HIDDEN GLORY

"Thy wife shall be fruitful as a vine, in the heart of thy home, the children round thy table sturdy as olive-branches"
Psalm 128:3 KNOX

In 1 Kings 16 it tells us about how Solomon built the temple for God. In verse 16 it says, "And he built 20 cubits on the sides of the house . . . for the most holy place." What does this mean? Was he adding an extra little room on the side of the house? Oh no. This was the most important part of the whole temple. This was The Holy of Holies, also called The Most Holy Place, The Inner Sanctuary, or The Most Set-Apart Place.

Where was He going to build this shrine for the presence of God to dwell? Let's read it in some other translations to help us understand.

"He partitioned off an inner sanctuary--The Most Holy Place--at the far end of the Temple" (NLT).

"He built the interior as an inner sanctuary, the most holy place" (HCSB).

The phrase "on the sides" is the Hebrew word, yrekah and literally means "the rear, the recesses, the most inner part." The dwelling place for God was not to be out in the open for everyone to behold. It was in the hidden part.

What a glorious place Solomon made for God. This inner sanctuary was a cube, 30 feet high, wide and long. And everything was pure gold--walls, floor, ceiling, the ark of the covenant, and even gold chains hanging in the entrance. And the cherubim over the ark were also covered in pure gold. They were amazing--15 feet tall and their wings stretched 15 feet to one wall and 15 feet to the other. Everywhere you looked it was gold. Absolutely dazzling! And if that wasn't enough, the glory of God dwelt in this place.

However, now we come to an amazing revelation. The phrase "the sides of the house" is used in another Scripture that relates to you as a wife and mother. Psalm 128:3 says, "They wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table." How remarkable that the Bible uses the same word for God's holy inner sanctuary as He does for the inner sanctuary of our home. Let's look at some other translations:

"Your wife will be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house" (NASB).

"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house" (NKJV).

Are we delegated to the innermost part of the home because our role is insignificant? Oh no. It is the opposite. The inner sanctuary was for the glory of God, not on the periphery. The inner sanctuary of our home is also our glory. It is our sphere of fruitfulness. It is where we yield our greatest power. It is where we fulfill our highest destiny of raising godly children for His glory.

When we forsake the heart of our home, we say goodbye to fruitfulness. Most mothers who choose a career will end up limiting their family. We leave behind our glory. In Hosea 9:11 God calls conception, pregnancy, and birth the "glory" of the nation. We give our authority of motherhood over to the devil whose plan is to get mothers out of the home so he can influence their children in his ways.

We see the same understanding when a baby is conceived. Jesus, the Son of the God of Glory was conceived in the hidden place of the womb. This divine miracle happened in "the secret place" which is the term God uses for the womb (Psalm 139:15). The angel Gabriel told her that the Holy Ghost would come upon her and "thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS" (Luke 1:31). Although this conception was hidden, Jesus came forth to be revealed to the world as Savior and Deliverer. Read also Matthew 1:20 and Luke 2:21.

It is similar with every conception. It doesn't take place in the open for everyone to see. God's handiwork (for only God gives conception). It takes place in the recesses of the home and in the womb, the hidden part of the woman. But, this miracle doesn't stay hidden. Children, born in the image of God, will one day come forth from the home to be bearer of God's image in the earth, influence many people, and generations to come.                   

From the recesses comes forth great miracles and "sharpened and polished arrows" to change the world.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.or

PRAYER:

"I thank you for showing me, Father, that the heart of my home is the place of my glory. Help me to glory in it. Help me to make it a glorious place. And please help me to bring your glory into the nation as I raise sons and daughters for you. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

The heart of the home is my sphere of fruitfulness, glory, and power.

HIDDEN GLORY

"And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them,
and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase"
Jeremiah 23:3

Gathering is a beautiful word. It is one of our motherhood anointings which reveals the likeness of God for God is a gatherer. As the Great Shepherd, He loves to gather His sheep. He wants them to be like a flock. He wants them in His fold. Don't you love the words of Isaiah 40:11, "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently led those that are with young." As we see the character of the Great Shepherd, we learn how He wants us to shepherd the little flock He gives to us.

Let's look at Micah 2:12 ESV, "I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob; I will gather the remnant of Israel ; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men." This promise ultimately speaks of the restoration of Israel to the land and how God is gathering, and will continue to gather, His people back to the land He gave them by divine decree. We are seeing the fulfillment of this promise right now.

However, we also learn more of the attitude God wants us to have as mothers. The picture of "gathering" is used three times in this one Scripture? One word is not enough to describe God's gathering heart.

1. Assemble

The Hebrew word is asaph. It is one of the principle words for "gather" and means "to bring together, to come together" This should be the vision for our family. We should make every decision in the light of cementing our family together, rather than fragmenting the family. Seek to do more "family" things together, rather than separating and each going their own way. Whatever you do to keep the family together strengthens the family. Whatever you do that separates the family weakens the family.

God wants our families to be like a flock and therefore we should always have the gathering mentality. Gathering your little ones around you for a story. Gathering them close for hugs. Gathering the family to the family meal table to eat together. Gathering the family together for Family Worship.

This word is also used in Micah 4.6 says, "In that day declares the Lord, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted . . . and those who were cast off, a strong nation" God assembles His people to heal them and make them strong. We don't gather our families together only for the fun of it, although of course it is great fun. But, we do it for a purpose. It is in our gathering together that we heal rifts and estrangements.

Especially as the children grow and start their own families, we have to make excuses and think of ideas to keep the multiplying family together.. Do you notice the description when they all gather together? "They shall make a great noise by reason of the multitude of men." This is certainly the description of our extended family. They make a great noise! But, we love it and pray for more multiplication.

2. Gather

The Hebrew word is qavats and means "to gather to a single location, a central spot" Once again, we see that God doesn't want His flock, or His families scattered everywhere, but gathered together in the fold. Children inherently love to be together, not separated, so why do we separate them? American children are often expected to sleep in separate bedrooms. Children hate it. They would much rather be together with their siblings.

The word qavats does not necessary mean "calling together" but being "drawn together." We should not have to make our children come together, but make family life so desirable that they can't wait to come together.

3. Set them together

The Hebrew word is sum and means "to establish, to plant, to put something somewhere." God is gathering His people back to His land from the four corners of the earth. He is not settling them anywhere else but in Israel, the land that God chose for His people.

God wants us to also settle and establish our children. He wants your children gathered in the right place, in the place He has chosen for them. In the home. He wants you to keep your flock gathered together "like a flock in the midst of their fold."

He doesn't give us a baby to give to someone else to raise while we go and do "our thing." He doesn't give us children to hand over to the humanistic state education to educate and where they can meet peers who will influence them away from godly principles and lifestyle.

Will you ask the Lord to help you become a gathering mother? Will you ask Him to teach you how to fold your family?

Blessings from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

Great Shepherd of the sheep, please give me more and more understanding on how to be the gathering shepherdess of my family. Please bring more ideas to mind of how I can gather them together. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:
I am a family gather.

THE NAME OF THE LORD IN YOUR HOME
Part 7

"Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever, and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations "
(Psalm 135:13).

We have come to the last post in this series. Have you been amazed, as I have, at how much the name of the Lord should feature in our lives? Not only does God give us the privilege of calling upon His name, but He calls us by His name. Daniel 9:19 says, "Thy people are called by thy name." To think that we are called by the most reverent and holy name of God! This fact should surely change our lives in everything we do and say.

However, it is not enough for us to know this fact. People should SEE it. God wants to reveal His holiness in us so that "all the people of the earth shall SEE that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee" [Deuteronomy 28:9-10). Just think of the impact of God's people upon the land if they could truly see that the name of the Lord is stamped upon us.

God also wants those of us who are called by His name to be interceders for the nation. We are responsible to pray for the saving of our nation. If we don't take up this mantle, can we really confess that we are called by His name? We can't be reminded enough of 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Now let's check out the last few things we are to do in the name of the Lord.

SPEAK BOLDLY in the name of the Lord

When we speak in the name of the Lord, we have the authority to speak boldly [Acts 9:29).

SUFFER SHAME for His name

The early disciples were persecuted for preaching in the name of Jesus, but it didn't stop them. They rejoiced that they "were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" [Acts 5:41; 9:1, 6 and 15:26). May we also be prepared, ready, and willing to suffer shame for His name.

THINK on the name of the Lord

Malachi 3:16 says, "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name." This is such a beautiful picture of the saints fellowshipping together--not gossiping together, but talking about their great God and the revelations they have been receiving from His Word.

It is not always easy to talk to fellow Christians about the Lord. "What has God been saying to you lately?" you may ask. Often there is no reply forthcoming. "What new revelation have you received from God's Word?" There's no answer. If we are thinking upon His name, we'll be talking to each other about Him.

We always talk about what we are thinking about. How much do we think of our Savior, and therefore how much do we talk about Him with others?

TRUST in the name of the Lord

We are not going to be full of worries, fears, and doubts when we trust in the name of the Lord [Psalm 33:21; Isaiah 50:10 and Zephaniah 3:12).

WAIT on the name of the Lord Psalm 52:9

We are to wait on the name of the Lord as a servant waits on his master. Our eyes are always toward the name of the Lord [Psalm 52:9).

WALK in the name of the Lord

Every day we walk somewhere. We walk in our home. We walk up and down the aisles of the supermarket. But, wherever we walk we should walk in the name of the Lord. This makes our walking supernatural. Instead of being insignificant, every step we take is significant because we do it in the name of the Lord.

Micah 4:5 tells us that everyone will walk in the name of his or her god. They'll walk in what their passion is; they'll walk in what they're interested in. But, Micah confesses, "We will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever." Is this your confession?

Zechariah 10:12 says, "They shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord."

Love from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, help me to always be aware that wherever I walk and whatever I say, I am doing it in the name of the Lord. Help me to be a true representative of your glorious, holy, and powerful name, that people around me will see that I am called by your name. Amen.

AFFIRMATION:

Wherever I go and whatever I say, I do it in the name of the Lord.

THE NAME OF THE LORD IN YOUR HOME
Part 6

"I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another "
(Isaiah 42:8).

REMEMBER the name of the Lord

Psalm 20:7 says, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." It's so easy to trust in man's resources around us, isn't it? We run to the doctor at the slightest concern. We call a friend to unload our problem. God wants us to trust in His powerful name! His name is bigger than all our problems. Read Psalm119:55 and Isaiah 26:13.

King Asa had an army 580,000, all mighty valiant men. But against him came an Ethiopian army of one million! Nearly twice the size as his army. What could he do in such a situation? Who could he turn to? Asa turned to the right source. He cried out to God, "Help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God, let not man prevail against thee." And because he remembered the name of the Lord this huge army was destroyed.

RUN INTO the name of the Lord

Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." What a wonderful promise. His name is a place of safety. And do you notice something? You don't walk into His name. You don't dawdle. You don't hesitate. You RUN!

SAY EVERYTHING in the name of the Lord

Colossians 3:17 reminds us that we are not only to DO everything in the name of the Lord but to make sure that every word that comes out of our mouth is in the name of the Lord. This is what it says, "Whatsoever ye do in WORD or DEED, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

This principle is like a watchman for our lips, isn't it? If what we are going to say does not bring honor to the name of the Lord, we better not say it! This is a personal challenge, but also to the whole family. Encourage your children with this life principle: don't let anything come out of your mouth that would dishonor the name of the Lord.

SERVE in the name of the Lord

Whatever we are doing to serve the Lord, we should do it in His name. It is fruitless to do it in our own name, or anyone else's name, no matter how famous they are.

Your greatest service to the Lord in your home is as a mother, embracing the precious babies God gives to you and nurturing and training them on God's behalf. You are not doing this for yourself. You are doing this powerful service in the name of the Lord. What a privilege.

Hebrews 6:10 tells us, "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" Serving God can be hard work. Serving the Lord in your divine career of motherhood is hard work. But, be encouraged dear mother. God notices. He sees your "labor of love" which you give not only to your children but as a service to Him. And He will reward you (1 Corinthians 15:58).

SING PRAISES to the name of the Lord

Do you want to do something that is good? To sing praises to the name of the Lord is a GOOD thing to do. The psalmist confesses, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High" (Psalm 92:1).

David was not haphazard about singing praises to the name of the Lord. Whether he was in the mood or not in the mood he said, "I WILL sing praises unto thy name" (2 Samuel 22:50). And in Psalm 61:8 the psalmist says, "I WILL sing praise unto thy name FOREVER" (Psalm 61:8). How often do you sing praises to the Lord in your home?

Read also Psalm 7:17; 9:2; 18:49; 66:2,4; 68:4; 69:30; 135:3 and 149:3.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord for the power of your name. It is the most excellent name in all the earth. It is my Safe Tower into which I can continually run. Thank you for the privilege of mothering my children in your name. I am not doing this for myself, but for the glory of your name. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am mothering in the name of the Lord today. This makes all the difference to my day.