TOPIC: EVIDENCE OF GOD’S ENDORSEMENT UPON MAN
God has always desired a commitment and covenant relationship with humanity.
Gen 18:17-19(KJV)17 And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
He recognized Abraham as a friend.
God called Abraham ‘the friend of God’ due to his unwavering faith and implicit obedience.
Isa 41:8(KJV)8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
Abraham’s righteousness by faith exemplified his trust in God without wavering.
James 2:23(KJV)23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
God endorsed Moses, the meekest man on earth. – Num 12:3(KJV) (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
David was endorsed as a man after God’s own heart. He consistently sought God, regardless of the circumstances. It is rare to find someone so deeply devoted to pursuing God’s heart 1 Sam 13:13-14(KJV)13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
Acts 13:20-22(NLT)”After that, God gave them judges to rule until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. 22 But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.
Men endorsed by God are characterized by integrity and steadfastness –
Ps 26:1-12(KJV)Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.
Ps 41:12(NIV)12 In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
Job was endorsed as a man who didn’t give up on God under intense pressure and suffering. Job 1:13-22(KJV)13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
God endorsed Enoch for his consistent and intimate walk with him – Gen 5:22-24(KJV)22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
v Nathaniel was endorsed as a man who was not crooked – John 1:47-51(NIV)47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Your walk with God from childhood is an endorsement – 2 Tim 3:14-15(KJV)14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
You may have so many disciples, but one can be more faithful and trustworthy than others.
Phil 2:20-22(KJV)20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. 22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
Barnabas , a leader in the early Christian church, was known as the “Son of consolation” for his kindness, compassion, and exceptional gift of encouragement.
Acts 4:33-37(KJV)33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Dorcas was endorsed as a care giver. t – Acts 9:36-41(KJV) Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
Cornelius was endorsed as a giver of alms. Acts 10:1-4(KJV)10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
The Lord endorsed the faith of Peter. Matt 16:18-19(KJV)18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
