HomeARC ML 2906
PERSECUTION JEWELS!--No.9! DO 2906 Comp.12/93
--Given before the release of our brethren in Argentina
PERSECUTION PSALMS!
(Dad read the following Psalms with the Family over a period of several days.)
Psalm 8!--"Out of the Mouth of Babes & Sucklings
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1. I'VE CRIED, I've prayed, I've agonised, I've gotten angry & outraged about our folks imprisoned in Argentina! Then I opened my Bible to our next Psalm. We've been reading through the Psalms, & the next one is Psalm 8: "O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all the Earth! Who hast set Thy glory above the heavens."--Nobody's bigger than God. And here is the verse that really impressed me: "Out of the mouth of babes & sucklings hast Thou ordained strength because of Thine enemies, that Thou mightest still the Enemy & the avenger."--Babes & sucklings! Babes & sucklings are even going to be a witness against them!--"That Thou mightest still the Enemy & the avenger." The Lord's going to shut their mouths!
2. (Verse 3-8:) "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon & the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is Man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the Angels, & hast crowned him with glory & honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under His feet. All sheep & oxen, yea, & the beasts of the field. The fowl of the air & the fish of the sea, & whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas."--Can't you picture those big whales?
3. Boy, that sure is contrary to the environmentalists, isn't it? They want the animals to rule over us! They want to stop everything, throw thousands of people out of work to save a little spotted owl or some other little animal. Think of it! I mean, they're preaching exactly the opposite from God's rules. The Lord says that we are to have dominion. Instead of that, the environmentalists are trying to have us submit to the creation & the creatures & let them rule over us.
4. (Verse 9:) "O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all the Earth!" Isn't that a terrific Psalm? But the most striking verse of all that I read was, "Out of the mouth of babes & sucklings!" I was saying, "Lord, why are You doing this to the little children?" Well, He says, "Out of the mouth of babes & sucklings have I ordained strength because of your enemies"--they're going to be stronger than the enemies--"that you might still the enemy & the avenger." The testimony of the babes & sucklings is going to still the enemy & the avenger!
5. (Maria: Thank You, Lord, for that wonderful Word from You about the babes & sucklings. Thank You for how You've used them so mightily already, & even caused people's sympathy to be much more directed toward us because of our children--so many innocent children that have been victimised.) Let the children judge the enemies now, Lord, & cause them to receive Thy judgements!
6. Thank You Lord! Isn't that something? The babes & sucklings are going to be a testimony against them. What can babies do other than cry?--But that'll touch hearts to hear babes & sucklings cry. "Out of the mouth of babes & sucklings Thou hast ordained strength against our enemies." Hallelujah! Thank You Lord! Let them cry, Lord, & condemn these cruel monsters that are persecuting them!--And let it be heard abroad throughout all the Earth how they're mistreating our children & abusing babes & sucklings, while accusing us of doing it. Thank You Lord!
7. (Maria: Also, Lord, perhaps You're applying that to our first babies, our teens, who are now standing so strong & testifying to Your Love & their life & Your Family. Thank You that they're being such a wonderful testimony. People can't say anything against them. Thank You for all Your blessings, for the wonderful Family You've given us. Now, Lord, You promised to continue it & to give us a victory by Your miracle-working power. Thank You Jesus! Bless & keep Thy Family around the World. Keep them strong & encouraged & full of faith.)
8. Thank You Lord! Bless & guide us all, give us great wisdom & strength for this day. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you. Cast thy burden upon the Lord & He shall sustain thee."--1Pet.5:7; Psa.55:22. (Maria: "He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.") Well, He sure has suffered us to move a lot, but not spiritually. We're still holding strong, standing still in Him.--But from place to place we've moved a lot. Thank You Lord! Amen! Thank You Jesus! Praise You Lord! (Maria: Give us a good day today, Lord, & help us to accomplish whatever You want us to, in Jesus' name. Amen.)
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9. (Later, reading Psalm 8 with the Family:) The 8th Psalm has a remarkable verse in it! First of all David is praising the Lord: "O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all the Earth! Who hast set Thy glory above the heavens." Now wait till you hear the second verse! I read this Psalm over so many times this morning, I've got it memorised.
10. I had almost gotten exhausted from crying & praying & agonising & getting angry & raging & everything else about our people imprisoned in Argentina! I think I've done about all I can do--I've written Letters, encouraged the Family to demonstrate & everything else. So I came to the conclusion this morning that I'm just going to have to cast my burden on the Lord & let Him sustain me. I said, "Lord, You got them in there--now You've got to get them out! There's nothing more I can do." Praise the Lord! And I had peace about it. I decided I could go ahead & do other things, which we did.
11. And then I got this verse: "Out of the mouth of babes & sucklings hast Thou ordained strength because of Thine enemies." How about that! These passages never meant so much to me before we had all these legal & media battles with our enemies. "That Thou mightest still the enemy & the avenger." Who's going to make them shut their mouths? (Fam: The babes & sucklings.) You can apply this to the little babes & sucklings whose cries ought to bring a lot of sympathy & shut up these vicious people.--Or the babes & sucklings of yesterday, who are now teens & who are now manifesting strength in the Lord.
12. "Out of the mouth of babes & sucklings hast Thou ordained strength because of Thine enemies." The Lord is bringing out their strength because of the enemies. "That Thou mightest still the enemy & the avenger."--Shut him up! Thank You Lord!
Psalm 2!--The Heathen Rage!
13. (Techi reads Psalm 2, Verse 1: "Why do the heathen rage & the people imagine a vain thing?") The heathen are raging & they're imagining all these vain things against us. Boy, these Psalms begin to take on real meaning now! They never ever meant so much to me before. The whole Family is saying they really mean a lot more nowadays!
14. (Techi: Verse 2, "The kings of the earth set themselves, & the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, & against His anointed.") How true! (Techi: "Saying, let us break their bands asunder, & cast away their cords from us.") See, we're the ones that are tying them up, & that's why they're trying to tie us up. We're giving out the Truth. The Truth binds, the Truth controls, the Truth is bands & cords & they're trying to break loose from them. They say we're trying to break loose. We're the ones that are sticking to the Truth!
15. (Techi, Verse 4: "He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.") The Lord's having a good laugh right now at all these stupid idiots that are trying to cast us off. The Lord's going to have the last laugh! (Techi, Verse 5-6: "Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, & vex them in His sore displeasure. Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion.") He's going to sock it to'm and He has set His king--His children, the true Church, the true believers, the true Zion--on His holy hill of Zion.
16. (Techi, Verse 7: "I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee.") He's not going to let His Son be hid to any of us. (Techi, Verse 8: "Ask of Me, & I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, & the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy possession.") We're going to run the whole works one of these days. Praise God!
17. (Techi, Verse 9: "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.") Isn't that encouraging? This is how it's going to end & what the Lord's going to do to them! (Techi, Verse 10: "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the Earth.") Wow! They'd better watch their step! (Techi, Verse 11: "Serve the Lord with fear, & rejoice with trembling.") They're the ones that ought to be trembling. (Techi, Verse 12: "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, & ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.") Hallelujah! They'd better watch their step, I'll tell you, or they're really going to make the Lord angry.--They already have!
Psalm 3!--His Blessing Is upon His People!
18. All right! Psalm 3 is next. Who's ready to read? (Fam: Verse 1, "Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me.") We can sure take this to heart! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Thank You Lord!
19. (Fam: Verse 2, "Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.") Yes, they've challenged us! Imagine that judge in Tenerife asking me what I thought I was trying to do. I said, "I'm just trying to preach the Kingdom & win people's souls to go to Heaven." He said, "You're not going to Heaven--you're going to Hell!" And he & the district attorney laughed. I don't know what's happened to them. The last I heard he got assigned to some real hot spot. I think it was a real bad place in Spain, the Bilbao area where all the Basque terrorists & revolutionaries were.
20. (Fam: Verse 3-4, "But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, & the lifter up of my head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, & He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah.") Is He hearing you? (Fam: Absolutely!) I told the Lord this morning, "Okay, Lord, You got them into it, now You get them out!"
21. (Fam: Verse 5, "I laid me down & slept: I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.") Yes, I was able to rest after that. (Fam: Verse 6, "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.") It seems like the general public is mostly against us because of the negative publicity.
22. (Fam: Verse 7, "Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.") Boy oh boy, that's painful! He's going to knock out their teeth & break their cheek bones! Hallelujah!--Probably because their damn mouths have been speaking against us. He's going to sock them hard--not just a gentle slap, but hard enough to break their jaw bones & teeth! (Family: The offending members.) Yes!
23. (Fam: Verse 8, "Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah.") He's promising us salvation, right? (Family: Yes!) If you feel a little discouraged sometimes, remember His blessing is still upon you. Okay! Let's read Psalm 4!
Psalm 4!--Rest in the Lord!
24. (Fam: Verses 1-2, "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress. Have mercy upon me, & hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn My glory into shame? How long will ye love vanity, & seek after leasing? Selah.") Leasing is lying & deceitfulness. And "selah" means "think it over," it's something really serious. Boy oh boy, doesn't this describe our enemies? (Fam: Yes!)
25. (Fam: Verse 3, "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is Godly for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call unto Him.") We're sure calling, & He's hearing! (Fam: Verse 4, "Stand in awe & sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, & be still. Selah.") There are times to be still & just trust the Lord. Amen?
26. (Fam: Verse 5-6, "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, & put your trust in the Lord. There be many that say, Who will show us any good?") They're sure saying that about us, aren't they? (Fam: "Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn & their wine increased.") Amen. Sometimes He blesses them materially or lets them seem to prosper, but He's put more gladness in our hearts.
27. (Fam: Verse 8, "I will both lay me down in peace, & sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.") That's comforting. Just rest in the Lord. I remember the story about Bishop Asbury, a Methodist leader in the U.S. in the 1700s. He was worrying about things & he hadn't slept half the night, so finally the Lord told him to turn over & go to sleep & He'd worry the other half! These Psalms of David wrestling with his enemies never meant so much to me as they do today! Go ahead, Psalm 5!
Psalm 5!--Trust the Lord & Rejoice!
28. (Fam: Verse 1-2, "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, & my God: for unto Thee will I pray.") We sure have been doing plenty of praying for our dear ones who are suffering this persecution, haven't we? (Fam: Verse 3-4, "My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, & will look up. For Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with Thee.") The Lord isn't enjoying it, but He's going to enjoy it when He gets to socking it to'm! The second Psalm says He's going to laugh. They must be such fools to think they can fight God.
29. (Fam: Verse 5, "The foolish shall not stand in Thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.") Boy oh boy, think of what God thinks about them. (Fam: Verse 6, "Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing.") In other words, "them that speak lies."--They're liars! (Fam: "The Lord will abhor the bloody & deceitful man.") They're guilty of our blood & they'd like to kill us if they could.--They're trying. (Fam: Verse 7, "But as for me, I will come into Thy house in the multitude of Thy mercy: & in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple.") We're not going to worry about them, we're to fear the Lord. Amen?
30. (Fam: Verse 8, "Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness because of mine enemies.") Did you get that?--Enemies make you more righteous! (Fam: "Make Thy way straight before my face.") We know which way to go, don't we? (Fam: Amen!) (Fam: Verse 9, "For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.") Jesus Himself called them whited sepulchres.--Mat.23:27. Boy, what rotten people!--Liars, drumming up all kinds of false witnesses & phony accusations.
31. (Fam: Verse 10, "Destroy Thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels.") Hallelujah! (Fam: "Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against Thee.") They are rebelling against the Lord, not just us. They kicked the wrong guy this time! (Fam: Verse 11, "But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: Let them also that love Thy Name be joyful in Thee.") Are we to go around sad & droopy about all this? (Family: No!) We're to rejoice because the Lord's going to get a big victory out of it!
32. (Fam: Verse 12, "For Thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt Thou compass him as with a shield.") Good promises! I never got so much out of these verses about David's enemies before. Praise God! Go ahead & read the next one. I want to bring you all up to date!
Psalm 6!--Let Our Enemies Be Ashamed!
33. (Fam: Verse 1-3, "O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but Thou, O Lord, how long?") I've told Maria, "Sometimes I wish I could resign--maybe that would take the heat off the Family. It seems like I'm the guy that's causing all this trouble." And she said, "It's true, there wouldn't have been any trouble without you.--And there wouldn't have been anything else either!--No beautiful Family, no Wonder Working Words & no worldwide witnessing wave!" So praise the Lord!
34. (Fam: Verse 4-5, "Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: Oh save me for Thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no remembrance of Thee: in the grave who shall give Thee thanks?") I even thought when I was so sick, "Well, maybe if I just die it'll take the heat off." Then you could send out the word, "He's dead, now quit bothering us!"--Because I'm the guy they want. But they don't realise that God's Word & Family will go on with or without me, because it's His Word & His Family!
35. (Fam: Verse 6, "I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.") I have done that. (Fam: Verse 7, "Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.") I think I reached the depths a few months back. That was when I wrote those hot Letters telling you to fight & keep on fighting until you get the victory!--And it did us good!
36. (Fam: Verse 8, "Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.") They'd better start running! (Fam: Verse 9-10, "The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. Let all mine enemies be ashamed & sore vexed: let them return & be ashamed suddenly.") Isn't that a good verse? Boy, are they going to be ashamed! They're the ones that are going to be humiliated. God's going to turn the tables on them & embarrass them before the whole World. I believe it! I'm expecting it. I'd be disappointed if it didn't happen. Okay, Psalm 7 is next!
Psalm 7!--God's Taking Aim!
37. (Fam: Verse 1-2, "O Lord my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, & deliver me. Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.") Note that David uses the word "persecute." Our enemies don't like us to say they're persecuting us! While they persecute us relentlessly for our religious faith, they try to deny that that's the reason, & instead claim it's for all kinds of other reasons. They make up all kinds of false charges & publicise them in order to cover up the real reason they're persecuting us: Because we're exposing their evil. They think that even if they can't shut us up completely, they can at least try to discredit us so that people won't listen to us. But God is confounding their evil devices & His Word is rising in triumph in spite of them.
38. (Fam: Verse 3-5, "O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; if I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy: let the enemy persecute my soul, & take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, & lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.")
39. (Fam: Verse 6, "Arise, O Lord, in Thine anger, lift up Thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: & awake for me to the judgment that Thou hast commanded.") In other words, David is saying, "If I'm guilty of all these things they're accusing me of, then I deserve the wrath of my enemies." Sometimes I've thought how all this persecution must be all my fault, & that I've caused you all this trouble through my being so sexy & writing sexy Letters & encouraging you to be sexy. I've had the same battles as David, & I've said virtually the same thing to the Lord, that if this was my fault, take me out of the way. But He always encourages me that what we have done was His plan & purpose, & though it has caused us persecution, He has used it to make us famous & spread His Message abroad. (Tongues:) Thank You Lord! "Hear ye the Words of thy father, & listen to the Words of David!" Thank You Jesus!--He's saying that what we've done with the Family & the Word we've given to them is of Him.
40. (Fam: Verse 7, "So shall the congregation of the people compass Thee about: for their sakes therefore return Thou on high.") We're going to surround the Lord & He's going to return on high. It may look like He's defeated now, but He's not; it's just so He can get a bigger victory. If you didn't have a battle, how could you get a victory? The Lord's allowed the battle. He got us into this & He's got to get us out of it! Amen? There's a lot of good coming out of it already.
41. (Fam: Verse 8, "The Lord shall judge the people; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, & according to mine integrity that is in me.") I said to Mama, "What are our enemies trying to pull now? What more can they do than they have already done?" And she said, "They're beginning to pull out all the things you've written, to try to use them against us." I said, "You show me one thing I've said that wasn't true that I can't stand by." I mean, no matter what I've said it's been the Truth! (Fam: That's right, they're just choking on the Truth.) God's Truth isn't going to be "politically correct," you know. They're judging us now, but the Lord's going to judge them!
42. (Verse 9-12:) "Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts & reins. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous, & God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not"--if the wicked do not repent, in other words--"He (God) will whet His sword; He hath bent His bow, & made it ready." He's ready to shoot'm full of holes! He's aiming!--And if they don't hurry up & repent--boom! (Fam: Verse 13, "He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; He ordaineth His arrows against the persecutors.") That ought to encourage us. God's taking aim! His Angels are getting their lightning bolts ready! Amen?
43. (Fam: Verse 14-15, "Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, & hath conceived mischief, & brought forth falsehood. He made a pit, & digged it, & is fallen into the ditch which he made.") That's what they're going to do. All this trouble they're brewing for us is going to turn on their own heads. (Fam: Verse 16, "His mischief shall return upon his own head.") There it is right there! (Fam: "And his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.") I'd like to get them dragged across the driveway on their bald heads like they did to us! (Fam: Verse 17, "I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness: & will sing praise to the Name of the Lord most high.") Praise the Lord!
If We Suffer We Shall Also Reign!
44. So that was Psalm 7, and we've already read Psalm 8, with a particular emphasis on the second verse. First David prays & praises the Lord, & then he says the most amazing thing: "Out of the mouth of babes & sucklings hast Thou ordained strength because of Thine enemies."--Because of their attacks on us, the babes & the sucklings are going to be the proof of the pudding against our enemies.--The cries of the poor little babies they jerked away, & even the teenage "babes & sucklings," our first babies. In order to what? (Family: "To still the enemy & the avenger.") Hallelujah! He's going to shut them up! Praise the Lord!
45. Some of those evil people in Argentina said to our folks, "So you're called the Children of God?--Well, we're the children of the Devil & we're going to cause you trouble!" They even confessed they were the children of the Devil! They sure are!
46. I've been reading a little about Argentina & they've been one of the worst countries on Earth for years now--murdering innocents, wiping out dissidents, massacring the voice of the common people & ruling by a dictatorial military junta that thinks nothing of murder. Just a few years ago, people were disappearing all the time. In fact, thousands of people disappeared & never were heard of again, & I'm sure they're hoping they can make us disappear too. Well, the Lord's going to show them! No doubt a lot of those people who disappeared were probably Christians protesting against them. So praise the Lord. Would someone like to close in prayer?
47. (Fam: Thank You Jesus! We do thank You so much for a safe haven & a place of refuge, & how You've kept & protected Dad & Mama & all of us through many persecutions. We ask that You will be with those in Argentina right now. We thank You that You've chosen them & counted them worthy to suffer for Your sake. We pray that they won't suffer too much, but that they'll have an extra measure of grace poured out upon them now to draw closer to You. We know these are the kinds of things that brought Christians close to You over the centuries, & You've always protected & prospered & kept us. But we want to remember them specifically in prayer. Thank You Lord for this beautiful Word to stand on, the beautiful promises & the beautiful applications that are so fitting for us right now worldwide. Thank You Lord!)
48. Well, the Lord says we will suffer. How many of you can think of verses about suffering? (Fam: "Rejoice, & be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."--Mat.5:12.) (Fam: "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him."--2Tim.2:12.) (Fam: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."--Rom.8:18.) (Fam: Jesus said, "If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you."--John 15:20.) Amen. But He has promised to deliver us out of those things & get the glory & the victory in the long run.
49. So bless them, Lord, & strengthen them by bringing them forth as much fine gold, tried in the fiery furnace of the Devil's persecutions. It's only doing them good, Lord.--Help them to see that. It's going to make them stronger than ever to be real soldiers in these Last Days! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 9!--The Wicked Will Sink in Their Own Pit!
50. (Another day, Family Member prays: Thank You, Jesus, so much for this time that we can study Your Word. Thank You for how You gave it to us long ago to comfort us today. Your Word & Your Name & Your power are still the same today. So we ask You to bless this time & feed us with this Word, in Jesus' name.) Praise the Lord! I don't intend for this to be any big study, just a quick reading, inspiration, prayer & depart! Okay?
51. (Fam: Psalm 9, Verse 1-2: "I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvellous works. I will be glad & rejoice in Thee: I will sing praise to Thy name, O Thou most High.") That's good, he starts off by praising the Lord. (Fam: Verse 3-4, "When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall & perish at Thy presence. For Thou hast maintained my right & my cause; Thou satest in the throne judging right.") Boy, doesn't that apply to us though?--The Lord has maintained our right & our cause!
52. (Fam: Verse 5, "Thou hast rebuked the heathen, Thou hast destroyed the wicked, Thou hast put out their name for ever & ever.") Amen, that's what's going to happen. (Fam: Verse 6, "O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: & thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.") Their big cities. They stick up great memorials, "Look what we've accomplished." They themselves are destroying their cities & they're perishing with them.
53. (Fam: Verse 7-9, "But the Lord shall endure forever: He hath prepared His throne for judgement. And He shall judge the World in righteousness, He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.") Amen. Right now, Lord! Bless them.
54. (Dad stops to look at a bird:) Excuse us, we have to stop & look at life.--God's little creations. Just think, He knows about every one of them, so He'll certainly take care of us, amen?
55. (Fam: Verse 10, "And they that know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.") It may seem like it for a little while, but not really; just long enough to let our Family in bonds be a testimony. (Fam: Verse 11, "Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion.") That's one of our best ways of testifying--singing! (Fam: "Declare among the people His doings.") While we're there, declare! Praise the Lord!
56. (Fam: Verse 12, "When He maketh inquisition for blood, He remembereth them: He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.") Let me tell you, our enemies are not the only inquisitors--the Lord's going to search out & punish the wicked for the blood they shed! We haven't suffered much bloodshed yet, but they did scratch some of our people up. (Fam: And one of our women had a miscarriage because of her incarceration.) (Fam: Verse 13, "Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble...") Amen, Lord, do it! (Fam: "...Which I suffer of them that hate me.") Boy, they do! (Fam: "Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death.") That certainly is true. (Fam: Verse 14, "That I may shew forth all Thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.") Who's the daughter of Zion? (Fam: We are!) Right! The Jews think they are, but it's the Church, His people!
57. (Fam: Verse 15, "The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made.") Hallelujah! They're sinking in it. (Fam: "In the net which they hid is their own foot taken.") Hallelujah! Thank You Lord! Let it be, Lord! It sounds like most of the time the wicked just wind up causing themselves a lot of trouble. The Lord doesn't even have to do it, they wind up in their own snares, & David is really rejoicing over that here.
58. (Fam: Verse 16, "The Lord is known by the judgment which He executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.") Amen, they'll never get away with it. Thank You Lord! They're going to be tangled up in it themselves. It's going to do them more harm than us. Praise the Lord!
59. (Fam: Verse 17, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, & all the nations that forget God.") (Fam: That was our message to America.) Right! And boy, they've been turning into Hell! They've got to have guards in their schools now with metal detectors, & on their streets innocent children are being shot by the thousands each year by stray gunfire.--Not to speak of the thousands of kids with guns who are killing each other in their gang wars.
60. (Fam: Verse 18-20, "For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. Arise, O Lord; let not Man prevail: let the heathen be judged in Thy sight. Put them in fear, O Lord.") Scare'm! It says they're going to tremble! (Fam: "That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.")--Just a bunch of dirty men, at that! Okay! Praise the Lord! Shall we pray?
61. (Fam: Lord, we thank You so much for the encouragement of Your Word, these precious promises to us. We know You will fulfil Your promises & You will fulfil Your Word.) Amen, Lord! Sock it to them! (Fam: Do continue to bless & keep our precious Family Members.) Amen, Lord, do bless, keep & deliver Thy children. And make them a testimony too. (Fam: And judge our enemies, Lord. Sock it to them! We thank You for this precious time that we have with Dad. Bless our work & the rest of the day.) Amen, Lord. Give them a good rest now. These here have accomplished much today already. Thank You Lord.
62. The Lord's promised to get our enemies, we just have to have a little patience, because He's using us in the meantime to be a witness & a testimony against them. If He didn't let this persecution last a little while, we wouldn't blast a little while. We're going to be blastin' while it's lastin'! Then when we've finished our job, He'll release us. He got us into it, He's got to get us out!--Like the ol' bear down in the field!
Psalm 10--A Description of Our Enemies!
63. (Verse 1:) "Why standest Thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?" Sometimes we feel like that, don't we?--Like, "Why aren't You doing something, Lord?" (Verse 2-3:) "The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, & blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth." They bless the covetous & work with all the wicked people who are trying to take the power.
64. (Verse 4:) "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." Boy oh boy, all these chapters against the enemies & the wicked never meant so much until we got such active enemies! (Verse 5:) "His ways are always grievous."--He's talking about the wicked now. "Thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all His (the Lord's) enemies, He puffeth at them."--Like blowing ants off your food. (Verse 6:) "He (the wicked) hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity." Oh yeah? Jus' waits till yo' shakes yo' head!
65. (Verse 7-8:) "His mouth is full of cursing & deceit & fraud." Boy oh boy, that really describes our enemies! "Under his tongue is mischief & vanity. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages."--What a picture! "In the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor." Obviously they're ashamed of what they do, & they do it secretly. They attack at two or three o'clock in the morning & break down our doors. They invite the media to film the raids, but then they never show their violence on the media. They control the media. Whew!
66. (Verse 9:) "He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net." It seems like God's people are usually poor. (Verse 10-12:) "He croucheth, & humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: He hideth His face; He will never see it. Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Thine hand: forget not the humble." They think they can get away with it. They don't even think about God, or they wouldn't do it!
Psalm 11!--The Lord Will Intervene!
67. (Fam: Verse 1-4, "In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord's throne is in Heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try the children of men.") He's trying not only us, but our enemies. We can never be destroyed, thank You Lord! He sees it all & He will intervene in His time.--He has already.
68. (Fam: Verse 5, "The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked & him that loveth violence His soul hateth.") The Lord just tries us, but He hates them. (Fam: Verse 6, "Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire & brimstone, & an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.") They may not get it until the Wrath of God, but they'll get it eventually--fire & brimstone! (Fam: Verse 7, "For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.") We're doing the best we can, praise the Lord!
Psalm 12!--"Now Will I Arise, Saith the Lord
!"
69. (Fam: Verse 1, "Help, Lord; for the Godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.")--A falling away. The Lord won't return until there comes a falling away first.--2Th.2:3.
70. (Fam: Verse 2-5, "They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips & with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, & the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.") It's time, Lord. I think it's time. It seems like they've been held long enough, but You know best. We're getting more friends all the time & reaching more people in high places & generating more sympathy.
71. (Fam: Verse 6-7, "The Words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever.") The Lord calls His Own Words silver, but He calls us gold. We're tried & come forth as true gold!--Job 23:10. His Words are silver & our faith is gold.
72. (Fam: Verse 8, "The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.") These vilest men have top positions in government.
Psalm 13!--"I Will Sing unto the Lord
!"
73. (Fam: Verse 1, "How long wilt Thou forget me, O Lord? For ever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?") Amen, Lord, how long? (Fam: Verse 2, "How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?") Deliver those in prison, Lord! Well, I just cast that burden on You. You got them in, You get them out. It's Your doing, whatever You want to do. We're having our tribulation now already--pioneers of the Tribulation!
74. (Fam: Verse 3, "Consider & hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.") I almost did. It's a miracle I'm here. I was almost gone, I could've gone, but I asked the Lord to strengthen me if I was needed, & He did! (Fam: Verse 4, "Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; & those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.") They're glad when we move.
75. (Fam: Verse 5-6, "But I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me.") (Dad sings:) "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever. I will sing, yes, I will sing! I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord! With my mouth will I make known, Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness! With my mouth will I make known, Thy faithfulness to all generations!" That's a good song of praise unto the Lord!
76. Bless our whole Family worldwide, Lord, especially those who are being persecuted. Comfort them & relieve them, & release them if it's time. Especially keep the children, Lord. Give them strength & courage & strong faith. Help this trial to strengthen their faith in Thee in adversity, going through the fire, making them as gold, yea, as much fine gold. You said our faith is like gold--better than gold, Lord. There are many things gold can't do. Bless our Family here & all those in battles near & far. Thank You for this quiet place to rest & to pray & to receive Thy direction. Bless & keep us all today & make us a blessing.
Psalm 14!--"When the Lord Bringeth Back the Captivity of His People
!"
77. (Fam: Verse 1, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.") It says that only the fool has said in his heart there is no God. There are a lot of these so-called atheists & anti-God people who are simply against God. They know there is a God, but they hate Him.
78. The head of the American Atheist Association in the United States got saved & he came around to our church as a speaker to give his testimony. He said to me, "Dave, all the time I was fighting God I knew there was a God, but I hated Him, so I was trying to get people not to believe in Him." (Fam: It says even the devils believe & tremble.--Jam.2:19.) Most of these so-called atheists are smart men, educated. They're no fools. Only the fool hath said in his heart--really believes in his heart--that there is no God.
79. (Fam: Verse 1-3, "They are corrupt, they have done abominable works.") They sure have done that! (Fam: "There is none that doeth good. The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, & seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.") Whew! That must've been before the Flood, but the condition of the World seems almost the same today, too!
80. (Fam: Verse 4-6, "Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up My people as they eat bread, & call not upon the Lord. There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.") This is a good one against our enemies. (Fam: Verse 7, "Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When the Lord bringeth back the captivity of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, & Israel shall be glad.") That is going to apply to us soon, God willing, when the Lord releases our people from captivity!
81. Bless & encourage & deliver our folks, in Jesus' name! I know You'll protect them & keep them & use them for a witness & deliver them when You're ready, when they're ready, & when You've finished what You're doing. This persecution certainly has made us get on the job & publicise Thy people, Thy good work, & I'm sure it's strengthened them, too. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 15!--Our Enemies: Backbiters & Evildoers!
82. (Fam: Verse 1-2, "Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly & worketh righteousness, & speaketh the truth in his heart.")--That's talking about us & His children. (Fam: Verse 3, "He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.")--And that gives you a description of our enemies: "He that backbiteth with his tongue & doeth evil to his neighbour, & taketh up a reproach against his neighbour." That's a good description of Dupuy, isn't it? Did you see him on the Larry King Show trying to look like a saint? After we were so good to him & forgave him for so many things & did all we could possibly do for him, you just wonder how he could go off & make himself a professional liar!
83. I thought Larry King did a good job. I thought he was very fair & almost seeming to side with us. I think the Lord gave him discernment to see what the truth was. He sure raked Dupuy over the coals! I noticed Cynthia Kisser (of CAN) kind of backed off too, & instead of just talking about us, she talked about all these groups, "Oh yes, they have a legal right to blah, blah, blah." (Family: They've had some of their deprogrammers thrown in prison, so they're watching what they say.) Yes, they're being real careful.
84. (Fam: Verse 4, "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, & changeth not.") That's what we're having to do--"change not" on our basic Bible doctrines, like the Law of Love. If we hadn't preached so much about sex, we never would have made the news. That's what people want to read about, these sexy Christians!
85. (Fam: Verse 5, "He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.") Boy, these false witnesses are sure taking reward against the innocent! Somebody's paying all their expenses, trips halfway around the World, hotel & meals & everything. Just think of what it's costing them!--Tens of thousands of Dollars.
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family
