We approach these attacks as if our enemy were our equal! We are wrong. Men's wisdom and all of our collective wisdom from the beginning of time is no match against the enemy of our Soul. Deliverance will ONLY come from the hand of GOD! 1
Psalm 44:1 For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. O God, we have heard with our ears, Our fathers have told us, The work that Thou didst in their days, In the days of old. 2 Thou with Thine own hand didst drive out the nations; Then Thou didst plant them; Thou didst afflict the peoples, Then Thou didst spread them abroad. 2
Psalm44:3-4 For by their own sword they did not possess the land; And their own arm did not save them; But Thy right hand, and Thine arm, and the light of Thy presence, For Thou didst favor them. 4 Thou art my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob. 3
Psalm 44:5-6 Through Thee we will push back our adversaries; Through Thy name we will trample down those who rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in my bow, Nor will my sword save me. 4
Psalm 44:7-9 But Thou hast saved us from our adversaries, And Thou hast put to shame those who hate us. 8 In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Thy name forever. Selah. 9 Yet Thou hast rejected us and brought us to dishonor, And dost not go out with our armies. 5
Psalm 44:10-12 Thou dost cause us to turn back from the adversary; And those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves. 11 Thou dost give us as sheep to be eaten, And hast scattered us among the nations. 12 Thou dost sell Thy people cheaply, And hast not profited by their sale. 6
Psalm 44:13-15 Thou dost make us a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and a derision to those around us. 14 Thou dost make us a byword among the nations, A laughingstock among the peoples. 15 All day long my dishonor is before me, And my humiliation has overwhelmed me, 7
Psalm 44:16-18 Because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles, Because of the presence of the enemy and the avenger. 17 All this has come upon us, but we have not forgotten Thee, And we have not dealt falsely with Thy covenant. 18 Our heart has not turned back, And our steps have not deviated from Thy way, 8
Psalm 44:19-21 Yet Thou hast crushed us in a place of jackals, And covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God, Or extended our hands to a strange god; 21 Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart. 9
Psalm 44:22-24 But for Thy sake we are killed all day long; We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 23 Arouse Thyself, why dost Thou sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever. 24 Why dost Thou hide Thy face, And forget our affliction and our oppression? 10
Psalm 44:25-26 For our soul has sunk down into the dust; Our body cleaves to the earth. 26 Rise up, be our help, And redeem us for the sake of Thy lovingkindness. 11
Psalm 33:1 Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. 2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. 3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. 4 For the word of the LORD is upright; And all His work is done in faithfulness. 12
Psalm 33:5-7 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD. 6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deeps in storehouses. 13
Psalm 33:8-11 Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. 9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. 14
Psalm 33:12-15 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. 13 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; 14 From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. 15
Psalm 33:16-19 The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, 19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. 16
Psalm 33:20-22 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name. 22 Let Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have hoped in Thee. 17
Psalm 127:1 A Song of Ascents, of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. 18
Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, When they speak with their enemies in the gate. 19
Mat 6:19 "Do not store up (Present Imperative & Negative *) for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. *This is an action that must be stopped 20
(Mat 6:20-21 "But store up (Present Imperative)* for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. *This is an action that must be continued 21
Mat 6:22-23 "The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear*, your whole body will be full of light. 23 "But if your eye is bad,** your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! *Greek is SINGLE ** Greek is Evil the term is used in Mat. 13:19 & 1John 5:18 for Satan the evil one 22
Mat 6:24 "No one can serve two* masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. *(Note that we moved from the Single eye to the two masters) 23
Mat 6:25 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried (Present Imperative & Negative)* about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? *This is an action that must be stopped 24
Mat 6:26 "Look * at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? *This is a command to stop what you are doing and LOOK at the birds! 25
Mat 6:27-28 "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe *how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, *This is a command to learn thoroughly! 26
Mat 6:29-30 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 27
Mat 6:31-32 "Do not worry (Aroist Subjunctive Prohibition)* then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' 32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows (oida perfect) that you need all these things. *To forbid a thing BEFORE it has begun! It commands to NEVER do a thing)[dana-mantey Greek Grammar p.301 290] 28
Mat 6:33-34 "But seek (Present Imperative) first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "So do not worry (Aroist Subjunctive Prohibition)* about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. *To forbid a thing BEFORE it has begun! It commands to NEVER do a thing)[dana-mantey Greek Grammar p.301 290] 29
Did you note when Jesus used the phrase, You of little faith! And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 30
This truth that is shared by our LORD in the Sermon on the Mount, is shared again in Luke. Remember if GOD repeats an earlier stated truth we need to look deeper into these words! In Luke we find these truths repeated but they are now stated within a defined context. 31
Luke 12:13-15 Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." 14 But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15 Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." 32
Luke 12:16-18 And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' 18 "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 33
Luke 12:19-21 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' 21 "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." 34
Luke 12:22-23 And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry (Present Imperative & Negative)* about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 23 "For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. * STOP worrying- you are worrying and it MUST STOP! 35
Luke 12:24-25 "Consider (Imperative)* the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you (Emphatic) are than the birds! 25 "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? *stop and take note of the ravens 36
Luke 12:26-27 "If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? 27 " Consider (Imperative)* the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. *stop and take note of the lilies 37
Luke 12:28-29 "But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! 29 "And [Gk has Emphatic you ] do not seek * what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying*. *Stop seeking (Present Imperative & Negative) * Stop worrying (Present Imperative & Negative) 38
Luke 12:30-31 "For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows (oida perfect) that you need these things. 31 "But seek (Present Imperative) His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. *Seek and NEVER stop seeking! 39
Luke 12:32 "Do not be afraid Present Imperative & Negative), little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. *STOP being afraid! 40
There are three other locations where Jesus spoke of little faith Matthew 8:26 In the boat when the disciples thought they would perish in the storm Matthew 14:24 Peter walking on the water to Jesus, focused on the wind and thought he would die Matthew 16:8 When they were discussing their lack of food after seeing food multiply twice 41
Jesus also spoke of Great faith Matthew 8:10; Luke 7:9 The Centurion said - Just say the word! Matthew 15:28 The Canaanite woman pleading for mercy willing to receive crumbs! 42
Little Faith Have thoughts that they will perish when following clear directions Doubt GOD s presence in turmoil Focus on food Focus on clothes Focus on length of their life Focus on treasures that are stored up Consumed with worry Always Want bigger 43
Little Faith Seeking the same as those who do not know GOD living; seeking for themselves in this world. Always worrying about tomorrow 44
GREAT Faith Only want to hear the Word spoken to them and they will respond. Always knows that GOD will show them MERCY when they come to GOD! Is focused only on God! Not GOD and. Attentive to GOD s care of His creation Has its treasure in Glory Has no store house here! GOD controls all! 45
Back to Job GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL! Satan needed GOD s PERMISSION To Touch Job! 46
Job 1:6-7 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it." 47
Job 1:8-9 8 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 48
Job 1:10-11 10 "Hast Thou not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 "But put forth Thy hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse Thee to Thy face." 49
Job 1:12 12 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD. 50
Later Job 2:3 The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause." 51
Job 2:4-6 4 Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 "However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face." 6 So the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life." 52
A similar challenge from Satan is also spoken of in the New Testament AFTER Jesus shared this profound truth! When the 70 returned 53
Luke 10:19-20 19 "Behold, I have given (Perfect) you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you. 20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice (Present Imperative + Negative) in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice (Present Imperative) that your names are recorded (Perfect) in heaven." 54
I have given - is in the PERFECT TENSE! Like the Scriptures that will FOREVER stand written! Our safety is assured with 3 negations! We will not be harmed in our encounters, as we follow our LORD's directions! Nothing shall In the Greek there are THREE Negatives. 1) οὐδὲν - no one, nothing 2) οὐ - no, not 3) μὴ - no, not These three negatives indicate an absolute denial of this happening! 55
to tread 1a) to trample, crush with the feet 1b) to advance by setting foot upon, tread upon: to encounter successfully the greatest perils from the machinations and persecutions with which Satan would fain thwart the preaching of the gospel 1c) to tread under foot, trample on, i.e. to treat with insult and contempt: to desecrate the holy city by devastation and outrage 56
Yet AFTER this Great Lesson Jesus FURTHER Instructed the disciples 57
Luke 22:31-34 31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you (Plural you) like wheat; 32 but I (Emphatic) have prayed for you (Singular you), that your faith may not fail; and you, (Singular you Emphatic) when once you have turned again, strengthen (Imperative) your brothers." 58
33 But he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!" 34 And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know (Perfect) Me." 59
Without sifting the wheat is mixed with stones and chaff and it is not fit to be made into bread 60
Peter is KEY! What he wrote Is To Help us To understanding How to FACE the enemy When he comes to Destroy us! 61
This brings the life of Peter Into a clearer focus! 62
After the Sifting Peter Was to strengthen the others! US! 63
Peter Waited to write! And his actions that are recorded give us insight! 64
Peter was a hunted man after GOD delivered him from Prison in 44AD when James was killed by Herod. And he (Peter)said, "Report these things to James and the brethren." Then he left and went to another place. Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter. When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Acts 12:17-19 65
Peter was a hunted man after GOD delivered him from Prison. He traveled with his wife in secrecy. And is again recorded in Acts at the Jerusalem Counsel (49-50AD) 1Corinthians 9:5 Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? (1Corinthians was written in 55AD) (Herod died in 44AD and Peter continued to work in the shadows) 66
In Our next Class we will examine the two letters that Peter was guided by GOD to write to all the believers. These letters were written near the end of his life (64-67AD) These are the only letters written by Peter. They are written to strengthen us for the finial hours. When satan comes to sift US like wheat! 67