Marginalized
Psalms 14:4-6 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the LORD? (5) There they are in great fear, For God is with the generation of the righteous. (6) You shame the counsel of the poor, But the LORD is his refuge.
It is easy to feel marginalized…eaten up…passed by…ignored. This is actually a Biblical reality. Live in agreement with God and this will happen to you. It is only a matter of time.
David, the “man after God’s own heart” had a long season of this reality. For years David was anointed to be king of Israel, yet running from cave to cave chased by 3,000 men of Israel. A person’s outward situation is rarely an accurate reflection of their true spiritual condition OR their ultimate destiny. David was Israel’s king whether anyone knew it or not. God doesn't need the agreement of man to make His statements or plans be true.
This Psalm by David shows the irony of the world’s attempts…demonic forces and the flesh of fallen men…to keep the purposes of God from emerging on the earth. Right now truth is being “birthed” into the earth. That is a funny way of describing Jesus’ return, but that is EXACTLY what it is. Truth is a person, and that person is in the process of arriving back on planet earth in the fullness of truth…the fullness of glory (Jesus’ glory is really bright holiness that will shame the sun in its appearing). Truth himself described it like a baby being born:
John 16:21-23 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (22) Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. (23) "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
“That Day” is always talking about the time period that culminates with Jesus splitting the sky and truth is brilliantly displayed for all to see, as truth then begins a physical reign over the earth. We are in the birth process right now, which is why the world is getting more and more intense! Truth is emerging in a powerful and UNCOMFORTABLE way. It is all leading up to a very intense time of truth confronting the lie that this life is all there is to really invest in. On “That Day” only one opinion will matter. “That Day” is this day:
Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
Shortly after that day…30 days to be exact…this will happen:
Revelation 20:1-2 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. (2) He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
Satan is DESPERATELY trying to avoid THAT DAY. His best defense is a good offense, and his offense is focused on man’s eyesight. Getting mankind…believers and unbelievers…to trade heavenly truth for what our eyes see interpreted through satan’s lies into the heart of man about what greatness and leadership really is. The Church is not immune to this attack on the definition of greatness. Remember, those trying to kill David were God’s people AND those who hated Israel.
Most men and women look at the “poor” in the kingdom…those who look unimportant, weak, odd, maybe overzealous and out of place…and shame their counsel…that means they marginalize them…won’t receive from them or listen to them.
Many might be willing to politely hear the least ones, but they don’t listen. But, David points out in Psalm 14 how silly that is…the lower you are, the more heavily you are leaning on God. The more you lean on God, the more He tells you! In God’s kingdom of perfect leadership, persecution only helps you if YOU remain in the truth, resist offense, and love back. A wise man will not waste one drop of persecution by taking matters into his own hands. Keeping your heart soft keeps your attention on God.
A time of lowliness…persecution…is when the Lord’s voice is most clear, and the manifest presence of God most easily felt. David…the man after God’s heart…would say “listen to the needy, the outcast, and the marginalized…they are listening closely to the one who holds them in the storm.”
This is the irony of the flawed plan of satan: the more the world pushes a man or woman of God down…the closer he or she gets to GREATNESS. In the Kingdom of the Humble God, lowliness IS greatness:
Luke 1:52-53 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. (53) He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
Psalms 57:4-7 My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword. (5) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. (6) They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah (7) My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.
So, the lesson of Psalm 14 is don’t be quick to marginalize, be careful who you receive from, and don’t waste some good persecution! The world is all going in one direction together…you don’t want to go that way. As the frightening brilliant glorious light of truth emerges more and more on earth, anyone standing on anything less than truth will be in great fear…guaranteed:
Psalms 14:2-5 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. (3) They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. (4) Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the LORD? (5) There they are in great fear, For God is with the generation of the righteous.
Truth is pretty intense, even His best friend passed out when he saw a little of His glory!
Revelation 1:13-17 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. (14) His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; (15) His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; (16) He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
It is easy to feel marginalized…eaten up…passed by…ignored. This is actually a Biblical reality. Live in agreement with God and this will happen to you. It is only a matter of time.
David, the “man after God’s own heart” had a long season of this reality. For years David was anointed to be king of Israel, yet running from cave to cave chased by 3,000 men of Israel. A person’s outward situation is rarely an accurate reflection of their true spiritual condition OR their ultimate destiny. David was Israel’s king whether anyone knew it or not. God doesn't need the agreement of man to make His statements or plans be true.
This Psalm by David shows the irony of the world’s attempts…demonic forces and the flesh of fallen men…to keep the purposes of God from emerging on the earth. Right now truth is being “birthed” into the earth. That is a funny way of describing Jesus’ return, but that is EXACTLY what it is. Truth is a person, and that person is in the process of arriving back on planet earth in the fullness of truth…the fullness of glory (Jesus’ glory is really bright holiness that will shame the sun in its appearing). Truth himself described it like a baby being born:
John 16:21-23 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (22) Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. (23) "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
“That Day” is always talking about the time period that culminates with Jesus splitting the sky and truth is brilliantly displayed for all to see, as truth then begins a physical reign over the earth. We are in the birth process right now, which is why the world is getting more and more intense! Truth is emerging in a powerful and UNCOMFORTABLE way. It is all leading up to a very intense time of truth confronting the lie that this life is all there is to really invest in. On “That Day” only one opinion will matter. “That Day” is this day:
Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
Shortly after that day…30 days to be exact…this will happen:
Revelation 20:1-2 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. (2) He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
Satan is DESPERATELY trying to avoid THAT DAY. His best defense is a good offense, and his offense is focused on man’s eyesight. Getting mankind…believers and unbelievers…to trade heavenly truth for what our eyes see interpreted through satan’s lies into the heart of man about what greatness and leadership really is. The Church is not immune to this attack on the definition of greatness. Remember, those trying to kill David were God’s people AND those who hated Israel.
Most men and women look at the “poor” in the kingdom…those who look unimportant, weak, odd, maybe overzealous and out of place…and shame their counsel…that means they marginalize them…won’t receive from them or listen to them.
Many might be willing to politely hear the least ones, but they don’t listen. But, David points out in Psalm 14 how silly that is…the lower you are, the more heavily you are leaning on God. The more you lean on God, the more He tells you! In God’s kingdom of perfect leadership, persecution only helps you if YOU remain in the truth, resist offense, and love back. A wise man will not waste one drop of persecution by taking matters into his own hands. Keeping your heart soft keeps your attention on God.
A time of lowliness…persecution…is when the Lord’s voice is most clear, and the manifest presence of God most easily felt. David…the man after God’s heart…would say “listen to the needy, the outcast, and the marginalized…they are listening closely to the one who holds them in the storm.”
This is the irony of the flawed plan of satan: the more the world pushes a man or woman of God down…the closer he or she gets to GREATNESS. In the Kingdom of the Humble God, lowliness IS greatness:
Luke 1:52-53 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. (53) He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
Psalms 57:4-7 My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword. (5) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. (6) They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah (7) My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.
So, the lesson of Psalm 14 is don’t be quick to marginalize, be careful who you receive from, and don’t waste some good persecution! The world is all going in one direction together…you don’t want to go that way. As the frightening brilliant glorious light of truth emerges more and more on earth, anyone standing on anything less than truth will be in great fear…guaranteed:
Psalms 14:2-5 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. (3) They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. (4) Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the LORD? (5) There they are in great fear, For God is with the generation of the righteous.
Truth is pretty intense, even His best friend passed out when he saw a little of His glory!
Revelation 1:13-17 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. (14) His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; (15) His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; (16) He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
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