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I can’t wait to die … said my son!

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On December 29, 2011

In Become a Child, Christian, Egypt Enlightenments, Reuben

After our visit to the churches of various martyrs in old Cairo in Egypt, on our way back to the hotel, our beloved five year old son Reuben, engaged us in conversation, as my loving wife explained to him that some of these Christians chose to deny their life for their faith.

Reuben had a plethora of questions such as,  “What happens after death?”, “Does one become an angel?”, “Can angels appear and disappear on earth at will?”, and many more. Trying to explain the concept of being absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8) in glorified heavenly bodies to a five year old was a little challenging, but using scriptural texts, my wife and I struggled to quench Reuben’s inquisitiveness. I said, when one dies before the coming of Jesus Christ, at his coming, the dead shall rise and those who are still alive, who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior, will be caught up and transformed (1 Corinthians 15:40-44, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). For simplicity sake, I answered that I am not sure if they will be transformed to angels, but in the glorified bodies, one can say that we would be heavenly beings like angels are. Regarding the appearing and disappearing on earth at will, if God wills, then they can, as was envisioned by Jacob in the dream (Genesis 28), or Joseph (Matthew 1), or Mary (Luke 1), or Daniel (Daniel) who all saw and some even communicated with angels.

Then Reuben asked me, “Dada, if you die, what will happen to you?” to which I responded, “Since I believe in Jesus Christ, I would go to be with Jesus as well, but when I get to meet him, I will request him to make me your angel for the Bible says that the little ones have angels in heaven who behold the face of God the Father (Matthew 18:10). Then Reuben asked, “Is your dad [who went to be with the Lord on September 30, 1986] an angel?” and questioned “What kind of angel is he; is he a warrior angel in Michael’s troops or a messenger angel in Gabriel’s troop?” to which I responded, I don’t know as my wife shared with him the life and sacrifices of his grandfather (Dr. R.A.C. Paul) for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the tribal hills of Orissa, India.

Then suddenly, Reuben said, “I can’t wait to die!” His expression first caught me off-guard and it brought in me a sense of sadness, but I quickly realized that Reuben was expressing in his own words, the very desire of Apostle Paul from Philippians 1:23. His expression taught me that I must also be like Reuben in my attitude of life. We must live with an expectation of being transformed into glorified bodies to be with Christ Jesus.

Renowned minister, Charles Spurgeon is attributed to have said, “There is an essential difference between the decease of the godly and the death of the ungodly. Death comes to the ungodly man as a penal infliction, but to the righteous as a summons to his Father’s palace. To the sinner it is an execution, to the saint an undressing from his sins and infirmities. Death to the wicked is the King of terrors. Death to the saint is the end of terrors, the commencement of glory.”

To die as a saint (which comes solely by believing in Jesus Christ), either naturally or as a martyr, is the commencement of glory and as our son sagely put it, I chose to live life, each day, with an expectation of being with Jesus in a glorified state. I can’t wait to die! How about you?

Philippians 1:23 (KJV)
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

King Tutankhamun vs. King Jesus Christ

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On December 28, 2011

In Become a Child, Christian, Egypt Enlightenments, Reuben

During our visit to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt, we spent hours looking at the ancient Pharonic antiquities and artifacts on display. One section of the museum is dedicated to housing the varied treasures of the boy king Tutankhamun aka king Tut. King Tut’s artifacts came from his tomb and included over 3500 treasures and affluent items that he supposedly used throughout his life. These artifacts ranged in items made of gold, silver, precious gems, calcite, alabaster, etc., such as golden perfume bottles and amulets, the Wadjet or eye of Horus, canonic chests and shrine, statue of an one horned Oryx, golden scarab necklace, golden buckle depicting a chariot drawn by horses, the gilded throne and statutes, including life-size statues (1 meter 73 cm) of King Tut. Additionally, two of the three sarcophagi in which king Tut was laid to rest as a mummy are on display, with the third outermost (not on display), made of complete gold and weighing 450 kilograms (over 990 pounds), resting today in the Valley of the Kings housing his mummy still. But the highlight of the museum (a must see to all who visit) is king Tut’s funerary mask, which was found placed over the mummified head of the king. It is made of gold and inlaid with precious stones (lapis lazuli, turquoise, and carnelian), weighing 11 kilograms (nearly 25 pounds) and is believed to represent what the king really look like. Suffice it to say, that the king certainly lived an extremely affluent life and an inscription on his tomb door declares the king had “spent his life in fashioning the images of the gods”.

After being flabbergasted by such opulence, my loving wife Sangeetha in levity remarked, “This king must have been a brat (given he was only about 19 when he died), for who in life (or death) really needs such luxuries. Such wealth seems to indicate that the king had subjects who served him and a good king is one who serves his subjects, not the other way round!” To this our beloved five year old son, Reuben questioned, “We must be nice to him, because he is a king, correct?” seeking my support.

Later on, as I pondered over this conversation, it struck me that I personally know of another king, The KING, King Jesus Christ, who in his birth and death was affirmed of his kingship. In his birth, the question was “Where is he who is born THE KING of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2) and even in his death, a promulgation with an inscription on the Titulus, placed over of his head, on the Cross affirmed, that Jesus is King, King of the Jews as it read IESVS·NAZARENVS·REX·IVDÆORVM meaning Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. (Mathew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19). But unlike king Tut, King Jesus Christ, gave up the riches of his glory (Philippians 4:19) to spend his life fashioning the image of his creation, and took the form of a servant in the likeness of man, making himself of no reputation (Philippians 2:6-8). Not only that, King Jesus Christ expressed that as a king, he had not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28) and give his life as a ransom for many, and that my dear friends, makes not only a good King, but a GREAT King. Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16) and I will leave you to ponder on the same question that our son asked, “We must be nice to him (Jesus), because he is a KING, correct?”

Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 20:28 (NKJV)
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” 

Revelation 19:16 (KJV)
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 

A pyramidical mystery revealed

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On December 27, 2011

In Christian, Egypt Enlightenments, Reuben

On our visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, on December 20th, 2011, we were not only awe-struck by the sheer size of the pyramids but also spellbound at the thought that the most prized of all of God’s creation, man, could build such colossal and magnificient structures. On our camel and horse ride to the pyramids, our beloved five year old son, Reuben, asked our guide, Mahmoud, as to how the pyramids were built. Our guide’s response was “No one knows, it is a mystery.” I explained to Reuben that there are several theories that are said regarding the building of the pyramids, ranging from the more plausible Egyptians having techniques and technologies that are now lost to the modern world to the more speculative supernatural extraterrestrials who came to earth and built the pyramids, but no one knows for sure, it is a mystery. However, though the building of the pyramids is a mystery, the fact that remains is that it was built, because you can tangible see the engineering prowess of man.

As I reminisced on the inquisitiveness of my child, I realized that an even far greater (pyramidical) mystery is the one of the Son of God (Jesus Christ) becoming the Son of man so that the sons and daughters of men could become the sons and daughters of God. The Bible in the letter to the church at Ephesus records that God has blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, for before the foundation of the world, he chose us to be holy and blameless before him in love (Ephesians 1:3-4). He not only chose us but predestinated us to be his children by adopting us (Ephesians 1:5). But with the fall of man from grace, on account of his own sinfulness, man rendered himself to be an unacceptable offering for adoption and made himself an enemy of God (James 4:4). But God in his bountiful mercy and abounding love, mysteriously sent forth to us Jesus, his only begotten Son,  (John 3:16) to be born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18), who died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). In the blood of Jesus is the mysterious redemption of God and forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7). This is the mystery of God’s will made known (revealed) to man in Christ Jesus; a pyramidical mystery indeed (Ephesians 1:9).

Points to ponder:
Just as the physical presence of the Great Pyramids is a testament to the fact that these supersize structures were made, even though, how it was made remains a mystery, the Spiritual presence of the Great Providence in Jesus Christ is a testament to the fact that a supernatural provision of a Savior was made by God, even though how His righteousness is imputed on us by mere belief continues to remain a mystery. You and I were made to be holy and blameless and to have fellowship with God; all we have to do is put our trust in Jesus and BELIEVE in Him. Only in Jesus you see the tangible expression of God’s love.

Ephesians 1:3-9 (KJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

 

True meaning of Christmas – You can sacrifice me!

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On December 26, 2011

In Become a Child, Christian, Egypt Enlightenments, Reuben

As a family, my beloved wife Sangeetha, cherished son Reuben and I, got to spend 2011 Christmas in Egypt and were blessed to visit the colossal and spellbinding Pyramids of Giza, the magnificent Egyptian museum, the Citadel and its museums, sail the Nile and visit Old Cairo with its beautiful Coptic museum, the Babylon Fortress, the Hanging Church and various churches of early Christian martyrs. During our visit to the Coptic museum, on December 23, 2011, amongst many ancient artifacts, in the Christian painting section of the museum, was an incomplete ancient Coptic painting that depicted the faithful act of Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac.

As we were describing the artifacts to our five year old, Reuben, my wife and I explained to Reuben the story of Abraham and his test of faith by God. I told Reuben, “Abraham was a friend of God, but God wanted to test Abraham and see if he loved God more than he loved his son, Isaac, his only son (whom he loved a lot). So God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son as a test. Abraham believed God and passed the test, and God provided a ram to be sacrificed in the place of his son.” Reuben listened to that account, attentively and carefully and after I had finished telling him the account, he inquisitively asked, “Dada, if God asked you to sacrifice me, what would you do?” The question caught me off-guard and succumbed me into an emotional roller coaster, as I pondered as to what life would be without our son; it would break my heart and it would be unbearable, to say the least. So I responded, by saying, “I would plead and cry and ask God to take my life instead of requiring yours; I would sacrifice myself for you. In this matter I would disobey God.” To this, Reuben responded, “Dada, you can say okay to God” and as I was being surprised by his expression, his next statement struck me in awestruck wonder and left me spellbound, for he said “You can sacrifice me, for even if you do, God can raise me up from the dead.” My wife and I were touched at such a simple yet profound faith. To obey is better than sacrifice.

As we waited in the Mar Girgis metro station to board the train to the Sofitel hotel in Gezirah (Opera metro), I realized that the true meaning of Christmas had been implicitly communicated to me, through our beloved son. While we think of Christmas, mostly as the birth of Jesus Christ, on his created earth, and wish one another “Merry Christmas”, I wondered if the conversation in the tribunal in heaven, prior to Jesus’ birth, was similar to the conversation, my son and I had, where Jesus willingly offered to be sacrificed. I wondered if the conversation in heaven was as follows:
Father God: What can I do, for man, our most precious created being, has sinned and fallen short of our glory? (Romans 3:23) What can I do to bring man back to me?
Holy Spirit: The perfect sacrifice, not made of human hands! (Hebrews 9:11-12, Hebrews 10:14)
Father God: Now where can I get the perfect sacrifice, one who is without blemish; sinless and guileless! (1 Peter 2:22)
Holy Spirit: Only in your Only begotten Son! (John 3:16)
Father God: Oh no, that would break my heart and it would be unbearable.
Holy Spirit: But there is no other way – for only Jesus is The Way, and that is The Truth and only in him is The Life! (John 14:6)
God the Son: Father God, You can sacrifice me, for even if you do, you can raise me up from the dead. I willingly offer my life to be the sacrificial lamb of God, for the redemption of mankind. (John 10:16-17)
Father God: I wish there was another way, my beloved son, but since there is none, when the fullness of time comes (Galatians 4:4), you shall be conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, in a manger, in the town of Bethlehem, and be named Jesus, for you shall save our people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
This day shall they call Christmas, in memory of your birth, but in essence, it was the manifestation of your offer to be sacrificed, for you said, “You can sacrifice me!“

Points to ponder:
Merry Christmas everyone or should we say, “God, we lay our lives to you as a living sacrifice as did your Son Jesus” and that I have learned from my five year old son, is the true meaning of Christmas.

Galatians 4:4-5 (KJV)
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Matthew 1:20-21 (KJV)
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

John 10:15-18 (KJV)
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Give Thanks – Why and For What?

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On November 24, 2011

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

This thanksgiving season, some of us, take time to reminisce on the reasons as to why we ought to be thankful, while many are caught in the flurry of the season with sales-buster shopping, cooking turkeys and partying with friends, all of which, in and of themselves are okay as long as they don’t become the focus of the season. I was wondering today as to the reasons why I should be thankful and also pondering on what I should be thankful for.

The answer to the ‘Why’ question as to the reason that we should be thankful is pretty straightforward according to the Bible. The Bible tells us that in everything (all circumstances of life), we must give thanks for this is the will of God concerning us (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It also counsels us, that it is a good thing to sing thanks unto the Lord and sing praises to the name of the Most High God (Psalm 92:1).

But what must we be thankful for?
To answer this question, follow along the conversation, that I had with our beloved 5 year old son, Reuben, last afternoon.
Me: Reuben, what are you thankful for?
Reuben: My family and friends, my toys, my brother (to be born in March 2012), my video games.
Me: Who are you missing?
Reuben: Mama’s mama (Gaagi), Gamma (my mom), Mama’s dada (Gaaga), your dada (my dad)
Me:  Who are you missing that should come first?
Reuben: God
Me: God, who?
Reuben: God, Jesus Christ!
Me: Why should you be thankful to Jesus Christ?
Reuben: Because he made us and he did all those things for us.
Me: What things?
Reuben: He made us from dust; He died for us on the Cross; He rose again for us; and that is all I can think of!

Interestingly, what our son, told and taught me as to “What we should be thankful for?” is very scriptural and Biblical. The Bible tells us we must give thanks at the remembrance of God’s holiness (Psalm 30:4). In other words, a remembrance of God’s holiness and purity, brings to mind our own unholiness and impurity (sinfulness) and highlights that our souls were on its way to the grave, because the sting of sin is death (1 Corinthians 15:56), but God has kept us alive,  so that we should not go down to the pit (Psalm 30:3) and given us victory through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57)

So what must we be thankful for?
We must be thankful for Jesus Christ; for the love of God; a love so great that while we were still sinners, Christ died in our stead to keep us alive and from going down to the pit (hell). We must be thankful because He made us (in his own image) and He died for us and rose again to reign, and that is all we should think of!

Psalm 30:3-4 (KJV)
3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (KJV)
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Psalm 92:1 (KJV)
1 IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH: 

Are you an astronomer or an astronaut Christian?

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On October 27, 2011

In Christian, Movie Motions, Reuben

On our drive back from Dallas to Austin, our cherished five year old son, Reuben asked my beloved wife Sangeetha and me, a question. He wanted to know if he could jump and reach the Sun that was setting beyond the horizon. This led to a discussion of how no man can reach the Sun, although man kind has reached the moon. We explained to Reuben, that those who go to outer space (like to the moon) are astronauts, while those who stay on earth and observe outer space are astronomers. It reminded me of the movie, Jurassic Park III, in which, Dr. Grant (played by Sam Neill) explains to Erik (played by Trevor Morgan), that there are only two kinds of boys, those who want to be astronomers and those who want to be astronauts. The astronomer (or the paleontologist) gets to study these amazing things from a place of complete safety, but never get to go into space.

As astronomer is a spectator, while an astronaut is a partaker. In our Christian walk as well, we can function as an astronomer or as an astronaut. Many of us (including myself), many a times, merely function as a spectator, observing the wondrous and amazing things, ordained by God, from a place of complete safety, without getting involved in the Kingdom business of snatching souls from the doorposts of hell. We function as astronomer Christians, pleased to hear of God words, instead of functioning as astronaut Christians, doing God’s work. The Bible is very clear on the need to be a doer; to be a partaker in God’s mission of reconciling man to God and restoring man back into a relationship with God. To be merely a hearer (spectator) and not a doer, is in essence, the worst kind of deception; a deception where one deceive themselves (James 1:22).

Points to ponder:
We need to be doers of God’s work, and not mere hearers of God’s words.
We need to be partakers, and not mere spectators.
We need to be astronaut Christians not mere astronomer Christians.
Are you an astronomer or an astronaut Christian?

James 1:22 (KJV)
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

When Jesus Comes

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On October 26, 2011

In Christian, Reuben

Recently, when Sangeetha and I ask our five year old beloved son, Reuben to do something, like clean his game room, or wear his shoes, he would dilly dally for a while, before getting to the task given and when we ask him to hurry up, he would raise his hand in a gesture telling us, that he is going to do what has been asked of him, but for now, leave me alone. The last couple of times, I would ask him, “When are you going to do it?”, “When Jesus comes?” to which he would always burst out laughing.

Once during this conversation, it dawned on me that there was a fallacy in my assumption and my question which implied that Jesus would come again sometime in the future, hopefully by which time, Reuben would have completed his chore, was indeed not necessarily accurate. I corrected myself and used that opportunity to tell Reuben, that actually, none of us know “when” Jesus will come back. It could be in the future or it could be this very instant. What is really important is that, when Jesus comes, how will he find us? Will we be ready filled with the Holy Spirit of God or would the oil in have run out?

Jesus said, “Of the day and that hour of Jesus’ return, no man knows, nor do the angels in heaven, neither does Jesus himself as the Son of God, but only God the Father knows of this. So we must take heed, watch and pray, for we do not know when the time is.” (Mark 13:32-33). This day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

Points to ponder:
Are you/I going to be ready, taking heed, watching and praying, for we do not know When Jesus Comes?

Mark 13:32-33 (KJV)
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 (KJV)
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Lesser known characters :: Abishai

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On July 25, 2011

In Character-(istics), Christian, Lesser known characters, Reuben

The middle name of our beloved son Reuben, is Abishai, meaning Gift of God the Father and this name was chosen from the account given of a man recorded in 2 Samuel 23, in the Bible. But who is this Abishai in the Bible?

Abishai was the nephew of king David. He was born to Zeruiah, David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:16). David had other nephews and nieces, but it is Abishai who is called out and referred to as the one who was most honorable than even the mighty men of David (2 Samuel 23:19).

Abishai was a man of war; a military captain. Abishai avenged the death of his brother Asahel and killed Abner (2 Samuel 2:18-24; 2 Samuel 3:30). He killed 18000 Edomites in the valley of salt who warred against the king (1 Chronicles 18:12), and was made captain for having raised his spear and killing 300 men, who were enemies of David (2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:20). Abishai was no doubt a man of war, but he was no ordinary man of war. He led the armies of David, courageously and valiantly, but what is interesting is that he recognized with his brother Joab, that the result of their battles were not because of their doing, but because the outcome was, as God would will for God’s own good (2 Samuel 10:10). In essence, he was engaged in battle, after submitting to the will of God.

He was given a third of David’s men (2 Samuel 18:2) and entrusted by David, the king himself, on some of David’s most personal conquests; not to lay hands on Absalom, David’s son, who revolted against his father and king (2 Samuel 18:5,12) and to pursue Sheba, the son of Belial, the son of Bichri, lest he escaped (2 Samuel 20:6).  He could not stand it when someone revolted against his king, for when Shimei, the Benjamite, from the house of Saul hurled curses on king David, Abishai sought to go and kill Shimei whom he refers to as a dead dog (2 Samuel 16:5-14) and even when Shimei repents of his sin of rebellion against the king, Abishai is still fervent in avenging the LORD’s anointed king, who had been shamed (2 Samuel 19:21).

It is recorded of Abishai that he was most honorable than even the mighty men of David (2 Samuel 23:19), but his claim to fame did not come as a result of his relationship association with a king, but because of his honorable service to the king. Abishai was willing to die for his king. When king David asked, “Who will go with me, into the enemy camp (the camp of Saul)?”, it was Abishai who first responded and accompanied king David, behind enemy lines, right into the camp of Saul. There Abishai is restrained of his fervor to fight and kill for his king, because David admonishes him not to raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 26:6-9).

What can we learn from Abishai?

  1. We must be willing to fight for our kin and be engaged in spiritual battle, only after submitting to the Lord, for his will to be done.
  2. We must be willing to serve the Lord, in such a manner, that God can entrust to us, the most personal of his requests; be it to protect his family or to pursue the sons of Belial.
  3. We must be fervent in stopping anything and anyone who brings shame and dishonor against God’s people and his anointed (if it has not been allowed by God himself).
  4. We must be willing to go behind enemy lines and be willing to die for our King of kings and Lord of lord; for Jesus Christ.

Can God say of you and me, “He/She is more honorable than any of the others soldiers in my army?”

References:

  • Abishai was the nephew of king David. He was born to Zeruiah, David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:16)
  • Abishai slew eighteen thousand Edomites who warred against his king, in the valley of salt (1 Chronicles 18:12)
  • Abishai partnered with his brother Joab, and led the armies of the king against the kings enemies (Syria and Ammon), valiantly and with good courage, submitting themselves to the will of God (2 Samuel 10:10-14; 1 Chronicles 19:11-15)
  • Abishai was a military leader who was appointed captain of David’s mighty mighty men, for with a spear, he killed 300 men who were enemies of the king (2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:20)
  • Abishai was the man who offered to go behind enemy lines with his uncle David into the camp of Saul and was willing to kill Saul, in his loyalty to David (1 Samuel 26:6-9)
  • Abishai with his brother Joab, pursued Abner and avenged the death of their brother Asahel, whom Abner had killed in battle (2 Samuel 2:18-24; 2 Samuel 3:30)
  • Abishai was entrusted a third of David’s men and entrusted to deal gently and not touch Absalom (David’s son) who had revolted against king David (2 Samuel 18:2,5,12)
  • Abishai was the one who offered to go and kill Shimei, a Benjamite (from the side of Saul), when Shimei hurled curses on David (2 Samuel 16:5-14). Later Shimei repents and seeks David’s forgiveness, but Abishai had not forgotten Shimei sin against David (the Lord’s anointed) and wishes to seek revenge by killing Shimei (2 Samuel 19:21).
  • Abishai was charged by king David to pursue Sheba, the son of Bichri; a son of Belial, lest Sheba find himself fenced cities and escape them (2 Samuel 20:6)
  • Abishai was a man of whom it is said that he was more honorable than even the fighting mighty men of king David (2 Samuel 23:19)

God of the mighty

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On May 26, 2011

In Become a Child, Christian, Music Musings, Reuben

While learning the song, Agnus Dei, instead of singing “for the Lord God Almighty reigns”, our beloved 5 year old son, Reuben, kept singing “for the God of the mighty reigns.” My loving wife, Sangeetha attempted to correct him, but while she was doing so, it dawned on me that my son, without realizing was proclaiming another truth from the Holy Bible. God, the Most High is not just the Lord God Almighty, but He is also the God of the mighty.

The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word, “mighty” as someone who is possessing “power.” As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we are not just a peculiar people, but we are a powerful people, for God did not give unto us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Just as David, a shepherd boy towered over the mighty trained soldier Goliath, with God in us (not just on our side), we are stronger than the strongest and mightier than the mightiest that the world can raise. We are a mighty people and the Most High, who reigns, is our God. For indeed the Lord God Almighty reigns; For indeed the God of the mighty reigns.

1 John 4:4 (KJV)
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

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