The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14.

The Lord gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31.

The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:25-26 NKJV.

Our chapter, Acts 3, is dense and I confess I read every sentence and parts of sentences several times because reading once only skims the surface of what goes much deeper. This seems to counter everything written in the Old Testament about the Law, but it can’t and won’t because to truly understand Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, we need to trust Him for why the Law was given and why without faith in Him we can’t begin to understand His heart in His Law. And I marvel because Paul wrote this over two thousand years ago and we’re still striving to fully understand. Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! Rather; let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That You may be justified in Your words, and prevail when You are judged.” But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms). May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner? And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just. What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving,” “The poison of asps is under their lips”; “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”; “Their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. v. 1-20. Wow…again…because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. How would we know sin if not for the Law showing us what is harmful and leading to sin? And yet, what do we do with that understanding? We forget we sin – and we condemn others for their sins that are the sins we all commit. The history of mankind then and now and until Jesus, the Son returns. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. v. 21-31.

Our faith in God Himself establishes forever His perfect Law of love that leads us to Life lived with Him in love for Him and for one another. There is no darkness or sin in Creator God. How then can we think we will live with Him now and into eternity clinging to sins of this fallen world? We can’t do this in our own strength for we are bound in the sins of this fallen world rebellious against its Creator. Our redemption, by His grace, is in Christ Jesus…whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. For the demonstration of His righteousness at the present time. Not our righteousness because we have none…His righteousness. Our redemption, by His Grace, is in Christ Jesus.

I sat with God this morning for a long time in prayer. He helped me see I’m afraid to call on Him in trust when bad things happen in this world and for those I love. I’m afraid of being let down in trusting Him for answers I bring because the bad things are bigger than what I can pray for as though everything depends on me…and when I pray and give Him answers to follow, no wonder I’m lost in fear. And He reassured me that His children throughout the ages have struggled mightily to understand and to trust Him. I thought of the Psalms. Our God is enough. I am not. We are not. Isn’t it time that I and we turn to Him in trust for everything, without fear? We can’t do this without Him. We were never meant to. He knows my heart. I want to know His! Help me, Lord, because this is so big and I am so small. Thank You for encouraging me to walk with You in trust and hope always for Your good Will for us all – that I can’t yet begin to see or comprehend. When I do see brief glimpses only, I am in awe! I don’t want to keep living in fear. It presses in, Lord. Help me to trust Your love for me and for all Your children. I know You are at work in all of this, so please help me to trust in Your good timing and Your Wisdom. Always!