Tag: mercy

Out of The Mouth of Babes: Rahab

your lips are as lovely as Rahab’s scarlet ribbon,speaking mercy, speaking grace. The words out of your mouth are as refreshing as an oasis. What pleasure you bring to Me! For your kisses of love are exhilarating, more than any delight I’ve known before … they awaken even the lips of sleeping ones.

SOS 4:3A,7:9 (TPT)

Proverbs 31:30Bsays that a woman who fears (loves) The LORD will be praised – she will be spoken of and for good, to the glory and praise of God. This is true of Rahab. HOWEVER, before she became(1)the mother of Boaz (who married Ruth), and then(2)the grandmother of Obed, and then(3)the great grandmother of Jesse, and then (4)the great great grandmother of David … okay, I think you get the point and see the connecting dots all the way to Jesus (The Christ). Before any of this, before Rahab became a Babe, she was … ehm, on the “these girls ain’t loyal” list. She was a different kind of babe: a head-turner, but not the kind that turned people to God in repentance or for koinonia. Depending on the version of the bible you read, some use words like prostitute or harlot to describe her. In spite of the name-calling, God’s thoughts and plans for her were good … soooo very good, which is exactly how He made her (and all Man kind) – like Him!

The intent of this blog is to highlight the words that should come out of the mouth of Babes. The choice to feature Rahab was entirely the HolySpirit’s pick 🙂. Like Jerusalem, and as is the case with every Babe, God habitually chooses her. In the episode regarding the fall of Jericho (RE: Joshua 2, 6), we see God do for Rahab what He said inZechariah 3:2B(AMPC, MSG) – when Jericho was up in flames, He reached in to pull Rahab (and all that was within her) out.

As far as the bible goes, Rahab’s story begins when Joshua sends two spies (those who are sent to see … to witness) to scout Jericho. Tactically speaking, these spies likely ended up in Rahab’s house because she was not loyal … at least not to Jericho. Otherwise, she would have ratted them out when the king, who after getting wind of their mission, sent men to Rahab’s house in search of them.

All things considered, God loved Rahab. “How?” you might ask. God’s answer to this question is the same for every Babe (including you – beloved, the one God loves).

I have loved you says The LORD, yet you say, How and in what way have You loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? Yet I loved Jacob (Israel) but I hated Esau (Edom).

Malachi 1:2-3

In the same way that God chose Jacob or David, neither of whom were first in line nor qualified as man’s first choice, God chose Rahab – He chose an unlikely candidate to be a covering for His people (the Israelite spies). Of all the houses on the city’s wall that was soon-to-come-crashing-down, God chose Rahab’s house to be a safe passage and way of escape out of danger for His people. Unlike Edom who denied Israel safe passage (Numbers 20:14-21), Rahab was a safe haven for the two Israelite spies. Furthermore, her words to them while they were under her care preserved them even well after they had left the safety of her home.

Here are six (6) note-worthy callouts from her interactions with the Israelite spies – the words out of Rahab’s mouth to them.

1. Rahab spoke words of Mercy and Grace.

I know that The LORD has given you the land. Everyone is absolutely terrified – all the inhabitants of the land faint (are paralyzed with fear) at the thought of you. For we have heard how The LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt. We heard how you utterly destroyed the two Amorite kings (Sihon and Og) … When we heard it, we were very afraid – our heart failed us. Not one of our men is brave enough to fight you. We all have the wind knocked out of us …

Joshua 2:9-11A

Mercy is the doing of The LORD on behalf of His people – it is marvelous! Always and unequivocally so –Psalm 118:23(ESV). In recounting what she had heard about what God did for the Israelites, Rahab testified (spoke) of God’s Mercy. This, in and of itself, is Praise. In essence, Rahab praised The LORD!Exodus 34:6

Additionally, she spoke words of Grace – in so doing, she strengthened the Israelite spies. To better understand what I mean, let’s take a quick look at Gideon’s story in Judges 6-7. Consider giving it a read when you have a moment. In the interim, the summarized version goes thus:

Many moons after the victory that took place at Jericho, Israel sinned against God and was given over to the Midianites who were not merciful or gracious in their dealings with the Israelites. Thereafter, in His Mercy, God decided to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites through the hands of Gideon – another unlikely candidate. Gideon was fearful YET God chose him and spoke good of him – God called him a mighty man of valor! Assuredly, God calls it as He sees it 🙂.

On the night before the battle against the Midianites, God said to Gideon: Arise, go against the Midianite camp, for I have given it unto your hand. BUT if you are afraid to attack, first go down to their camp with your servant. Listen to what is being said in the enemy’s camp, and then you will have the courage to attack their camp –Judges 7:9-11.

Gideon (in spy mode) went to the Midianite camp. Upon his arrival, he overheard a conversation between a man and his comrade (Judges 7:13-14) – the conclusion of which was that ‘God had given Midian and all its host over to the sword of Gideon, an Israelite!’, so said the comrade. Upon hearing what was said in the enemy’s camp – upon hearing the testimony of what God had already done – Gideon’s weak hands and knees were strengthened.

Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the weak, feeble, staggering, rubbery knees. Say to those who are fearful, anxious, or panic-stricken: Be strong, fear NOT! Look, here comes your God!

Isaiah 35:3

In other words, say to those who are fearful: Grace, Grace to it!

This is what Rahab did. The Israelite spies, like Gideon, were afraid and in hiding. Her words of Grace – her testimony of God’s Powerful Might – strengthened and encouraged them. Whether or not she meant for her words to have this effect is up-in-the air. That said, God’s Word is NOT (Isaiah 55:10-11) … when spoken meaningfully, courage and strength ensue. It’s no wonder God told Moses to rehearse and recite His Words in Joshua’s ears –Exodus 17:14. When heard, the Knowledge of God (of Who He is) comes anew. This reminder or knowledge of God is vital.

2. Rahab testified that The LORD is God.

YAHWEH (The LORD), your God, is The One True God Who rules in heaven above and on earth below.

Joshua 2:11B(TPT)

She spoke the Truth to the Glory and Praise of God. She didn’t yet know God personally, she had only heard of Him in the hearing of the ears YET Faith came and she believed. She believed what she heard about God with much conviction, enough to say: I know that YAHWEH has given you this land (Joshua 2:9). Furthermore, she acknowledged YAHWEH as God and a Promise Keeper.In effect, she said: Jesus Christ is Lord(Romans 10:9-10) – The One Who Saves (YAHWEH) is The LORD. Rahab spoke out of Faith’s fullness … actionably so. I bet her expressions of Faith (her expression of the Knowledge of God) noticeably touched God, leaving Him breathless in a sense. His power to save went out of Him (and all out) for her, delivering her from death. God honored the words out of her mouth – God gave her what she confessed with her mouth. He gave her what she asked for: Salvation.

3. Rahab prayed(asked for Salvation: God)in and by YAHWEH’s Name.

Please swear an oath to me by the Name of YAHWEH that you will show kindness to me and my family as I have shown you kindness … give me a pledge of Truth and Faithfulness to save my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all they have, and deliver us from death.

Joshua 2:12-13

Her words were beautiful (faithful). God certainly gave Rahab Faith: Words (i.e. the Knowledge of God) to live by –Psalm 147:19-20(MSG). Words that God reveals only to Babes (to Jacobs: the ones God loves). Words that work. It’s why and how Rahab lived. Indeed, those who live, live only by Faith … by the Words that come out of God’s Mouth (He is The BABE of all Babes). God’s revelation of Himself to Rahab (or should I say Jacob –Psalm 146:5(AMPC)) informed her words and made them beautiful.

To better understand what I mean, I’ll share a few of thesubtextsat play here – none of which were in the Torah (the extent of the bible that was written or that existed at that time). Also, keep in mind that even if she could read, it is unlikely that Rahab had a copy of the Torah handy. YET the foundation of the words out of her mouth was rooted in Christ – the Author and Finisher (Beautifier) of her Faith.

Let’s start with the oath – a solemn promise that invokes a divine Witness (One Who is greater). Hebrews 6:16 says that men indeed swear by One greater than themselves, and that, when this happens, the oath taken serves as confirmation of what has been said, ending all disputes. We see this happen between Laban and Jacob at Mizpah – Genesis 31:45-53 (AMPC). PS: I like that Jacob swore only by the One True God; this too is what Rahab asked for when she said: swear an oath to me by the Name of YAHWEH.

By Faith, Rahab knew that YAHWEH saves. In other words, she knew YESHUA, the One Whose Name is a living testimony that YAHWEH saves, the One Who Himself said: I will grant and do for you whatever you ask in My Name (as presenting all that I AM) –John 14:13-14(AMPC). One could say that Rahab “somehow” knew or was told what Jesus said in John 14:13-14 … well, that’s exactly what I’m saying, and I know Who told her: God Himself 💖 – the God of special revelation to Jacob. God put His Name in her mouth. As such, Rahab asking that an oath be made in and by YAHWEH’s Name is no different from praying in the Name of Jesus Christ. Whenever this happens, God’s Name (YAHWEH: a pledge of His PRESENCE) is invoked – Matthew 18:19-20 (Exodus 20:24).

Saying what she said, Rahab’s interaction with the Israelite spies became a case of the gathering of two or three in God’s Name. Resultingly, YAHWEH entered the chat. God became their Witness – not just as El Roi (the One Who sees) but also as Lotte – their Oath, the One they confessed, the Name they called upon (Romans 10:13). The interaction became an unbreakable threefold cord between Rahab, the spies, and God –Ecclesiastes 4:12B. With God involved, the deal was sealed … it was a done deal. What a Gift we’ve been given as Babes to call upon the Name of The LORD … to have His direct line or number (and on speed dial too like I do 🤭 … well, don’t you?).

What great nation is there who has a god so near to them as The LORD our God is to us in all things for which we call upon Him?

Deuteronomy 4:7

We truly are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation – people devoted/pledged to God. A nation of God-worshipers, those out of whose mouth flow praises to and of God, those whose Oath is YAHWEH. In asking to be given a pledge of Truth and Faithfulness, Rahab was asking to be given Jesus Christ: He is called Faithful and True –Revelation 19:11. She was asking to be given God. Right there and then, God honored Rahab’s prayer and gave her the Spirit of His Son (His Word: God) –I John 5:11, 12A, 13… the security deposit –2 Corinthians 1:22… the guarantee that she would be saved. Not only was she guaranteed Life, she was also pledged to God as His Own – God claimed her as His Own, His anointed. Resultingly, from that point on, Psalm 105:15 was in effect regarding Rahab (and, by extension, her family).

Touch NOT My anointed and do My prophets no harm.

Psalm 105:15

4. Rahab gave godly guidance and direction.

When the coast was clear, and it was relatively safe for the spies to head on out, Rahab let them down gently through her window using a rope (a scarlet cord), and she advised them on what to do – specifically, how to navigate the terrain: the route to take in order to get where they were going – where they needed to be.

Go to the hill country … The men chasing you won’t find you there. Stay (Wait) there for three days until they have returned, then you’ll be safe to go your way.

Joshua 2:16

How do I know that this was godly advise? Apart from how the rest of the story goes (Joshua 2:22-24, Joshua 6:1-27), there’s something to be said about the three-day Wait (or Fast aka waiting on God). After hearing the report back from the spies, Joshua moved the people from Shittim to the Jordan and waited there three days. Esther(Esther 4:16), Jonah(Jonah 1:17), and Paul(Acts 9:9)are three other examples of people who had their own rendition of the three-day Wait. Howbeit different, each one had the same God-glorifying outcome: the salvation of God’s people. Only godly counsel results in such an outcome. Psalm 32:8 (AMPC)💖

5. Rahab did NOT tell their business.

Just before they left, after telling her what to put in place and do on The D-Day, the spies emphasized the importance of keeping their mission on the low … to herself.

If you tell this business of ours, we shall be free of (no longer bound to) your oath which you made us swear.

Joshua 2:20

Rahab was not to tell anyone their business – she didn’t. Their secret was safe with her. She kept it confidential and did not betray what they confided in her about at a time when they were vulnerable.

6. Rahab said AMEN.

According to your words, so be it.

Joshua 2:21A

What words? That which was said in the Name of Jesus Christ: the prayer, the oath made in and by the Name of YAHWEH … the pledge of Faithfulness and Truth, the promise made. What Rahab said here is no different from what Mary said to the Angel in Luke 1:38👉 “Let it be done to me according to what you have said“. Like Mary, Rahab was in agreement with God’s Words (words backed up by God’s Name, words made in and by God’s Name). This agreement with the true God Who rules in heaven above (regarding His Word: what He said, which is what He has done) is inevitably evidenced here on earth –Matthew 18:18. This is how God’s Will is done on earth as it is in heaven. This is how Babes bring heaven to earth … this is how heaven is experienced or realized here on earth.

Let fall in showers, you heavens, from above, and let the skies fall down righteousness (heaven-born possibilities that have their foundation in the holy being of God). Let the earth open. Let them (heaven and earth) sprout forth salvation, and let righteousness germinate and spring up together as plants do. I, The LORD, have created it.

Isaiah 45:8 (AMPC)

**********The Summary of The Matter**********

This timely share is particularly relevant to Babes (sons and daughters of God) upon whom God has poured and will pour out His Spirit in these last days –Acts 2:17(AMPC). Some will be positioned by God to house those on their way to their God-promised land, others will be given seeds planted by God (His people) to nurture and speak life into. In either case, it matters greatly that we give God (this is what it means to love). It matters that what flows out of our mouth is the double River of Light and Water … the River of God: His Spirit-Word.

Whoever speaks (i.e. Babes), let it be done as one who utters the very Words of God. Speak as though God were speaking His Words through you …

1 Peter 4:11

Don’t be like Edom who refused to give God’s people safe passage –Numbers 20:14-21. Show lovingkindness. Be full to overflowing with mercy – let it pour out of you. Speak mercy. Speak grace – that which enables every person get to their God-given land or expected next stop (end). Partner with God via your thoughts, words, and especially actions, to help others realize their reality of the Jeremiah 29:11 promise that God made to them.

Don’t be like Laban who had a thing for selfishly holding people back or not letting them go. He attempted to do this with Rebekah (his sister: Jacob’s mum) –Genesis 24:50-51,55. He also attempted to do this with Jacob – Genesis 30:25-31:55. Similar to Pharaoh, Laban did not want Jacob to go to his God-given promised land. For selfish reasons, he wanted to keep Jacob under his control – a type of prison – a manipulative one, one that prevents others from advancing or moving on and forward. The people God put under your care are there for a season i.e. until Joseph is born. After which, they would have to continue on their God-paved path. Let God’s people go (with God and to God). Bless their going forth – bless them with the grace of The Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God (The Father), and the sweet fellowship of The HolySpirit – the threefold scarlet cord. Like Rahab’s scarlet ribbon, it too will be a blessing to you.

Some of the people God will bring your way might have a colorful past (or a present-day shade of grey) – cover their nakedness. Some will confide in you – don’t expose their business or betray their vulnerability. More often than not, many of them will make mistakes – course correct and let them down gently. Some might even despitefully use you – pray for them (according to God’s Will).

Never retaliate when someone treats you wrongly (i.e. returning insult for insult). Instead, bless – that’s your job, to bless. For it is to this that you have been called: to be a blessing and to thus get a blessing.

1 Peter 3:9

Be like Rahab, let all you say (in thoughts, words, and actions) glorify and praise God. Let your response and every utterance always be in agreement with what God says – let it be a correspondence with God, one wherein you utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Christ Jesus to the Glory of God –2 Corinthians 1:20B(AMPC). Speak out of the fullness of Faith … of Who God is, what He said, what He has done. Speak righteousness, speak grace, speak mercy, speak truth … speak words backed up by God’s Name, speak the Word of God.

This book of God-given Revelation (His Name, commandments, promises, teachings) must NOT departout of your mouth–keep them on your lips-always remember them. Never let it be out of mind. Meditate and ponder on it day and night. Carefully follow every word it contains. Then, you will get where you are going – you will prosper and succeed.

Joshua 1:8

The OVERFLOW that is for-GIVE-ness

The verse of the day (June 27, 2025) on the YouVersion bible app wasMatthew 5:7– not my first time reading this verse however, it was my first time seeing what I saw. This made me think about the Mercy of God.

Mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before God (those who are moved by Him).

Luke 1:50(MSG)

God’s Mercy endures forever YET it is new every morning. Ever wonder why? WHY renew something that has NOT expired, is no where near its expiry date (and because it endures, it has no expiry date, so it can NOT), and does NOT expire? WHY? What is THE Point? With God there is always a point … there is always a knowledge of Himself being revealed in everything He does – this is so that we may know Him (HAVE Faith) and truly live. Surely, Mercy is a must-HAVE part of our livelihood.

Matthew 5:7says ‘blessed are the merciful for (because) they shall obtain Mercy’. Like the breaking of bread in two parts, we are told the gospel truth that(1)the merciful are blessed, and that(2)the blessing they GET from God is Mercy. In other words: the blessing of the merciful (those already FULL of Mercy) is Mercy. Seems somewhat redundant or de trop right? Wrong! Better yet, Mercy says NO!

God is abundantly lavish. That said, He is NOT wasteful. Evidence of the latter can be seen in John 6:12 (AMPC) – after feeding the 5,000+, Jesus told His disciples to gather the left-overs so that nothing was lost or wasted. To better understand Matthew 5:7, imagine pouring water into an-already-full cup of water – what results is an overflow that inevitably gives (pours out) water. As you would imagine, there can be no out-pouring without this overflow … also, there can be no overflow without the fullness (without first being full) – this is a depiction of the blessing of the merciful, I refer to it as the Overflow that gives … this right here isTHE Point.

THE Point of the enduring newness and overflow of the Mercy of God is for ‘giveness’ or giving. I’ll elaborate on this with intent to praisefully exalt the Mercy of God. It is my desire also that reading this blog will give you a reason or more to love Mercy and be for giving as Mercy is.

God has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does The LORD require of you but to do justly, and tolove kindness (justice) and Mercy… to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

For starters, let’s clear the air of a gross misunderstanding … or two.

Amiss-UNDERSTANDING

‘I better forgive so that God can forgive me too’. It seems that the ‘forgive us as we forgive others’ prayer inMatthew 6:12may have been mistaken to mean that the blessing of the merciful (God’s for-give-ness or Mercy) applies BECAUSE we “forgive” those who offend us. Furthermore, it seems that what Jesus said inMatthew 6:14-15may also have been misconstrued to mean that God forgives us BECAUSE we “forgive” others, implying that the correlation between the two is but a dependency of the latter (God forgiving me) on the former (me forgiving others). On top of this is the ‘I forgive then become merciful’ perspective that mistakes the action of forgiveness as what substantiates the state of being merciful.

Combined, they result in a FALSE positive and misinterpretation of the Truth hidden in Matthew 5:7, 6:12,14-15. The mindset that underpins both perspectives is amiss and void of the Knowledge of The Holy One (The HolySpirit) – He is the hidden Truth entrusted to us, the very Truth that God desires to have in our hearts. The Knowledge of this hidden Truth is Understanding – Proverbs 9:10B (GW); God wants us to GET to know and HAVE Him.

Therefore, get Wisdom: And with all thy getting, get Understanding.

Proverbs 4:7B(KJV)

Let’s set course for UNDERSTANDING and go GET Him: the very ROCK on which we stand. He is The HOLY and He stands Tall –Isaiah 52:13(MSG),57:15(MSG).

The UNDER-STANDING

God’s for-give-ness (what He gives and does for us: Mercy) is NOT contingent on man’s action or inaction. Case in point: Jacob vs Esau before they were born –Romans 9:10-16. It is entirely God’s choice (Romans 9:18A) and He so chooses solely based on Who He is.

Jeremiah 2:13tells us that God is The Fountain of Living Water … the representation of Water in this context can be seen as Justice, Lovingkindness (undeserved justice), or Mercy. True to form (being the Fountain that He is), God gives and keeps on giving. It’s in His nature to pour and keep on pouring out Water. In deed, the River of God is FULL of Water, abounding and overflowing is He. He is El Shaddai: The Pourer-Forth and Giver of Himself. He gives out of His FULL knowledge of Himself – 2 Peter 1:3 (AMPC), Isaiah 53:12 (AMPC). He is Faith (the very knowledge of Himself). He is Faith’s Fullness. GREAT is His Faithfulness.

It is because of The LORD’s Mercy and Loving-kindness (undeserved justice) that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. GREAT and beyond measureis Your FAITHFULNESS.

Lamentation 3:22-23(AMP/C)

Therefore, get this: God is for giving (every part of Him is a Gift that He gives). He is all about giving and He gives faithfully so, even in spite of our grass-like-ness (a condition I recently realized I project onto God #coversface).

[Definition] Grass-like-ness: the effect (infirmity, weakness) of the sinfulness of sin i.e. forgetfulness, fear, doubt – Psalm 77:10A (KJV) 11A (CJB). Indeed, people are like grass – one way today and another way tomorrow. God is NOT – He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I’ll quickly share a side but related story about this …

… I started out my day on June 21 being acutely aware of my need for God and so I prayed asking for His help. In response, God reminded me that He’s got me 💜🥰. He then took me down the memory lane of yesteryears dating back to 2007 – to the moment He told me He would guide me along the best pathway for my life. Together, We walked through key events that have occurred between Aug 7, 2007 and the Saturday in question. Shortly after the walk-through, I picked up my phone to do God-knows-what, it was then that I saw the verse of the day on the YouVersion bible app:Psalm 77:11-12… I was inspired to read the whole chapter because both verses were in line with what God just had me do: the walk through time and back.

Asaph, the writer of the chapter, starts out crying out to God for help until he was too troubled to even speak. Then he began to reminisce … there after came the questions – I call them 21 Questions (it was June 21 afterall 🤭).

For context, 21 Questions is a generic term for mindful considerations that result in doubt-triggered questions.

Asaph’s doubt-triggered questions (Psalm 77:7-9) were more directly about God. Mine (when they’ve come up) tend to be about my grass-like-ness and how it might or could change God’s mind about me. Howbeit focused on me, my questions were indirectly about God. They essentially implied the same thing as Asaph’s, which is that God’s God-FULL-ness (the Godliness of God) … that His very nature can somehow be dissuaded or retracted. The trickery of such thoughts or should I say sly little foxes. Thankfully, the ANSWER (WORD) from God to Asaph, myself, others alike, and even the sly little foxes is as clear as DAY or as the clearness of Heaven – the ANSWER is: NO.

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What God will do for us (MERCY) is what He has already done (RIGHTEOUSNESS) and keeps ready for us. His FAITHFULNESS is what connects the dots between what He will do and what He has already done. God is and can NOT be dissuaded by us. He is NOT a man nor the son of man that He should feel compunction (misgivings) for what He has promised –Numbers 23:19(AMPC). God is NOT like grass – He is NOT as we are.

When things don’t seem like what God told us He would do, we sometimes doubt what we once believed we heard Him say or question our standing with Him. Unchecked, this doubt subtly transitions into fear, a faith-less (unfaithful) response. The same is the case when there’s an increasingly growing distance between when God said what He promised and where we are, we sometimes forget. Unchecked, the joyful hope we experienced when God gave us His word/promise begins to fade. Thankfully, God does NOT forget when we forget. Also, the Joy on His face and in His Heart is exactly as it was when He (1) desired to do, (2) did, and (3) said what He promised. God certainly is NOT unfaithful when we are unfaithful. Still, we sometimes imply that God might be too … that He might be as we are because we are as we are.

The implication that God is faithful to Himself or His Word to us ONLY when we are faithful to Him is a snare (the fear of man: a trap) and a lie – we were all kinds of unfaithful when Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). In spite of His foreknowledge of our sinful state, both of the heart and art act, God still continued/continues His faithfulness toward us – Jeremiah 31:3 (AMPC).

Bringing all this back to the topic at hand …

1.The premise that God forgives only when or because we forgive inadvertently implies that when we don’t forgive, God doesn’t forgive us either– this is a projection of our grass-like-ness on God, AND it is NOT true. It is a far-fetched lie that fuels the temptation to question God’s faithfulness when or because we are unfaithful. God doesn’t forgive only when (or because) we forgive. The notion that underpins this mindset is NOT God-glorifying. It is NOT a reflection of the Gem hidden in Matthew 5:7 and Matthew 6:12,14-15. It most certainly is NOT reflective of the more-than-enough, non-stop Overflow that El Shaddai is.

2. God doesN’T not forgive us.

No matter our disposition to Him, God is for giving and ever giving. Proverbs 4:2 (AMPC) – He gives what is to be received first by us. This is so that we can have to give to others out of the abundance with which God lavishly gives to and through us, without being depleted – 2 Corinthians 9:8.

That said, what God gives does NOT flow through a vessel that is not for giving to others. Every vessel of God’s Mercy gives as (and in the moment that) God gives. Such a vessel is receptive to the continuous flow of God’s Mercy in, to, and through it … a God-traveled road so to speak (and to give). Like a king’s heart – Proverbs 21:1 (AMPC) – a pathway through which God’s delight-FULL Will is done and continuously flows. This really is what theMatthew 6:12 line of The LORD’s prayer asks for: to be an extension of God’s giveness – to be a branch (a Nazarene). To be as God is (to be for giving as God is for giving i.e. to forgive as God forgives) – a vessel that gives what God gives: God … a vessel through whom God flows. When said truthfully and not amiss, God hears and grants this prayer because it is according to His Will – Amos 5:24 (MSG), Habakkuk 2:14.

I want Justice – oceans of it. I want Righteousness – rivers of it. That’s all I want. That’s all I want… a mighty and ever-abundantly-flowing stream.
#Anendlessocean

Amos 5:24(MSG, AMP/C, CJB)

So, IF God doesN’T not forgive us, what THEN did Jesus mean inMatthew 6:14-15? Good question 🙂 … to answer it, I’ll share a couple connecting dots:

🟣 First, note that having is giving … to have is to give. As a matter of godly principle, when we give (have), we receive what God gives and have MORE abundance: an overflow – Matthew 13:12A (NIV, KJV).

🟣 Relatedly and according toJames 4:2D-3(NKJV), we have not and thus give not because we ask not and as such we receive not. Here too, the principle holds true: when we don’t give (or have not), we don’t receive what God gives.

This 👆 is what Jesus was talking about. It is the true meaning of what He said in Matthew 6:14-15, which is that: we are for giving by God (we are vessels of Mercy that God can use to have or pour Mercy on and through to others) WHEN we are for giving as God is – this happens ONLY by continuing to receive what God gives beyond being full, to the point of overflowing, and even more so. Other than this, we are not for giving by God. Assuredly, separate from Him (The Vine and VineDresser: The Husband Man), we (can) BUT do nothing – John 15:1-5,7 (AMPC).

This is NOT because God stops giving (no, He doesN’T not give). Instead, it is because we do not continue to receive God’s Mercy and do not GET to or remain at THE Point of OVERFLOW … The OVERFLOW is WHAT gives and The One WHO actually forgives, not us per se.

3. We do not forgive and then(or as a result)become merciful.

Truth be told as it is in Matthew 6:14-15, we can NOT forgive UNTIL we overflow with the fullness of the Mercy that God is. Therefore, the order is as follows:(A)we ACCEPT (receive) God’s Mercy till(B)we BECOME merciful: full of it Him … further MORE(C)we CONTINUE to receive God’s Mercy and inevitably get to(D) THE tipping Point where we overflow and then forgive (or accurately put, forgiveness happens through us). Keep in mind that forgiveness is but one of what God gives … there is MORE – so much MORE to have … to hold … to cherish … to give.

4. Mercy is for the sake of giving … it is something to be given. It is given by God to us and then through us to others. Thus, we must first receive Mercy in order for us to have, give, or be giving of it Him.

Getting(to)THEtippingPoint

The merciful get to THE Point of OVERFLOW by obtaining, receiving, or accepting Mercy – we get this fromMatthew 5:7which itself inspires another question: WHY get MORE of something you are already FULL of? Better yet, what keeps us wanting MORE of (and going after) WHAT we are already FULL of? Generally speaking, three things come to mind: lust, greed, OR humility. When the WHAT is God, God wants it exactly so – He is VERY OKAY with all three.

Relative to God …

🟣 God Himself has all three – it’s called The Jealousy of God(The wanting MORE of God) … indeed God is a Jealous God. I dare say that it is WHY God created Man: to have (give) MORE of Himself (to Himself). God desired MORE of Himself so He created goblets –SOS 7:2A(AMPC), cups –Psalm 16:5(KJV), containers –Romans 5:5(MSG) to drink from … to have His fill of His inheritance. In His desire for MORE of Himself, God created receptors to fully and overflowingly fill with Himself (WHAT God gives).

🟣 God wants us to have all three too … God wants us to have the jealousy of God – it’s why He wants His HolySpirit Whom He pours into us and has caused to dwell in us to always be welcomed (accepted, received) withThe Jealousy of God–James 4:5(AMPC, NKJV, NIV). This Jealousy is the desire of God for God … it is a state of humility … the state of MORE and MORE!

God gives and continues to pour more and more grace upon us … He gives grace continually to the lowly: those who are humble enough to receive it

James 4:6

The merciful are perpetually in this state of humility … this state of always desiring MORE of God even when already FULL of Him …

… help me and hold me, for I am lovesick! I am longing for more – yet how could I take more?

SOS 2:5 (TPT)

THIS state of still needing God and acknowledging our need for Him by ASKING (crying, inquiring of and for Him, requiring Him with all our desires), and wholeheartedly receiving Him, IS what gets us to (and keeps us at)THE tipping Point – the point where the merciful beget Mercy– the point ofMatthew 5:7🙂.

The reason the merciful obtain Mercy is also a matter of principle: the godly principle that Mercy begets Mercy. This is THE Point of the Overflow… to beget Mercy – to beget and perpetuate what God gives and does for us, as branches of God, oaks of Righteousness, God’s divine offsprings: His Holy People (God’s inheritance), The City God wants –Isaiah 62:12 (ERV, NLT), a desirable or desire-ABLE place – God’s Own resting place.

Speaking of resting place or rest, a king’s heart daughter (Psalm 45:9A,13), Nyimenka, shared a recording with me of God’s Somebody saying that: ‘Man is designed to rest when he GETs his greatest desire‘. I believe that the same is true of the Creator of Man (ELOHIM) – God rests when where He gets His greatest desire (Himself: His Holy Spirit). We are designed to be God’s resting place – the place where He gets what He gives (Himself: His Glory) … the resting place of His Glory … the place of His delight: Mercy.

Seeing therefore that we are receptors and conduits of God’s Mercy, let us keep receiving Mercy that we may be enabled by God’s Grace to fruitfully beget Mercy. Candidly speaking, neither the receiving nor the begetting always comes easily or without a good fight of Faith. As pointed out earlier, the former (receiving) requires humility – it requires being in a constant state of need (a state of constantly needing God) – the flesh of man is inherently resistant to this. The latter (begetting) can be somewhat like the travail of labor – not readily easy, ONLY gracefully so (Matthew 11:28-30). Thankfully, being a partner in our labor (Romans 8:28 AMPC), God strengthens us by His Grace.

Not only do we stand to gain the blessing of the Merciful, God does too. He is Merciful afterall – the blessing of the Merciful applies to Him too. He delights in it – He delights in Mercy, He delights to show Mercy, He delights to have Mercy, and we are His vessel of choice – Romans 9:23– Will you let God have Mercy on you? Will you let God have God through you? Will you let God give God to Him, you, and others through you?

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Heavenly Father, have Mercy on me … have it on me, have Your fill. It’s my treat.

Peaks & Valleys

What do you see when you look at the image below?

The semblance of the rhythm of a heartbeat? a voice note? OR even that of a radio wave? The more I consider each possibility, I find that (in essence and to a significant degree) each one is an accurate depiction of what the image represents 😊. That said, whose heartbeat is it? … whose voice note is it? … whose radio wave is it? I dare say that it is that of the Righteous!

The righteous falls seven times BUT rises again (each time).

Proverbs 24:16A

[Contextual Definition] The Righteous is the Man in whom God’s handiwork (or workmanship) is expressed. The one through whom God demonstrates His Righteousness – the one for whom God expressly does what He has done, the Man who lets God do it (what God desires/wants/wills and has done) for him/her. The one who runs into and calls upon the Name of The LORD and is thus saved.

While the above diagram depicts the rise, fall, and rise again of the Righteous, it represents something else – this something else is what I’d like to shed some light on in this blog. This something else is the land that God has given us here on earth –a land of hills and valleys (Deuteronomy 11:11).

The land which you go in to possess is NOT like the land of Egypt where you were once slaves … the land which you enter to possess isa land of hills and valleyswhich drinks Water of the Rain of Heaven – a land for which God cares …

Deuteronomy 11:10A,11,12A

I recently found myself in a valley (a low place) – at first, I did not like it one bit! Not especially having just experienced a peak (a high) moment with God few days prior. I’m not sure how or when I got to the valley but I knew I was there. As always, it did NOT feel good! A few days prior to being in the valley, God had a series of conversations with me about the dawn, sunrise, and morning … it was Our time to meet/commune, and I desired it so. BUT THEN here I was: struggling to get up at dawn to hangout with my GOOD MORNING (Yahweh) just few days after I desirously and excitedly said I will. I wanted to … I wanted to spend IDAJI (the time between dawn and sunrise) with God BUT I didn’t.

It is not of him that willeth nor of the righteous that runneth … it depends NOT on how badly you want it, your own willingness or strenuous exertion (effort) as in one running a race … it does NOT originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat. BUT it is of God Who has the first and last WORD: MERCY (Romans 9:18B MSG, Jeremiah 33:26B MSG)

Romans 9:16 (KJV, TPT, AMPC, MSG)

When I finally got up (which was well past sunrise), I couldn’t help but look at me – Did I not want to spend time with God? What is wrong with me? I couldn’t make sense of why my heart failed … why my desire didn’t result in action. Very quickly, the enemy came in like a flood – the flood of thoughts from the enemy’s camp were down-casting and finger-pointing indications that I’m mostly desire and excitement but not enough action … all talk but not much walk … that I keep failing (falling) … that I keep failing to execute or finish. Each finger pointed at me was a vivid reminder (evidence) of undeniable facts yet zero truth because none of them pointed me to God. To be honest though, considering the facts, I was weary BUT HEY …

Though my flesh and my heart may fail, God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

… there He was: The WORD that God is, my Standard (Jehovah Nissi), the Strength of my failing heart. The One Whose rod and staff comfort me. Time and again, The WORD of God encourages and lifts me up. With lovingkindness, He draws me to Himself: The ROCK that is higher than I. This is what He did on the morning in question. Although the enemy came prepared to sift me like chaff (hence his attempt to judge me worthless, unreliable … and unfit for use by God), God was (and continues to be) my Saving Grace – this is God’s banner of Love over me … God’s WORD: MERCY – this is my Story and my Song!Isaiah 12:2, Psalm 118:14💖

I agreed with the HolySpirit that my weakness or shortcoming is NOT reason enough to prevent me from spending time with God … I may not have walked the talk BUT there was no rule against being carried😊. Carried by Grace, I was enabled to still spend some time with God that morning before going about my day.

The next morning was … well, somewhat the same, so let’s just fast forward to later in the evening. During my quiet time with Yahweh (Grace), I opened up to Him about not liking the feeling of being in the valley. His first response was lovely – He said:I AM here in the valley too. Immediately, the scenery changed. Yes, We were still in the valley but it mattered not. I was more engulfed by God-with-me (Immanuel) and less mindful of where We were (the valley). Yahweh indeed saves! I was saved by the Teaching of Grace! Altogether, He responded by teaching (showing and telling) me3 things that make the valley worthwhile… 3 things that make being in the valley worth the while or duration of Our temporary stay.

(1) He is in the valley with me.

(2) He CAN use the valley season for His Glory.

(3) I am more aware of (and in tune with) my need for/of Him in the valley than I am anywhere else. As a result, I call out to and for Him even more, I depend on Him even more. Thus, like the peak, the valley is God-glorifying too 💖.

With this in mind, my dislike and dread of the valley reduced significantly! For the first time in my walk (my being carried by God) with God, I honored (made space for) the valley to be the God-glorifying moment that it really is meant to be. For the first time, I experienced the valley as a blessing (something of value) for me that blesses (speaks good of) God. Resultingly, and as strange as it might sound, I desired it … I desired the valley, which (to me) had become a thing of beauty. What an unexpected turn of events! The enemy meant to use my weakness for evil but God turned it around for good, like the turning of the tides – Psalm 118:15,16(MSG)

The adversary thrust solely at me that I might fall, BUT The LORD helped me.

Psalm 118:13 (AMPC)

True to His Word: God’s Grace is sufficient –2 Corinthians 12:9– His Grace (His Name, His PRESENCE) is sufficient enough to turn the tides from a failing heart to a desirous one … to a God-shaped heart(Ezekiel 36:26).

Furthermore, the Spirit that God is inspired me to look up scriptures on valleys – my search led me to Deuteronomy 11:11which was where I saw that the land God has given His people to possess is a land of hills (peaks) and valleys. To mean that the peaks and valleys come with the territory and make up the lay of our God-given land – the place wherein we are to worship God. God purposefully designed it so. Yes, He has the power to level the field(Isaiah 40:4)and He will. In the interim, their God-intended purpose is to glorify God – this is in line with all things made by God (The Potter). He made all things by His WORD (the Message that is Christ – John 1:3), this includes our new (no-longer-slaves) Life – a resurrected Life made possible by the Spirit that God is (Romans 8:11), the very same HolySpirit that every believer receives from God (Ezekiel 36:27).

Did you receivethe HolySpiritby your own works (your own doing or striving)? Was it not by hearing the Message that is Yeshua (Yahweh saves) and, with faith, believing it? Didyour new Lifebegin because you worked hard to please God or by simply responding to God’s Message to you – by trusting in what you heard God say to you and trusting Him to do them in you.

Galatians 3:2,3,5

When you have a moment, consider reading Exodus 23:20 (VOICE) … Ezekiel 36:27-29 … Joel 2:23-24 (APMC,MSG) …Galatians 5:25… and Deuteronomy 11:12-14. These verses underpin the summary of what I’d like to convey through this blog to anyone struggling with navigating the valley or the DOWN after each UP … Don’t lose heart or be weary (devoid of desire for goodness). Instead, let God continue to shape your new heart/Life, like the Vinedresser (HusbandMan) carefully tends His vine/vineyard. God, your Husband (Isaiah 54:5), is not angry with you (Isaiah 54:9).

For your Husband is your Maker, The LORD ALMIGHTY, YAHWEH is His Name, The LORD of Hosts, your Kinsman-Redeemer … He is NOT angry with you. For though the mountain should depart and the hills be shaken or removed(though the peaks crumble or disappear)His Grace, Unfailing Love, Compassion, Lovingkindness will never end. The LORD Who loves you said this.

Isaiah 54:5,9-10

When you fall short and find yourself in a low place like the valley, don’t mistake your contrite heart for guilt. The truth is that you’ve been set free from the power of sin (i.e. guilt) –Romans 8:1-4(AMPC). Don’t give in to guilt or do its dirty little work. Instead, throw yourself at God’s MERCY.

Don’t give sin (anything non-God-glorifying i.e. guilt) a vote in the way you conduct your new life. Don’t give it the time of day. Don’t even run errands that are connected to that old, former dead state (or so called “life”). Remember you’ve been raised from the dead, sin can’t tell you how to live. Wholeheartedly throw yourself into God’s Way of doing things full time(not part-time and only when things are UP, but also when things are DOWN … at all times, including all cares … cast (throw) all of your concerns on God for He cares for you in the same way that He cares for the land that He has given you – 1 Peter 5:7)

Romans 6:12-14 MSG (elaborated)

MERCY is God’s Way of doing things (of setting things right). A God-inspired definition of MERCY that I’ve come to trust and hope in is thatMERCY = God doing it for me (on my behalf). Where Righteousness is what God does (the end, result, or outcome), Mercy is God doing it. MERCY is the means by which Righteousness is given, credited, bestowed, and/or birthed. This Righteousness is fully met in all who believe and accept the sacrifice/blessing of God’s MERCY –Romans 8:3(AMPC). This Righteousness is fully met in those who live and move(Acts 17:28)NOT in the ways of the flesh (the wicked ways) BUT in the ways of the HolySpirit … those who are actively being governed/led by the Standard that God is –Romans 8:4(AMPC).

Don’t try to fix your weakness or shortcoming by yourself … this self-help or break-fix-attempt is the wicked way that God mentioned in2 Chronicles 7:14. Don’t be Ruthless, INSTEAD, be a Babe … humble yourself and pray – call upon the Name of The LORD like Blind Bartimaeus did when He said: Yeshua, SON of David, have mercy on me (Mark 10:46, Luke 18:34). In other words and in alignment with1 Peter 5:6-7, Blind Bartimaeus was saying: God, do it for me. This is the heartbeat of the righteous … a heart that calls upon the Name of The LORD again and again, a heart that beats for MERCY, a heart that hopes in and desires MERCY. God desires Mercy too, He is full of it –Psalm 86:5(GW). He is Righteous. It’s God’s Heartbeat too.

Whereas we fall, God does NOT. He, however, is the safe place into which we fall and/or run (Proverbs 18:10). He comes to our aid … He stoops low to meet us where we are and draws us to Himself in compassion. He carries and bears us up as He prays for us in alignment with His Heart –Romans 8:26-27(AMPC, TPT). MERCY is His Heart’s cry too. MERCY (not anger) is God’s Wavelength and it endures forever.

The next time you find yourself in the valley – be it the valley of the shadow of death(Psalm 23:5)or the valley of Achor(Hosea 2:15)or the valley of dry and disjointed bones(Ezekiel 37:1-3)– keep your wavelength short; your wavelength is the time between getting knocked down and you calling on God for MERCY.

Do NOT lean on your own understanding of the dark, troubling shadow from your past “life”. Don’t get blindsided by the staggering facts of the quack doctor’s report or go down the rabbit hole of trying to make sense of why you are still selfish with God even when you don’t want to be and especially considering that He has been nothing but GOOD to you. Do NOT fear, panic, or rage … this is what the enemy wants (1) so that he can distract you from the truthful reality of where you are: with God, Yahweh, your Righteousness, and (2) so that he can tempt you into the filthiness and futility of self-righteousness, which is what happens when we panic – we tend to want to fix things ourselves. Instead, know God. He is the ONLY understanding you need –Proverbs 9:10B(AMPC). As opposed to fixating on the fact that you have a weak, failing, or broken heart, be still and actively know the Way, the Truth, and the Life: Yahweh (God with you). Unlike the quack doctor that the enemy is, God does not use your weakness against you. He does not despise your broken heart (Psalm 51:17). He will help you navigate the valley and direct your path – He wants to. Trust Him to do it for you. Keep the wavelength short by crying out for MERCY. Call upon on the Name of The LORD and be saved.

Keep the wavelength short by prayerfully moving forward with and in God –Galatians 5:25(AMPC). They say fail-forward … I say: LET yourself fall in GOD with God. To mean do NOT be afraid of failing, let yourself fall in God and see where you land (with God, DOWN tends to lead UP) … LET yourself fall in LOVE with God 😊. This is one perspective of the gift and blessing that the valley is – it is an opportunity to fall in LOVE (in GOD) with God Who is with you. Heretoforward, do NOT let your weakness stop you … it is NOT a show-stopper (the show being God’s Glory, a display that can NOT be stopped). God can use your weakness for His Glory … let Him. Let God use every part of you (including your shortcoming) for His Glory. Let God use every moment of your life in the land of the living that He has given you for His Glory – this includes times when you fall short and find yourself in the valley. He is the God of the living … the hills … and the valleys. Therefore, let God use not only the UPs for His Glory, give Him the DOWNs too … give God the valley, give God your I-want-to-but-I-can’t-help-myself, give God your weaknesses, give God your shortcomings, and let Him love you (show you Himself) through each one … let God love Him for you with all of your heart, with every part of the land of the living that He has given you and the threshing floor that you are. Let God love Him for you with your entire being –Deuteronomy 11:13 Deuteronomy 6:5– Let God do it for you. Choose Life –Proverbs 21:21 (AMPC) … choose MERCY.

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Oaks of Righteousness, you are the planting of The LORD. Indeed, JEZREEL! God planted you into this Land of the living. He transplanted you from that old dead state to this new resurrected state (Psalm 80:8) by His Spirit – your new (resurrected) life in God is through the HolySpirit. It started when you were awakened to Christ, at which point sin became dead to you and you too became dead to it; you were made alive in Christ. This new life can ONLY be lived by the HolySpirit (Zechariah 4:6). He is the Water and Rain from Heaven that you drink. Yes, you are the Land of the living (here on earth) that God has given you – a land of hills and valleys. Don’t despise the valley, it is God-Glorifying too. Like the Waters cover the sea, it too shall be filled with Water (2 Kings 3:17 CJB) … drinking Water! The HolySpirit is the early and latter Rain that God (Our Father) gives/sends (Joel 2:23 AMPC, MSG). He is the Heavenly Messenger from The Father Who goes before you to protect you during your journey with Him and to lead you to the place prepared by God for you (Exodus 23:20). He will enable you to hear The Father’s Message of Christ, pay attention to all that He shows you and respond to what He tells you for He carries the Father’s Name and Message: Yeshua (Yahweh saves) – it is the Message of Salvation. By the hearing that comes by The WORD of God (Romans 10:17 AMPC) and thus by Faith (the knowledge of God), keep responding to The Father’s Message to you via His Spirit (John 16:13). Respond to the Rain that the HolySpirit is so that the Threshing Floor and Land that you are may yield abundant grain, new wine, and fresh oil … like the abundant offspring of the sand and sea (Isaiah 48:18-19) … and sky (Genesis 15:5). Let your response be God (Who God IS: LOVE, His Banner … His WORD: MERCY). Let your response be MERCY: Yahweh, do it for me.