Bible DISCOVERY 26: When GOD speaks

 

John 15:1-3

King James Version

15 I am the true vine, 

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit 

he taketh away: 

and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, 

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word 

which I have spoken unto you.

What happens when GOD speaks?

What does He talk about?

What does He ask of us?

How are we to respond?

Here's where SPIRIT led me:

Numbers 23:19

King James Version

19 God is not a man, that he should lie; 

neither the son of man, that he should repent: 

hath he said, and shall he not do it? 

or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Numbers 23:20

King James Version

20 Behold, I have received commandment 

to bless: and he hath blessed; 

and I cannot reverse it.

Proverbs 30:5-6

King James Version

5 Every word of God is pure: 

he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

6 Add thou not unto his words, 

lest he reprove thee, 

and thou be found a liar.

Isaiah 14:24

King James Version

24 The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, 

Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; 

and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

Isaiah 14:25-27

King James Version

25 That I will break the Assyrian in my land, 

and upon my mountains tread him under foot: 

then shall his yoke depart from off them, 

and his burden depart from off their shoulders.

26 This is the purpose that is purposed 

upon the whole earth: 

and this is the hand that is stretched out 

upon all the nations.

27 For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, 

and who shall disannul it? 

and his hand is stretched out, 

and who shall turn it back?

Isaiah 40:4-5

King James Version

4 Every valley shall be exalted, 

and every mountain and hill shall be made low: 

and the crooked shall be made straight, 

and the rough places plain:

5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, 

and all flesh shall see it together: 

for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Isaiah 40:7-8

King James Version

7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: 

because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: 

surely the people is grass.

8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: 

but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Isaiah 40:25-28

King James Version

25 To whom then will ye liken me, 

or shall I be equal? 

saith the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes on high, 

and behold who hath created these things, 

that bringeth out their host by number: 

he calleth them all by names 

by the greatness of his might, 

for that he is strong in power; 

not one faileth.

27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, 

and speakest, O Israel, 

My way is hid from the Lord, 

and my judgment is passed over from my God?

28 Hast thou not known? 

hast thou not heard, 

that the everlasting God, 

the Lord, 

the Creator of the ends of the earth, 

fainteth not, neither is weary? 

there is no searching of his understanding.

Isaiah 54:16-17

King James Version

16 Behold, 

I have created the smith 

that bloweth the coals in the fire, 

and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; 

and I have created the waster to destroy.

17 No weapon that is formed against thee 

shall prosper; 

and every tongue that shall rise against thee 

in judgment thou shalt condemn. 

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, 

and their righteousness is of me, 

saith the Lord.

Isaiah 58:13-14

King James Version

13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, 

from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; 

and call the sabbath a delight, 

the holy of the Lord, honourable; 

and shalt honour him, 

not doing thine own ways, 

nor finding thine own pleasure, 

nor speaking thine own words:

14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; 

and I will cause thee to ride 

upon the high places of the earth, 

and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: 

for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Ezekiel 12:26-28

King James Version

26 Again the word of the Lord 

came to me, saying.

27 Son of man, behold, 

they of the house of Israel say, 

The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, 

and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.

28 Therefore say unto them, 

Thus saith the Lord God; 

There shall none of my words 

be prolonged any more, 

but the word which I have spoken shall be done, 

saith the Lord God.

Ezekiel 17:24

King James Version

24 And all the trees of the field shall know 

that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, 

have exalted the low tree, 

have dried up the green tree, 

and have made the dry tree to flourish: 

I the Lord have spoken and have done it.

Ezekiel 24:14

King James Version

14 I the Lord have spoken it: 

it shall come to pass, 

and I will do it; 

I will not go back, 

neither will I spare, 

neither will I repent; 

according to thy ways, 

and according to thy doings, 

shall they judge thee, 

saith the Lord God.

Matthew 1:20-23

King James Version

20 But while he thought on these things, 

behold, the angel of the Lord 

appeared unto him in a dream, saying, 

Joseph, thou son of David, 

fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: 

for that which is conceived in her 

is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, 

and thou shalt call his name Jesus: 

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, 

that it might be fulfilled 

which was spoken of the Lord 

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, 

a virgin shall be with child, 

and shall bring forth a son, 

and they shall call his name Emmanuel, 

which being interpreted is, 

God with us.

Matthew 18:3

King James Version

3 And said, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Except ye be converted, 

and become as little children,

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 1:15

King James Version

15 And saying, 

The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand: 

repent ye, 

and believe the gospel.

Mark 12:29-31

King James Version

29 And Jesus answered him, 

The first of all the commandments is, 

Hear, O Israel; 

The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God 

with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind, 

and with all thy strength: 

this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

There is none other commandment 

greater than these.

Matthew 22:40

King James Version

40 On these two commandments 

hang all the law and the prophets.

Luke 21:33

King James Version

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: 

but my words shall not pass away.

John 1:1

King James Version

1 In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God.

John 1:14

King James Version

14 And the Word was made flesh, 

and dwelt among us, 

(and we beheld his glory, 

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) 

full of grace and truth.

John 1:17

King James Version

17 For the law was given by Moses, 

but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 3:3-7

King James Version

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born again, 

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, 

How can a man be born when he is old? 

can he enter the second time 

into his mother's womb, 

and be born?

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

John 6:63

King James Version

63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; 

the flesh profiteth nothing: 

the words that I speak unto you, 

they are spirit, 

and they are life.

John 6:65-68

King James Version

65 And he said, 

Therefore said I unto you, 

that no man can come unto me, 

except it were given unto him of my Father.

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, 

and walked no more with him.

67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, 

Will ye also go away?

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, 

Lord, to whom shall we go? 

thou hast the words of eternal life.

John 8:24

King James Version

24 I said therefore unto you, 

that ye shall die in your sins: 

for if ye believe not that I am he, 

ye shall die in your sins.

John 10:30

King James Version

30 I and my Father are one.

John 12:44-46

King James Version

44 Jesus cried and said, 

He that believeth on me, believeth not on me,

 but on him that sent me.

45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

46 I am come a light into the world, 

that whosoever believeth on me 

should not abide in darkness.

John 12:47-48

King James Version

47 And if any man hear my words, 

and believe not, I judge him not: 

for I came not to judge the world, 

but to save the world.

48 He that rejecteth me, 

and receiveth not my words, 

hath one that judgeth him: 

the word that I have spoken, 

the same shall judge him in the last day.

John 12:49-50

King James Version

49 For I have not spoken of myself; 

but the Father which sent me, 

he gave me a commandment, 

what I should say, and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment 

is life everlasting: 

whatsoever I speak therefore, 

even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

John 14:1-3

King James Version

14 Let not your heart be troubled: 

ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: 

if it were not so, I would have told you. 

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, 

I will come again, and receive you unto myself; 

that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 15:10-11

King James Version

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.

John 16:12-14

King James Version

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, 

but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, 

he will guide you into all truth: 

for he shall not speak of himself; 

but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: 

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: 

for he shall receive of mine, 

and shall shew it unto you.

John 16:32-33

King James Version

32 Behold, the hour cometh, 

yea, is now come, 

that ye shall be scattered, 

every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: 

and yet I am not alone, 

because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken unto you, 

that in me ye might have peace. 

In the world ye shall have tribulation: 

but be of good cheer; 

I have overcome the world.

John 17:17

King James Version

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: 

thy word is truth.

Acts 1:6-9

King James Version

6 When they therefore were come together, 

they asked of him, saying, 

Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again 

the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, 

It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, 

which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, 

after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: 

and ye shall be witnesses unto me 

both in Jerusalem, 

and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, 

and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, 

while they beheld, he was taken up; 

and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Colossians 3:16

King James Version

16 Let the word of Christ 

dwell in you richly in all wisdom; 

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms 

and hymns and spiritual songs, 

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

2 Timothy 3:15-17

King James Version

15 And that from a child thou 

hast known the holy scriptures, 

which are able to make thee wise unto salvation 

through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 

and is profitable for doctrine, 

for reproof, 

for correction, 

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, 

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Hebrews 4:12

King James Version

12 For the word of God is quick, 

and powerful, 

and sharper than any twoedged sword, 

piercing even to the dividing asunder 

of soul and spirit, 

and of the joints and marrow, 

and is a discerner of the thoughts 

and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 12:24-26

King James Version

24 And to Jesus 

the mediator of the new covenant, 

and to the blood of sprinkling, 

that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. 

For if they escaped not 

who refused him that spake on earth, 

much more shall not we escape, 

if we turn away from him 

that speaketh from heaven:

26 Whose voice then shook the earth: 

but now he hath promised, saying, 

Yet once more I shake not the earth only, 

but also heaven.

Hebrews 13:8

King James Version

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, 

and to day, and for ever.

Revelation 1:1-3

King James Version

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, 

which God gave unto him, 

to shew unto his servants 

things which must shortly come to pass; 

and he sent and signified it by his angel 

unto his servant John:

2 Who bare record of the word of God, 

and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, 

and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that readeth, 

and they that hear the words of this prophecy, 

and keep those things which are written therein: 

for the time is at hand.

Revelation 1:8

King James Version

8 I am Alpha and Omega, 

the beginning and the ending, 

saith the Lord, which is, 

and which was, 

and which is to come, 

the Almighty.

Revelation 1:10-11

King James Version

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, 

and heard behind me a great voice, 

as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, 

I am Alpha and Omega, 

the first and the last: and, 

What thou seest, write in a book, 

and send it unto the seven churches 

which are in Asia; 

unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, 

and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, 

and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, 

and unto Laodicea.

Revelation 1:12-16

King James Version

12 And I turned to see the voice 

that spake with me. 

And being turned, 

I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks 

one like unto the Son of man, 

clothed with a garment down to the foot, 

and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, 

as white as snow; 

and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15 And his feet like unto fine brass, 

as if they burned in a furnace; 

and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: 

and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: 

and his countenance was as the sun shineth 

in his strength.

Revelation 1:17-20

King James Version

17 And when I saw him, 

I fell at his feet as dead. 

And he laid his right hand upon me, 

saying unto me, 

Fear not; 

I am the first and the last:

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; 

and, behold, I am alive for evermore,

Amen; 

and have the keys of hell and of death.

19 Write the things which thou hast seen, 

and the things which are, 

and the things which shall be hereafter;

20 The mystery of the seven stars 

which thou sawest in my right hand, 

and the seven golden candlesticks. 

The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: 

and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest 

are the seven churches.

Revelation 19:13

King James Version

13 And he was clothed 

with a vesture dipped in blood: 

and his name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 22:7

King James Version

7 Behold, 

I come quickly: 

blessed is he that keepeth 

the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:12-13

King James Version

12 And, behold, 

I come quickly; 

and my reward is with me, 

to give every man 

according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega, 

the beginning and the end, 

the first and the last.

Revelation 22:16

King James Version

16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you 

these things in the churches. 

I am the root and the offspring of David, 

and the bright and morning star.

Revelation 22:20

King James Version

20 He which testifieth these things saith, 

Surely I come quickly. Amen. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

When the LORD speaks, we should tremble.

For His WORDS are full of grace, truth, and power.

We are to take GOD's WORDS seriously.

We must listen to His commands.

For therein lies our salvation.

Related posts:

When GOD shouts

God's VOICE

WORD of GOD

SOUL-saving WORD

FEAR the LORD verses

SPIRIT of GOD

On PROPHETS

Image: Clipart Library

Bible DISCOVERY 25: GOD and WISDOM

 

WISDOM speaks:

Proverbs 8:22

King James Version

22 The Lord possessed me 

in the beginning of his way, 

before his works of old.

A curious verse, this one.

The thing about WISDOM.

She declares:

"The Lord possessed me 

in the beginning of his way"

What did "The Lord possessed me" mean?

I turn to other Bible versions for clarity.

Proverbs 8:22

Amplified Bible

22 “The Lord created and possessed me at the beginning of His way,

Before His works of old [were accomplished].

Proverbs 8:22

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

22 The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old.

Proverbs 8:22

Common English Bible

22 The Lord created me at the beginning of his way,

    before his deeds long in the past.

Proverbs 8:22

Complete Jewish Bible

22 “Adonai made me as the beginning of his way,

the first of his ancient works.

Proverbs 8:22

Contemporary English Version

22 From the beginning,

    I was with the Lord.[a]

I was there before he began.

Proverbs 8:22

Easy-to-Read Version

22 “The Lord made me in the beginning,

    long before he did anything else.

Proverbs 8:22

Expanded Bible

22 “The Lord ·begot [or acquired; possessed] me ·when he began his work [L at the beginning of his path],

    long before he made anything else.

Proverbs 8:22

GOD’S WORD Translation

Wisdom as Creator

22 “The Lord already possessed me long ago,

when his way began,

before any of his works.

Proverbs 8:22

Good News Translation

22 “The Lord created me first of all,

    the first of his works, long ago.

Proverbs 8:22

Holman Christian Standard Bible

22 “The Lord made[a] me

at the beginning of His creation,[b]

before His works of long ago.

Proverbs 8:22

International Children’s Bible

22 “I, wisdom, was with God when he began his work.

    This was before he made anything else long ago.

Proverbs 8:22

International Standard Version

The Agelessness of Wisdom

22 “The Lord made me as he began his planning,[a]

    before his ancient activity commenced.

Proverbs 8:22

Living Bible

22 The Lord formed me in the beginning, before he created anything else.

Proverbs 8:22-31

The Message

22 “God sovereignly made me—the first, the basic—

    before he did anything else.

Proverbs 8:22

Names of God Bible

Wisdom as Creator

22 “Yahweh already possessed me long ago,

    when his way began,

        before any of his works.

Proverbs 8:22

New American Bible (Revised Edition)

22 [a]“The Lord begot me, the beginning of his works,

    the forerunner of his deeds of long ago;

Proverbs 8:22

New Catholic Bible

By the Side of the God of the Origins[a]

22 “The Lord created me as the firstborn of his ways,

    before the oldest of his works.

Proverbs 8:22

New Century Version

22 “I, wisdom, was with the Lord when he began his work,

    long before he made anything else.

Proverbs 8:22

New International Reader's Version

22 “The Lord created me as the first of his works,

    before his acts of long ago.

Proverbs 8:22

New International Version

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[a][b]

    before his deeds of old;

Proverbs 8:22

New Life Version

22 “The Lord made me at the beginning of His work, before His first works long ago.

Proverbs 8:22

New Living Translation

22 “The Lord formed me from the beginning,

    before he created anything else.

Proverbs 8:22

Tree of Life Version

Wisdom Before Creation

22 “Adonai brought me forth,

the first of His way,

before His works of old.

Proverbs 8:22

The Voice

22     The Eternal created me; it happened when His work was beginning,

        one of His first acts long ago.

Proverbs 8:22

Wycliffe Bible

22 The Lord wielded me in the beginning of his ways (The Lord created me at the beginning of his ways); before that he made anything, (yea,) at the (very) beginning.

In SUMMARY, "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way" means:

The Lord created and possessed me -- Before His works of old [were accomplished].

The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth -- before His acts of old

The Lord created me -- before his deeds long in the past

Adonai made me -- the first of his ancient works

I was with the Lord -- I was there before he began

The Lord made me -- long before he did anything else

The Lord ·begot [or acquired; possessed] me -- long before he made anything else

The Lord already possessed me long ago -- before any of his works

The Lord created me -- the first of his works, long ago

The Lord made[a] me -- before His works of long ago

I, wisdom, was with God -- This was before he made anything else long ago.

The Lord made me -- before his ancient activity commenced

The Lord formed me -- before he created anything else

God sovereignly made me—the first, the basic -- before he did anything else

Yahweh already possessed me long ago --  before any of his works

The Lord begot me -- the forerunner of his deeds of long ago

The Lord created me as the firstborn of his ways -- before the oldest of his works

I, wisdom, was with the Lord -- long before he made anything else

The Lord created me as the first of his works -- before his acts of long ago

The Lord brought me forth -- before his deeds of old

The Lord made me at the beginning of His work -- before His first works long ago

The Lord formed me -- before he created anything else

Adonai brought me forth, the first of His way -- before His works of old

The Eternal created me -- one of His first acts long ago

The Lord wielded me -- before that he made anything, (yea,) at the (very) beginning

WISDOM was "set up from everlasting", according to Scripture:

Proverbs 8:23-31

King James Version

23 I was set up from everlasting, 

from the beginning, 

or ever the earth was.

24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; 

when there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled, 

before the hills was I brought forth:

26 While as yet he had not made the earth, 

nor the fields, 

nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: 

when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

28 When he established the clouds above: 

when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

29 When he gave to the sea his decree, 

that the waters should not pass his commandment: 

when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

30 Then I was by him, 

as one brought up with him: 

and I was daily his delight, 

rejoicing always before him;

31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; 

and my delights were with the sons of men.

Related material:

GOD's WISDOM

WISDOM above gold

Image: Clipart Library

GOD is HOLY

 

Psalm 103:1

King James Version

103 Bless the Lord, 

O my soul: 

and all that is within me, 

bless his holy name.

What makes GOD holy?

What does Scripture say?

Plenty -- through these verses:

Leviticus 11:44

King James Version

44 For I am the Lord your God: 

ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, 

and ye shall be holy; 

for I am holy: 

neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner 

of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Leviticus 11:45

King James Version

45 For I am the Lord 

that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, 

to be your God: 

ye shall therefore be holy, 

for I am holy.

Leviticus 19:2

King James Version

2 Speak unto all the congregation 

of the children of Israel, 

and say unto them, 

Ye shall be holy: 

for I the Lord your God am holy.

1 Samuel 2:2

King James Version

2 There is none holy as the Lord: 

for there is none beside thee: 

neither is there any rock like our God.

Psalm 99:2-3

King James Version

2 The Lord is great in Zion; 

and he is high above all the people.

3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; 

for it is holy.

Psalm 99:5

King James Version

5 Exalt ye the Lord our God, 

and worship at his footstool; 

for he is holy.

Psalm 99:9

King James Version

9 Exalt the Lord our God, 

and worship at his holy hill; 

for the Lord our God is holy.

Isaiah 6:1-3

King James Version

6 In the year that king Uzziah died 

I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, 

high and lifted up, 

and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims: 

each one had six wings; 

with twain he covered his face, 

and with twain he covered his feet, 

and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, 

and said, 

Holy, holy, holy, 

is the Lord of hosts: 

the whole earth is full of his glory.

Isaiah 57:15

King James Version

15 For thus saith the high and lofty One 

that inhabiteth eternity, 

whose name is Holy; 

I dwell in the high and holy place, 

with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, 

to revive the spirit of the humble, 

and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

1 Peter 1:15-16

King James Version

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, 

so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, 

Be ye holy; 

for I am holy.

Revelation 4:8

King James Version

8 And the four beasts had each of them 

six wings about him; 

and they were full of eyes within: 

and they rest not day and night, 

saying, 

Holy, holy, holy, 

Lord God Almighty, 

which was, 

and is, 

and is to come.

This article sprung from a previous article SPIRIT and I wrote moments ago, "SPIRIT-filled ministers".

Wherein all our efforts as ministers, teachers, and servants, must be towards GOD's GLORY alone.

Something man so often forgets.

No thanks to the enemy.

But a born again knows.

And remembers.

Related posts:

SPIRIT-filled ministers

REVIVING a CHURCH

BORN AGAIN articles

Image: Pixabay

The INTEGRITY of GOD's HEART

 

2 Peter 3:9

King James Version

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

 as some men count slackness; 

but is longsuffering to us-ward, 

not willing that any should perish, 

but that all should come to repentance.

How much does GOD love us?

How much patience has He borne?

How has He shown His love?

In one magnificent chapter, you shall know.

Whether Jew, or Gentile, GOD's LOVE applies to us all.

Psalm 78

King James Version

78 Give ear, O my people, to my law: 

incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth in a parable: 

I will utter dark sayings of old:

3 Which we have heard and known, 

and our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children, 

shewing to the generation to come 

the praises of the Lord, 

and his strength, 

and his wonderful works that he hath done.

5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, 

and appointed a law in Israel, 

which he commanded our fathers, 

that they should make them known to their children:

6 That the generation to come might know them, 

even the children which should be born; 

who should arise and declare them to their children:

7 That they might set their hope in God, 

and not forget the works of God, 

but keep his commandments:

8 And might not be as their fathers, 

a stubborn and rebellious generation; 

a generation that set not their heart aright, 

and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

9 The children of Ephraim, 

being armed, and carrying bows, 

turned back in the day of battle.

10 They kept not the covenant of God, 

and refused to walk in his law;

11 And forgat his works, 

and his wonders that he had shewed them.

12 Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, 

in the land of Egypt, 

in the field of Zoan.

13 He divided the sea, 

and caused them to pass through; 

and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

14 In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, 

and all the night with a light of fire.

15 He clave the rocks in the wilderness, 

and gave them drink as out of the great depths.

16 He brought streams also out of the rock, 

and caused waters to run down like rivers.

17 And they sinned yet more against him 

by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

18 And they tempted God in their heart 

by asking meat for their lust.

19 Yea, they spake against God; 

they said, 

Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

20 Behold, he smote the rock,

that the waters gushed out, 

and the streams overflowed; 

can he give bread also? 

can he provide flesh for his people?

21 Therefore the Lord heard this, 

and was wroth: 

so a fire was kindled against Jacob, 

and anger also came up against Israel;

22 Because they believed not in God, 

and trusted not in his salvation:

23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, 

and opened the doors of heaven,

24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, 

and had given them of the corn of heaven.

25 Man did eat angels' food: 

he sent them meat to the full.

26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: 

and by his power he brought in the south wind.

27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, 

and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:

28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, 

round about their habitations.

29 So they did eat, 

and were well filled: 

for he gave them their own desire;

30 They were not estranged from their lust. 

But while their meat was yet in their mouths,

31 The wrath of God came upon them, 

and slew the fattest of them, 

and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

32 For all this they sinned still, 

and believed not for his wondrous works.

33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, 

and their years in trouble.

34 When he slew them, 

then they sought him: 

and they returned and enquired early after God.

35 And they remembered that God was their rock, 

and the high God their redeemer.

36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, 

and they lied unto him with their tongues.

37 For their heart was not right with him, 

neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

38 But he, 

being full of compassion, 

forgave their iniquity, 

and destroyed them not: 

yea, many a time turned he his anger away, 

and did not stir up all his wrath.

39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; 

a wind that passeth away, 

and cometh not again.

40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, 

and grieve him in the desert!

41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, 

and limited the Holy One of Israel.

42 They remembered not his hand, 

nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, 

and his wonders in the field of Zoan.

44 And had turned their rivers into blood; 

and their floods, that they could not drink.

45 He sent divers sorts of flies among them, 

which devoured them; 

and frogs, which destroyed them.

46 He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, 

and their labour unto the locust.

47 He destroyed their vines with hail, 

and their sycomore trees with frost.

48 He gave up their cattle also to the hail, 

and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.

49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, 

wrath, and indignation, and trouble, 

by sending evil angels among them.

50 He made a way to his anger; 

he spared not their soul from death, 

but gave their life over to the pestilence;

51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; 

the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, 

and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

53 And he led them on safely, 

so that they feared not: 

but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, 

even to this mountain, 

which his right hand had purchased.

55 He cast out the heathen also before them, 

and divided them an inheritance by line, 

and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, 

and kept not his testimonies:

57 But turned back,

 and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: 

they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, 

and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

59 When God heard this, he was wroth, 

and greatly abhorred Israel:

60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, 

the tent which he placed among men;

61 And delivered his strength into captivity, 

and his glory into the enemy's hand.

62 He gave his people over also unto the sword; 

and was wroth with his inheritance.

63 The fire consumed their young men; 

and their maidens were not given to marriage.

64 Their priests fell by the sword; 

and their widows made no lamentation.

65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, 

and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: 

he put them to a perpetual reproach.

67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, 

and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:

68 But chose the tribe of Judah, 

the mount Zion which he loved.

69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces,

 like the earth which he hath established for ever.

70 He chose David also his servant, 

and took him from the sheepfolds:

71 From following the ewes great with young 

he brought him to feed Jacob his people, 

and Israel his inheritance.

72 So he fed them 

according to the integrity of his heart; 

and guided them 

by the skilfulness of his hands.

Why was GOD so patient, and merciful, with man?

These particular verses say it best:

Psalm 78:38-39

King James Version

38 But he, being full of compassion, 

forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: 

yea, many a time turned he his anger away, 

and did not stir up all his wrath.

39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; 

a wind that passeth away, 

and cometh not again.

The same chapter reveals man's nature, in huge contrast to GOD's:

Psalm 78:40-41

King James Version

40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, 

and grieve him in the desert!

41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, 

and limited the Holy One of Israel.

How we limit GOD's power!

We have no idea His power.

But these links speak of it:

GOD's LOVE

GOD's GRACE

GOD's MERCY

GOD's TRUTH

GOD's GLORY

GOD's POWER

GOD's WRATH

Related material:

The HEART of GOD

Man's TRUE nature

When man forsakes GOD

When GOD turns away from us

Scripture source: biblegateway.com

Image: Wallpaper Safari