August 18, 2023

The Bible Edge

Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have a Bible Edge

August 18

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 23-25

Jeremiah 23:5

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jesus Christ is the True Shepherd of Israel and all the saved today. Jeremiah spoke of Him, calling Him the righteous Branch in verse 5. In verse 6, he called Him, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. In Hebrew this name is Jehovah Tsidkenu.

Of this Branch the prophet tells his audience that He will be of the royal House of David, He will be a King, He shall reign, He shall prosper, He shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. This, through Christ, has been done, is being done, and will be done. It especially seems to point to His mighty work of Conqueror as revealed in the last book of our Bible.

Yet, in verse 7 it is disclosed that there will come a time when people will no longer say The Lord liveth... In the sixties there was the “God is dead” proclamation that infiltrated the consciousness of the world. It seems the root of this movement has blossomed into quite an unsatisfactory harvest over the years.

Yet, then in verse 8 it is conclusively stated: But, The Lord liveth…

I do not know if he wrote it, but Dr. Raymond Barber has certainly championed this tremendous poem.

God is dead, the theologian said.

I know He’s not; I spoke with Him today.

Dead, never to live again they claim,

But alive to save through His dear Son’s name.

Alive, Alive, let it be said,

God will be living when the theologians are dead.

That pretty much sums it up. The Lord liveth!

Until tomorrow, live for Christ today.

William T. Howe, Ph.D.