"Selah" is a word used in scripture, usually in the Psalms, that has an importance in these end times to us, that the Church has tended to overlook. The Psalms were prayers and meditations set to music, and this is where the selah had its use. As a musical notation, it means to uplift, exalt, pause, rest. It also was used as an accentuation of a phrase that had just preceded it. In common language, it would be used to say, "pause and calmly think about this".
The first time we see the word used in scripture is in Psalm 3. David wrote this psalm on the occasion when his own son, Absalom, had worked against him to take his throne. David was at a very low point. So numerous were the enemies that had worked against him, that David wrote that many say of his soul, "There is no help for him in God." Here is the first direction to "selah". Is our soul to accept this conclusion of men? David wanted to pause the music here. This is where we are to consider what has just been said. Then David moves to the next step in thought, "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter of my head." David then wrote that the LORD had heard his cry. The LORD did indeed help David and sustain him through this terrible time, and calmed David's fears. David felt assurance that the LORD would deal with his enemies. David concluded his song by writing, "Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah." The selahs of the song causes us to stop at the points that David wanted us to especially consider.
In Habakkuk, the prophet composed a song, and used selahs in the song to pause and accentuate his points. The prophet wrote a remarkable description of his vision of the wrath of the LORD flashing forth over creation, relentless and earthshaking, ripping down mountains and cleaving solid land in its force. His wrath was not against nature, but against the head of the house of wickedness and for the salvation of His people. What was revealed was a "selah" moment to consider:
"Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even the salvation with thine anointed (Messiah); thou woundest the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah." Hab. 3:13
Within this prophetic vision and song about the fearsome wrath of the LORD, and the victorious salvation of the Messiah for God's people, the prophet exclaims:
"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Hab. 3:18
Even the pictographic meanings of the individual Hebrew letters of the word "selah" (סֶלֶה) give us insight into the importance of its role:
samek- thorn, grab, protect, to prop, support, turn aside, like a staked plant which is turned to a direction.
lamed- shepherd's staff, bind, yoke, teach, learn, toward, cattle prod, urge forward, tongue
he- breath, look, reveal, behold, show
The Church has been given a "selah" moment also. Are we considering it?
Jesus left His disciples with instructions regarding the signs that would point to the time of His return. In Matthew 24, He described the specific signs, and said,
"So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors...Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." Mt. 24:33, 42
This is a "selah" moment for us. We are to be watching for these signs, and to be ready. Is the Church taking seriously the fulfillment of these signs that we are currently seeing? Does the Church take the return of the Lord lightly? Does the Church even believe in the return of Christ, and the prophesied judgment of God? Let us pause, and consider these things.
In 2 Peter, the apostle contrasted the attitude of those who disregard these things, even to the point of being willfully ignorant of the Word of God and the fulfilling signs, with what the signs should mean to each believer in the Church:
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
"Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even the salvation with thine anointed (Messiah); thou woundest the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah." Hab. 3:13
Within this prophetic vision and song about the fearsome wrath of the LORD, and the victorious salvation of the Messiah for God's people, the prophet exclaims:
"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Hab. 3:18
Even the pictographic meanings of the individual Hebrew letters of the word "selah" (סֶלֶה) give us insight into the importance of its role:
samek- thorn, grab, protect, to prop, support, turn aside, like a staked plant which is turned to a direction.
lamed- shepherd's staff, bind, yoke, teach, learn, toward, cattle prod, urge forward, tongue
he- breath, look, reveal, behold, show
The Church has been given a "selah" moment also. Are we considering it?
Jesus left His disciples with instructions regarding the signs that would point to the time of His return. In Matthew 24, He described the specific signs, and said,
"So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors...Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." Mt. 24:33, 42
This is a "selah" moment for us. We are to be watching for these signs, and to be ready. Is the Church taking seriously the fulfillment of these signs that we are currently seeing? Does the Church take the return of the Lord lightly? Does the Church even believe in the return of Christ, and the prophesied judgment of God? Let us pause, and consider these things.
In 2 Peter, the apostle contrasted the attitude of those who disregard these things, even to the point of being willfully ignorant of the Word of God and the fulfilling signs, with what the signs should mean to each believer in the Church:
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." 2 Pet. 3:10-14
In today's reports, we see many signs of the Lord's imminent return as described in Mt. 24, including the great violence and injustice across the earth, the persecution, even to death, of Christians in many nations, the proliferation and broadening of abortion in this country and others, and many other signs. Let us 'selah', pause and think about these things. Are we recognizing and considering these signs, or are we wilfully ignorant of them? Evidence indicates that the Church, in general, is not taking these signs to heart. The Church does not seem to be watching, and preparing itself.
There is a coming day of wrath. We are to be salt and light, teaching the uncompromised truth as we see the signs of its approach. Your mission field is to your own loved ones and neighbors. Each one has this mission field before them.
This is a "selah" moment for the Church. Will you take the opportunity given to pause, and think about it?
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There is a coming day of wrath. We are to be salt and light, teaching the uncompromised truth as we see the signs of its approach. Your mission field is to your own loved ones and neighbors. Each one has this mission field before them.
This is a "selah" moment for the Church. Will you take the opportunity given to pause, and think about it?
*The above is based upon the 3/17/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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