210. They followed the Lord wholeheartedly: Salvation is found in no one else but in Jesus Christ alone.

23 October 2021
‘They followed the Lord wholeheartedly.'

Numbers 32
11 ‘Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of those who were twenty years old or more when they came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob— 
12 not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the Lord wholeheartedly.’

Joshua 14
14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.



The Lord’s anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone. Numbers 32:13


Strong's Concordance

tamim: complete, sound

Original Word: תָּמִים
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: tamim
Phonetic Spelling: (taw-meem')
Definition: complete, sound

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from tamam
Definition
complete, sound

NASB Translation
blameless (22), blamelessly (1), complete (1), entire (1), full (1), intact (1), integrity (4), perfect (5), sincerity (1), unblemished (2), uprightly (1), who is perfect (1), whole (2), without blemish (12), without defect (36).

Trusting God wholeheartedly.


"Scripture directs us: “You must be blameless before the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 18:13).

The Hebrew word in the text translated as “blameless” is tamim, which literally means “whole,” or “wholehearted.” Based on this understanding the Jewish sages suggested an alternative reading of this verse: “You must trust the LORD your God wholeheartedly.”

These days, the entire world is facing the challenge of uncertainty. With the coronavirus crisis sweeping our globe, many of us are anxious about the future. However, as people of faith, now more than ever we must cling to God and trust Him wholeheartedly. Even though we cannot see how this challenge will be resolved, we can take comfort in knowing that God is in control."


"In our relationship with God, tamim means being wholehearted, resolute, and entirely committed to walking "with" Him in this world. 

People live in despair because they are often double-minded. Consciously or not, they are attempting to look at two different things at once. They seek their end in a world of finite things – in "good fortune," in personal honor, in worldly entertainment, or other immediacies of the passing day.

The mature of heart, however, the "pure in heart," do not look away from the faithfulness and love of God. Despite the distractions of temporal testing and difficulties, they retain their commitment and their earthly decisions reflect their faith.

When you are "double-minded" you simultaneously want two things at once. You might desire peace with God, but you also insist upon your "rights." Or you might attempt to do the right things for the wrong reasons: for the hope of reward, for pride, for patriotism, or for other motivations. Such double-mindedness can cause a divided focus, an astigmatic condition of spirit that results in half-hearted conviction and the dissolution of the will. 

Put the other way around, single-mindedness concentrates the will and produces wholeheartedness, conviction, and genuine character."

Wholeheartedness in the words of Apostle Peter.


Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 
We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69

Salvation is found in no one else but in Jesus Christ alone.


The life of Apostle Peter is a story of God's grace.


By God's grace, we too will be wholehearted in our faith in Jesus Christ.

"Lord, "May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
    that I may not be put to shame.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.
I am laid low in the dust;
    preserve my life according to your word.
You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word" (Psalm 119:80, 106, 25, 114). This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

8 February 2018"

May you be blessed with God's Word.

Maraming salamat.

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