Waiting on God Can Yield Incredible Dividends

The responsibility of gods is to take care of their followers.  That care or lack thereof speaks volumes about a given god.  King David spoke of the God of Israel in this way, “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation” (Psalm 68:19; 103:2; 116:12)!  He also said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).

God has some responsibility here!  So do we!  It’s called a covenant relationship [each has a part to play].  Jesus was getting at man’s part when He said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not the thing which I say” (Luke 6:46)?  Jesus was mystified that folk didn’t understand God is after a relationship.

Was not the importance of relationship the issue when Jesus underscored the difference between Mary and Martha?  This was when Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus and Martha was scurrying about the business of entertaining Jesus and the group with Him.  After appealing to Jesus to chide Mary in to helping her, Jesus gave Martha a shocking reply, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

So—You Have to Wait on God!

If Mary waited on Jesus, is it too much for us to wait on God?  Part of that waiting may be an issue of timing, clarification of objective, or purification of motive.  All the while you’re keeping company with the great King of the Universe, is that so bad?

Consider this.  A primary factor issuing in the great Argentine Revival of the latter half of the 1900’s was five people waiting on God for five evenings, 8 p.m. to midnight.  A missionary, one of the five, said they were to say nothing, do nothing, and only wait on God.  After the end of the first session, the small group was quizzed, “Did you hear anything from God?”  The wife of the one couple said, “I think God said for me to strike the table.”  The lady refused to do it.  The same scene played out for four additional nights with the same message and the same unwillingness of the lady to strike the table.  The missionary said, “Well, we will all strike the table.”  So they did, but nothing happened until the lady to whom the message had been repeatedly given, struck the table.  God said, “Now that you have demonstrated faithfulness and obedience, I have a people and can do what I want to do.”

An Argentine Connection

From that, God spoke to an obscure evangelist in Washington State and told him to get on a plane to Argentina and there pray for the healing of Juan Peron.  The evangelist did just that, praying a healing prayer first for an intermediary of Juan Peron’s, then for Peron himself. That opened the way for the evangelist to have made available the largest soccer stadium in Argentina.  There thousands upon thousands were healed and waves of revival swept across the nation.  It even touched America through the evangelist, Steve Hill, who had gone to Argentina to see what was going on.  Steve Hill would then be the evangelist who was used in the mighty revival at Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida.

Why not gather four of your friends to wait on God, say—for five nights, 8 p.m. to midnight, and perhaps become the catalyst bringing mighty change to your state, region or nation?  Why Not?

Elements of a Victorious Christian Life

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”  - (Jeremiah 29:11).

1.       BEGIN THE DAY WITH A PROCLAMATION
“This is the day which the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
“The steps of a good man (woman) are ordered by the Lord. . .(Psalm 37:23).
2.       DON’T LIMIT GOD
“I can do all things, through Christ, who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
3.       CONTROL YOUR TONGUE
There is blessing and cursing in the tongue.  Choose blessing.
“Those who say they can and those who say they can’t are both right” – Henry Ford.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).
Prayer:  “Lord, I desire to be positive in all my thinking.  Please give me the power to focus my attention on the good around me, even if my circumstances are bad.  Amen.”                               
4.       PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCE
Concentrate on how Big God is—not on how Big the problem is.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
5.       RESIST THE DEVIL
“Therefore submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
When you find yourself getting into trouble put your hand in the air and say:  “I loose myself from a spirit of _________________ (self-pity, addiction, anxiety, anger, fear, etc.) and I loose myself to do the will of God.”
“No weapon formed against me shall prosper and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord…” (Isaiah 54:17).
6.       DON’T TEMPT GOD
Don’t see how far you can go and get away with a thing.  That leads to deception.  Don’t deceive yourself.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).
So you sin—confess it—turn away from it.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
7.       HAVE FAITH
The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character—that He is who He says He is.  The end point is believing in God’s promises—that He will do what He says.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
                     FEAR______________________________________________FAITH
               (Negative believing)                                                                    (Positive believing)
                                                                 BELIEVING
                        Faith and Fear take the same energy to believe—choose Faith.
8.     BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
An experience subsequent to salvation.  "But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you. . ." (Acts 1:8a).

            

 

               

Hurting In Order to Heal

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the Law of your God, I also will forget your children" (Hosea 4:6).

How painful, how painful is this scripture but it's not unlike having to re-break a bone that improperly healed, in order that proper healing proceed.  Hosea is saying God's people are destroyed (gone into captivity) for lack of knowledge.  Let's look at three points where we are "destroyed", in order that our captivity be destroyed.

1) Ignorance of the Word of God.  That's like being ignorant of the provisions of a will detailing a person's inheritance.  Only what you know of the Word of God does you any good.  Its provisions can only be activated by faith.  If you don't know the Word, what does your faith have to act upon?

2) Ignorance of the Body of Christ.  We don't understand the nature of Covenant and how its requirements begin with our being part of a "body" and our finding and maintaining our place therein.  This lack causes some to be weak and sickly and others to have died prematurely (I. Corinthians 11:30), all having to do with discerning the Body of Christ (not just communion).  When you are sick, you need to have elders (James 5:14,15) who can pray for you in faith.  Too many congregations are still fighting the battle over praying for healing, being willing only to pray, "If it be thy will."  That kind of praying is without faith and requires absolutely no response from God.  Is not healing a part of what was made available to us by what Jesus suffered, especially in light of what Peter said in I Peter 2:24b, "by whose (His) stripes you were healed"?

Many haven't found the right "body"; but of those who have, many have not found their place within the body.  This accounts for some of the movement of people from one church to another--they are trying to find their place.

3) Wholesale ignorance of God's plan for His redeemed people to reign with Christ upon the earth.  Instead thinking heaven is the ultimate goal of God's people.  This ignorance causes people to discount the present-day training process that is designed to make us like Christ Himself (Romans 8:29).  This is to prepare us to rule and reign with Him in this life (Romans 5:17) and in the life to come (II Timothy 2:12).  It further causes us to miss the fact that God wants to do things that are beyond our imagining, to reveal His greatness and glory (I. Corinthians 2:9). 

Let us be wounded that we may be healed.

Christians are a Covenant People

The closest and most common parallel we have with "covenant" today is marriage, with its understanding that the "two become one"; "all things are held in common"; "the enemies of one become the enemies of the other:; and it's supposed to be "until death do us part".  Because of what's happening to the institution of marriage, with too easy divorce, Christians are developing an increasing shallow concept of their relationship with God.  To speak of being "saved" or "making a decision for Christ" is almost to make mockery of the depth of the relationship  available to us with God through covenant, with its corresponding requirements.

As covenant people (please understand, as Gentiles, we are "grafted into" the covenant Israel had with God, see Romans 11:17-24), what belongs to God belongs to us.  On the Cross a divine exchange took place.  Christ took upon Himself our sins, we took His righteousness.  He took our diseases, we took His health.  He took all our lack, we took His all-sufficiency.  He took our death, we took His life.  This list becomes extensive and there is scripture to support every transfer.  Full understanding of this process concludes with our being "one with and in Christ".  Ultimately, as Christ was in the earth, so are we to be.  Where Israel had once know "the truth" and turned away from it, we must learn it and then walk in it.

Come, let us learn of Covenant and walk together with one another and with God.

Getting a "Grip" on Covenant

It is time we Gentiles learn that the whole of the Scriptures have been written for our benefit “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the [Old Testament] Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

A principal reason for studying the writings of the Old Testament prophets is to learn of the nature and character of God which “changes not”.  Also, study of  the “Torah”, the first five books of the Bible, yields clear understanding of the nature of “covenant” which defines the believer’s relationship with Jehovah God which began with Abraham and was “updated” in Jesus’ death and resurrection (a “new” covenant).One cannot fully appreciate what took place with Jesus’ dying on the Cross apart from covenantal understandings. 

 It’s not enough to say Jesus was the sinless, Son of God, Who died for our sins and rose again, powerful enough as that is, but apart from Israel’s having a covenant relationship with God, what would Jesus’ death have availed?  Nothing, absolutely nothing!  Heretical as this may sound, it simply points out the monumental nature of the covenant relationship; it provided the context and meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice. This is why Jesus could say to the Samaritan Woman, “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).

                 

The Blood of Jesus and Mind Cleansing

It was twilight of an early morning hour, for me, frequently a “dreaming” hour.  On this particular morning I awoke to go to the bathroom and in the process was immediately reviewing the dream I was caught up in.  It was weird, unpleasant weird.  Back to bed I went and back comes the same dream.  I stir myself, sit up and say, “This is not of God.”  And I commenced to plead the blood of Jesus over my mind, and that was that.

Still later in attempting to figure out what I may have done that “opened the door” for such thoughts to “come in” and “set up shop”, I drew a blank.  No matter, for me “pleading the blood” over my mind was a new tool only recently entered into my tool bag.  Let me tell you of it.  In the book, The Blood, with a sub-title, “Entrance into the Supernatural”, by Rona Spiropoulos, is a book of two parts.  The first, is all about the blood of Jesus and is prophetic teaching.  I’ve never read anything quite like it for devotional and practical insight.  The second part is Bible studies on the blood and has commendable value.  Pleading the blood of Jesus over my mind was simply a practical insight.  I suspect there are many mental states that would profit from a pleading of the blood over troubled minds.

I commend the book published by:  CSA Publishing, P. O. Box 1017, Maricopa, AZ 85139 the online address is:  www.XPpublishing.com

God's Handi-Work!

   
    Note: (1)  This view is to the east,  (2) at 8:30 p.m.
  

Iran & the Prince of Persia

The man Daniel, on the way to winning his “prophetic spurs”, had found from investigative research that “the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord, given through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem” (Daniel 9:2) and that these years were at an end.  So he set himself by prayer and fasting to find out exactly when this should be, three weeks he was at this task. 

Then the angel Gabriel showed up assuring Daniel his petition had been heard from the very first, but he had encountered an obstacle getting through to Daniel with the answer to his petition—the Prince of Persia—the ruling principality over Persia or present-day Iran.  Whether the Prince of Persia and Gabriel wrestled, fought with swords, or whatever, it was a standoff until Michael, another angel (actually Israel’s “guardian angel”) came and ran interference for Gabriel, enabling Gabriel to get through to Daniel.

Consider these implications: (1) The Prince of Persia (Iran) is still on duty; (2) There are allegedly one million Christians in Iran—albeit operating clandestinely; (3) Iran and Israel are headed for a showdown with possible nuclear consequences.

What are these Christians to do?  (1) Recognize their real enemy.  The Apostle Paul identifies the enemy this way:  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).  (2) Marshal their resources.  Ezekiel 22:30 is a good start: “So I (the Lord God) sought for a man (leaders with varying degrees of responsibility) among them (dwelling in Iran) who would make a wall (a line of defense), and stand in the gap (as Moses stood in the breach to turn away God’s wrath from Israel – see Psalm 106:23) that I should not destroy it; but I found no one (I’m most reluctant to add this conclusion, and may it not be so for Iran)”. This points to a powerful precedent plus revealing the will of God in such matters; a powerful resource.

The next resource believers in Iran can marshal is fasting.  Do a “Daniel fast”:  “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning (fasting) three full weeks.  I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all (didn’t bathe), till the three whole weeks were fulfilled” (Daniel 10:2, 3).  Conducting such a fast corporately can immeasurably increase its strength.  Outside Iran we can pray for believers within the land that God give them the grace to rise to the task.

A final resource in presenting one’s case is to rely upon the understanding that God is full of mercy, the scriptures are full of such references, none more pointed than James 2:13b, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

As Daniel was able to countervene the Prince of Persia, so might these latter day believers.  If you have connections with someone in Iran please forward this article to them—and then let’s all pray for them.

 

From "Call" to "Ruling & Reigning"

First they were disciples of John the Baptist and were with him when they heard him say, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36).  This was the second time they had heard John speak these words.  Then, hearing Jesus speak, they followed Him.  Seeing them following Him, Jesus turned and said, “What do you seek?” (John 1:38a).  Their response was, “Rabbi (Teacher), where are you staying?” (John 1:38b).  Whereupon Jesus said, “Come and see” (John 1:39).

Note a certain parallel to Moses’ “call”.  “And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush.  So he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, but the bush was not consumed.  Then Moses said, ‘I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn’” (Exodus 3:2, 3).

From these two incidents we say, generally, God is not in to hiding Himself, but must be searched out (Proverbs 25:2).  What these two searches unveiled!  One search led to the establishment of a nation whose ultimate ruler would be eternal.  The other search let us have a sneak preview of this ruler who would reign over an eternal kingdom.

From these two “searches” events develop, over time, precipitating an incredible turn of events:  He Who was once being sought is now the seeker.  Listen as the Lord speaks, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

They Had Their Turn, Now it’s Ours

This is an invitation to “believers”, followers of Jesus, to open the door of their hearts and let Him come in.  Whether ironic or not, there’s more.  Though such followers may not be in on the “ground floor” in terms of nation and kingdom building Jesus gives a special invitation to all takers, “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21).

Here we have a perspective on being a “follower” of Jesus that goes far beyond any paltry concept of being “saved for our soul’s sake”.  Out of our having fellowship with the Lord, truly getting to know Him, and far more important, truly letting Him get to know us, some mighty and powerful things can begin to happen.

The ultimate destiny of all such followers is to prepare the way for the second return of Jesus Christ.  Moses was not in a position to do this.  The Apostles were not in a position to do this—but we are.  All that was achieved at the hands of Moses and all that was achieved at the hands of the Apostles will be achieved (and more) by the simple “followers” during this age about to unfold upon us.  How can this be?  Because “Throne Room” anointing will be upon such followers.  Such anointing will be necessary because all the powers of hell will be unleashed against the people of God and with that “Throne Room” anointing, previously unknown, they will push back.

In America we say to such a challenge, “Are you game”?

A Reputation Established in Heaven and Validated in Hell

There are a number of notable persons in Scripture who had a special relationship with God.  Abraham was a friend of God.  David was a man after God’s own heart.  God made known His ways to Moses.  God commended his servant, Job, to Satan.  The Book of Hebrews recounts a veritable Hall of Heroes of Faith.  But of none of them is it said, as Paul said of his situation, “but we are well known to God” (II Corinthians 5:11b).

Of course, Jesus had an unquestioned and intimate relationship with the Father as exemplified by the Father’s words of commendation at Jesus’ baptism, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

But, again, Paul’s words, “but we are well known to God” are remarkable in that they are almost “throw away words”,  “words spoken on the way to saying something more important.

Next to having a reputation with God, it probably serves a purpose to be well-known in hell—Paul was.  This fact was announced to the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish priest, who attempted exorcism over persons who had evil spirits by saying, “We adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches” (Acts 19:13, 14).  “And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you’” (Acts 19:15)?

Insult was followed by injury when “the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.  This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (Acts 19:16, 17).

Jesus cast out evil spirits and Paul did also as the occasion required, resulting in glory being given to God.

Don’t you suppose there are persons out of whom evil spirits need to be cast this day?  Undoubtedly.  And they are to be cast out in the same way the seven sons of Sceva were unable to do it, “by the name of Jesus ” (Acts 19:13).  But in the authority that derives from a personal relationship with Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

There may be persons suffering, troubled, demonized waiting the word of deliverance you can bring in the name and authority of Jesus with the end result God will be glorified.

Before doing this simply make sure your relationship with Jesus is up-to-date and then you will develop a reputation in hell.

 

 

The Mid-East Cauldron

With the recent “coup”(?) of President Morsi in Egypt, the continuing battle in Syria and the unrelenting struggle against Israel, the mid-East simply won’t settle down.  Can it be current unrest is a demonstration of spiritual unrest in the heavenlies?   That would be because history as we know it got its start in this region and as we understand it will conclude there. The conclusion of history I speak of is fairly narrow, namely “gentile” (non-Jew) domination of Jerusalem.  Jesus spoke of this as one of the signs of His return when He said, “Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).  However, principalities and powers have a vested interest in the continuing order of things; remember the "Prince of Persia", Daniel's nemesis?--But God!

Of course, trying to make Biblical narrative fit current events is like trying to find one’s way through a mine field.  But generally it’s profitable to keep in mind a biblical road map as we try to make sense of what’s going on and where we are as we come the closer to the end of this phase of history.

Be sure, the “gentile” domination of history is rapidly winding down.  On this point the biblical perspective is so simple, so eloquent and yet so broadly comprehensive, “Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).  All other interpretations of history are simply dismissed.  

Someone has said, “History is His-story or God’s story”.  God’s story is one of “redemption”, winning back “lost” mankind to Himself.  His initial instrument to do this was Israel, and more specifically “the Jews”.  Through the Jews came the “Redeemer” of all mankind, even Jesus the Christ.  The Jewish leadership in place during the time of the ministry of Jesus, rejected Jesus’ redemptive work.  By default, the Gentiles embraced Him and for 2,000 years have been the primary instrument of redemption through the Church.

 But God’s plan calls for Him to “graft” back in Jews to His central and eternal purposes.  In his book, “A Rabbi Looks at the Last Days”, Rabbi Jonathan Bernis tells of how Jews, world-wide, are embracing Jesus as their Messiah in unprecedented numbers.

The primary beneficiary of this move of the Jews embracing Jesus as Messiah will be the church.  God’s movement upon “natural” Israel is always followed by His movement upon “spiritual” Israel, releasing gifts, graces, and anointings that will enable the church to do its end-time work, bringing multitudes of unbelieving persons to Jesus the Messiah.

Still, the majority of Jews, particularly in Israel, hold off embracing Jesus as Messiah.  Then comes the day, with the bulk of the Jews gathered from diaspora to Israel, when seemingly the whole world is arrayed against Israel; facing utter destruction, with nowhere to turn, as a nation they cry out, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord” (Matthew 23:39b)!  For 2,000 years the Lord has been awaiting this cry. 

This cry will trigger a series of events.  The trump of God shall sound.  A mighty flash of lightning will light the sky from east to west, enabling every eye to see the Lord of Glory returning as He first calls forth the righteous dead in resurrection with those presently alive and obedient being “transformed”, all happening within the blink of an eye.

The Jews will look upon Him whom they have pierced and weep inconsolably, “And so all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).  There’s more, so much more, but here’s a broad outline of things to come.  Meanwhile, the boiling Mid-East Cauldron causes us to focus attention on things to come.

Have you embraced Jesus as Messiah?

 

When Angels Gather

When angels gather something’s up.  For example, after an angel had announced to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. . . . And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’” (Luke 2:10-14)! Here the angels were about the business of announcing and establishing truth.

Yet you can’t speak of angels without unapologetically speaking of the supernatural.  In fact, quite apart from angels, you can’t read very far in either the Old or New Testaments without confronting the supernatural (with angels usually overtly or covertly present).  It undeniably breaks in on the scene and such discussion should not make the “believer” uncomfortable, rather it should whet his/her appetite to see more of the same.

Jacob’s Ladder.  Jacob stole his brother Esau’s birthright and is actually fleeing to Padan Aram (Genesis 28:6) to get himself a wife as opposed to getting one from Canaan as much as to escape the wrath of Esau.  Perhaps it was Jacob’s first day out.  The sun had set and he set up a stone for a pillar.  “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:12).  Then the Lord spoke, rehearsing promises of covenant given to Abraham and giving specific promises of blessing to Jacob.  Here, the angels got Jacob’s attention.

As angels figured so prominently in delivering Israel from Egypt and establishing her under Moses’ leadership.  Look for at least a similar level of angelic “ministry” on behalf of present-day Israel, protecting and keeping her.

Then, what’s true of Israel, will also be true of the church with angels intervening to assist, deliver and establish particularly new Christians.  The rationale for this statement is that in the spiritual realm a thing happens in the “natural” (Israel) first and in the “spiritual” (the Church) second.

Perhaps one ought not to seek to see angels as an event unto itself, but one certainly should be open to their ministry and learn ways to cooperate with how they work.  Because “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14)?

Faith From a Centurion's Mouth

The Crucifixion of Jesus had just run its course.  Darkness shrouded Jerusalem, possibly the whole earth. The earth quaked with rocks being split.  Observing this and possibly other phenomena of which there is no record, “the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).

If this centurion was the “captain of the guard” who oversaw events from the trial, through the flogging, the host of abuses, and Jesus falling under the load of the cross so He needed assistance on the way to Golgotha, to Jesus being nailed to the cross, understanding has to be rapidly growing.  He heard every word Jesus uttered from the cross, none more mystifying than, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:54).

If nothing else Romans were practical, even very logical.  Yet there was a titanic struggle going on inside him, because he was on the verge of saying something that almost the whole of the Jewish, religious establishment could not see, or worse, would not see. Further, did he did not have passing knowledge of the most pre-eminent Roman gods?  Even the Caesars wanted to get in on the act, declaring themselves gods.

But this was different.  This man made no claim for Himself.  In derision it had been spoken over Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Luke 23:38), but no one took it seriously.  And the way he blamelessly conducted Himself on the cross—there was something here exceeding any dignity he had ever witnessed—like royalty?

And what of this darkness? it was far beyond just being cloudy, his company had to light torches.  And then as this “King of the Jews” breathed his last, there was an earthquake, not just a tremor but even to the splitting of rocks.  This was too much, he could contain himself no longer, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54). 

This confession rivaled that of Peter’s when he said to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

Where Peter and his compatriots “backed away” from this great confession, denying Jesus; the Centurion “backed into” his confession, affirming Jesus—perhaps the only person in Jerusalem holding such a confession at the moment.

The Centurion was glad he said what he did.  Amidst the craziness and turmoil of the moment, this seemed so right—as though it needed to be said.

Is the Lord looking for you to confess Him in a very hard place, perhaps a hostile environment?