Psalm 91 ~ He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust

Archaeological evidence of biblical King Hezekiah found in Jerusalem

Daniel Esparza 

A tiny fragment of limestone found in the Siloam Tunnel, beneath the City of David, seem to mention King Hezekiah.

A small fragment of a stone inscription was recently found in the Siloam Tunnel. Carved in ancient times, the tunnel is now located in the Arab neighborhood of Silwan, in eastern Jerusalem. Its popular name, “Hezekiah’s Tunnel,” is due to the most common hypothesis that it dates from the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, between the late 8th and early 7th century BC.

It has been commonly believed that this tunnel corresponds to a “conduit” that is mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20:

“The rest of the deeds of Hezeki’ah, and all his might, and how he made the pool and the conduit and brought water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?” 

Now, archaeologists have found a little piece of evidence (a small limestone fragment) that connects King Hezekiah to this tunnel.

Biblical narratives explain how King Hezekiah prepared Jerusalem for an impending siege by the Assyrians. 2 Chronicles 32:30 explains how he blocked “the source of the waters of the upper Gihon” and led them “straight down on the west to the City of David,” to prevent the enemy forces under Sennacherib from having access to water.

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you

from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes

and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”

and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 no harm will overtake you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

If we want to stand firm with God as our refuge and fortress, the first thing we do is
we believe the Truth.

Deuteronomy 10

12“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you,

but to fear the Lord your God,

to walk in all his ways,

to love him,

to serve the Lord your God

 with all your heart 

and with all your soul,

And to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord,

which I am commanding you today for your good?

Behold, 

to the Lord your God 

belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, 

the earth 

with all that is in it.

15 Yet the Lord set Jis heart in love 

on your fathers a

nd chose their offspring after them, 

you above all peoples, 

as you are 

this day.

And the writer is Moses who stood and saw the Glory of God.

Now Moses and Psalm 91 have a good deal in common. Endurance.

2 Thessalonians 2

14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

People always have a choice, either increase in gratitude for a life worth living - or you get to be bitter.

Now Moses could have been bitter. He was the Pharoah's son. This is going to be a life of luxury. And comfort. But he saw that the midwives were told to kill of human people. Without the grace of God, Moses would be dead. And something in him didn't rest for feeling he couldn't prosper seeing how hard the lives were for the Children of Israel. Moses felt that he was charged to do something. And killing the Egyptian was certainly not the best thing. The Pharoah's house was going to think he was not within a controllable range. And he fled to death. Instead, Moses found he could stand for days and watch the flocks.

Where was the bitterness? Instead, Moses had a wife, children, and interesting father in law. And a job caring for animals that need care. Moses chose to see - God was taking care of him.

Hezekiah is the King who rivals Solomon. Solomon had so much given to him. Hezekiah has war and the Assyrian Army. Egypt wanting war. And Hezekiah is remembered as raising the Holy Spirit within his people, The Children of God.

Was Hezekiah grateful for his incredible legacy and life?

Isaiah 38

14 Like a swallow or a crane I chirp;
    I moan like a dove.
My eyes are weary with looking upward.
    O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!

15 What shall I say? 

For he has spoken to me,
    and he himself has done it.

I walk slowly all my years
    because of the bitterness of my soul.
16 O Lord, by these things men live,
    and in all these is the life of my spirit.

    Oh restore me to health and make me live!

17 Behold, it was for my welfare
    that I had great bitterness;
but in love you have delivered my life
    from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins
    behind Your back.

18 For Sheol does not thank you;
    death does not praise you;
those who go down to the pit do not hope
    for your faithfulness.

19 The living, the living, he thanks you,
    as I do this day;
the father makes known to the children
    Your faithfulness.

20 The Lord will save me,
    and 

we will play my music on stringed instruments
all the days of our lives,
  at the House of the Lord.

Isaiah 38:1-20

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.

7 “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: 8 Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.

What Life requires is Faith. Sad times come - life changes as people age. And in volunteering, I found that people have the strength to do their lives.

Abba, Father,

Your Mercies renew each day. 

Help us in times we endure - to keep enduring.

In times of prosperity, 

to give Thanks. 

And not be unmindful.

In times of Change, to Trust.

In the day at hand, to see the good.

During times of grief and end, 

to live today knowing that time will ease.

To live Knowing God Loves and is our destination. 

In knowing that God loves us, we feel our emotions,

know our emotions, 

come to understand what makes each of us 

uniquely the Child of God. 

And rule over our emotions to tame them to please God. 

Knowing the framework Your Word gives is where happiness dwells 

and 

allows room for Joy, Peace, 

Encouragement, Patience and Love. 

Father, please dwell in me.

Please, Father, dwell in those I love.

Help us to seek You first.

And in Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

Help us to see more Heaven on earth

be more Heaven on earth

and find more Heaven on earth

by being faithfully living daily to You.

Father, we hope for Your grace and favor in Your sight, 

Bless us when we carry and proclaim 

the Light of Jesus in all mankind, 

we are pleasing to You.

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

In Jesus,

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus

Mark 3:31-35 ~ Doers of the Will of God

 

Mark 3:31-35

31 And His Mother and His brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called Him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 

33 And He answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, He said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

This sounds like the hard realities of life. When Empires sweep in and mankind is setting out upon an unplanned journey. And life takes turns around steep and sharp corners. 

Yet, John said if he was asked to describe our Father from having lived with Jesus and, later, His Mother, what would he say.  God is Love. 39 Times John explains God's words, God's actions and God Himself with the word Love.  33 Times in His Later Books with John.  Love One Another.

John 15:12

This is my commandment, 

that you love one another 

as I have loved you.

Yesterday, we spoke about the immediacy of God. David was loved by the Lord, for his Steadfast Love David gave God.  We know Jesus would give His Family time to be reconciled with Him. And it was only a couple of years and on to eternity for their lives as Family to reunite in His Kingdom.

David describes the heart of Jesus in Mark 3:31-35.

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy 

shall follow me

 all the days of my life, 

and 

I shall dwell in the house of the Lord 

 forever.

Jacob faced a time when he had to forgive his sons. Not all of them would ask for forgiveness, in fact, none of them was recorded as asking.  And we can greatly presume to understand in Steadfast Love of faith, the men who didn't reconcile on earth, would indeed find the love they couldn't arrive to live in life.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, 

and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Tonight I began to watch the Psalms presented on Amazon. It is beautiful, and filled with our hearts.  So much of the Psalms, David is crying and crying out. We hear this on Christian Radio, why do people pray such hard prayers and have such difficult victories. 

Victories! Real Victories! To know the Reality of God and Answered Prayer.

Yes, Victories. In the land of the living. Surely, God smiles as the Holy Spirit brings these Words of His forth.  Living. We are. We will. Forever.  We are Victorious Today. And we would like to avoid the years buckling our seatbelts. And yet, this is why Jabez was granted all of God's Blessings.  We never heard about Jabez again. Nothing to write home about. All is Sunny, every day. 

For those of us who would raise our hand for more Sunny Jabez Days, Jesus would fully comprehend having been there when all was in Creation, and they Laughed with Delight in Heaven.  The Christ of God, His Only Son, tells us to pray for More of God's Will done on earth as it is in Heaven.

We want this! And we are blessed to pray and expect this.

Personal Responsibility.  

To see more Heaven on earth. Jesus was not condemning His Family, He was expanding His Family. To be more Heaven on earth - knowing God is Love.  And acting upon all He gives us to Love.  Praying is important.  And find more Heaven on earth daily with diligent and determined Blessing finding. 

When human beings, the Beloved of God and His Salvation, begin to discuss the stress and fracture of human loving relationships (and even of friends who just enjoy one another and have supported one another) there is a character forming, crucial and critical portion: 

We Must Not Forget To Allow God the Room For His Loving and Healing Mercy.

Jesus, being God, gives us His Words on all subjects. When we think of forgiveness, we think of Jacob, Israel, being called to forgive those he loves taking Joseph from him and allowing his suffering for decades. God gives Jacob time to process and as he dies, he blesses them. Even the son who slept with an unwilling servant wife who had given him children. This son was tumultuous, Reuben had tried to save Joseph from being killed and being put in a pit, yet didn't betray his siblings to race to attempt to find slavers somewhere in the desert.  The desert the Children of Israel would live in for 40 years during the Reconciliation of the Promises of God to Abraham.

Forgiveness - you might end up with not the reconciliation of Heaven, but the supposed marriage feast of Jacob's daughter, Dinah. Or you could end up with all of the sincere love of the great friends of Jesus, Judas or Ananias, with his wife Sapphira. Does God understand our wise reluctance? 

Matthew 13:15 

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

Forgiveness, as a path, has the component of forsaking wisdom to suffer great harm. The Words of God are meant to be considered.  The Scriptures are Prophetic. Prophesy. And God says never to despise prophesy. To ask for prophecy. Proverbs tells us to cry out for wisdom and then 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways

 submit to Him, and 

He will make your paths straight.

The Lovely component regarding God's Love for us, we can't break His Plans.  He is going to make sure that if we are faithful in our love and trust, God is going to, will, fulfill ALL HIS PLANS. His Good Will.

The Scriptures also remark to take a back scurrilous marriage partner, is like being asked to be attacked by a filthy, attacking camel. Which is why we prefer to ride horses. Horses don't generally reek of something unknown, water that has gone bad, and don't attack mankind without provocation, like a bull. Camel bites make dog bites look like kittens playing.  God never asked us to be unwise. 

Rick Warren did a marvelous sermon on the guilt of having been divorced.  We aren't called to go back into danger or corruption.  Are we sure?!! Yes, with Jesus as Lord we are sure. Then we will need biblical backup? Yes, indeed, indeed, indeed. 

Today we will take just a portion of the verse of 1 Corinthians 7. And 1 Corinthians 7 is the process of working out forgiveness. But there is a goal of the entire Chapter and so well worth reading with faith and joy.

15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. 

In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. 

God has called you to peace.

16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? 

Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

We are not called to give up a different direction God has called us upon. Especially when we fully, and with sincere hearts, believe the Bible leads us in prophetic love. This is trusting in God in faith. And when we know there is a break in life, due to failure or years, we can always please the Lord God Almighty, our Father in Jesus Christ, His Beloved will pray for those that have offended us. We pray for our enemies until we don't consider them enemies. Making our prayers sincere, starting with, "Oh Lord this is so wrong, please help. Please provide peace and Love and Joy that Jesus proclaims in the many Books of the Gospel of John. Make it stop!" We don't have to pray with any insincerity!  We pray until we cease to call them enemies in our heart.  And this is living a life of forgiveness.

The Lord would never want us to stop. Forgiving. Being Merciful. Wanting the best for one another. Knowing His Reconciliation in Heaven. And we are really living Eternity - TODAY. We can do all He puts in our hand to do.  And when not in our hands, He has still given us the Victory in Prayer, which is faith unseen to live and breathe and move in His Being. With God, ALL Things are Possible. Prayer is Hope and moves mountains.

Psalm 33:15

He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do. 

The Maker of hearts 

also knows how 

to remake hearts.

John Mark

Mark of the Gospel

It is Church tradition to believe John Mark is Mark of the Gospels. And we believe Church History.  Paul began his ministry traveling with John Mark, the Cousin of Barnabas.  And John Mark didn't want to do all that Paul wanted of him. Paul believed John Mark to be not dedicated. Surely, a hurtful part of life for them both. And to Barnabas. 

Mark would change Rome. And change the world. Doing the work of Jesus Christ, the maker of hearts, remaking hearts.

Colossians 4:10

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),

1 Peter 5

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Philemon

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

2 Timothy 4

11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.

Isaiah 40

Do you not know?

    Have you not heard?

Has it not been told you from the beginning?

    Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

He sits enthroned 

above 

the circle

 of the earth

Let the Circle be Unbroken

by and by, Lord

By and By.

John 14:19 

Because I Live, You Also Will Live.

Abba Father,

The Blessing of the Free 

is placed upon the Selflessly Brave. 

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

Let this Rest in the Highest Name, Jesus Christ 

and be done with Love.

 May the God of hope fill us all, everyone, 

with all joy and peace in believing, 

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit 

we may abound in hope.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, in Jesus Christ. 

Help us find and bring

to become

 more Heaven

to this earth.

The Lord,

The Almighty,

Our Father,

Bless,

Save,

Secure

and Uphold

Your Beloved.

We know:

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

Thank You!

In Jesus,

Amen.

We keep the circle going

for 

our

Children

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus

Mark 1:14-20 ~ following Him

Mark 1:14-20

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, 

proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, 

“The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; 

repent and 

believe in the Gospel.”

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 

17 And Jesus said to them, 

“Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 

18 And immediately 

they left their nets and followed Him. 

19 And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 

20 And immediately He called them, 

and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Him.

We have this idea, men in robes, with dusty feet, walk slowly about with peace and possibly halos.  We know people could walk comfortably 10 miles a day. Wouldn't we suppose this would fit in with, "Jesus meek and mild." When was Jesus meek and mild? As an infant?  The day Shepherds went to find Jesus, telling Mary and Joseph this was a real act of God. The Real Thing. And they had seen more Angels than Mary and Joseph. Many, many more.

Was Jesus meek and mild when He decided to teach the Temple as boy? He told His Mother, He was doing His Father's work. And didn't want to bother her, so after His public reply, He decided to go along with the Parents God had given Him. Not meek. Not mild. Decisive. 

Jesus, God of Love. God of Encouragement. Tender. Compassionate. 

Upholding the Universe with His Word.  

The blind aren't ignored. The deaf aren't left behind in the crowd, without individual care.  The lame are seen and they walk! Sometimes they walk and leap and praise God.  The poor are not told to wait to eat until the Rich and Powerful Eat First.  Instead, Jesus says she has put all she had in the box (that you fellas made a noise of horns, to both aggrandize your gift and cause your piety to be seen. Right beside the Gate of Women, where the gate unlocks by unseen hands as God allows the Temple of Jerusalem to be sacked.)

Jesus isn't meek and mild with the Royal Stoaa 

(Copied exactly by the First Vatican, or Old St. Peter's Basilica, which burned. Old St. Peter's Basilica and Britannica ) Where Herod kept the money changers, Herod carefully audited. Herod liked the money changers because Rome rarely took money out on a whim and instead asked only for Client Empire Taxation Privileges. Pilate did put his hand in, and that whim did not go well for Pilate with the Judean people. 

Roman aqueduct found in Jerusalem in 2015

Pilate didn't wait for a committee,

he just raided to pay for Jerusalem,

and the aqueduct system

Immediately is more the description of Jesus Christ. 

46 Times, Jesus is surrounded by the immediacy of God. 

This is Wonderful. 

We understand, again, the Power of God given to Jesus our Savior.  

Fanning the flames of our faith. 

We are in Mark's Gospel today, let's look at some of the 12 times the Holy Spirit

records immediately:

Mark 1:30

Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, 

and they immediately told Jesus about her. 

Mark 1:42

Immediately 

the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Mark 2:8

Immediately 

Jesus knew in His Spirit

that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, 

and He said to them, 

“Why are you thinking these things?"

Mark 5:29

Immediately 

her bleeding stopped

 and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

Mark 5:42

Immediately 

the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). 

At this they were completely astonished.

Mark 6:27

So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. 

The man went, beheaded John in the prison

Mark 6:45

Immediately 

Jesus made his disciples get into the boat 

and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd.

Mark 6:50

because they all saw him and were terrified. 

Immediately 

He spoke to them and said, 

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Mark 9:20

So they brought him. 

When the spirit saw Jesus, 

it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. 

Mark 9:24

Immediately 

the boy’s father exclaimed, 

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 10:52

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” 

Immediately he received his sight 

and 

followed Jesus along the road.

We have been praying for our son, Alexander. He went to the eye doctor, thinking he'd need glasses. His eye lens is not perfectly round, so now to correct his sight, he sees double of everything. We are praying for Alexander and his health. His sight. Wholeness. 

Abba, Father,

Abba, Father,

 May the God of hope fill us all, everyone, 

with all joy and peace in believing, 

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit 

we may abound in hope.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, in Jesus Christ. 

Help us find and bring

to become

 more Heaven

to this earth.

The Lord,

The Almighty,

Our Father,

Bless,

Save,

Secure

and Uphold

Your Beloved.

We know:

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

Thank You!

In Jesus,

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus