Father of Compassion

2 Corinthians 1:3-5   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Look at the first two titles of God in this verse. It’s interesting that they are the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of compassion – our Lord Jesus Christ IS compassion! 

Word Study From Netbible 2 Cor 1:3 compassion – oiktirmos [3628] 1) compassion, pity, mercy 1a) bowels in which compassion resides, a heart of compassion 1b) emotions, longings, manifestations of pity *mercy/sympathy which manifests itself in actions

Wow! You can see God’s love, mercy and compassion here — manifested in giving Jesus His only Son for us!

John 3:16    For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Psalm 103:13    Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Psalm 135:14    For the LORD will vindicate{judge,plead/contend for} His people And will have compassion on His servants.

Lamentations 3:21-23    Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love{mercy} we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness!

Comfort Study Notes

• Published in NavPress September | October 2001 issue

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

—2 Cor. 1:3–5

The God of All Comfort

1. In the verses above, what “titles” are given to God? Underline them.

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Father of compassion
God of all comfort

It’s interesting that the first two are for Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and Father of compassion  – our Lord Jesus Christ IS compassion! God of all comfort – our Lord Jesus Christ IS ALL comfort!

God’s love is Jesus’s love, compassion, healing and need to protect us as He did when He died on the cross for us and our sins.

Word Study From Netbible 2 Cor 1:3 compassion – oiktirmos [3628] 1) compassion, pity, mercy 1a) bowels in which compassion resides, a heart of compassion 1b) emotions, longings, manifestations of pity *mercy/sympathy which manifests itself in actions Wow! You can see God’s love, mercy and compassion here — manifested in giving Jesus His only Son for us! Jn 3:16; Ps 103:13; Ps 135:14; Lam 3:21-23 From Netbible 2 Cor 1:3 comfort – paraklesis [3874] 1) a calling near, summons, (esp. for help) 2) importation, supplication, entreaty 3) exhortation, admonition, encouragement 4) consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment *from Greek parakaleo [3870] 1) to call to one’s side, call for, summon 2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc. 2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort John 14:15-18 AMP    If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever– 17The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you. From Netbible Jn 14:16 Comforter – parakletos [3875] 1) summoned, called to one’s side, esp. called to one’s aid 1a) one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate 1b) one who pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor 1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God’s right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins 1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant 1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom Isaiah 9:6 AMP For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.

2. Are you quick to think of God as a God of comfort and compassion? When Jesus came, He said that if we had seen Him, we had seen the Father. In the following verses, what rises up in Jesus as He displays the Father’s heart?

Mt. 14:14

Mt. 20:29–34

Mt. 23:37

3. Do you experience this “rising up” of God’s compassion in you when you encounter someone in need?

yes
sometimes, but not often
no

4. If you answered “yes” or “sometimes,” describe a specific experience.

When Jesus was on earth, people who encountered Him encountered God Himself. Today, because we’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we live in the presence of God. God’s compassion can well up in us: We can feel His heart for the people around us, and we can bring His heart and presence into the lives of hurting people. Rather than being surprised when we encounter brokenness, we should expect it—in others’ lives and in our own.

What’s your trouble?

5. Read 2 Cor. 1:3–5 again. What seems to be a prerequisite for helping others?

Paul assumes that we will have troubles and that, rather than being left alone in them, we will receive comfort. We will give comfort after we have received it.

6. When you experience trouble, which of the following would you be most likely to do?

Collapse and throw a pity party
Shrug it off and tell yourself it’s no big deal
Turn to a friend who will make you feel better
Throw a scripture verse at it
Work harder

7. Often, we are kinder to other people who struggle than we are to ourselves. Jesus looked on people with compassion—are you able to join Him in having a compassionate look at your life? Right now, where do you need comfort?

8. Ask Jesus to reveal to you what rises up in Him when He sees you. (If the answer is condemnation or disgust, ask again.)

How do you receive comfort?

9. What are your favorite ways of comforting yourself?

10. Read Jer. 2:13. In what ways might some of our comforts be like these cisterns?

While our ways of comforting ourselves usually offer us some relief, rarely are they more than a stopgap until our cistern runs dry. That’s the problem with trying to comfort ourselves. We need someone else—we need comfort in the context of relationship.

11. God’s comfort is relational. In fact, the word translated “comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1 isparakaleo, which means “to call to one’s side.” Read Psalm 23. List the ways God comes near and gives comfort to His sheep.

12. Now look at Ezk. 34:15–16. What other ways does God shepherd His sheep?

13. What kinds of comfort have you received from God? List all you can remember.

14. Jesus promised that He was our shepherd, devoted to our care. In Jn. 14:25–27, what else did He promise us?

How can you give away comfort?

15. According to 2 Cor. 1:4, what will happen with the comfort that we receive? Why is there hope embedded in this?

16. Can you remember a time when you were facing trouble and received comfort through a person who had been in a similar situation? Describe it.

17. With so many needs facing us daily, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the number of people in our lives who need help. Read 2 Cor. 1:4 again. This verse encourages us to give away what we have received. Take a few minutes to consider the kinds of troubles you’ve faced and the comfort you’ve received. What patterns emerge?

Troubles:

Comfort:

18. What kind of comfort does that “qualify” you to give?

19. Can you think of a specific person who needs that comfort right now? What could you do this week to come alongside that person?

Person:

Practical Step:

The wonderful promise in 2 Corinthians 1 is that whether we need comfort or are faced with the needs of others, we don’t have to rely on our own strength. Instead we can freely receive from God and then give to others out of the overflow.

“I, even I, am he who comforts you.”

—Is. 51:12

Bible Study: Comforted to Be a Comfort

• Published in NavPress September | October 2001 issue

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

—2 Cor. 1:3–5

 The God of All Comfort

1. In the verses above, what “titles” are given to God? Underline them.

2. Are you quick to think of God as a God of comfort and compassion? When Jesus came, He said that if we had seen Him, we had seen the Father. In the following verses, what rises up in Jesus as He displays the Father’s heart?

Mt. 14:14

Mt. 20:29–34

Mt. 23:37

3. Do you experience this “rising up” of God’s compassion in you when you encounter someone in need?

yes
sometimes, but not often
no

4. If you answered “yes” or “sometimes,” describe a specific experience.

When Jesus was on earth, people who encountered Him encountered God Himself. Today, because we’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we live in the presence of God. God’s compassion can well up in us: We can feel His heart for the people around us, and we can bring His heart and presence into the lives of hurting people. Rather than being surprised when we encounter brokenness, we should expect it—in others’ lives and in our own.

What’s your trouble?

5. Read 2 Cor. 1:3–5 again. What seems to be a prerequisite for helping others?

Paul assumes that we will have troubles and that, rather than being left alone in them, we will receive comfort. We will give comfort after we have received it.

6. When you experience trouble, which of the following would you be most likely to do?

Collapse and throw a pity party
Shrug it off and tell yourself it’s no big deal
Turn to a friend who will make you feel better
Throw a scripture verse at it
Work harder

7. Often, we are kinder to other people who struggle than we are to ourselves. Jesus looked on people with compassion—are you able to join Him in having a compassionate look at your life? Right now, where do you need comfort?

8. Ask Jesus to reveal to you what rises up in Him when He sees you. (If the answer is condemnation or disgust, ask again.)

How do you receive comfort?

9. What are your favorite ways of comforting yourself?

10. Read Jer. 2:13. In what ways might some of our comforts be like these cisterns?

While our ways of comforting ourselves usually offer us some relief, rarely are they more than a stopgap until our cistern runs dry. That’s the problem with trying to comfort ourselves. We need someone else—we need comfort in the context of relationship.

11. God’s comfort is relational. In fact, the word translated “comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1 isparakaleo, which means “to call to one’s side.” Read Psalm 23. List the ways God comes near and gives comfort to His sheep.

12. Now look at Ezk. 34:15–16. What other ways does God shepherd His sheep?

13. What kinds of comfort have you received from God? List all you can remember.

14. Jesus promised that He was our shepherd, devoted to our care. In Jn. 14:25–27, what else did He promise us?

How can you give away comfort?

15. According to 2 Cor. 1:4, what will happen with the comfort that we receive? Why is there hope embedded in this?

16. Can you remember a time when you were facing trouble and received comfort through a person who had been in a similar situation? Describe it.

17. With so many needs facing us daily, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the number of people in our lives who need help. Read 2 Cor. 1:4 again. This verse encourages us to give away what we have received. Take a few minutes to consider the kinds of troubles you’ve faced and the comfort you’ve received. What patterns emerge?

Troubles:

Comfort:

18. What kind of comfort does that “qualify” you to give?

19. Can you think of a specific person who needs that comfort right now? What could you do this week to come alongside that person?

Person:

Practical Step:

The wonderful promise in 2 Corinthians 1 is that whether we need comfort or are faced with the needs of others, we don’t have to rely on our own strength. Instead we can freely receive from God and then give to others out of the overflow.

“I, even I, am he who comforts you.”

—Is. 51:12

The More I Seek You

Jeremiah 29:11-13    For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you{to give you peace} and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.

Lyrics to The More I Seek You
Kari Jobe

The more I seek You,
the more I find You
The more I find You, the more I love You

 

 

C:I wanna sit at Your feet
drink from the cup in Your hand.
Lay back against You and breathe, hear Your heart beat
This love is so deep, it’s more than I can stand.
I melt in your peace, it’s overwhelming

 

 

Romans 8:28, 37-39    And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. … 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:14-21   For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Hope Rises Midst the Darkness

I seem to have had a pretty ‘dark’ week. BUT  … the Lord encouraged me with an image to make, ‘Heb 10:35-37′ and the idea that it’s during this darkness that hope is born and rises. It’s during these dark times especially that He pours out His love refining our faith which is more precious than gold. 

So look beyond the darkness!

For it’s during the darkest part of the night that the morning star appears, before the glory on the wings of dawn. As surely as we see the morning star arise, we will see the dawn. The morning star is never far from the rising sun. 

For those who revere His Holy name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. — Mal 4:2

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” … To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’— just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. –Rev 2:16, 26-28 

To him who overcomes, an unspeakable brightness, joy and peace is given. 

Dominion in Jesus Christ our Lord, the bright Morning Star. 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Rom 15:13

Hope Rises Midst the Darkness

________________________________________________
Romans 8:23-25     And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with *perseverance{patience} we wait eagerly for it.

Hebrews 10:35-37    So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. *Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

From: Netbible Heb 10:36 & Netbible Rom 8:25
*patient endurance – hupomone [5281]
1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance
1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from
his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by
even the greatest trials and sufferings
1b) patiently, and steadfastly
2) a patient, steadfast waiting for
3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance
________________________________________________

Romans 5:1-5 AMP THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
2Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.
3Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
4And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
5Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.

Hope Poured Out – HOLD FAST!

Midst the darkness
HOLD FAST!

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; -Heb 10:23

Hope begins in the dark
In things yet unseen.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. -Heb 11:1 NLT

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord
No matter what — Do not give up — HOLD FAST the promises
Remain steadfast, persevere and eagerly expectantly wait
For all the promises to you are true. -Num 23:19

This type of hope in the LORD NEVER disappoints!
For midst the darkness His love is poured out
Refining and sustaining a faith more precious than gold
A great treasure in a jar of clay
A glory that is about to be revealed
As surely as the rising sun breaks forth causing darkness to flee
HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME!

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us! -Rom 8:18 AMP

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. … That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. -2 Cor 4:7, 16-18 NLT

Hope Rises Midst the Darkness

________________________________________________
Romans 8:23-25     And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with *perseverance{patience} we wait eagerly for it.

Hebrews 10:35-37    So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. *Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

From: Netbible Heb 10:36 & Netbible Rom 8:25
*patient endurance – hupomone [5281]
1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance
1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from
his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by
even the greatest trials and sufferings
1b) patiently, and steadfastly
2) a patient, steadfast waiting for
3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance
________________________________________________

Romans 5:1-5 AMP THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
2Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.
3Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
4And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
5Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.

My Heart Will Trust

My Heart Will Trust 
Karen Holland … 9-5-2007

My heart will trust
I will not be afraid even
in the darkest night
in the deepest most threatening storm
in the hottest fire
Yet will I praise Him, Jesus, My Savior, My God. -Ps 43:5

My heart will trust
in His faithfulness and steadfast love
in His truth and light to guide me -Ps 43:3
in His mercy and grace, new every morning
in His steadfast love
in His compassion which never fails. -Lam 3:21-23
Yet will I praise Him, Jesus, My Savior, My God.

My heart will trust in Jesus
I will rejoice and be glad in the LORD
I will be joyful and exult in My God, My Savior -Hab 3:18-19
For He is with me, and will never leave
Beside still waters He leads
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
All the days of my life and
I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. -Ps 23:2, 6

For He calls me by name and I am His.

Isaiah 43:1-3 
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 
When you pass thru deep waters and great trouble;
I will be with you. The rivers will not overwhelm you. 
When you walk thru the fire; you will not be burned.
The flames will not consume you.

Ever Present Need{Unlit Wick}

“Darkness is an unlit wick; it just needs your touch, Beloved, to become a sacred flame.” -St. Thomas of Aquinas

Ever Present Need – Music by Steve Bell
Lyrics adapted from Daniel Ladinski’s translation of
‘Our Need for Thee’ in Love Poems from God.
Original poem by St. Francis of Assisis.

Darkness is an unlit wick
A simple spark would vanquish it
Truly I could burst to flame
Every time you call my name
Do I do for you the same

God is like a honey bee
Penetrates the soul of me
Dearly draws the sweetness in
Nectar of the meek love is
He in me and I in him

In our ever present need of thee
Grant we fathom peace
Fashion instruments of souls set free
For don’t the cages ones weep

Sometimes sober sometimes bliss
Every union knows of this
But I have stood here in his rain
And bear the marks of fertile plains
Swelling streams and swollen grain

So will I console the fall
Of cheerless creatures great and small
What of sadness can endure
When love divine makes insecure
The crowing claims of shame’s allure

In our ever present need of thee
Grant we fathom peace
Fashion instruments of souls set free
For don’t the cages ones weep

***
Isaiah 42:3    A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice;

“He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax.” Doth not that suit thy case? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak, a bruised reed, out of which no music can come; weaker than weakness itself; a reed, and that reed bruised, yet, He will not break thee; but on the contrary, will restore and strengthen thee. Thou art like the smoking flax: no light, no warmth, can come from thee; but He will not quench thee; He will blow with His sweet breath of mercy till He fans thee to a flame. -Spurgeon

A Bruised Reed; A Smoldering Wick

Isaiah 42:1, 3 Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My *Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. … A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice;

Beloved
I know you feel the darkness covering the earth
A thick, heavy darkness
A gross darkness that tries to crush and snuff out all life.

Beloved do not fight this darkness in your own strength
Come to Me; Rely on Me; Lean on Me alone and remember
The bruised reed that feels as if it’s being crushed
… I will not break
The smoldering wick that feels faint about to go out
… I will not snuff out.

The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. -Deut 31:8

The bruised reed helpless and weak
Can make no music on its own
But My breath of life restores
Beloved wait on Me
I will lift you up and breathe a new song thru your mouth
A sweet song of praise
Many will see and trust in Me. -Ps 40:1-3

The smoldering wick, faint, growing dim
Can shine no light on its own.
But My wind ignites and fans into flame -2 Tim 1:6
I will light your candle turning darkness to light
A city on a hill shining bright with My glory
A city on a hill that cannot be hidden
The light of the world. -Mt 5:14

See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, BUT the LORD rises upon you and His glory appears over you. -Isa 60:2

***

You, O LORD, will light my candle; my God turns my darkness into light. -Ps 18:28

From Netbible: *Spirit – ruwach [07307] 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven

Shepherd boys used to cut reeds and turn them into flutes. Straight unbroken reeds were picked; they made the best flutes. Reeds were plentiful so there was no need to repair a bruised or broken reed which would make no music, a new unbroken one could quickly be found. The shepherd boy would probably just snap the bruised reed and throw it away as useless.

The Lord chooses to breathe His breath of life into the bruised reed causing it to make sweet music again and into the smoldering wick igniting it into flame. His power made perfect in weakness. In your weakness, surrender to Him, let His breath of life rest upon you, then you will shine in His strength and glory.

God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
so that no man may boast before God.
-1 Cor 1:27-29

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Cor 12:9-10

I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images. -Isa 42:8

***
Song 7:7-9 
The Palm Tree and the Palm Tree Climber 
The Lover to His Beloved: 
7Your stature is like a palm tree, And your breasts are like its clusters. 8I said, ‘I will climb the palm tree, I will take hold of its fruit stalks.’ Oh, may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, And the fragrance of your breath like apples 9And your mouth like the best wine!” “It goes down smoothly for my  beloved, Flowing gently through the lips of those who fall *asleep. 

From Netbible: *asleep – yashen [03462] Sleep is a blessing it provides rest and refreshment  Another word for sleep here is smolders

The smoldering wick only needs His breath to rest on it
Breath like fragrant apples
His apples of gold
His sweet fruit and scent to restore and refresh
The smoldering wick then bursts into flame
Shining the strength and glory of the Lord!

Proverbs 25:11 
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. 

Isaiah 50:4 
The Lord GOD has given me an instructed tongue, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to listen like one being taught.. 

Song 2:4-5 
He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love.  Sustain me with cakes of raisins, Refresh me with apples, For I am lovesick.

The ROCK – Jacob’s Stone

The ROCK

ALL references are to a specific rock. Not “a” rock, not “some” rock, not “rock”, but THE ROCK.

• Ex 17:1-7 God stands on THE ROCK
• Num 20:6-11 THE ROCK at tabernacle door.
• Deut 8:15 THE ROCK of flint
• Deut 32:13-15 Honey/oil of THE ROCK
• Neh 9:15 water from THE ROCK
• Ps 78:15-16 streams out of THE ROCK
• Ps 78:20 smote THE ROCK
• Ps 81:16 honey out of THE ROCK
• Ps 105:41 he opened THE ROCK
• Ps 114:8 turned THE ROCK into a pool
• Isa 48:21 clave THE ROCK (twice)
• I Cor 10:4 spiritual Rock; THAT ROCK was Christ

Jacob’s Stone

He lays his head on a rock, has a dream of God, and calls the rock “House of God.” His family carries that rock around for the next 38 centuries. It becomes their symbolic throne, their water supply, the type of their coming Deliverer, their coronation symbol, and it even roars when the proper king is crowned.

• Gen 28:10-14 Jacob puts his pillows on a rock, dreams of a ladder to heaven.
• Gen 28:18-22 He sets up the rock for a pillar (of witness), anoints it with oil, naming it “Beth-el”; Jacob also names the place Beth-el (House of God)
• Gen 31:13 God validates Jacob’s “Bethel” name and anointing.
• Gen 35:9-15 Jacob’s name is changed to Israel, God reconfirms His promises, Jacob again annoints and names the place Bethel.
• Gen 49:24 The Stone of Israel (Jacob); the Shepherd is passed on to Joseph
• Josh 24:24-27 Joshua sets up the Stone at Shechem for a witness.
• I Kin 12:1 Rehoboam goes to Shechem (in Ephraim) to be crowned king of Judah.
• I Kin 12:25 Shechem is established as the capitol of the kingdom of Israel.
• II Kin 11:13-14( II Chr 23:13) Joash is crowned by a pillar, “as the manner was.”
• II Kin 23:3(II Chr 34:31) Josiah’s covenant by a pillar.
• Jud 9:1,6 Abimelech is Gideon’s son; he is crowned by the pillar at Shechem.
• Hos 3:4 Israel is to be without a standing pillar.