Pastor’s Corner

Trivia:

Way to go everyone you all got this one right. The chocolate bar famously called “The great American chocolate bar” is the Hershey’s Bar”. However, you may not know why it is called a chocolate bar rather than a candy bar. That is because in the rest of the English speaking nations (Canada & England) they are known as a chocolate bar not a candy bar. Having spent four years in Canada if you ask for a Hershey’s candy bar at the store they will not what you’re asking for.

Which of these famous American pioneers are known for pioneering aviation? Jonas Salk; Orville Wright; Steve Jobs; Ray Charles?

Challenge:

Psalm 115:1-11 “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. 2 Why let the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in the heavens, and He does as He wishes. 4 Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. 5 They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. 6 They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. 7 They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. 8 And those who make idols are just like them, and are all who trust in them. 9 O Israel, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. 10 O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. 11 All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.”

It is important for us to remember that this is the third of the Halal (Praise) Psalms. Remember, these were sung at the three important national feasts each year.

Passover — Passover was the time where those who believed in our Lord’s blood being shed for us on the cross, one day, However, in Egypt it was (where the angel of death passed over the homes of those that had obediently place the blood of the lamb on the door posts) If they failed to do this their eldest children and flocks would be struck by death of the angel.

Pentecost — Pentecost (where the children of Israel sacrificed to the Lord the first fruits of the harvest recorded in Leviticus 23:9-16) This was the sacrifice that they offered to God upon entering the land of promise. Before they even knew what the harvest would be, the grain offering of first fruits. When they entered the land of promise, God promised that if they made this offering before the Lord, He would multiply the harvest that the godless people before them had planted.

This same principle is spoken of in Leviticus 23:10 it is spoken of as the offering that the people gave to God upon entering the land “the offering of first fruits”. This was a faith offering of the people taking God’s promise of enriching this crop, this first fruits offering was given before they even knew what their harvest would be. This by the way is reffered to also in a New Testament concept of giving an offering trusting God to multiply our increase. It is referred to today as a faith offering. (We see it spoken of in Romans 11:16; James 1:18; Revelation 14:4)

Tabernacles — Tabernacles (booths) which was the reminder of God’s care for Israel as they journeyed across the wilderness to the Promised Land. This was a time when the families left the comfort of their homes and lived in a tent or booth to reflect on God’s faithful protection and provision as they placed their total faith in God traveling to the Promised Land.

This Psalm was written by Judah’s king, Jehoshaphat when he reflected on God deliverance that is recorded in 2 Chronicles 20. Take the time to read this event when God accomplished the impossible. It recounts for us as to why we should place our confidence in God’s provision throughout our lives. 2 Chronicles 20:15 “Listen all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

SO GO WITH GOD. we have a whole myriad of accounts in the Bible to demonstrate to us just why we should be confident in God’s many promises to take care of us. The Jewish people would sing these Psalms each of these holidays in order to bolster their faith & confidence in their eternal, All-Powerful God. So we should do the same, rejoice in our God and His many continuous fulfillments in our lives each day. “Wait, I say, on the Lord!”