June 03, 1999, Thursday

Would you think that there are many benefits to the person

that is poor? Would you think that the poor would have any

special privileges because of where they lived? Would you

have difficulty believing a promise if you could not see

the item that you were promised?

The Scripture tells us that Israel was proud and rich

but was carried away to slavery. God allowed His own

chosen temple and city to be destroyed, for the power

of the spiritual life in God had left them. Ironically

the new authority allowed the poor to remain in their

own land freely working. God controls all authorities-

"But the captain of the guard left some of the poor of

the land as vinedressers and farmers" (2Kings 25:12).

The Captain of the Lord of the Hosts of heaven controls

all earthly captains. He moves and changes their hearts

like one would move water in his hand!

Ezekiel the prophet declared that God spoke to him about

the attitude of Israel. Israel was in control by another

conqueror, but believed that the promises of God would

still hold true to them. The poor that remained in the

land were in error to believe that His promise would be

true if they would not be bound by His commandments. It

became their way of thinking that God would bless them-

"Abraham was only one, yet he possessed the land; so to

us who are many the land has been given as a possession"

(Eze 33:24). God's instruction to Ezekiel was to inform

Israel that a requirement for God's blessing is a promise

to God to follow Him and repent from sin.

Stephen preached to the Jews about God's promise to the

first patriarch Abraham. Even though Abraham was a strong

conqueror in battles, Abraham did not receive the promise

and blessing of the promised land during his own lifetime-

"And He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of

ground; and yet, even when he had no child, He promised

that He would give it to him as a possession, and to his

offspring after him" (Acts 7:5). Unfortunately the message

was not well received and Stephen was killed by those that

listened. The message of Stephen was intended to convince

Israel of the need for internal change of heart and mind.

Abraham recognized God as his true conqueror over an old

sinful nature and found free pardon, grace with his faith!

Let us remember the God that is our Captain. God's name

is Jehová Sabaoth. He is the God who is the Captain and

Lord of The Hosts of Heaven. He is the Mighty Conqueror

over all of His enemies. He is mighty in battle and able to

lead His Host to victory. Lift your hands to Him and Praise

Him today for the fact that He is the God who is our Captain

that leads us to our victory! He teaches us to overcome!