Sitting With The Lord. Part 1

by Jonathan Ike
(Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria)

Pentecostal


“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” - Psalms 1:1 (KJV)

This psalm is not addressed to everybody but to those who already believe; those already in the Faith. Those addressed are not in league with the world, nor are they in conformity to the standard or practice of and in the world.

There is a blessing that is pronounced by God upon whosoever it is that meets three conditions here. It is not a blessing bestowed upon pre-determined people, but on whoever meets the requirements. They could be ministers or laity – “the man” could be anyone, but of course it has to be one in the household of God.

Three requirements are given here:
(1) “….walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly”
(2) “….nor standeth in the way of sinners,”
(3) “……sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

These three have, like most things, dual application: physical and spiritual. The first, “to walk” is not to follow in, to carry out or execute the advice or word that does not agree with Godly principles. The second, “to stand”, means not to agree with, to cast one's lot or decision with those who purposely do and involve in evil. And the third, “sit”, means not to pass judgment with the standard of the wicked.

Our focus, however, is on the third: “sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” As said earlier, there are two levels of application. This third, “sit”, means not to pass judgment on others using the standard of the wicked. That is the natural or physical application.

Spiritually, the word “Sit, means to exercise dominion or authority over everything. This talks of POWER, not only over people but on situations and circumstances!

Examples:

“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” - Dan 7:9 (KJV)

“I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” - Dan 7:21-22 (KJV)

“But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.” - Dan 7:26 (KJV)

The Saints of God – His children – are having a hard and difficult time against the controlling powers of the earth; suffering despite their belief and trust in God, until “the judgment shall sit”.
This is the Supreme, Sovereign power, over-ruling and setting aside the controlling powers of the earth.

This can be better understood from the angle of a legal tussle in a Courtroom till the day judgment would be passed. When the judge “sits” everything stands still temporarily, every other powers and authority will be suspended till judgment is passed.

There can be no judgment till there is a “Sitting”!

“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” - Prov 31:23 (KJV)

The Virtuous woman’s husband was not a pushover! He was not just sitting at the gate because he was a loafer and had nothing to do, no! He sat with the elders; he was an elder! Elders are the decision makers. The gate was a place of decision making; where destinies are made or unmade, where Souls are traded! Like the angels that would sit to decide what “Fish” would pass and the one to be condemned!

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, AND SAT DOWN, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” - Matt 13:47-50 (KJV)

Angels are those beings that transcend the natural; they are not limited by the limitations of earth life. They are not in league with the world, nor are they in conformity to the standard or practice of and in the world

These Angels are not the ones we normally think about with wings and all; no, these Angels are you and I called to SIT with the Lord! Hallelujah!! What a privilege and an honour!!!

We are called to “Sit” with the Lord at the gate; where decisions would be made! This is where the blessing is! We decide with the Lord who enters eternity justified or condemned!

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” - Rev 3:21 (KJV)

The throne is a place of Authority; a place decisions are made, the place of power!
Oh, what an honour to sit with the Lord in power!!!

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” - Eph 2:6-7 (KJV)

What is He doing in Heavenly places? Exercising power and dominion!

“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” - Eph 1:20-23 (KJV)

“….that in all things he might have the preeminence.” - Col 1:18 (KJV)

Most gloriously, it is not only later after the rapture that we exercise this power but NOW, whilst still alive! Naturally and spiritually we exercise the power, now!

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” - John 17:24 (KJV)

This was after He had prayed the Father not to take us away from the world.
“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world.” - John 17:15 (KJV)
So where He is now, I am there with Him ruling and exercising dominion!
“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” - Col 2:10 (KJV)

.....to be continued.