Bibledoorajar and Dreams

Joseph was bound in prison for something he did not do. In there with him were two miserable men. Both had had very vivid dreams the night before. And both of the men did not know what such a vivid dream meant. They were very tense and sad about not knowing the meaning. This was the first thing Joseph said to them: the interpretations will come from God and I will ask Him what they mean if you tell me about your dreams. Pharoah's butler started. His dream involved three grape vines entwined about his head and he took the grapes and squeezed them into a cup. Pharoah's baker then said he dreamed of having three baskets on his head and the top one was filled with baked goods. In the dreams, the butler was able to press the wine, fill the cup and place it into Pharoah's hand. But the birds came and ate the baker's baked goods and they never reached Pharoah's hand. To the butler, Joseph said the 3 vines symbolized three days and that at the end of that time period, the butler would be restored to full standing before the Pharoah. For this good report, Joseph asked to be remembered. However, to the baker, Joseph said that the three baskets were three days and at the end of the time period, his full standing before Pharoah would be forever cut off cursed by death.

It is said that if you want to see if someone's predictions are true, wait to see if they come true. Well, in this story the interpretations made by Joseph with God's help were spot on. Within three days the butler was back in good standing, but the baker reaped the curse of death. The butler was happy, but unfortunately he forgot to remember the one who gave him peace. Yesterday I took the Lord's Supper with fellow congregants. Thank God for the opportunity to remember the One who shed the blood that was pressed into the cup and that we symbolically drank. Our faith extended to the time at which He would bring us into full standing with the Father to be with Him always. But for those like the baker, who stand with their human works in their hands, expecting full restoration, beware, for human works will never fully restore. He that believes his own works will fully restore will be subject to damnation. Such a solemn reminder.  Don't forget to remember the One who alone gives peace.

"Peace, Perfect Peace, in this dark world of sin, the blood of Jesus whispers peace within."
                           Edward Bickersteth, 1875

Bibledoorajarcontinues to examine "the kiss"

Last week, Bibledoorajar observed that the country girl desired an intimate kiss from her newly found shepherd. She longed for that personal relationship that allows for such personal kisses. But, as you may recall, we also observed that such intimacy comes with a maturing mutual relationship. The king, himself, is also pursuing the kiss and very much wants to give it, but the timing must be perfect. It will come after the couple experience many blessed things together. The king is waiting until the girl appreciates that her shepherd is also the king and that therefore such a kiss cannot be taken lightly. The king has no desire to give the kiss to one who may continue to pursue kisses from another.

Our Christ has told us in the written Word when His bride gets the "kiss". It is a part of our maturing relationship with Him. As we mature in Him, our every righteous effort is met with the kiss. According to Ephesians 2:14, JESUS HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE. And, according to 2 Corinthians 5:21, the Father "made HIM who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in HIM".

These verses make it clear that in our beloved, God perceives us a righteous and provides the help we need to live out a righteous point of view complete with righteous acts. Praise God, it is the kiss! In Psalms 85:10 we find that RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE kiss each other! The Father's criteria has been met; the relationship is blessed.

This is a freeing truth and the beginning of real spiritual progress. As the bride believes deeply within her spirit that the bridegroom will never leave her or forsake her, she is poised to live righteously. She  believes that any pain and tears she experiences as He helps us learn righteousness are worth everything. The bride gets the kisses because He is a rewarder of them that diligently (earnestly) seek Him and His gifts.

Thank you Father for our pathway to righteousness. And thank you for the King of Glory who showers us with kisses and will bring us all the way home to the palace. Lord, come quickly!