Pastor Joe Miller IV
I want to thank Pastor Rousey for last week’s blog that included the Mayflower Compact. He reminded us of the purpose of the document. “By the grace of God, for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.” It has been 400 years since that the God-fearing mixture of people on the Mayflower penned those words, a written reminder to prioritize the glory of God above all else. But these men were not the first people to understand the importance of the written word. In Revelations 1:19, Jesus told John to“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.”
Then in Revelations 2 and 3, Jesus repeatedly commissioned John to record his message to the angels or messengers to these particular churches so that the individuals in these churches who had ears would hear and perform what was given them. In Revelations 21:5, John, again, was told to record words that were true and faithful. Also, in Revelations 22, we see the importance of the written word.
Revelations 22:18-19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Nearly 100 times in scripture, the word ‘write’ was used to describe a man of God inscribing God’s heart and will to mankind. Whether Romans 15:4, "These things were written for our learning," in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "The written scriptures for our perfection," or in Exodus 17:18, "For the remembrance of God’s love for his children." These are all recorded for a purpose - a written reminder of warnings and responsibilities from a loving Father - which brings to mind another recorded scripture that Pastor Rousey reminded us of last week.
Psalm 78:10-11
They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
Verse 11 reminds me of when I was young and the phrase that would pop up so many times as I used it as an excuse to my mom or dad: “I forgot.” How many times have we said or people we know say, "I forgot." There was a wise man who said, "A man has got to know his limitations." Knowing the foolishness that we, as humans, are so prone to, we need more than ever to give effort to ‘remembering’ the covenant we have with God and His will for our lives. We need to prioritize the written Word of God above all else and in doing so, we will glorify Him. Through the love of Jesus, we can bring hope and peace to a lost world. Not only remember for ourselves, but remind others to continue to pass this along to the future generation.
Psalm 78:1-7
Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
The application and purpose of this blog is found in verse 7. That all the members of Harvest Baptist Church, whether young or old, would have a faithful, established relationship with God. That our hope and confidence would be with Him and that we would not forget His works. Let God’s words and testimonies remind us continually of the love that He has for us. Keep His commandments, love God, and love each other.
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