June 24, 1999, Thursday

Are most great cities near great waterways, rivers or

by the sea? If you could choose a city to live, what

would be your first preference? Would you want to live

in a city that was trembling frequently from earthquakes?

The Psalmist tells us that like the river Shiloh that

passed through Jerusalem, the grace and comfort of the

Holy Spirit flow through the Church to bring joy and

gladness to the Believers/Disciples living by His Word-

"There is a river that brings joy to the city of God,

to the sacred house of the Most High" (Psa 46:4). Even

though the river was small, it was appointed by God to

be completely sufficient. The Most High God can make

the smallest portions be sufficient for us!

The Writer to the Hebrews explained differences between

the New Jerusalem and Gospel and the old smoking mountain

that no one dare to touch because of the holy law there-

"But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the

living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of

angels" (Heb 12:22). The most holy person would despair

at the responsibility before God of maintaining the laws.

However with Jesus as our mediator, the Gospel averts a

judgment from a God of wrath and fury. The new covenant

with Jesus pleads mercy and pardon rather than vengeance.

Since we may now approach God with a pardon, we may find

power from the Holy Spirit to fulfill His requirements.

Jeremiah made many attempts to persuade his own people

to repent from their ways and believe in the Most High

God to trust in His mercy and fogiveness. He warned them

of the dangers of believing in other sources for hope--

"But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and

the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, And

the nations cannot endure His indignation" (Jer 10:10).

Only faith in the true God can be a true source of hope

for a higher and holier way.

Let us remember who has the higher and safer way.

God's Name is Jehová Elyon. His thoughts and ways

are higher than ours. He has the solution to every

problem that we face. That solution and way can be

yours today as well. You can go to the safe place

and dwell with the Most High God today, for He has a

refuge for you! Lift your hands to Him today for

His higher way. Trust Him and Praise Him Today for

a higher and better way!