when it comes to sewing.  He did not choose to have the veil in the temple sewn back together, for it was only a shadow, a figure of the true substance, and it had served its purpose.  It had to be torn away to make room for the new and living way through the Resurrected Christ.

Neither did God sew a patch on the old creation to repair it after man sinned.  Jesus explained why in Mark 2:21: “No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.”

Instead, He made us a new creation in Christ, just as He made new clothes for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness.  We need new clothes for the new man.  Therefore, it is time to tear off our old garments of self-righteousness and be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, the Lamb of God who was slain for us.

A number of years ago, when I was on a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic, a man was brought to the local hospital, in the town where we were stationed, after he had received a wound to the chest with a machete during a fight.  He was bleeding profusely because it had penetrated into the outer portion of his heart.  By God’s providence, one of the surgeons on our surgical team just happened to be a cardiovascular surgeon as well as a general surgeon, and so he knew just what to do to save the man’s life.  He was able to successfully repair the damage to the heart by making a patch from the tough, outer covering of the heart, called the pericardium.

The next day the man was, of course, thankful to be alive but very angry and threatening to kill the man who had injured him.  During his recovery, our mission team was able to witness to him about the love of Jesus, and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

The surgeon had repaired his physical heart by sewing a patch on it, but God performed an even greater surgery than that.  Spiritually, the man’s heart had been torn by sin, but God did not repair it.  Instead, He exchanged his hate-filled, sinful heart for a new one, a heart that was willing to forgive, and clothed him with garments of salvation.

The garments of salvation have been sewn by God’s hand and not our own.  But there is another garment currently being fashioned in which we can have a part in the sewing process by yielding to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We read of that garment in Rev. 19:7-8: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness [righteous acts] of the saints.”

The process of making fine linen from flax is a lot of hard work, for it entails growing the flax, drying it out properly, and then stripping it of all the impurities in order to make it white and soft.  After that, it must be woven into cloth.  We read of the virtuous woman in Prov. 31, a type of the bride of Christ.  Verses 19-22 tell us that she weaves her own material to make clothing for herself, for her household and to give to the poor; and in v. 24 we read, “…she maketh fine linen…”

All of those things represent her righteous acts through which she is weaving the linen for her wedding dress.  Then in Rev. 19 we see that she is granted the honor of wearing it.  In addition, we read in Ps. 45:13-14 that this beautiful white dress has been embroidered by her, one stitch at a time, with threads of pure gold, which is the result of her fiery trials: “The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.  She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework…”  Now is the time to start sewing our garment, to be ready for that glorious wedding day.