THE CONCEPT OF THE CITY OF REFUGE……….NUMBERS 35 verses 9 - 15

INTRODUCTION

Numbers 35:9-15 King James Version (KJV)

9 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;

11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.

13 And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.

14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.

15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.    

Mon peuple, mon peuple it is that time of month once again. I hope it is a Blog that is not very controversial seems controversy is following me around these days.  The last time we posted in June we were in the United States in Seattle, Washington. Although I did not want to return to Canada and to be very frank with you I am really not enjoying my return.  I can think of one hundred and ninety five places in the world that I would rather be than in Canada. The level of criminality  has increased, it is only because I am aware of the wiles of the enemy that I am coping.  I am no longer so naive. In the interim as I am dealing with my papers I can go through the provinces.  My brother whom I could depend on I can’t anymore.  When I call his number I get a fax number and I don’t even know if my emails are going through.  Well people it is what it is. I have to take my time to put back my identity. In the meantime Canada seems to have a serious inflation going on.  The prices are very high in comparison to the United States. I had to give back a box of Juice because I was being charged fourteen cents additionally for that juice. The prices in Walmart are out of this world.

Let us look at some of my travels I mean British Columbia was lovely, the scenic mountains, valleys, rivers and lush vegetation.Vancouver is pretty and so is Kamloops. The Rocky Mountains are fantastic.  Those of you looking real estate deals can find it in Surrey B.C. Calgary and Edmonton are not bad also.  I am back in Canada so the excitement has disappeared. I have since been through Saskatchewan and Manitoba I am now in Winnipeg. I was just given a ticket for driving on the bus free.  I tore it up and threw it away. I have no time for Canadian foolishness I have wasted ten years of my life by coming to Canada. The Bible says for the joy that was set before Him Jesus endured the shame of the cross. I have to continue to endure.

REFLECTIONS

As per usual I like to give you a little insight into why I chose my topic.  This topic was chosen because I found myself travelling through the United States of America quite unplanned fleeing persecution, harassment, and discrimination from Canada a country I detest. While I was in New York December 2017 I heard the Rector at Trinity Church Wall Street mentioned that they wanted to build a place where people could come and be safe.  It is now the second day of July 2018 when I have started writing my Blog on the captioned topic.

You are indeed a fool if you say there is no God. Atheist! What is that? The more I delve into the scriptures  I am convinced that God is a good God who leaves nothing to chance. We will be looking at the purpose of a City of Refuge, the management and the contrast of the old cities of Moses with our New Testament Christianity.

CRITICAL DEFINITIONS

City - A large town

Refuge - A condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger or trouble.

City of Refuge - A city in ancient Israel appointed as a place of asylum for unintentional murderers.

BACKGROUND

Of the twelve tribes the Levites or Levitical  tribe of the children of Israel did not have any physical  inheritance among the brethren.  The Lord would be their inheritance. Hence, the reason Joseph had a double portion, Ephraim and Manasseh.  The major task of the Levites     was to monitor the spiritual temperature of Israel.  All matters related to the spiritual was to be done by them. They were consecrated and set apart  for the work of God.  However, they are human beings. God had Moses give them forty eight cities each tribe gave cities as they were able.  The larger tribes gave more than the smaller tribes. Of these cities six were designated Cities of Refuge.

FEATURES OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE

Three of the cities were located on the eastward side of the Jordan. Bezer in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth-Gilead in the land of Gad and Golan in the land of Manasseh. On the westward side Kedesh in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the land of Ephraim and Hebron in the hill country of Judah Joshua 20 verses 7 - 8. They were strategically chosen so that anyone living in Israel, including strangers  Joshua 20 verse 9 could flee to them within a day or less.

The establishment of these privileged sanctuaries among the cities of the Levites is probably traceable to the idea that the Levites would be the most suitable and impartial judges, that their presence and counsels might calm or restrain the stormy passions of the blood avenger. By their consecration as priests, the Levites were mediators between the Israelites and God. As such they would have been gifted to calmly mediate between the attacker and the victim’s family, ensuring that no further unnecessary bloodshed would occur.

"Corresponding to the care for the proper location of these (asylum) cities were the other ordinances referring to them. The roads leading to them were marked by sign-posts at the crossroads, with the inscription "Miklat" (Refuge); the roads were very broad . . . smooth and level, in order that the fugitive might not be hindered . . ." (1906 Jewish Encyclopedia)

QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A REFUGEE

God in His infinite wisdom knows that accidents do happen and instead of leaving it to men to deal with situations arbitrarily and because He was developing a model society or a prototype for mankind put mechanisms in place to deal with the matter when these occurrences took place. An example of when an intentional death can take place is when men are cutting down trees, an axe head breaks and fatally wounds someone Deuteronomy 19 verse 5. An intentional death occurs when someone is killed ‘with malice’ meaning that they perish at the hands of someone who hates them. Having entered one of the Cities of Refuge a person had to first explain, to local elders, what happened Joshua 20 verse 4. They were then given a place to stay until a trial could be conducted  Numbers 35 verse 12.The city guaranteed the safety of those seeking asylum against being killed in retaliation by the "avenger of blood" Joshua 20 verse 3. This "avenger" was usually the nearest kin of the person who died. It was considered their duty to revenge the death of their family member Joshua 20 verse 9.If in a particular city of refuge it was determined that the accused accidently caused the death of another human, they could live, protected, from the "avenger of blood" only if they stayed in that location. They could only safely return to their home after the death of the High Priest Joshua 20 verse 6. If they left before the priest died, they risked being killed by the "avenger" who could kill them, outside of the cities of refuge, without penalty Numbers 35 verses 26 - 28. If the accused was convicted of murder, they were turned over to the avenger of blood. The avenger was then to carry out the death penalty Numbers 35 verse 19,  21, Deuteronomy 19 verse 12. Those who killed, either accidently or with malice, were not allowed to pay a ransom in the cities of refuge in order to avoid the consequences of their behavior Numbers 35 verse 31 -32.

THE MEANING OF THE NAMES OF THE CITIES

The Hebrew word Kedesh means to consecrate or separate oneself.

The Hebrew word Shechem means between the shoulders or burden bearer.

The Hebrew word Hebron means fellowship or confederation.

The Hebrew word for Bezer means fortress or fortified.

The Hebrew word for Ramoth-Gilead means exalted or high.

The Hebrew word for Golan means rejoicing.

Having reached this city you will have entered a fortress , you will be exalted  and will continue to rejoice. You separate yourself and start to act responsibly.

SIGNIFICANCE IN THE ERA OF THE NEW COVENANT

The cities of refuge are types of Christ, in whom sinners find a refuge from the destroyer of our souls. Just as the guilty person sought refuge in the cities set up for that purpose, we flee to Christ for refuge from sin . We run to Christ to escape the danger we are in from the curse and condemnation of the law, from of the wrath of God, and from an eternity in hell. Only Christ provides refuge from these things, and it is to Him alone that we must run. Just as the cities were open to all who fled to them for safety, it is Christ who provides safety to all who come to Him for refuge from sin and its punishment.

The City of Refuge in my opinion is both physical and spiritual so let us not get spooky spiritual.  Life happens and for one reason or another from time to time people are going to need protection. Ask Messers Assange , Timeline: Julian Assange's Story Thus Far, Snowden Edward Snowden :THUS FAR and Rushdie Salman Rushdie... or even Raphleta.  The ideal situation based on the prototype laid down by God is that the facilitation of this system should be people of God and ideally each nation should have this system. Unfortunately, we live in a broken world.  More and more I traverse this North America I have come to this realization. What can you say when you are speaking to a Psychiatric Nurse of twenty seven years who does not believe in God? But his major task is to assist in healing the soul of a person. We all know that only Jesus can restore a man’s soul not drugs, Buddhism, yoga or meditation.  He made us, He can fix it. He blew breath into man and man became a living soul.

The European Union is now faced with a refugee problem European Migrant Crisis, Canada has one of the most exploitative refugee policy Canada's Failing Refugee System in the world. The systems in other nations have collapsed  so that, nations have taken up the slack.  The church all over the world seems to missing in action, nobody is seeking refuge with them. Everyone seems to be afraid of annoying their bakers the government.

COMAPRISON OF THE CITY OF REFUGE AND THE ATONEMENT BY CHRIST

RULES	APPLICATIONS
The manslayer sought intervention from judgement for an action he had accidentally committed by fleeing to the city of refuge and the high priest would intercede for him. So he would be protected from the normal consequences of his actions.	This is the significance of the salvation message our coming to Jesus Christ as we are and He becoming our High Priest and making intercessions on our behalf. It is a pleasure reading the book of Hebrews about the new Covenant.
Under the Mosaic Law it was a life for a life but by interceding the High Priest averted this punishment against the manslayer.	Jesus our high Priest paid it all for us on Calvary’s cross.  His intervention was to literally take our place by shedding His blood on the cross. The blood of bulls and goats were no longer adequate.
The manslayer was only free once the High Priest had died.	Once you have confessed Jesus as your Lord and saviour true freedom is only in Christ  as written by the Apostle Paul while in jail in chains. This High Priest reigneth forever.
The inhabitants of the city of Refuge were expected to look after the manslayer.	This s an example of the community that we are to display as Christians.  People are to know us because of the love that we display.
The decision in the manslayer’s case was given by the congregation.	This is indicative that in the future we will be judging angels and that we are to be able to deal with matters in our community now. We are to occupy until God comes. The heavens of the heavens are the Lord the earth He has given to men.

CONCLUSION

In concluding, let us take advantage of our refuge the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only in Him that we can be fortified, exalted, sustained, consecrated through our fellowship with the Holy Spirit and other believers which will lead to our rejoicing.  The Bible says that if we are in a position to help if we do not then it is sin.  Let us from here on in become our brothers keeper.  You might not be a city of Refuge but seek to be someone of substance that does not live a selfish life.

These days social justice to the church only seems to be Gay Rights. Let us not be following the world’s agenda but the agenda of God. Remember Levites should not take bribe.

Once again, this is me Lillene's baby Girl coming to you from Winnipeg, Manitoba looking to cross the border to finish my other twenty seven states. Luv yuh!!

À bientôt

REFERENCES

What were the Cities of Refuge in the Old Testament?

Cities of Refuge

6 Cities of Refuge

WHAT IS THE JOY OF THE LORD?

Nehemiah 8:10 King James Version (KJV)

10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

INTRODUCTION

Well mon peuple, it is that time of the month again, I tell you people can you believe it already June.  As I have always admonished anything that you are doing go ahead and do it. The Nike moniker says “Just Do it”.  Where should I begin to tell the story of what life has been (directly from the song). Sorry, I do not have any he, however, moving right along, last things first when I thought  the petits minded criminally challenged Canadians had sunk to the lowest level there they go and surprise me again. Between them and the genomic African mutants Bro. Anancy Nigerians they have gone into my things that I left in Canada and stolen my documents. If you have to resort to so much criminality to get your way there is something very wrong.  I would like to put Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on notice to rein in tyrannical and crooked Hazel McCallion. She is a loose cannon that they need to deal with. The Mississauga votes that they are trying to get might elude them and they lose the elections , people are not idiots. Anyway enough about those two bit crooks can’t waste time and ink on them.

What a month? Where did I leave you in May San Jose, Santa Clara  the last time? That Blog is not finished there are still some statistics to pull out of the statistics. I am being gravely hampered by the fact that I do not have a computer. Then i am further challenged  by the fact that people are giving me fifteen minutes on their computers, their computers are not working and shadowing me on the computer. Persons shadowing me on the computer the moment i write something they don’t like it is time to shut down the computer.  Then the Google twins, Facebook and WordPress all shut shut me down when they are ready. Bill Gates locked me out of my outlook. The land of the brave and the home of the free.

However, in spite of and despite the challenges I have managed to remain productive.  We have published two pages and the Blog. I now have June’s Blog and the third page to type.  I also have the page on the lobby for the motor vehicle industry in the states and how this has impinge on public transportation plus i have a tract to write targeted to the LGBTQ community.  All this while i am constantly on the move.

Oh California!! The Mexican state in the union.  When i look at California and San Antonio, Texas.  I wonder about this foolishness of building a wall, utter tripe. Someone went to bed and had a bad dream.  It seems the reasons the Mexican stopped coming was similar to that of the native Indians they were afraid of the violence of the whiteman.  Otherwise the border would be quite porous and the Mexicans would be coming and going. I mean California just went on and on it is very long. It has some spectacular scenery.  San Francisco to date has some of the best scenery in North America. The view from the Golden Gate is spectacular plus they have a number of very good boat trips. Los Angeles and San Jose need to deal with the homeless situations as a matter of urgency. The country of the invisible church.

The transportation in the north needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. From Cloverdale to William and William to Dunigan.  The Hispanics are people also. Then there was Chico and Redding. Leaving Redding I was dropped at a dead end where I could only use a vehicle to exit town.  I sat down and looked at the Highway Patrol Police and said i was not going to move. The Police moved then i moved up the Interstate Highway 5 and got a ride from an Indian into Portland, Oregon.

On the back road in Mendocino County I got a ride from two heroin addicts. They were good people telling me how taking the Methadone had assisted them better than the straight heroin.  They were being treated at a clinic in San Jose. My question was Are you a drug addict? They said yes. I will deal with the matter of dope on my page. They fed me and dropped me at Lucerne.  I prayed for their deliverance. That was the walk to William.

Portland, Oregon is quite nice very clean.  Thank God that persons have started planting something all my trip through the south, everywhere I went was green bush. Nobody seems to plant anything no flowers, not even a tomato tree. In Los Angeles I saw a  fruit tree over a fence. I was shocked. I rejoiced!!

While i was in San Francisco holding my state wide protest in front of Whole Foods on Rhode Island Street I saw some Pakistanis. I said to myself why are these Pakistani following me? Then I remembered that I had voted against a Liberal MP in Mississauga while i was living at Dover Crescent.  The nazis did everything to try and stop me from voting. Not only did i vote Conservative I worked at the polling station. Then I realized why all these Pakistanis were invading my French class. Eventually they had to leave though the pace that i set in French is blistering (isn’t that so Monsieur Roberge).  The poor fellow lost and seems to have become part of the cartel to destroy me.

Let us look at the nations i have following me around Caucasians of every country you can think of, then there are the Indians and Pakistanis. I don’t know what i have done the Chinese but they continue to follow me around.  Then i see the native Indians have joined the pack. Then I have the biker gangs this started over there in Alabama. I also have the hispanics.

Coming out of Portland i ended up in a city called Castle rock which had no pedestrian exit. After going around in circles for over one hour with the nazis circling like carrion crows i headed up the highway again. I was stopped by the Highway Patrol. Then out of the blue this Native Indian turn up with her dog to offer me a ride. Of course the dog had me under wraps.  The dogs are now my guard dogs, the Canadians don’t seem to trust anyone, the dogs come as a backup with my scent. Of course they get the scent from the things they smell that have been stolen. You realize that is not from lack of trying why they can’t stop me. I still need to write about the blackbirds. The Indian, Barbara dropped me in Seattle. I need to complete my Blog on the move.  When I hang around too long people start getting ideas. Since i had no intention of repeating that i don’t want to live in the USA. Never did, never will. The temperature at present in Seattle is a cross between Toronto in fall and New York in the winter. It is a beautiful state and city. The state of Washington is very clean and environmentally friendly.

 

REFLECTIONS

I was sitting on a bus when I was in Canada and I found myself singing and I said Raphleta what do you have to sing about? And I said “It is the joy of the Lord.’  I decided there and then to Blog about the Joy of the Lord. You have to realize why I asked myself that question because i had returned to Canada under the belief that i had been forgiven my trespasses by the tyrants in Mississauga only to find out that i had been inundated again with the same criminalities of the past. One lady from a small island poisoned my food one Sunday when I went to church. The most fantastic roommate had to move out because she could not stoop so low to do the illegalities that was being requested of her. She was just such a lovely person. One of the few good Caucasian I have met on my journey in this life. I had three babysitters one on my right and one on my left (that is why i posted on FB that i felt like Jesus who died between two thieves) and the landlord’s sister downstairs.I was never alone all three synchronized their schedule to mine.

Now you see why the Canadians do things such as steal what I write and eavesdrop on my conversation a part from being warp, twisted, vindictive and cruel they are control freaks on a daily basis they must know what I am doing. Persons would listen at my walls and the youngest tenant who moved in last was a terror. The young lady had sold her soul to the devil for a mess of pottage.  Nothing was off limits to her. She did all sort of thing in the kitchen. My letter to the Landlord and Tenant Board was deleted from my Google drive or i would attach it to this blog. I will attach my text messages instead. The last copy was stolen in my briefcase. Things like stagnant water in the refrigerator, spoilt food and milk, dripping things in the freezer, padding of the freezer so i had no space.  Then i bought a box of Arm and Hammer baking powder for the refrigerator and they decided to start turning off the refrigerator. Too much to tell people. Based on all the harassment there should be no joy. While all of this was going on i was developing my business and my French was exploding. I was going to work on my ‘expression oral’ in the last semester in the year because i had set myself some ambitious goals’’ Then i had to flee, the latter is the only part of Canada I miss we had a fantastic teacher in Monsieur Laurier Roberge. He really knew his business. Fantastic teacher!! To have that caliber teacher for the amount of money we were paying was just a blessing.

This also reminded me of a period in my life when i had no song. I mean i can face anything once i have a song.  I kept saying to God, Daddy what is happening? Daddy, i can face anything once i have a song. My songs normally gush forth effortlessly.  When i get up in the mornings i get up with a song. During this period there was no gushing forth. This period was when i was at my sister’s apartment and the political directorate of the country had a whole apartment complex and a little man who was the most despicable person harassing me. Then one Sunday morning while i was cooking in the early morning in the dark i felt it coming back i just lifted up my hand and my head right over the stove and started singing ‘You do miracles so great etc’.  I felt so excited i have never lost it since As Ron Kenoly would say my mother always have a song irrespective of the circumstances.Same here i always have a song. I am glad that i got saved during the charismatic renewal in Jamaica because we were taught to be very discerning in our worship.

In this Blog we are going to look at the meaning of the word joy. We will look at persons who displayed this emotion in the face of grave challenges what were their demeanour.  Of course the name that comes readily to mind is King David who was in the backside of the desert exhibiting great joy even though he was looking after sheep and his brothers had been enlisted in King Saul’s army.  Reminds me of when i was walking in the backside of California along the US 101 outside of Cloverdale. I was passing a farm and the sheep dog was barking at some black sheep (was there a message there) when the dog barked the sheep baa baa and ran forward as soon as the dog stopped barking, they stopped and started wandering and eating grass. I just looked at them and laughed and said to myself ‘sheep’ and continued walking into Mendico County.

David was anointed as King at sixteen years and spent thirteen years fleeing persecution. We will examine his posture through the Book of Psalms during and after the persecution. We will also look at King Solomon his son the prophetic song writer and writer of the Proverbs.  The Bible says he wrote three thousand and five proverbs and one thousand songs during his lifetime.

 

CRITICAL DEFINITIONS

Joy - noun A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

        Verb to rejoice

Lord - noun someone or something having power, authority or influence, a master or ruler  (the owner).

         Verb act in a superior and domineering manner toward someone.

Strength - noun the quality or state of being strong in particular.

                2. A good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing.

 

THE EXODUS

Contrast the life of the Children of Israel in the wilderness with Pastor Moses to the life of King David in the wilderness. Remember, the Lord through Pastor Moses told them that they were going to the Promised Land. Now this is the promise of the Lord.  I am going to take you to the Land of Promise. However, after leaving Egypt the first challenge the crossing of the Reed Sea, their immediate reaction negativity. Oh that we had died in Egypt Numbers 14 verses 11 - 13. Having coming through that challenge they sang Exodus 15 verses 1 - 21 a beautiful song (remember I was rebuked for reading a part of this passage in a prayer meeting). Then they faced the next challenge and they opted for the default reaction complaining and grumbling Exodus 15 verse 24. Then the third challenge came up and the default reaction kicked in again Exodus 16 verse 3. Eventually they all died in the wilderness self fulfilling prophecy Numbers 14 verses 1 - 3. God killed them and used their children.  I tell you, the people even made God repented that He had chosen them Numbers 14 verses 11 - 12, The Lord just killed them slowly Numbers 14 verses 27 - 35. The men who brought the negative report God killed them immediately (who said God does not kill people Lord help my Holy Ghost, the book of Corinthians says you sleep before the time) Numbers 14 verse 37.

 

KING DAVID

Now let us contrast the life of the second King of Israel who went through the refiner’s fire before he became the king. As Dr. Myles Munroe would say God will not use anyone that he has not tested even His own son had to be tested. Let us pause here and say thank God for Jesus. Thank God for Calvary. If it was not for this successful test we would be a people without hope. From the processing of King David and some other Men of God we have the longest book in the Bible with the number of Psalms being attributed to King David been seventy six Number of Psalms David Wrote.

Psalm 3 was written when he fled from Absalom his son. Can you imagine reading this Psalm in America at the Angle Lake Light Rail Station, Seattle Washington?

Where the Sound Transit system literally abandoned you because you passed your stop by falling asleep. People when the body needs to sleep it just does that irrespective of the location. Then you saw the police of the city turned up and that alone is an indication that foul play is imminent.

In this type of situation what do you do?

Well, if you are a Raphleta who has a Blog to publish in a couple of days, you find the nearest place with a camera and plenty of lights and take your Bible and sit down dry your laundry while you start writing to complete your Blog while your laundry is drying in the cold night (you get a lemon you make lemonade).  While the nazis and the mafias are circling on the outskirts. The first Psalm you read has these verses :

 

Psalm 3:6-8 King James Version (KJV)

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Psalm 5:11 King James Version (KJV)

11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

By the time I reached Psalm 8 I was on my feet praying and worshiping before i knew it the dawn had broken over the horizon.  I had to hold a throne the next night to rule and complete going through the Psalms. Yes people, I read most of those that were attributed to King David. I could not ‘bruk’ out again because I was in the people’s building, it was more contemplative this time. By daylight I had gone through the Psalms.  Let us take a walk through the Psalms

I completed the night with this song In your Presence by Paul Wilbur

Psalm 18 - Rescued from his enemies verse 35 speaks not to the carnal weapons but to supernatural ones

Psalm 22 - Seeks insight verses 17 to 18 messianic prophecies.

Psalm 23 - The Shepherd Psalm speaks to protection and direction.

Psalm 51 - After the sin with Bathsheba

Psalm 52 - Doeg’s the Edomite betrayal

Psalm 54 - Betrayal by the Ziphites

Psalm 56 - When the Philistines seized him in Gath.

Psalm 57 - The flight from King Saul to the caves

Psalm 59 - When King Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him

Psalm 60 - Seeking guidance

Psalm 63 - In the wilderness of Judah

Psalm 70 - Memorial offering

In the preview of the Psalms we see how King David’s experiences shaped his life.  You will note that he never ends one of his Psalms on a negative note.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JOY OF THE LORD

1. The joy of the Lord is supernatural
2. It is joy to all who experience its strength
3. The strength is also practical
4. The joy and strength is always in the Believer’s reach

The Joy of the Lord is Supernatural

In the opening text  Nehemiah and Ezra asked that the people do not mourn after hearing the laws that they have been transgressing. They advise them not to make the day solemn but to rejoice for the joy of the Lord is their strength.

Having repented you are not to be weeping you are to take comfort in the joy of reconciling with the Spirit of God and all that offers.  This joy is supernatural in origin as can be seen by these occurrences in the Bible. In  St. Luke 1 verse 44 the baby in Elizabeth’s tummy jumped for joy when she was greeted by Mary who was also pregnant with the Messiah. Dr Myles Munroe you are to speak to people who are pregnant like you who will make your baby leap. Greatness attract greatness!!

In St. Luke 1 verse 47 with this joy also comes rejoicing. In the announcing of the birth of the coming Messiah the angel spoke to the fact that their would be great joy St. Luke 2 verse 10.

In Romans 14 verse 17 the kingdom of God is not about temporal things but about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

In Galatians 5 verses 22 - 23 the Apostle Paul spoke of the joy being one of the fruit of the Spirit.

Joy to all who experience its Strength

The Bible says we are to count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations because this is a working out of our faith James 1 verses 2 - 3. In St. John 16 verse 24  the Lord has bid us to ask him so that our joy may be full. The Apostle Paul admonishes the church at Thessalonica to rejoice always I Thessalonians 5 verse 16. In I Peter 1 verse 8  Joy for the coming of the Lord.

The Strength reveals itself Practically

In Acts 16 verse 25 when Paul and Silas was locked up in prison it was not until they began to rejoice that there was an earthquake and the gates opened and their bands were unfastened. Further, in the book of Acts when the Apostles were flogged by the councilor put in prison they did not complain they rejoiced Acts 5 verse 41.

It is said that one of the first thing the disciples did when they entered a city was to check out the prison.  They were assured of prison or stoning as in Acts 13 verse 50 - 52.

There is a dangerous gospel going around these days that if you suffer you are either sinning or out of the will of God. If you do not look like one of the stuffed turkeys on TBN then you are not in the will of God. Mash down that lie.  The genesis and propagation of the Gospel was based on the life of men and women who were willing to suffer and not compromise as we are experiencing today. Our ultimate example is the Lord Jesus Christ Hebrews 12 verse 2 for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The article on the front page of the Seattle Weekly Losing Faith: The Closure of Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church | Seattle … is instructive. The method for church growth is stated in the book of Acts.  To my knowledge it has not changed Acts 2 verses 42 - 43. It spells work, one does not build a church by osmosis in that case all the churches would be full and not empty as I am experiencing across North America.

The Joy and Strength is Always within the Reach of the Believer

Because this joy is supernatural in origin the first thing you have to do is become a child of God.  You can not have the benefits of the kingdom, if you are not a citizen of the Kingdom. St. John 15 verse 5 there has to be an abiding.  Abiding means to dwell with.

John 15:10-11 King James Version (KJV)

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This is the assurance that God gives us St. John 10 verses 28 - 29. He has got your back.

 

CONCLUSION

In concluding,adopting from C.H. Spurgeon ‘you shallow Christians who do not believe in christ, and barely that, whose Bibles are unread, whose closets, are unfrequented whose communion with God is a thing of spasms, you have not the joy of the Lord neither are you strong. I beseech you rest not as you are, but let your conscious feebleness provoke you to seek the means of strength and that means of strength is to be found in a  pleasant medicine, sweet as it is profitable. The delicious and effectual medicine of the Joy of the Lord.

Preaching is sowing, prayer is watering but praise is the harvest. Once you have the Joy of the Lord it is very hard to be phased. You are like the rock of Gibraltar unmoveable many tides and surfs come but you are unshakeable. This is a very potent weapon the Bible says our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of stronghold.

 

This is me Raphleta Taylor, Lillene’s baby girl coming to you from Seattle in the beautiful state of Washington.

 

À bientôt

 

REFERENCES

The Joy of the Lord, the Strength of His People