Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. Pharaoh's magicians could
hardly be described as worshippers of Jehovah, yet they recognized
the working of his mighty power, as they told Pharaoh that this
plague of lice, which they could not duplicate through their sleight
of hand, was indeed the work of Elohim, that is, the Supreme
God. Yet because the Lord had hardened
Pharaoh's heart, he paid no heed to their warning. They said this
was the finger of God." This is an interesting description,
and we see the finger of God mentioned several other times
in the Scriptures. One of these is found when the
Lord gave the law to Moses on Mount Sinai. And he gave unto
Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon Sinai,
two tables of testimony, tables of stone written with the finger
of God. And the Lord delivered unto me
two tables of stone written with the finger of God. Lest any man
should think that Moses sat down with a hammer and chisel, as
depicted by some artists, to write this law from his own imagination,
he reiterates that this code is that which came directly from
the hand of God. Regardless of this fact, men
did then, and continue now, to despise that which God wrote
with his finger. Is the law then against the promises
of God? God forbid, for if there had
been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness
should have been by the law. In this we see the fact that
though this law inscribed in tables of stone was indeed most
glorious, it was never intended for any other purpose than to
reveal the sinful nature of men. Now we know that whatsoever things
the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, that every
mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before
God. Therefore by the deeds of the
law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight, for by the law
is the knowledge of sin. Thus we are brought to see another
time when the Lord wrote with His finger for the same purpose.
The Pharisees brought a woman, taken in the very act of adultery,
and cast her at the feet of the Lord Jesus. They did this not
because they loved the law, but because they wished to lay a
snare for the Lord. They rightly spoke the law, as
many modern Pharisees do, as they pointed out the dire consequences
which the law demanded. Now Moses and the law commanded
us that such should be stoned, but what sayest thou? This they
said, tempting him that they might have to accuse him. But
Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground,
as though he heard them not. Much speculation has been made
as to what he wrote there, but the scriptures do not give us
any indication as to what it was. But it is clear what the
ultimate result of that which he spoke and wrote was. So when
they continued asking him, he lifted up himself and said unto
them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast
a stone at her. And again he stooped down and
wrote on the ground. One by one we see them slinking
away, smitten in conscience and perhaps somewhat angry that they
had been beaten at their own game. The law is designed for
condemnation, and all who are confronted by it, by that which
is written in the heart by the finger of God, taste the bitterness
of their own sin. Paul experienced this same thing.
For I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment
came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment which was
ordained to life I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion
by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. While
he lived the life of a Pharisee of the Pharisees, he thought
that he had a high regard to the law, as he pressed its demands
upon others and took pride in his own keeping of it, according
to his weak understanding. Yet when the Lord brought to
him a clear understanding, that is, as he says, when the commandment
came, he was broken and ashamed by it. Jeremiah records the promise
of God unto those whom he loves. I will put my law in their inward
parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God,
and they shall be my people. For they shall all know me from
the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord. For
I will forgive their iniquity, and will remember their sin no
more. This is a most glorious writing,
which is performed only by the finger of God, as the Lord told
Nicodemus. Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God. Therefore, if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold,
all things are become new. This is the work of God, which
no man can perform, and thankfully, no man can prevent. Have you
known this writing with the finger of God, which is Christ? Ye must
be born again. For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.