Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. the Lord raised up the
nation of Babylon and exalted Nebuchadnezzar above all the
kings of the earth in order to use him for the chastening of
Israel by bringing her into captivity and destroying the temple. Then
the Lord brought destruction upon Babylon for daring to lift
its hands against the anointed of the Lord. This destroyer of
Israel was destroyed by him who is the destroyer of all who glory
in themselves. Murmuring or questioning our
lot and position in various circumstances of life is the epitome of man's
selfish pride. That which would cause a man
to murmur before the Lord is his penchant to consider that
he is worthy of better circumstances. It was that which urged Adam
to eat of that fruit which Eve was deceived into partaking of.
Paul says to the Corinthians, Wherefore let him that thinketh
he standeth take heed lest he fall. It is the same thing that
he warned the Galatians of. For if a man think himself to
be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. This is
the same attitude which is described by Solomon. Seest thou a man
wise in his own conceit, there is more hope of a fool than of
him. He also pointed out the outcome
of such a mind. Pride goeth before destruction
and a haughty spirit before a fall. So Paul speaks of falling into
the hands of the destroyer. Even as we read of him in Hebrews,
it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God. He is a jealous God, and will not share His glory with
any. Let us flee from murmuring, and may we be given grace to
follow in our Lord's footsteps, as He said, Even so, Father,
for so it seemed good in thy sight. Nevertheless, not my will,
but thine, be done. Christ is the destroyer of the
wicked. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed
from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance
on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory
of his power. He told his disciples who it
was that was to be feared, and fear not them which kill the
body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear him
which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Christ is the destroyer of the
enemies of his people, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out
of the way, nailing it to his cross. And having spoiled principalities
and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over
them in it. He has triumphed over all the
foes of his people. Neither the law, sin, death,
hell, or their accusers can bring them into condemnation. Christ
is the destroyer of the pride of those whom he loves with an
everlasting love. Herein is seen the fullness of
the blessing of the Lord to his chosen bride. He gives the wicked
over to a reprobate mind and leaves them in the pathway that
results in their destruction. But he will not allow his people
to be destroyed along with them. Rather, he calls them out of
darkness and into the light. Their self-reliance must be destroyed
as we see him illustrate with his dealings with Peter. As Peter
boasted of his willingness and supposed ability to stand with
the Lord in all things, the destroyer unsheathed his sword of kindness
and brought Peter to tears and remorse. David assumed that he
had hid his sin from God and the people. Yet the destroyer
sent the prophet Nathan to confront him and slew the confidence of
David. As he cried out, for I acknowledge
my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee,
thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight,
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear
when thou judgest. Jonah assumed that he would circumvent
the call of God, but the destroyer brought him to the very pit of
hell, causing him to exclaim, I cried by reason of my affliction
unto the Lord, and he heard me. Out of the belly of hell I cried,
and thou heardest my voice. It was then that he learned in
an unforgettable manner that salvation is of the Lord. Saul
of Tarsus confidently trod the road to Damascus with letters
of reprisal against the people of God. But the destroyer kindly
met him on that road, striking him blind and revealing himself
as the Lord of all. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
all that is within me. Bless his holy name. Bless the
Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgiveth
all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth
thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with lovingkindness
and tender mercies. Have you met the Destroyer? For
a free CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email
to forthepoor at windstream.net.