Where's some light? In the literal and subliminal ~ Author Charles L. Robinson Jr.
This week's devotion possesses surrounding words encompassing the center focus regarding the same one true eternal God throughout eternal past to eternal future being the same one true eternal God that communicates literally and subliminally for the goodness of people (here a focus more on looking at the goodness through subliminal communication of God.)
Subliminal can be defined as resulting from proceesses of which the individual is not aware (Collins-Webster.) In other words, God communicates at times subliminally which means his message is not articulated literally which can challenge the awareness of his message literally (however, not compromising the literal message.) It's extremely important to discover God's intended message within his subliminal communication because one's goodness can be rooted in his (God's) subliminal. The subliminal of God is liken to medicine that treats fears, despair, unrest, chaos, etc with cures of courage, hope, peace, order, etc. Undoubtingly, literal communication of God can reduce comprehension processes, however, undoubtingly subliminal communication of God entails comprehension and comprehension that strategically sharpens spiritual eyes, quicken spirits, and builds inner courage-faith in God.
In the Old Testament, God communicated to the Israelites that he (God) was present and powerful subliminally through signs. (Exodus 4:5) A subliminal message was communicated to them through hard labor. (Exodus 6:9) He (God) continued to communicate to them through Pharoah's force subliminally. (Exodus 6:11) Wonders formed against the Egyptians was a form of subliminal communication to the Israelites. (Exodus 7-12) Longer routes for deliverance and re-routing close to deliverance were forms of subliminal communication. (Exodus 13:17-18; 14:5-9)
Throughout all the previous Old Testament mentioned subliminal communications, the Israelites looked at the surficial issues rather than the God communicated message to them through the subliminal. In other words, the signs, Pharoah's forceful mistreatments, the wonders, the longer route, and the re-routing were all "messages to build their courage". The Israelites were literally told they would be delivered from the yoke of Egypt. (Exodus 6:6-9) They even marched boldly towards their deliverance. (Exodus 14:8) However, when they seen the Egyptians they were afraid (after marching boldly) and Moses eventually told them literally "do not be afraid". (Exodus 14:13) You see, God used several subliminal messages to build their courage-faith before getting to the Red Sea but they interpreted all the messages as ingredients of Pharoah's oppression rather than interpreting the messages as opportunity to build courage to leave Pharoah's oppression. In defense to the Israelites, Pharoah himself did not understand his mistreatments was for the Israelites to gain courage. Pharoah was so focused on keeping them for his service that he (Pharoah) didn't realize his subliminal message from God was that his force and mistreatment was purposed for the Israelites to leave him (he was given ample time to repent.) So, the early subliminal messages were for early comprehensions, early sharpening of spiritual eyes, and early quickening of spirits before the meeting at the Red Sea.
Looking in the New Testament days, the same one true eternal God communicates the same general principle of subliminal messages for peoples good just as he did in Old Testament days. Before Jesus selected his inner circle (twelve disciples), it was spoken that all righteousness was to be fulfilled in him (Jesus.) (Matthew 3:15) Righteousness (in Matthew 3:15) possessing a subliminal message of Jesus death which is only one factor of righteousness regarding the Messiah. Keep in mind, long before this time in history (Matthew - a Synoptic Gospel), it was spoken that righteousness would be fulfilled in him (Jesus) which encompasses his (Jesus's) death. (Zechariah 13:7) Moving forward in time, the disciples were eventually selected by Jesus. (Matthew 4:18-20) After their selection, the disciples eye-witnessed Jesus's teachings and healings throughout the lands (Matthew 4:23-25) including the infamous Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5-7) Jonah three days and three nights was spoken subliminally about Jesus's death. (Matthew 12:40) God communicates to the disciples subliminally about Jesus's death several times before he (God) uses Jesus himself to literally speaks to the disciples about his (Jesus's) death. Even after Jesus speaks literally about his death, a disciple (Peter) doesn't comprehend Jesus's death. (Matthew 16: 22-23) Watch this: The disciples were literally told they could see and hear while others could not see and hear, however, there was still some things that the disciples could not see and hear (because of their lack of courage-faith) illustrated through Peter as one example. (Matthew 16:22-23)
The disciples were focused on surficial issues (one referred to as 'concerned about the things of man') throughout God's subliminal messages rather than comprehending to be courageous just as he spoke subliminally to the Israelites in the Old Testament days subliminally about courage. The disciples understanding the message of Jesus's death (resurrection and ascension) subliminally early was purposed to build their courage-faith early in God (but as the scripture illustrates, God does not clearly reveal somethings too early because wisdom says he knows it's too early for some conditions to deal with certain revelations for the sake of not hindering the overall purpose- one great example being the Messianic Secret.) However, that's no excuse for the inability to comprehend the subliminal - even the Messianic Secret was foretold. The disciples rooted understanding of the death (resurrection and ascension) of Jesus Christ was purposed for solid foundation of their faith and sustaining courage-faith which is greater exemplified in the disciples lives after Jesus's death (resurrection and ascension.) The disciple eventually grew into extremely courageous men of God and the subliminal messages were purposed to build their courage. Holman makes it very clear by saying " WHATEVER THE PRECISE ORDER OF FACTS, THE DISCIPLES EXPERIENCES OF THE LIVING JESUS TRANSFORMED THEM FROM A SCATTERLY AND COWARDLY BAND OF DISALLUSIONED VISIONAIRES INTO THE NUCLEUS OF A COHERT MOVEMENT AND CHANGE FOREVER THE ROMAN EMPIRE WITH A FEW SHORT DECADES".
I leave you with this, God communicates in the literal and subliminal and look for his communications in both. Always ask yourself, Am I grasping the subliminal (because the literal is usually more obvious to grasp)? Why the subliminal? Because there is rooted goodness (of messages) in the subliminal that's purpose is to prepare you, equip you, and free you in so many ways (just as it was historically for the Israelites in Old Testament days and the twelve disciples in the New Testament days.) Remember to share this devotion with others for their encouragements. God bless you and your families, have an amazing week!
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