Thoughts on Philippians 1:21

by semi-retired pastor, Jeremy Stopford

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

(First preached January 5, 2014—First Baptist, Earlville, NY)

As you may know, in all the years I have pastored, I have begun each year with a new “memory verse” or, better, “this year’s verse”. While the Bible encourages us to memorize Scripture [Psalm 119:11 – (Do you know it?) “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”], we are calling this “this year’s verse”. I am hoping you will do more than just memorize or learn this verse. I am hoping you will LIVE this verse! Prayer

Our memory verse for 2014 divides nicely into two parts. I want to take the second part – “and to die is gain” – first. This is the HOPE of the passage. Our Savior and Scripture invite us to trust the Lord Jesus as our Lord and Savior. IF we have that trust, then the Bible says we also have a HOPE. The hope says I belong to Him, and that I will also spend eternity with Him! “To die is gain” isn’t a morbid thought; rather it is a HOPE of eternity – knowing that I can LIVE for God today because I have HOPE for tomorrow!

The first part gives us the HEART of the passage – “for to me to live is Christ.” What is it that you are living for? Earthly goals? Family? Or Christ? Earthly goals and family ARE important, but they are no match for having an eternal purpose – living for Christ!

The Apostle Paul was in a Roman prison, daily chained to four Roman guards (one to each foot, one to each hand). What do you think he thought when they had their “changing of the guard” – perhaps as much as once every 4 hours? That means that 6 times a day of twenty four hours he would have four new guards – twenty four guards per day. Do you think he thought, “Oh no, here we go again!”? Or do you think he prayed, “Lord Jesus, prepare hearts for the gospel!”?

What do you think he talked about with them? “Hey, how about them Dolphins!” Or, “How about the weather, huh? Sure is COLD!” Or do you think he talked about the Lord Jesus and His salvation at the cross? The book of Philippians lets us in on that, for throughout the book Paul mentions about the number of guards and “members of Caesar’s household” who had come to know Jesus as Savior – WHILE Paul was a prisoner. Because for Paul, “for to me, to live is Christ”!

This verse is, in essence, Paul’s legacy. It is what he LIVED in that dash between his new birth as a Christian and his date of death. What – or better WHO – he lived was CHRIST!

I read a wonderful devotional this morning, written by Oswald Chambers. He made the observation that when we first come to Christ, when we first follow Him, this is the “external”. It is nothing mysterious. We are simply trusting that what God’s word says is true – that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Mr. Chambers then went on to say that God then calls us to a second “follow” – and he calls this the “internal”. This is a regular sacrifice. This is a regular yielding, a surrender to the Lord Jesus’ Lordship in our lives. Mr. Chambers would agree with Paul, wouldn’t he, that “for to me to live is Christ” – a sacrifice, an internal surrender to the eternal!

I encourage you to memorize this verse this year. It is an EASY verse to memorize. It is an HARD verse to live. You cannot tell me the verse today – not until next Sunday. And only then, you can tell me the verse IF you agree: “Pastor, this is my surrender. This is my sacrifice.”

Our 2014 memory verse, Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Close in prayer

Semi-Retired Pastor Jeremy Stopford

This message was delivered the first year that Pastor Stopford served as pastor of First Baptist Church Earlville, NY , December 13, 2009.

“Immanuel? I thought His Name is Jesus!”

Matthew 1:18-25:

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son,

and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.

And he called His name Jesus.

INTRODUCTION

This is my official first Christmas here at First Baptist. And, historically, this would be the Baby Jesus’ first Christmas – for this is the season that we commemorate His birth.

By the way, do you know the difference between the Christmas Alphabet and the English Alphabet? You bet – the Christmas Alphabet has no L.

We are not looking to Clement More for his approval, though he wrote, “’Twas the night before Christmas”. We are not looking to Bob May – a 1926 classmate of my Dad’s at Dartmouth – for his insight, although he wrote “Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.”

No, no! We are looking to the Gospel of Matthew, the first gospel of The Book. Familiar words. Sometimes TOO familiar.

Today, may the Lord Jesus give us fresh insights into the purposes of that first birth.

PRAYER

1. THE STORY OF THE BIRTH (1:18)

“Mary was betrothed to Joseph”. This was a big deal in Jewish circles. Joseph’s and Mary’s parents got together and at one point said, “my son Joseph and your daughter Mary would be perfect for each other. There, that settles it.” Do you wish it were that way today?

So it was the betrothal – a period of time similar to an engagement, but with all the rights of marriage EXCEPT consummation. Joseph and Mary got to know each other better, their likes and dislikes. In the meantime, it was the PARENTS who figured out all the arrangements for the wedding. THEY made the plans. Don’t you wish – sometimes – that parents were more involved in today’s weddings?

And in the midst of all this betrothal stuff are these words of inspiration: “she [Mary] was found with child of the Holy Spirit.” We know from Luke 1:26-38 that by this time the angel Gabriel had visited her and explained to her what was to be. It was near that time that Mary said these words of her true heart which ring down through the centuries: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And later, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. for He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant…”. (Luke 1:38; 46-48a). Mary’s heart, her WORSHIP, was forever – and is still in glory – to her own Son.

II. THE JUST HUSBAND (1:19)

So Mary and Joseph were planning their wedding! Can you imagine each of their thoughts as they were wondering how married life would be different from their individual lives as single people? And then came the news: Mary is pregnant. Joseph knew, he just KNEW, that the baby was not HIS. She had violated her vows of betrothal to Joseph! By law, he had a number of choices. Being the espoused husband, he could have Mary stoned to death – PUBLICLY!

Please note that verse 19 comes before verse 20. [“DUH!” You say!]. BEFORE the visit from the angel of the Lord, BEFORE there is any public ridicule upon Mary – much less upon Joseph – the Scriptures in verse 19 say, “being a just man”. The scriptures identify the CHARACTER of this man of God! He was a just husband! He was a private man, with a private personal walk with the Lord, which in turn governed his public life.

We have MANY public figures today with PUBLIC problems – from the President on down. Joseph heart should make us question OUR own hearts – what is OUR character? Who are we when NO ONE (but the Lord!) is looking?

III. THE AMAZING “BEHOLD” #1 (1:20-21)

So Joseph is thinking about “doing the right thing”. Like you and me, he was thinking about all the options available to him. But most of all, he was thinking about…MARY! His heart broke for how her character would be attacked. So while he was thinking about all this, there was an interruption: “BEHOLD!!!!!!!!!”

When I read through the Christmas story, I just want to circle the word “behold”. In fact, I often can wonder how it first must have been said. Can you see the Eternal Bose Mic picking up the word? “BEHOLD!!!!!!!!!”

It was now Joseph’s turn to have a visit from the beloved angel Gabriel. Joseph’s world comes to a stop: When I read through the Christmas story, I just want to circle the word “BEHOLD!!!!!!!!!”. In fact, I often can wonder how it must have been first said. Can you see the Eternal Bose Mic picking up the word? “BEHOLD!!!!!!!!!” The area is inundated with the Glory of God.

God loves to intervene in our history when we are making OTHER plans! He does that in our lives. He does that in eternity and with His eternal purposes. Joseph is now given the BIG picture!

The angel Gabriel takes Joseph from what Joseph thinks is the temporal (the pregnancy of an unwed mother) into the eternal (God becoming Man through the work of the Holy Spirit within Mary’s womb!). Not only is Joseph given the BIG picture; he is also told the Baby’s Name: “Jesus”. “Jesus” is the Greek “Iesous” transliterated. The name means “Jeshua is Savior”. Did you catch that? JEHOVAH IS SAVIOR is Jesus’ name!

This tells Jesus’ MISSION!

IV. THE AMAZING “BEHOLD” #2 (1:22-23)

In essence, Matthew tells us ““BEHOLD!!!!!!!!!” I thought His Name is Jesus”:

He takes us to a quote of Isaiah 7:14, where the Messiah is introduced as having the Name “Immanuel”, that is, “God with us.” This refers to Jesus’ CHARACTER.

I would encourage you to read Isaiah Chapters 7-9. These chapters answer way ahead of time how the Messiah Jesus-Immanuel will be received:

* He will be given the Name “Immanuel” (7:14)

* “Immanuel” will still be waiting for Israel to acknowledge Him as “God with us” (8:8-10)

* “Immanuel” will be exalted (9:6-7)

CONCLUSION: Let’s get practical!

In 1:20-21, Joseph was told what to do (take Mary as wife; she will give birth to a Child Who is the Son of the Holy Spirit) and in 1:24-25, Joseph did what he was told to do!

He OBEYED WHAT HE HEARD!

He understood Jesus’ MISSION: to save the lost!

He understood Jesus’ CHARACTER: God with us.

But he also understood that God’s Son Immanuel would be rejected, that He would patiently wait for our trust, and one day would be exalted to the position which He already holds by character.

How about you? Are you OBEYING WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD?

OR does your trust need to be RENEWED?

At this Christmas time, God is looking for sinners to trust what HE has done for the whole world in sending His Son. God is looking for sinners to trust Jesus as Savior, God with us. God is looking for sinners to trust that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection was for each of us personally!

Is that your trust today? Did you need to be reminded afresh WHO your trust should be?

IMMANUEL! GOD WITH US! MERRY CHRISTMAS! Close in prayer

STUDY IN THE ASCENT PSALMS

INTRODUCTION

Today is Study #14 of our insights into the “Ascent Psalms” – Psalms 120-134! We will have one more lesson – Psalm 134 – in this study. However, Lord willing we’ll have a special “Christmas study” next week.

Each one of the Ascent Psalms is unique, an individual, one of a kind. Since we have started this study, have you seen how your life is a journey, a sojourning into the seemingly unknown but also into the hands of the One Who knows your path?

OUR THEME VERSE

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5 NKJV). Have you learned our theme verse yet?

TODAY WE ARE IN PSALM 133

Psalm 133 New King James Version (NKJV)

Blessed Unity of the People of God

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brethren to dwell together in unity!

2.  It is like the precious oil upon the head,

Running down on the beard,

The beard of Aaron,

Running down on the edge of his garments.

3. It is like the dew of Hermon,

Descending upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the Lord commanded the blessing—

Life forevermore.

TITLE AND OUTLINE OF PSALM 133

TITLE (per Dr. W. Graham Scroggie): “Fraternal Unity”

OUTLINE (per JBS):

I. Goal (v, 1)

II. Purpose (v. 2)

III. Impossibility (v. 3)

SOME INTERESTING INSIGHTS

So, you are struggling to maintain your private devotions, are you? Your moments for an intimate walk with the Lord are seemingly squelched with all the stresses of time – even in our seasons of dealing with Covid-19 and its challenges and restrictions? So the Good Lord in His kindness and wisdom has given you an huge GIFT. He has given to you Psalms 117 and 133 – the shortest psalms in the Bible! Read them on those time challenging mornings, and you can honestly say, “I’ve read my Bible today!”

Psalm 133 is indeed one of the shortest psalms, much less one of the shortest chapters in the Bible. And don’t be fooled – it’s brief content has much encouragement for the soul who is seeking the heart of his/her Father.

It begins with a call to unity, a statement of how brothers on the same journey ought to be. I remember the first time I read through the Ascent Psalms in a most intense way. Sometime during that season, I went to a meeting of the Conference my first church was in. The President of the Conference (Tioga River Christian Conference, for those of you who might be familiar with it!) said, “before we begin our meeting, I want to have a devotional on our need to be united as a Conference.” Before any more words came out of his mouth, without thinking I blurted out, “Psalm 133”. He said, “HEY! Did you read my notes?”. I told him that I have ESPN. Or something like that.

Romans 6:19 perhaps gives the heart of Psalm 133:1:

“I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.”

“Slaves [or better, ‘servants’] of righteousness for holiness.” The heart of Psalm 133:1 is that those of us who love the Lord Jesus as our Savior are on the SAME JOURNEY! We are…BRETHREN! Brothers and sisters in Christ. Bought by the precious blood of the Lamb. We are not our own, we are bought with a price. Therefore our focus should be on the oneness we have together in Christ. “Dwell together in unity” is possible ONLY if we dwell together in the awe-ness of our being ONE IN CHRIST! Anything short of that is a ticket for disaster in the body of believers.

Verse two introduces the journeyman to an interesting comparison. The key word here is “LIKE”. Such a unity which is described in verse 1 is LIKE “the precious oil upon the head”. WHAT? I don’t want no oil put on MY head! Phooey! I JUST washed my hair this morning! It would take forever to get that oil OUT! What kind of picture of unity is that?

Good questions…until. Until you answer the important question: WHY was oil upon the head, running down the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments? Why?

Listen carefully to the words from Exodus 29:1,7. These are THE LORD’S instructions to Moses. These are NOT Moses’ instructions to the people! These are the Lord’s words. And the Lord said, “And this is what you shall do to them to HALLOW [“set them apart as holy”] them for ministering to ME as priests…you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on HIS [Aaron’s] head, and anoint him…” Aaron is Moses’ brother, BUT he is NOT chosen simply because of family ties. The creation of this priesthood is by order of the LORD HIMSELF! And in order to set Aaron (and his descendants) apart, anointing oil is poured over them. Can you visualize the oil being poured on Aaron’s head, watching it flow through his beard, to his shoulders, to his priestly garments, to his feet?

What did the writer of Psalm 133:2 say, “ It is LIKE the precious oil upon the head,

running down…”. Do you remember what the disciples (in particular, the crooked Judas the treasurer) said when Lazarus’ sister Mary took costly ointment and anointed the Lord Jesus (Mark 14:3ff)? What did he/they say? “Why this waste?” The Lord Jesus turned around and said that this would be forever a memorial of Mary’s worship of the Lord Jesus. A memorial of what? The Lord Jesus’ death – His being the Lamb of God CHOSEN by the Father to be the Substitute for the sin of the world!

To the world, the church – the true church with its blood-bought members – is a WHAT? Waste! So the Savior through the writer of Psalm 133 is reminding the church that we are NOT a waste! We are PRECIOUS in His sight! We are CALLED! We are BLOOD BOUGHT! We are His PERFECT design to turn the world upside down for His glory. AND as such, we are designed to be…ONE in Christ!

But wait, there’s MORE!

Carefully look at the illustration in Psalm 133:3. It is LIKE! The unity of the brethren, focused on their ascent to Jerusalem to the temple [or, in NT practicality, focused on the glory of God on display through His body which is faithfully walking with HIM] is now given an overwhelming comparative. Watch the progression: like the dew of Hermon…descending upon the mountains of Zion…there the Lord commanded the blessing…life forever!

KEY THOUGHT: WHAT blessing? Look at Genesis 12:2,3: I [the Lord] will make you [Abram/Abraham] a great nation; I will BLESS you and make your name great; and you shall be a BLESSING. I will BLESS those who BLESS you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you ALL the families of the earth shall be BLESSED.” Tuck this away for further personal study: this is the framework of the Savior’s words of Matthew 25, the dividing of the world into the “sheep” and the “goat” nations. The “sheep” nations are the blessed ones – because they are the ones who recognize ISRAEL as God’s chosen people, and so treat him accordingly. The “goat” nations are the ones so recognized because they fail to honor Israel as GOD’S people.

CONCLUDING THOUGHT

The BLESSING? Life forevermore! Illustrated through the anointing oil upon the priest, setting him apart as God’s servant. What may have seemed a waste is God’s design! And one day the Father would send His One and only Son – the Lord Jesus – to be the High Priest of the sheep, yet One Who would take the place of the sheep and become THEIR sacrifice, the perfect, spotless, sinless Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. ANOINTED eternally as the One to be our Lamb on Calvary’s cross.

The BLESSING? Life forevermore! Fulfilling the promise of God to Moses as Jesus being the Prophet just like Moses.

The BLESSING? Life forevermore! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten [His “One and only”] Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE.” (John 3:16).

The BLESSING? Life forevermore! When the body of believers recognizes the plan of the Father as put in place by the Son, effected on the cross, and eternally effectual through His shed blood, uniting FOREVER all those who have their faith and trust in that death, burial, and resurrection of Christ being in their place – then why wouldn’t the brethren dwell together in unity?

Is that YOUR walk with the Father?

Is that YOUR excitement about your local church?

Is that YOUR joy with your fellow brethren in the ascent, the journey with the Lord?

STUDY IN THE ASCENT PSALMS

INTRODUCTION

Today is Study #13 of our insights into the “Ascent Psalms” – Psalms 120-134!

Each one is unique, an individual, one of a kind. A visual of a pilgrim’s journey – like YOURS! Since we have started this study, have you seen how your life is a journey, a sojourning into the seemingly unknown but also in the hands of the One Who knows your path?

OUR THEME VERSE

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5 NKJV). Have you learned our theme verse yet?

TODAY WE ARE IN PSALM 132

The Eternal Dwelling of God in Zion

A Song of Ascents.

1. Lord, remember David

And all his afflictions;

2. How he swore to the Lord,

And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

3. “Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house,

Or go up to the comfort of my bed;

4. I will not give sleep to my eyes

Or slumber to my eyelids,

5. Until I find a place for the Lord,

A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6. Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;

We found it in the fields of the woods.

7. Let us go into His tabernacle;

Let us worship at His footstool.

8. Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place,

You and the ark of Your strength.

9. Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness,

And let Your saints shout for joy.

10. For Your servant David’s sake,

Do not turn away the face of Your Anointed.

11. The Lord has sworn in truth to David;

He will not turn from it:

“I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body.

12. If your sons will keep My covenant

And My testimony which I shall teach them,

Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.”

13. For the Lord has chosen Zion;

He has desired it for His dwelling place:

14. “This is My resting place forever;

Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

15. I will abundantly bless her provision;

I will satisfy her poor with bread.

16. I will also clothe her priests with salvation,

And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

17. There I will make the horn of David grow;

I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.

18. His enemies I will clothe with shame,

But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”

TITLE AND OUTLINE OF PSALM 132 (Dr. W. Graham Scroggie)

TITLE: “Prayer and Promise”

OUTLINE:

1. The Prayer of the people (vs. 1-10)

A. That the King’s resolution may be remembered (vs. 1-5)

B. That the sanctuary in Zion may be accepted (vs. 6-10)

2. The Promise of the Lord (vs. 11-18)

A. In respect of the King: the oath to David (vs. 11-12)

B. In respect of the Sanctuary: the choice of Zion (vs. 13-18)

SOME INTERESTING INSIGHTS

I was trying to remember what things I was told to remember. But I forget.

Seriously.

There were things that Mother told me to remember. And without getting remotely risqué, there was that reminder about wearing clean underwear, but I don’t remember why she told me to remember. [Was it an accident or something? I don’t remember!] And to remember that she had both the power and the authority to “send me into the middle of next week.” I’m so glad that she never remembered to do that.

But what happens when GOD HIMSELF is asked to remember something. Does God need to remember? Does God ever forget?

Well, actually He DOES forget, doesn’t He? Do you REMEMBER what He forgets? There are a good number of references, but the end of Jeremiah 31:34 will suffice: “I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will REMEMBER no more.” This is not only present for believers. In the context – as quoted in Romans 11:27 – it is a definite future promise to Israel.

Sometimes – respectfully speaking – I think the Lord has a sense of humour. Listen to the FIRST use of a form of “remember, in Genesis 8:1: “Then God REMEMBERED Noah…”. Had He forgotten about Noah and the ark? Hmm. After that pronouncement – marking 150 days that the rains and winds would subside and the earth would be dry – God makes a promise: “I will REMEMBER My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh…” (Genesis 9:15). No more would the world be completely covered/destroyed by rain [it WILL be by…fire – 2 Pet. 3:7 and elsewhere].

In an overwhelming 230 VERSES the Lord REMEMBERS the word REMEMBER! Isn’t that overwhelming?

And one day our Savior would both command and encourage the disciples in regards to the communion, “this do in REMEMBRANCE of Me.” Why would He need to use the word “REMEMBER” in that form and context? Because He knew, and He KNOWS, that His creation, well…FORGETS! In the busyness of our worlds, and in the struggles of life, we FORGET to REMEMBER that the heart of life is Jesus’ broken body and shed blood given for us at Calvary.

You ask, “WHAT does that have to do with our study in Psalm 132?” The word “remember” is the heart of this passage. Look with astonishment, awe, and wonder at verse 1, “Lord, REMEMBER David and all his afflictions.” Read that real slow, now: “Lord. Remember. David.”

Didn’t we just learn that the Lord Himself remembers in over 200 passages? Didn’t we just learn that the very first usage of “remember” was about Noah and a promise of no more world-wide destroying flood? Did we just learn that the Lord Jesus wants us to remember His sacrifice for our sins?

Isn’t that enough?

HERE’S THE HEART OF GOD: He loves us! And He loves us SO MUCH that He would include in His Word – and in particular an Ascent Psalm marking one’s direction toward the heart of God and His worship – an intimate moment between David and his amazing, faithful, loving God. DAVID! The same one who had an affair with old what’s her name! (Bathsheba, for those who forgot!). The same one who would one day flee Jerusalem because his kingdom was falling apart while under the rebellion of David’s son, Absalom. King David asks God to remember David. An intimate moment. A tender moment. David REMINDS God! He asks God to REMEMBER! Remember all I went through in my afflictions for You! Remember my heart and desire that You have a place to reside permanently in Jerusalem! Remember that I want your ark to have a permanent place of rest in a house – a temple – in the heart of the city which one day will be the center of the kingdom of the King of kings, even Your Son Whom you have promised us! Remember!

Thus the word “REMEMBER” is the heart and soul of this ascent psalm! Why is that important to us today? Why is that important to those of us who are struggling in our “ascent” to God and to His temple? Why is that such a vital word for us?

Because what do we want God to REMEMBER? His PROMISES! “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there you will be…forever!” “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” “Call unto Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know!” What are YOUR favorite promises from God’s Word?

As a result, we have the freedom and JOY to ask God to REMEMBER! Remember ME! Enjoy that freedom and joy today!

There is one other phrase that the psalmist uses in this psalm. It is “clothed with”, as seen in verses 9, 16, and 18. The scriptures would encourage the student of God’s Word to be familiar with this term, one which is used at least thirty times in The Good Book! Note the 3 uses in this psalm. Verse 9 is a prayer that God’s priests be “clothed with righteousness”. The prayer is that the priests not only have a positional righteousness – because they belong to God that is what they have. But it also is a request that the priests have a living righteousness – because that is how they should behave! Further, in verse 16, the psalmist – while speaking from the mouth of God Himself – quotes the Lord as saying that He indeed WILL clothe His priests, with salvation! And as asked in verse 9 and answered in verse 16, that answer to prayer will result in His saints indeed shouting for joy!

Are you rejoicing that you who belong to Jesus by His blood shed at Calvary are clothed with righteousness – both personal and active?

Are you overwhelmed that you are clothed with salvation – both eternal and daily?

Are you?

CONCLUDING THOUGHT

As we bring this study of Psalm 132 to a close, there is a third use of “clothed with” that should give us all an heartfelt warning. In verse 18, the psalmist gives a futuristic yet present-day promise, “His enemies I will CLOTHE WITH shame, but upon Himself His crown shall flourish.” The psalmist is an instrument of God’s promise that the enemies of His eternal plan will be clothed with shame. Perhaps the shame is realizing that, despite all the promises and hopes that the Lord Himself has offered to His creation for literally centuries – if not millennia – they have refused His offers of grace. They will eternally be labelled as “His enemies.”

But the psalmist is more personal than that. The question must be asked, “WHOSE enemies?”. Go back to verse 17, “There [in Jerusalem, upon the Throne of David]…I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.” “My Anointed”. That is “God’s anointed One”. The Hebrew is appropriately translated…aw, you knew already…MESSIAH!.

The psalmist is giving a past declaration of a present day activity of a future promise! [HEY Dr. Becker, that was pretty profound, no?]. In the past – Psalm 132 – the psalmist is declaring that in his present day the Lord Himself is promising that one day – in the future kingdom – the Savior, the promised Son of David, even the Lord Jesus, will sit upon David’s Throne in Jerusalem where He will rule and reign for a 1000 years over the world, Israel will have its promised King and kingdom.

But that promise comes with shame for all those who did not believe the promise.

How about THIS promise, in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten [His One and only] Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Have YOU believed that promise? Do you know Jesus Christ as YOUR personal Savior? OR will you be one of those whom God looks upon with shame?

Which will it be? Clothed with righteousness and salvation?

OR clothed with shame?