Fight for Your Faith

Does your faith need strengthening? Are you confused and wondering if Jesus Christ is really "The Way, the Truth, and the Life?" "Fight for Your Faith" is a blog filled with interesting and thought provoking articles to help you find the answers you are seeking. Jesus said, "Seek and ye shall find." In Jeremiah we read, "Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall seek for Me with all your heart." These articles and videos will help you in your search for the Truth.

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Emanuel: Deus Conosco

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Emanuel: Deus Conosco

Por P. Amsterdam

O Natal celebra um dos eventos mais significativos da história — quando Deus veio fisicamente ao nosso mundo na forma de Seu Filho, Jesus. Falando sobre essa vinda, o Evangelho segundo Mateus nos diz que tudo aconteceu para cumprir o que fora dito pelo Senhor por meio do profeta: “A virgem ficará grávida e dará à luz um filho, e lhe chamarão Emanuel" que significa "Deus conosco" (Mateus 1:22-23).

No Antigo Testamento, lemos sobre a presença de Deus entre Seu povo de diferentes formas: na história do Jardim do Éden, Deus conversava com Adão “quando soprava a brisa do dia” (Gênesis 3:8); na coluna de nuvem e de fogo que guiou Moisés e os filhos de Israel do Egito para a Terra Prometida (Êxodo 13:21-22); na Arca da Aliança e no Santo dos Santos (Êxodo 25:22). Deus também prometeu estar com Seu povo nas batalhas (Deuteronômio 31:6; Josué 1:9), assim como nos momentos de medo e de grande provação e desafios (Isaías 41:10; 43:2).

No Novo Testamento, a presença de Deus ganhou um novo significado na encarnação por meio do nascimento de Jesus. Nenhuma concepção pode ser comparada com a dEle. Sua mãe, Maria, era virgem, noiva de José, um carpinteiro judeu. Ela recebeu a visita de um anjo que lhe anunciou:

“Você ficará grávida e dará à luz um filho, e lhe porá o nome de Jesus. Ele será grande e será chamado Filho do Altíssimo. O Senhor Deus lhe dará o trono de seu pai Davi, e ele reinará para sempre sobre o povo de Jacó; seu Reino jamais terá fim” (Lucas 1:31-33).

Quando Maria perguntou como isso seria possível, já que era virgem, o anjo lhe respondeu: “O Espírito Santo virá sobre você, e o poder do Altíssimo a cobrirá com a sua sombra. Assim, aquele que há de nascer será chamado santo, Filho de Deus” (Lucas 1:35). Nove meses depois, nascia a única pessoa que foi Deus e homem— Emanuel, “Deus conosco”.

Algumas das manifestações do “Deus conosco” foram reveladas nas ações de Jesus, que refletiam os atributos divinos: 

  • Sua compaixão ao curar pessoas com lepra, cegueira, epilepsia, febre e outras doenças. “Quando Jesus saiu do barco e viu tão grande multidão, teve compaixão deles e curou os seus doentes” (Mateus 14:14). “Jesus foi por toda a Galileia, ensinando nas sinagogas deles, pregando as boas novas do Reino e curando todas as enfermidades e doenças entre o povo” (Mateus 4:23).
  • Seu cuidado e provisão pela humanidade, com atenção aos pobres e famintos, manifestado quando alimentou  multidões de 5.000 e 4.000 pessoas. “Ao ver as multidões, teve compaixão delas, porque estavam aflitas e desamparadas, como ovelhas sem pastor” (Mateus 9:36). “Jesus chamou os seus discípulos e disse: "Tenho compaixão desta multidão; já faz três dias que eles estão comigo e nada têm para comer. Não quero mandá-los embora com fome, porque podem desfalecer no caminho" (Mateus 15:32-39).
  • Seu poder sobre a morte ao ressuscitar ressuscitou o filho único de uma viúva (Lucas 7:11-16); uma menina de doze anos (Marcos 5:22-23, 35-43); e Seu amigo Lázaro (João 11:1-44). “Eu sou a ressurreição e a vida. Aquele que crê em mim, ainda que morra, viverá; e quem vive e crê em mim, não morrerá eternamente” (João 11:25-26).
  • Sua misericórdia, que nos concede o perdão dos pecados. “Portanto, eu lhe digo, os muitos pecados dela lhe foram perdoados, pelo que ela amou muito. Mas aquele a quem pouco foi perdoado, pouco ama". Então Jesus disse a ela: "Seus pecados estão perdoados" (Lucas 7:44-50)
  • Seu amor, manifestado no Seu sofrimento e morte na cruz, nos trazendo redenção para que possamos ter um relacionamento eterno com Deus (Efésios 2:13-19). “Pois foi do agrado de Deus que nele habitasse toda a plenitude, e por meio dele reconciliasse consigo todas as coisas, tanto as que estão na terra quanto as que estão no céu, estabelecendo a paz pelo seu sangue derramado na cruz” (Colossenses 1:19-20).

Por meio de Seus ensinamentos e Suas ações, Jesus nos revelou a natureza de Deus. Isso é visto principalmente nas parábolas, que ilustram vários aspectos da natureza divina, como o pai amoroso e misericordioso na história do filho pródigo (Lucas 15:11-32) e a do bom samaritano, um exemplo de amor e interesse sincero com os necessitados, independentemente de quem sejam (Lucas 10:25-37).

Jesus, “Deus conosco”, mostrou até que ponto Deus iria para reconciliar a humanidade Consigo mesmo — ao decidir que Ele próprio, na pessoa do Filho, sofreria o castigo pelos pecados do mundo, para que pudéssemos viver com Ele para sempre. A continuação desse “Deus conosco” se revela depois de Sua morte e ressurreição, Jesus enviou o Espírito Santo para habitar em todo aquele que crê (João 14:16-17). “Porque vocês são filhos, Deus enviou o Espírito de seu Filho aos seus corações, o qual clama: "Aba, Pai" (Gálatas 4:6).

O Natal é a celebração do “Deus conosco”, o nascimento do filho de Deus encarnado, que viveu e morreu para que fosse possível termos um relacionamento com Deus e para que o Espírito de Deus habite em nós. Que alegria poder para celebrar isso!

No Natal e todos os outros dias do ano, cada um de nós é, de certa forma, uma extensão do “Deus conosco” em nossas comunidades — entre amigos, vizinhos, colegas de trabalho, atendentes nas lojas, nos restaurantes, e junto aos estranhos que o Senhor coloca em nosso caminho. O amor que demonstramos em nossas interações, palavras e ações; a bondade e a generosidade que mostramos; a mão amiga que estendemos, tudo isso reflete o Espírito de Deus que habita em nós.

Ao tocarmos a vida de outros com o amor de Deus, temos oportunidade de compartilhar as boas novas e explicar que Deus está conosco e pode estar com eles também. Assim, fazemos a nossa parte compartilhando a verdadeira razão do Natal. Esta é uma maravilhosa época do ano para compartilhar o Evangelho com os outros, para que eles saibam que “Deus tanto amou o mundo que deu o seu Filho Unigênito, para que todo o que nele crer não pereça, mas tenha a vida eterna” (João 3:16).

Cada um de nós é chamado para fazer o máximo possível para compartilhar as boas novas de “Deus conosco” com aqueles que precisam de Deus. Que você tenha um Natal abençoado este ano e sempre, celebrando a presença de Deus e compartilhando as boas novas do Evangelho com outros.

Publicado originalmente em dezembro de 2015. Adaptado e republicado em dezembro de 2025.

https://anchor.tfionline.com/pt/post/emanuel-deus-conosco/

Immanuel: God with Us

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Immanuel: God with Us

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 8:39
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Christmas represents one of the most significant events in human history—when God physically came into our world in the form of His Son, Jesus. In telling the story of God’s entrance into the world, Matthew’s Gospel says of the events leading up to Jesus’ birth that “all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)” (Matthew 1:22–23).

In the Old Testament we read of God’s presence among His people. We see this in the story of the Garden of Eden, where God conversed with Adam in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8), in the pillar of cloud and of fire that led Moses and the children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land (Exodus 13:21–22), and in the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 25:22). God also assured His people that He would be with them when they went into battle (Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9), as well as when they were fearful or facing times of great trials and challenges (Isaiah 41:10, 43:2).

Then in the New Testament God’s presence took on a whole new meaning in the incarnation with the physical embodiment of God in the birth of Jesus. His conception was like no other before or after in history. His mother, Mary, was a virgin, betrothed—but not yet married—to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter, when she received a visit from an angel who announced to her:

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31–33).

When Mary questioned how this could happen, since she was a virgin, the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Nine months later, the unique person who was both God and man was born—Immanuel, “God with us.”

Some of the manifestations of “God with us” were seen through Jesus’ actions and reflected the attributes of God, such as: 

  • His compassion in healing people with leprosy, blindness, epilepsy, fever, deafness, and other illnesses. “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14). Jesus “went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23).
  • His care and provision for all of humanity and concern for the poor and hungry, manifested by feeding the crowds of 5,000 and 4,000. “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). “Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way’” (Matthew 15:32–39).
  • His power over death in raising the only son of a widow (Luke 7:11–16), a twelve-year-old girl (Mark 5:22–23, 35–43), and His friend Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1–44). “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25–26).
  • His mercy in granting the forgiveness of sins. “‘Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven’” (Luke 7:44–50.)
  • His love manifested by His willingness to suffer and die on the cross for our redemption to make it possible for us to enter into an eternal relationship with God (Ephesians 2:13–19). “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:19–20).

Through His actions Jesus taught us about God’s nature, and through His teachings, He taught us about the character of God. This is seen in particular in the parables, which portray various aspects of God’s nature, such as the loving and forgiving father in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). We see the example of the one who loves and cares for those in need, no matter who they are, in the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37).

Jesus, “God with us,” showed us the lengths to which God would go in order to reconcile humanity to Himself—by ordaining that He Himself, in the form of God the Son, would take the punishment of the sins of humanity, so that we might live with Him forever. A continuation of “God with us” is seen in that after His death and resurrection, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers (John 14:16–17). “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:6)

Christmas is the celebration of “God with us,” the birth of God’s incarnate Son, who lived and died to make it possible for us to enter into relationship with God and for the Spirit of God to dwell within us. What a joyful reason to celebrate!

At Christmas, and every other day of the year, all of us are in a sense an extension of “God with us” in our community—to our friends and neighbors, our colleagues and coworkers, the people who serve us in shops and restaurants, and strangers whom the Lord brings across our paths. The love we share through our interactions with others, the words we speak and actions we take, the kindness and generosity we show, the helping hand we offer, reflect God’s Spirit dwelling within us.

As we touch the lives of others with God’s love, it provides an opportunity for us to share the good news and explain that God is with us and can be with them as well. And in so doing, we each do our part to share the ultimate reason of Christmas. This is a wonderful time of year to share the gospel with others, to let them know that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

We are each called to do all we can to share the news of “God with us” with those who need Him. May your Christmas be blessed today and always as we celebrate His presence and share the good news of the gospel with others.

Originally published December 2015. Adapted and republished December 2025. Read by  Reuben Ruchevsky. Music from the Christmas Moments album, used by permission. 

https://us5.campaign-archive.com/?e=28e474bfcf&u=8548880017562dc56a0e55ca8&id=af9ac8c4a1

Proverbs 25 King James Version

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Proverbs 25  King James Version

1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

Google AI tells us: From King David's death (around 970 BCE) to King Hezekiah's reign (starting ~716 BCE), approximately 250-260 years passed, a span covering David's successor Solomon, the divided kingdoms, and several generations of kings, with biblical timelines and extra-biblical dates placing Hezekiah's start over two centuries after David's end.

Hezekiah is known as a good king and we see here that he is making sure the writings of Solomon, David's son, are being kept and recopied. 

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. 

In Luke 14:7-11 (NIV) Jesus makes his own commentary on Solomon's words.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour has put thee to shame.

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

10 Lest he that hears it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Whoso boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

16 Have thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

18 A man that bears false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20 As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that sings songs to an heavy heart.

21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.

23 The north wind drives away rain: so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Interestingly enough, the Buddhist philosophy is based on the idea of controlling ones desires to overcome suffering. Buddhism claims that controlling one's desires is central to achieving liberation from suffering. The Four Noble Truths and the practice of the Eightfold Path, are suppose to provide a framework for understanding and managing desire. Buddhism teaches that all suffering originates from attachment or craving. The path to eliminating our suffering, therefore, lies in understanding and then ceasing that craving. (From Google AI)

My own experience with Buddhism led me to the realization that I of my own accord could not achieve Nirvana or enlightenment. As much as I tried there was evil within me and the good that I wanted to do, I did not. And the evil I didn't want to do, I did. It was finding the truth of the Gospel in Jesus Christ that true enlightenment came into my soul. It was not by my works of righteousness that I was saved or enlightened, but according to His mercy. All I had to do was come to Jesus with all my heart and soul and He would save me and transform me by the power of the Holy Spirit into one of His disciples. Enlightened, free from striving, and with a Friend who sticks closer than a brother and upholds me with His hand of righteousness through the difficulties of life that I have encountered.

Uma Oração de Orientação, Perdão e Proteção – Salmo 25

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Um Salmo de David com Comentários de Dennis Edwards

 

Salmo 25:1-5 A ti, Senhor, elevo a minha alma. Deus meu, em ti confio; não seja eu envergonhado; não triunfem sobre mim os meus inimigos. Não seja envergonhado nenhum dos que em ti esperam; envergonhados sejam os que sem causa procedem traiçoeiramente. Faze-me saber os teus caminhos, Senhor; ensina-me as tuas veredas. Guia-me na tua verdade, e ensina-me; pois tu és o Deus da minha salvação; por ti espero o dia todo.

 

Vemos David na sua oração numa interação contínua com Deus. Ele procura a presença de Deus diante dos seus inimigos. Ele procura conhecer o caminho e a maneira por onde deve caminhar. Reza para não ter sido um mau exemplo que tenha feito outros tropeçar. Ele espera em estado de oração pela resposta de Deus. Ele espera no Senhor.


Salmo 25:6-7 Lembra-te, Senhor, da tua compaixão e da tua benignidade, porque elas são eternas. Não te lembres dos pecados da minha mocidade, nem das minhas transgressões; mas, segundo a tua misericórdia, lembra-te de mim, pela tua bondade, ó Senhor.

 

À medida que envelhecemos, podemos ser atacados por arrependimentos por alguns dos maus comportamentos em que participamos durante a nossa juventude. Salomão admoesta-nos: “Lembra-te do teu Criador nos dias da tua mocidade”, Eclesiastes 12:1a. O apóstolo Paulo aconselha-nos: “Fuja também das paixões da mocidade”, 2 Timóteo 2:22a. Em Provérbios lê-se: “Meu filho, se os pecadores te seduzirem, não consintas. Filho meu, não andes no caminho com eles; afasta o teu pé do caminho deles, porque os seus pés correm para o mal, e se apressam a derramar sangue”, Provérbios 1:10,15-16.

 

Alguns homens sofrem de Síndrome de Stress Pós-Dramático, devido aos pecados da juventude cometidos durante uma guerra. Quando ficam mais velhos, não conseguem tirar da mente as imagens dos pecados que cometeram durante a guerra. Podem ser atacados principalmente quando se deitam para descansar ou durante pesadelos. Uma mulher ou criança pode experienciar algo semelhante através de um abuso sofrido como resultado dos pecados de outra pessoa.

 

David pode estar a sentir remorsos pelos seus pecados com Urias, a quem matou subtilmente, para que pudesse casar com a esposa de Urias, Betsabé. Embora David se tenha arrependido como resultado da sua conversa com o profeta Natã, ainda assim foi atormentado pelo remorso pelo seu mau comportamento durante a sua juventude. Parece que David era um rapaz tão justo quando jovem, com a sua vitória sobre Golias, que Deus teve de permitir que David caísse em pecado grave para o manter humilde. A queda de David levou a alguns dos mais belos salmos de arrependimento que encontramos na Bíblia, que têm sido uma ajuda divina para muitos seguidores caídos de Deus.

 

Deus obtém algumas das Suas maiores vitórias de aparentes derrotas, vitórias de quebrantamento e humildade, que são a formação de um homem ou mulher de Deus. Porque Deus resiste aos soberbos, mas dá sepultura aos humildes. David diz-nos: “O Senhor está perto dos que têm o coração quebrantado; e salva os contritos de espírito”, Salmo 34:18.


Salmo 25:8-10 Bom e reto é o Senhor; pelo que ensina o caminho aos pecadores. Guia os mansos no que é reto, e lhes ensina o seu caminho. Todas as veredas do Senhor são misericórdia e verdade para aqueles que guardam o seu pacto e os seus testemunhos.

 

Repetidamente vemos a importância da humildade na nossa relação com Deus e com os outros. O pecador humilde está mais aberto a Deus do que o religioso hipócrita. Mais uma vez, notamos que os caminhos de Deus são a misericórdia e a verdade. Podemos equiparar a misericórdia ao amor e proclamar que os caminhos de Deus são o amor e a verdade. Ou podemos equiparar a misericórdia à graça e proclamar que os caminhos de Deus são graça e verdade. Misericórdia e verdade, amor e verdade, graça e verdade, tudo isto aponta para uma pessoa: Jesus Cristo.

 

“Porque a lei foi dada por Moisés, mas a graça e a verdade vieram por Jesus Cristo,” João 1:17. O próprio Jesus disse: “Eu sou o caminho, a verdade e a vida”. Quer seguir o caminho da misericórdia e da verdade? Depois siga Jesus, que é a personificação do amor, da misericórdia, da graça e da verdade.


Salmo 25:11 Por amor do teu nome, Senhor, perdoa a minha iniqüidade, pois é grande.

 

Mais uma vez, vemos a onda de culpa a tomar conta de David, enquanto ele clama por perdão. Ele lamenta o seu horrível pecado e clama a Deus por misericórdia. É o inimigo da nossa alma que nos tenta a cair na condenação pelos nossos pecados, iniquidades, erros ou falhas do passado. Provérbios diz: “Aquele que encobre as suas transgressões nunca prosperará, mas aquele que confessa e abandona o seu pecado alcançará misericórdia”, Provérbios 28:13. No Novo Testamento encontramos: “Se confessarmos os nossos pecados, ele (Deus) é fiel e justo para nos perdoar os pecados e nos purificar de toda a injustiça”, 1 João 1:9.

 

Isaías 43:25 diz: “Eu, eu mesmo, sou aquele que apaga as tuas transgressões por amor de mim, e dos teus pecados não me lembro.” No Salmo 103:12 encontramos: “Assim como o oriente está longe do ocidente, assim afasta de nós as nossas transgressões.” Miqueias 7:19 tem a mesma ideia: “Tu terás compaixão de nós outra vez, Pescarás os nossos pecados e lançarás todas as nossas iniquidades nas profundezas do mar”, NVI.

 

O apóstolo Paulo diz-nos claramente que não há condenação para os que estão em Cristo Jesus, Romanos 8:1. É o Diabo, o acusador dos santos, que nos tenta convencer de que pecamos para além do desejo de Deus de perdoar. Diz-nos que o nosso pecado é um mal muito grande, que Deus não pode nem nos perdoará. Mas estas palavras que Jonas disse eram vaidades mentirosas. Quando Jonas estava a descer pela terceira e última vez para encontrar a morte no ventre da baleia, estava a ouvir as palavras do Diabo e acreditou que estava a receber o que merecia por desobedecer às ordens de Deus.

 

Finalmente, Jonas percebeu que a sua salvação era e depende sempre da graça e da misericórdia de Deus, e não da sua própria perfeição sem pecado. Jonas lembrou-se do Senhor, e a sua oração chegou até ele no seu templo santo. Deus enviou iluminação à mente de Jonas. Percebeu que se observasse as mentiras do Diabo, mentiras que lhe diziam que Deus não o perdoaria e o salvaria, porque tinha ido longe demais na desobediência; então Jonas estaria a abandonar a misericórdia de Deus. A misericórdia que Deus oferece continuamente àqueles que a Ele recorrem em momentos de grande angústia e aflição. Se Jonas tivesse mantido o seu orgulho enquanto descia às profundezas do mar, esta teria sido a sua última viagem. Mas pôs de lado o seu orgulho e clamou a Deus com humildade por misericórdia, enquanto Lhe oferecia ações de graças e louvor. Como resultado, o Senhor respondeu à sua oração, e Jonas foi parar à praia pronto para partir na missão de Deus.


Salmo 25:12-14 Qual é o homem que teme ao Senhor? Este lhe ensinará o caminho que deve escolher. Ele permanecerá em prosperidade, e a sua descendência herdará a terra. O conselho do Senhor é para aqueles que o temem, e ele lhes faz saber o seu pacto.

 

Isaías diz-nos: “Mas eis para quem olharei: para o pobre e abatido de espírito, e que treme da minha palavra”, Isaías 66:2. “O temor do Senhor é o princípio do conhecimento”, Provérbios 1:7. Ter um saudável “temor do Senhor” dá-nos a perspetiva correta sobre a vida. Quando percebemos que Deus nos criou a nós e não a nós próprios, iniciamos o nosso pensamento no ponto de partida correto, isto é, começamos por Deus, e não por nós mesmos.


Salmo 25:15-20 Os meus olhos estão postos continuamente no Senhor, pois ele tirará do laço os meus pés. Olha para mim, e tem misericórdia de mim, porque estou desamparado e aflito. Alivia as tribulações do meu coração; tira-me das minhas angústias. Olha para a minha aflição e para a minha dor, e perdoa todos os meus pecados. Olha para os meus inimigos, porque são muitos e me odeiam com ódio cruel. Guarda a minha alma, e livra-me; não seja eu envergonhado, porque em ti me refugio.

 

David parece ter adquirido fé através das suas orações e agora a sua oração tem mais confiança. Acredita que Deus ouviu a sua oração e enviará alívio. O tempo de oração de David transformou-o e encorajou a sua fé. No seu tempo de oração, recebeu força do Senhor e agora aproxima-se corajosamente do trono da graça.


Salmo 25: 21 A integridade e a retidão me protejam, porque em ti espero.

 

A única integridade e retidão que temos está em Cristo. É Ele que nos ajuda a ser honestos, verdadeiros e íntegros. É a Sua graça dentro de nós que nos faz superar os nossos inimigos em caráter e honra.


Salmo 25:22 Redime, ó Deus, a Israel de todas as suas angústias.

 

David termina com: “Resgatai Israel de todas as suas tribulações”. O apóstolo Paulo diz-nos que o verdadeiro Israel de Deus inclui todos aqueles que crêem no Senhor Jesus Cristo. Somos a descendência de Abraão, a descendência de Israel, através da nossa fé e obediência ao Senhor Jesus. “E, se sois de Cristo, então sois descendência de Abraão, e herdeiros conforme a promessa”, Gálatas 3:29.

 

Charles Spurgeon disse o seguinte: “Israel no pacto da graça não é o Israel natural [não a nação de carne e osso de Israel], mas todos os crentes em todos os tempos. Antes do primeiro advento, todos os tipos e sombras apontavam numa direção – apontavam para Cristo, e para Ele (o Messias) todos os santos (do Antigo Testamento) olhavam com esperança. Aqueles que viveram antes de Cristo não foram salvos com uma salvação diferente daquela que virá até nós. Exerceram a fé como nós devemos fazer; que a fé lutou como a nossa luta, e que a fé obteve a sua recompensa como a nossa obterá.”[1]

[1] Charles Spurgeon, Clássicos Devocionais de C.H. Spurgeon, pág.122.

Quão Belo Este Nome


Originalmente publicado 25-01-2025


 

 

A Prayer for Guidance, Pardon, and Protection – Psalm 25

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A Prayer for Guidance, Pardon, and Protection – Psalm 25

A Psalm of David with Commentaries by Dennis Edwards

Psalm 25 1-5 Unto You, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You: let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on You be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me: for You are the God of my salvation; on You do I wait all the day.

We see David in his prayer in a continual interaction with God. He seeks God’s presence in the face of his enemies. He seeks to know the path and the way wherein he should walk. He prays that he has not been a bad example that has caused others to stumble. He waits in prayerful state for God’s response. He waits on the Lord.

Psalm 25:6-7 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving-kindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to Your mercy remember me for Your goodness' sake, O Lord.

As we get older, we may be attacked with regrets over some of the bad behaviour we participated in during our youth. Solomon admonishes us to, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,” Ecclesiastes 12:1a. Apostle Paul advises us to, “Flee also youthful lusts,” 2 Timothy 2:22a. In Proverbs we read, “My son, if sinners entice you, consent not. My son, walk not in the way with them; refrain your foot from their path: for their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood,” Proverbs 1:10,15-16.

Some men suffer from Post Dramatic Stress Syndrome, from the sins of their youth committed during a war. When they are older, they are not able to get the imagery of the sins they participated in during the war from their mind. They may be especially attacked as they lie down to rest, or through nightmares. A women or child may experience something similar through an abuse they have experienced as the result of the sins of someone else.

David may be feeling remorse over his sins with Uriah who he had subtlety killed, so that he could marry Uriah’s wife Bathsheba. Though David had repented as a result of his exchange with the Prophet Nathan, nevertheless, he was plagued with remorse over his evil behaviour during his youth. It seems David had been such a righteous lad as a youth, with his victory over Goliath, that God had to allow David to fall into serious sin to keep him humble. David’s fall led to some of the most beautiful psalms of repentance we find in the Bible, which have been a Divine help to many a fallen follower of God.

God gets some of His greatest victories out of seeming defeats, victories of brokenness, and humility, which are the making of a man or woman of God. For God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. David tells us, “The Lord is nigh unto them of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit,” Psalm 34:18.

Psalm 25:8-10 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore, will He teach sinners in the way. The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Over and over again we see the importance of humility in our relation with God and others. The humble sinner is more open to God, than the self-righteous religionist. Again, we note that God’s paths are mercy and truth. We might equate mercy to love, and proclaim that God’s paths are love and truth. Or we might equate mercy to grace, and proclaim that God’s paths are grace and truth. Mercy and truth, love and truth, grace and truth, these all point to one person: Jesus Christ. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came By Jesus Christ,” John 1:17. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, (or the path), the truth, and the life.” Do you want to get on the path of mercy and truth? Then follower Jesus who is the embodiment of love, mercy, grace, and truth.  

Psalm 25:11 For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.

Again, we see the wave of guilt coming over David as he cries out for forgiveness. He laments over his horrible sin, and calls on God for mercy. It is the enemy of our soul, that tempts us to fall into condemnation over our past sins, iniquities, mistakes, or blunders. The Proverbs says, “He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whosoever confesses and forsakes his sin, shall have mercy,” Proverbs 28:13. In the New Testament we find, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:9.

Isaiah 43:25 says, “I, even I, am He that blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember your sins.” In Psalm 103:12 we find, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Micah 7:19 has the same idea: “You will again have compassion on us, You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea,” NIV.

Apostle Paul tells us straight out that there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1. It’s the Devil, the accuser of the saints, that tries to convince us that we have sinned beyond God’s desire to pardon. He tells us our sin is too great an evil, that God cannot and will not forgive us. But these words are, what Jonah said, were lying vanities. When Jonah was going down for the third and final time to meet his death in the belly of the whale, he had been listening to the Devil’s words and believed that he was getting what he deserved for disobeying God’s orders.

Finally, Jonah realized that his salvation was and is always dependent on God’s grace and mercy, and not his own sinless perfection. Jonah remembered the Lord, and his prayer came in unto Him in His holy temple. God sent illumination to Jonah’s mind. He realized that if he observed the lies of the Devil, lies which told him God would not forgive and save him, because he had gone too far in disobedience; then Jonah would be forsaking God’s mercy. The mercy that God continually offers those who come to Him in their moments of great distress and anguish. If Jonah held onto his pride as he descended into the depths of the sea, that would have been his last voyage. But he let go of his pride and cried out to God in humility for mercy, while offering Him thanksgiving and praise. As a result, the Lord answered his prayer, and Jonah ended up on the beach ready to go on God’s mission.

Psalm 25:12-14 What man is he that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant.

Isaiah tells us, “But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My word,” Isaiah 66:2. It is “the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of knowledge,” Proverbs 1:7. Having a healthy “fear of the Lord,” gives us the right perspective on life. When we realize that God has made us and not we ourselves, we start our thinking at the right starting place, that is, we start with God, not me, myself, and I.

Psalm 25:15-20 My eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Turn unto me, (O Lord), and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. Consider my enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in You.

David seems to have gained faith through his praying and now his prayer has more confidence. He believes that God has heard his prayer and will send relief. David’s time in prayer has transformed him, and encouraged his faith. In his time of prayer, he has received strength from the Lord and now comes boldly before the throne of grace.  

Psalm 25:21-22 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on You. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

The only integrity and uprightness we have is in Christ. It is He that helps us to be honest, truthful, and upright. It is His grace within us that causes us to rise above our enemies in character and in honour. David finishes with, “Redeem Israel out of all his troubles.” Apostle Paul tells us that the true Israel of God includes all those that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. We are the seed of Abraham, the seed of Israel, through our faith and obedience to the Lord Jesus. “And if you be Christ’s, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise,” Galatians 3:29.

Charles Spurgeon said the following: “Israel in the covenant of grace is not natural Israel [not the nation of flesh and blood Israel], but all believers in all ages. Before the first advent, all the types and shadows all pointed one way – they pointed to Christ, and to Him (the Messiah) all the (Old Testament) saints looked with hope. Those who lived before Christ were not saved with a different salvation to that which shall come to us. They exercised faith as we must; that faith struggled as ours struggles, and that faith obtained its reward as ours shall.”[1]

 [1] Charles Spurgeon, Devotional Classics of C.H. Spurgeon, p.122 

The following is one of those beautiful Psalms written after David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah.


Originally published January 25, 2025



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