Pleasure People

“The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” (Ps 147:11 AV)

Have you ever had one of those children in you VBS who was totally disconnected from interaction from another human being older than he?  He was not really disconnected from human interaction.  With children his own age, he was normal.  But with adults, he or she refuses to interact.  The adult in the room may try to establish a relationship, but they are rebuffed or ignored.  After a good-hearted attempt, the adult in the room will spend time with those who desire his or her friendship and guidance.  Such is the LORD.

Such a child of whom we speak does not come from a shattered home.   They do not come from a traumatic past which might give them pause to interact with adults he or she cannot trust.  I have a son like this.  At least a little bit.  His teachers were frustrated with him because he did not interact with them.  He didn’t ask for help.  He didn’t express an exchange of ideas.  He was overly quiet.  His problem was independence and shyness.  Not rebellion.  After a few years, he got over it.  He found his niche and became a great help to the adults in his life.  The children I speak of deliberately avoid any contact with an adult that might require respect and dependence.  They are all on their own and they do not care to know you.  They see you as an object that is required to meet their needs.  This is as far as the relationship goes.  Totally and completely emotionally disconnected from anyone who does not provide something he or she needs.

Those children we take pleasure in are those who understand the proper child/adult relationship and are grateful for that which we provide.  They are welcoming and appreciative of the time and resources which we expend on their behalf.  God takes pleasure in those who show the proper respect due a God who created and controls all things.  He takes pleasure in those who seek His mercy.  Not for forgiveness alone.  But the mercies of life’s provision, protection, purpose, and pleasure.  He takes pleasure in those who treat Him right.  He takes pleasure in those who pray.  He takes pleasure in those who take the effort to get to know Him.  He loves unconditionally.  He loves enough to send His Son to die for us.  But taking pleasure in us is something apart and above unconditional love.  It is something of which we determine the amount of pleasure He derives.

No Question

“The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” (Ps 145:17 AV)

In a world so full of evil, it is easy to doubt such a verse.  If God is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his thoughts, then why is there evil in the world?  Why are there innocent victims?  Why doesn’t God do something about it?  These questions have been asked since the dawn of man.  More so as we see the day approaching.  What these questions represent are not so much as a curiosity, but and accusation.  Those that persist in asking these questions are not truly interested in the answer.  Rather, they desire to accuse God of being unfair and thus not worthy of their submission.  This is false and dangerous for several reasons.

First, even if God is as cruel as they desire to think Him to be, lack of submission isn’t going to make anything better.  It may make things even worse.  Even if the accusation were true, it doesn’t make God disappear.  Even if the accusation of an unfair God were true, God is still omnipotent.  Even if one were able to successfully prosecute God for being unfair, what then?  The standing of the accuser hasn’t changed.  God is still God.  These are all predicated on the falsehood that God is unjust and unfair.  All this does is give the rebel a ‘just’ cause for rebellion.  It doesn’t change his or her eventual and eternal outcome.

But let us not forget that God did not introduce wickedness into His creation.  Evil was the product of beings with the ability to choose.  First the devil, then Adam and Eve.  God did not force them to choose evil.  In fact, He warned them of the consequences of sinful choices. Yet, they decided to choose anyway.  The reason why there is evil in the world is not the fault of God.  Adam and Eve had just as much freedom to refuse the fruit as they did to eat of it.  Wickedness is all on us.  Not on God.

Lastly, let us remember that God is not required to exercise justice according to our terms or in our time.  There will come a day of reckoning.  All will have to answer for the sins of their life.  Some have done so before hand and pleaded the mercy of God in the blood of Christ.  Most will not.  God’s justice will be according to His terms and in His time.  He has all of eternity to set things right regardless of how much we have suffered at the hands of others.  He will judge.  This is the comfort of the saints.  So, when the Psalmist makes the statement as he did above, it is absolutely true!  One thousand percent.  God is righteous in all is ways and holy in all His works.  Period!  One the self-righteous would think otherwise.

Upon His Holiness

“And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.” (Ps 143:2-3 AV)

Verse two seems like it is ethically out of sorts with verse three.  What we know of David’s humility and righteousness seems to go contrary to two-fold request.  It may seem as though David is asking the LORD to judge his enemies, but not judge him.  This is contrary to what we know of his humility.  This isn’t it at all, though.  What David is asking is the LORD to judge his enemies, but not by the standard of what righteousness he may have.  He has none.  He is not asking the LORD to consider his righteousness and their guilt as the basis of His judgment.  What he is asking is actually the opposite.  He is asking the LORD to judge his enemies on the basis of God’s standard of righteousness and holiness, not David’s.  He is seeking God’s intervention, not because he feels he has earned it.  Quite the opposite.  He is asking for the LORD to exercise divine righteousness in spite of the fact that David has not earned it.  This is profound.

As is my habit, I look up program content before I select it for viewing.  I don’t want to be surprised by something I should not be viewing.  There are several apps that are great in letting the viewer know what he or she might be exposed to long before it happens.  Even by episode.  One such review mentioned an immoral act portrayed in one of its scenes.  This was supposedly in a PG-13 rated TV series.  Upon reading it, I was repulsed.  Part of me wanted the LORD to judge all this.  But then, we read of the verses above and wonder of the motive.  Do I want judgment because I do not participate in such wickedness and it repulses me?  Do I want judgment because I think such behavior is disgusting and comparing it to what I would not do, find it worthy of judgment?  Or, do I wish for the judgment of God on sin, not because of what little righteousness I possess through Christ, but more to the point, because God’s glory depends upon it?

If the truth be known, we all deserve the severe wrath of God on our souls.  Every one of us.  There are no exceptions.  We all deserve the judgment of God.  We are all disgusting.  We are all vile.  None of us would stand.  What we are seeing in these two verses is the desire for God’s judgment, not because of some elevated sense of self-righteousness, but because God is holy and we are not.  The motive here is the point.  We should desire the return of the Lord Jesus Christ because He is God and deserving of holiness and worship.  We should desire the righteousness of God so that He can be vindicated.  We are nothing.  We do not deserve and of God’s grace.  Let judgment come because God is just.  Not because we might think we are just.

We All Need a Faithful Friend

“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” (Ps 141:5 AV)

The later part of the verse refers to the future.  The former, the present.  The Psalmist desires correction from those who are the righteous.  He welcomes criticism.  He welcomes an unbiased and pure eye to examine his life to be sure that he is right with God lest the desire for justice is marred by his own self-righteousness.  He takes solace in the justice of God.  He knows the LORD will judge those who have caused him harm.  He leaves that with the LORD.  Now, he desires correction from his fellow saints.  He calls this correction a kindness.  He refers to is as an excellent oil.  Just an aside – the word ‘…break…’ means to frustrate or discourage.  In other words, the welcomed criticism of friends will not be a mental or emotional discouragement to him.  Quite the opposite.

Being a pastor can be a lonely place.  Our friends are few.  Even more to the point, those friends who can evaluate us and help us in our walk with God are fewer.  Sometimes we get to independent for our own good.  No one is implying we compromise for the sake of fellowship. We can fellowship while at the same time adhering to our core values and doctrines.  Each state, for the most part, has a fellowship of churches and pastors who regularly encourage and challenge one another.  There are some areas of our country where that not the case.  It is so unfortunate.  Here in Wisconsin, there is a healthy and strong organization of independent Baptist preachers who meet once a month for a time of fellowship and encouragement.  We may not all agree on every nuance of doctrine, but the union that is shared in our mutual relationship in Christ in invaluable.  We need one another.  We need the correction which we can afford one another.

But this desire goes much deeper than mere fellowship.  It goes deeper than mere acquaintance.  The Psalmist desires friends who love him and can minister to his spiritual needs by being a voice of challenge and correction.  This takes vulnerability.  This takes a commitment of time.  This takes a desire to be just as much a receiver of correction as it does a giver of it.  I had that in Kentucky.  A good friend with whom I hunted.  He was a church member.  But it was possible to be transparent with him without affecting my ministry.  He was able to ask me questions that ministered to my needs.  We need that.  When we do not have it, we miss it.

Hurdles are Opportunities to Overcome

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” (Ps 139:14 AV)

I was reminded recently that how we are created is directly by the hand of God and God does not make mistakes.  This is not to be understood by those who claim un-biblical standards for man like gender fluidity.  The Bible clearly states God makes only two genders.  If you are confused, a simple exam or glance in the mirror should clear that up.  More to the point, God allows us all to be created imperfectly.  There are physical, mental, or emotional issues which we all must overcome.  Some far more severe than others.  But they are there.  What we must realize is these conditions are not hindrances.  They are opportunities.  God allowed us to be created imperfectly.  Not so that we can seek to avoid them, but rather, to embrace and overcome them.   Let me explain.

I am reading a book on 50 famous Christians of the last three hundred years.  Like Paul the Apostle who had a thorn in the flesh, many of them had serious health or mental issues.  Not psychotic.  More in the realm of attention or learning issues.  What is common among some of our greatest and most admirable servants for Christ is their tenacity to overcome their adversity contributed to their impact on our faith.  It seems the harder they struggled with a personal issue, the more fruit they realized in their ministry.  The same was true of Paul.  God never removed his thorn in the flesh.  Many think his thorn is the flesh was his eyesight.  He remarks in his letter to the Galatians he has written a large letter by his hand.  Galatians is relatively small compared to Roman and the Corinthians.  Galatians was one of the first books Paul wrote.  If his eyesight was indeed his problem, it wasn’t a good one seeing as how his ministry would be comprised of much writing.  But the LORD was able to use it as Paul surrendered to it.

We do ourselves and others a great disservice by allowing for the surrender of ambition to a debilitating situation.  We give up and never truly realize how great of a God we serve because we do not believe even God can overcome or challenge.  The old timers saw their hurdles as an opportunity.  They never saw them as an unmovable obstacle.  If there is a hurdle, and one cannot jump over it, then find a way around it.  Many years ago, I had very poor eyesight.  Due to several concussions suffered as a child, after one such accident, my eyes were so bad, I could not function at all without glasses.  In the midst of this, I played baseball.  I became the starting pitcher or our team.  All while wearing coke bottles for glasses.  Perseverance is a valuable lesson to learn.  But it can only be learned by adversity.

Joy-filled Memory

“If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.” (Ps 137:6 AV)

My Mom used to say, “if you don’t have anything good to say, then don’t say it at all.”  There is a lot of wisdom in that.  What we do need to see, though, is the relationship between what we choose to remember and that which we speak of.  The context is Israel in captivity.  The writer is lamenting the fact their captors wish them to sing the joyous songs of Jerusalem not understanding it is impossible to do so while they are so far away, and, without hope of return.  Yet, the Psalmist also understands that if he does not, with fondness, remember the city of his faith, he will cease to speak of it any longer.  It took the absence of something they took for granted to realize just how much they truly loved that city.  It took captivity to realize just how important their faith was and sorrow at its neglect.  That which we choose to dwell upon will be that which we will speak of.  More importantly, if we fail to speak of the LORD and all that He is to us is an indication we have found other joys.  But in the strictest of context, the way we get through the hard times of life is to remember, with fondness, how gracious God has been and how much He truly means to us.

I have only had the experience of a hospital stay three times in my life time.  Two of those times was as a child.  Once as an adult.  Of the two times in my adolescence, one sticks out more than the other.  The later, I was in for observation from a concussion.  My mother never left my side.  The other, a tonsillectomy, I was in a hospital about forty-five minutes from home.  In the first stay, I was in an observation room right next to the nurse’s station and I had the room all to myself.  The second, not so much. I had roomies from a horror flick.  It was a true nightmare.  This was back in the day when they kept you for a week.  I was in that hospital for about five days.  Not a pleasant time.  One thing that got me through it was looking out that huge window which reminded me of home.  It overlooked some woods and a neighborhood that was much like mine.  We were high enough in the building that I could see for miles.  I don’t know if was true or not, but my mom pointed me to the horizon and said our house was just over there.  I looked out that window and took by faith that my home was just out of sight, but it was there.  Lying on my right side, memories of my own bed, my street, my friends, etc. is what got me through that week.  It is that which I spoke of to the nurses.  To my roomies.

Dark days have a way of making us forget.  We forget of the home prepared for us in heaven.  We forget of the grace of God that is still present, yet undiscernible.  We forget of all the blessings of this life as well of the life to come.  Our eyes are cast down instead of out and up.  Remember!  Remember that nothing has changed between you and your Father in heaven.  Just because my mother could not be with me every moment of the day, did not mean she didn’t care or that she wasn’t with me in my heart.  God, unlike my mother, will never leave me nor forsake me.  Remember!

Precious, Priceless Peace

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Lu 2:14 AV)

Not much is said of the treasure of peace.  Peace if often seen as a compromise.  It doesn’t need to be.  Peace comes when one’s cause is satisfied.  God did not compromise that mankind might have peace with Him.  This is the peace which is spoken of in our verse.  Peace with God.  Peace is a treasure.  There is nothing like peace.  There are no words to adequately describe it.  Those who believe their life’s mission is to disturb the peace truly do not understand the depth of the blessings of peace.

As I write this, it is Christmas morning.  It is extremely quiet.  Which is rare, considering where I live.  I live on a busy street in the city of Milwaukee.  On average, there is on vehicle about every twenty seconds going past our house.  It is very busy.  Some of those vehicles are construction vehicles.  The fire department is only one block over is they go on a run about once every thirty minutes or so.  Sirens are more common than bird’s song.  But an amazing thing happened.  Christmas came.  There is such quiet and peace, it is almost stunning.  The LORD provided a blanket of snow so even the sounds of distant traffic are muted.  I have a fire burning in my virtual fire place and the crackling of the wood is a sound so beautiful it defies words.  Not a sound but the beauty of a fire.  Reading God’s word in the quietness of the morning is something worth every moment of salvation.  If Heaven is anything like this, it will be wonderful beyond words.

But the source of this peace is deeper then mere auditory input.  This peace goes way down deep in the soul.  The peace which comes from knowing one is forgiven of all his sins is a peace that passeth all understanding.  As we reflect upon the greatest gift ever give – that being the free gift of salvation found in the offering of God’s dear Son – we realize just how peaceful life can be.  No more animosity between the sinner and his Creator.  Unconditional love and acceptance found in the cross of Calvary is a love that cannot even be understood.  Knowing that no matter what happens in this life, there is an eternity just waiting to begin for our souls.  Knowing that we are secure in the hand of our Creator and Redeemer is a peace that the world does not know.  And the tragic thing is, many do not want to know.  They do not know what they are missing.  What a glorious day!  A wonderful day to be grateful for the peace that cometh to every person who will repent of their sin and place their faith in the Son of God to save them from that sin.  I pray you have done so, and if not, you will consider the greatest gift ever given.  The gift of incomprehensible peace with God by the blood of His dear Son!

Of Forgiveness and Fear

“But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” (Ps 130:4 AV)

What does forgiveness and fear have in common?  How are they related?  One would think they are not naturally related.  When we are forgiven, doesn’t fear abate?  Isn’t it fear that brings us to a place where we need forgiveness and when forgiveness is granted, then fear is cast aside?  What about John’s statement that perfect love casteth out fear?  The word of God makes no mistakes.  There are no errors or contradictions in the word of God.  There is an answer here.

To be sure that we are understanding the terms here, the word for “feared” means, “to stand in awe of, be awed; to fear, reverence, honour, respect.”  This is profound in the sense it gives us deep understanding of the proper foundation and nature of our relationship with our creator.  Let me illustrate.  I have three sons.  As perfect as they were, there were times I had to correct them.  It didn’t happen all that often (I am just kidding), but when it did, there was a severance of our relationship.  There was something there than needed to be resolved.  Forgiveness had to be sought and granted.  One cannot grant forgiveness when there is none sought.  When forgiveness was granted, it was always done is in the understanding of a subordinate seeking forgiveness from an authority.  When my son needed to know it was right again, he acknowledged in his heart that Dad was Dad and he had messed up.  He was not seeking forgiveness from a friend.  He was seeking forgiveness from his authority.

I fear that much too much forgiveness sought by the saints has this element of truth missing from the spirit of the request.  We seek forgiveness from a God of grace.  What we are missing is seeking forgiveness from a God of holiness and justice.  It makes all the world of difference.  If my son came to me and asked forgiveness as though I was his friend and equal, that would have been presumptuous and best.  It would have been misguided and an insult.  We do the same when we do not keep in mind that we need forgiveness from our Creator.  When forgiveness is granted, we must remember the nature of the one granting that forgiveness.  He is God.  He is not our buddy.  He is not our pal.  He is the Creator of all things.  He is the one by whom we consist.  He is God!

Don't Get Mad - Get Glad

“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Ps 126:3-5 AV)

There is so much in these three verses that it seems a bit disjointed.  In verse three, the writer expresses his gladness in the great things which the LORD has done for him.  This is in the present tense.  Verse four is a request to turn again the captivity of which the writer is experiencing.  Then he observes that those who are presently sowing life’s experiences in tears will eventually experience joy.  How can this all be?  How can the writer say that he is both glad and sowing in tears?  How can these two emotions co-exist?  I know they can for they have in the past and they are in the present.

In many ways, this Christmas will be a difficult one.  Come Christmas morning, those who will be absent will be far more obvious than those who will be here.  It will be the first Christmas that I don’t call come to have a laugh or two with my mother.  She departed this life this past spring.  No more recollections of the Christmas cookie factory the Saturday after thanksgiving.  No more remembering the popcorn and cranberry stringers, the ribbon candy, the hideous looking Christmas tree that made Charlie Brown’s tree look like a million dollars.  No more chuckles about the adversities of life.  She was a master at that.  Always finding the humorous side of the tragedies of life.  This Christmas will be the first one where none of our children will be with us.  All our old friends will be with their families and our new ones busy with theirs.  No record-breaking packages under the tree.  No large turkey in the oven.  Life changes whether we like it or not.

But there are far more blessings than there are challenges.  With these tears also comes gladness.  Gladness that God had blessed me with the saintliest mother a boy could ever ask for.  Second only to the virgin Mary, my mother was a godly woman.  Even though my sons cannot bring their families with them for this Christmas, it is for a good reason.  They are busy, fulling pulpits in different parts of the world.  My grandchildren are growing up with examples of what it is like to sacrifice for the glory of God.  Their parents love the LORD more than anything.  And, the best part of it all is that without family around, I get to fall in love with my wife in deeper ways than we haven’t in a very long time!  Woohoo!  So, yes, there are tears of sorrow.  But there are also grins of gladness.  God has been good.  He always has been.  There will be joy again. For now, gladness is perfect.

Watch For It

“Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” (Ps 123:2 AV)

I have been asked of the secret of serving God with one’s life by more sincere believers that I can remember.  There really is no secret.  The deep truth that lies at the core of being used of God is not all that deep.  The principle that guides the successful warrior of Christ is really not all that complicated.  The fellow-laborer who desires to be arm and arm with other servants of Christ need not study deep theological truths as the sole activity to gain such a calling.  It really boils down to one simple truth.  Go where God bids and do what God asks.  Make that a pattern of life and God will use you in ways that you cannot even imagine.

Note something very important in the verse above.  Notice it is the eyes and not the hands which are mentioned as waiting upon God.  Yes, the hands and feet will follow.  But it is the eyes that are the first to surrender to the bidding of God.  It is the eyes that are searching for ways in which to serve.  The hands and feet will only do what which the eyes notice.  In the days of monarchies, the servant’s job was to watch for any and all potential needs his potentate might have.  He was to know his king is such an intimate way that he could anticipate most desires or needs.  Even to the management of the kingdom.  The wiser the king, the more he surrounded himself with servants and leaders who could anticipate his vision for the kingdom.  The mistress, or wife, of the home would hire a maiden who could anticipate any and all needs.  She would be a lady of extreme observational skill.  She would know her mistress’ tastes in style, her personality as exhibited in society, and her values as to rearing the children.  She would never ever do anything that would embarrass her mistress.  She would be out of the way, but also in the middle of things.  She would garner no attention but be ever present to serve the needs of her mistress.

Many see service as something one earns.  Like a promotion at work.  But this is not what Christ taught.  The LORD stated, “Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Mt 23:10-11 AV) As one learns to humble him or herself, seeking any and all opportunities in which to serve our Master, then and only then will God use him or her in ways that would boggle the mind.  There is a joy of service that few really appreciate.  There are untold blessings from the ability to anticipate the will of God and do it.  This is one of the many blessings of knowing the LORD.  To please Him with our whole heart, mind, soul, and will is a great treasure.

Preservation, Not Paradise

“The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” (Ps 121:8 AV)

It is important that we do not confuse preservation with glorification.  It is important that we understand exactly what the LORD has promised here.  He has not promised an absence of temporary adversity.  Preservation intimates a challenge of adversity.  If there was no adversity, there would be no need for preservation.  To preserve something does not mean to completely remove it from potential harm.  It means to safeguard it that potential harm does not irreparitively mar that which one wishes to preserve.

We have recently moved to a new state.  The LORD has led us to the snowy and cold metropolis of Milwaukee, WI.  The chore to pack up and move was a daunting one.  One I pray does not have to happen again until well into our twilight years.  We packed everything as carefully as we could.  Double and triple wrapping the delicate treasures of our lives, off we went.  Those precious pieces of glassware, knickknacks, and memories were packed into a moving truck as smartly as was humanly possible.  The most delicate of all were at the top.  When we arrived, there was a team waiting for us to help unload.  Even though the boxes were marked ‘fragile’, those tasked with unloading may not have been as careful as we, for they did not realize how valuable a cargo they carried.  By the grace of God, we only lost a serving plate and a pitcher that was a third-generation item.  All the rest survived.  However, what our treasures did not escape was the jostling, the tossing, the bumps, and the subtle drops associated with the move.  There were still thrown around rather violently compared to their resting place in our home.  We preserved them from permanent harm, but not from the experience that comes with the environment which that harm could have produced.

We are mistaken and disappointed when we expect the LORD to keep us from any and all unsavory experiences of life.  We think that once we are saved, the it’s unicorns and rainbows.  The fact of the matter is, the LORD does not promise to keep us from adversity.  It is often that adversity that brings us from where we are to where we need to be.  What He does promise is that He will preserve Your soul.  He will take care of you and no matter the trip, you will arrive in glory the better for it.

Greater Purity, Greater Love

“Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” (Ps 119:140 AV)

There are consequences for that which we believe or teach.  The error that the word of God is not perfectly pure is one of those doctrines that has caused much grief among God’s people.  The fact that the false doctrine of human neglect or faulty scholarship has led to an imperfect Bible, or worse, that a perfect Bible is impossible has had unintended consequences.  That being, the people of God have lost their love for it.  In our verse, the writer clearly states that his love for the word of God is tied to its purity.  He loves it because it is pure.  Which means, the opposite is also true.  The less pure we believe the word of God is, the less we will love it.

When I was tasked with shopping for an engagement ring for my soon to be bride, it was one of the most pleasurable experiences I have ever had.  A mutual friend of ours sent us to a small jeweler in the downtown area.  One of those shops that was family owned and somewhat exclusive.  As the owner, who was good friends with our mutual friend, took the time to explain the four ‘C’s of diamonds, I felt myself falling in love with perfection.  Carat, cut, color, and clarity.  I was particularly mesmerized with the third – clarity.  He brought out one sample after another.  From the least clear to the most.  Perfection was addicting.  It was rather amazing in the fact that this owner was educating the poorest man in town of things he could only hope to one day afford.  He finally showed me one of the best quality diamonds he had.  It was in the tens of thousands of dollars.  It was right there and then I decided that since I will never be able to afford perfection, I might as well get the best that I could afford.  The point is, perfection has an alluring factor to it.  The more perfect something is, the more naturally attractive it is.

Which brings us to our point.  Scholars and scoffers alike have done a great disservice to the people of God by peddling this idea the word of God was only perfect in the originals.  There is no way they can prove this unless they had a copy of them.  Which we do not.  Which also means their position is just as much a position of faith as those who believe God has protected and preserved His word perfect and without error, even in the translation process.  Why would I want to rob the people of God of enjoyment in that which is pure?  Why would I want to dissolve a love for God’s word because academia has more faith in their reason then they do in the power of God?  No wonder music, drama, fellowships, and programs are more important to the people of God than His word.  We simply do not believe it to be pure anymore.

Inclined, Not Reclined

“I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.” (Ps 119:112 AV)

At first glance I could not reconcile the idea of the vow and the eventuality of sin.  How could David promise to perform the statutes of God, even unto the end of his life when he knows that his nature to sin will lead him to fall?  On the face of it, this seems like and impossible vow.  Knowing that God holds us to our vows, why would David make such a bold statement?  But then the Spirit taught me the truth of this verse.  First, it is not a vow.  It is a statement of fact.  Second, David did not state he will live perfectly sinless to the end of his life.  What he said is that he has inclined his heart to live in the law of God to the end of his life.  There is a big difference.  The first, that he can live sinless, although hypothetically possible is practically impossible.  So, the later must be the case.  That is, David has made a statement that he has decided his heart will be inclined, or generally bent towards, the performance of the statutes of the word of God to the end of his life.  One may think that is what all saints have done.  But this is simply not the case.

As far as this author is concerned, this is one of the proofs of genuine spiritual life.  Perhaps someone can be saved without making the decision to incline his or her heart towards the word of God.  But they certainly cannot walk with God that way.  If the saint or sinner has no desire to conform to the word of God, then their relationship with the LORD is shallow at best, and at worst, is non-existent.  This author has noticed this to be the case more times than not.  Those professing Christ have little to no desire to strive after Christlikeness.  The preaching has become shallow and narcissistic even to the point the people of God cannot take strong meat.  There comes a time when every child of God is challenged to make this choice.  Will the word of God be important enough to them that it changes his or her life?

When I was a child, we were required to learn a musical instrument.  Acoustic guitar was the instrument of choice for me.  After accepting the LORD as my Savior, I rejected the guitar thinking it was an unacceptable instrument in the sight of God.  Within the last few years, I have re-evaluated that position and have taken it up again.  In so doing, I found a reinvigorating appreciation for the ability to play music for the glory of God.  Tinkering with a mandolin, I inclined my heart to learn how to play.  Attitude really does determine success.  A lot of sore fingers and tons of hours of mistakes later, a few spiritual songs and hymns resonate from its strings.  It was all about the heart.  Inclining one’s heart makes the discipline needed a whole lot easier.  This decision is a permanent one.  Incline your heart to perform God’s law.  Success or failure, incline your heart anyway!

Understand Brings Compliance

“Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (Ps 119:33-34 AV)

Psalm 119 uses several words to describe the word of God.  Testimonies, commandments, word, law, and statues.  They do have different meanings.  They all point to the same thing.  The standards by which the saint should order his life is the general meaning of all.  But the specific meaning of each word is tremendously helpful.  In our passage, we want to consider the meaning of the word ‘statute’.  It means “a prescribed boundary.”  This implies some truths.  A boundary is a border one cannot cross.  He is free to roam within the boundary, but the boundary is a barrier to a place he should not go or does not belong.  Often, crossing a boundary brings undo harm.  David wishes to know the way of this boundary.  He wishes to learn the purpose for the boundary and the application of such a restriction of life.  He knows it is for his own good, but he desires to know it so well that it can be applied in all areas of life effectively, resulting in blessings of life.

Recently, I heard of some exploits of some of my members.  They were speaking of some thrill experiences in which they embarked which no normal human being in their right mind would consider.  It started out with a discussion of parachuting.  It evolved into bungee jumping.  Then there was a discussion of the slingshot ride at amusement parks or state fairs.  Then one of these self-avoid dare-devils expressed the desire to attempt the gliding suit.  Do you know what that is?  It is a winged suit a person wears as he jumps out of a perfectly good airplane and sails through the air like a bird taken to flight.  There are certain statutes which the LORD has given that we are not created to tempt.  One of those is gravity!  There is a boundary the LORD has given and we need to learn to live within its constraints.  Partly yielding, but partly understanding, I person will never hazard their lives due to gravity if his feet are firmly planted on the ground.

The word of God is the same way.  David is asking for understanding.  Not that obedience necessarily depends upon it.  What he is asking is for more understanding that he might be increasingly devoted to applying the statutes in areas in which he knows they apply, and learning new ways in which the same statute applies.  He is not asking for God to justify the statute in his own mind so that he can submit.  He is asking to understand it so that his heart can be fully committed, resulting in the pursuit of conformity rather than be forced to do so.  We need to know the word of God.  Better and better it needs to mature in our heart.  We need to submit without question.  But it doesn’t hurt to ask for understanding that we might be fully devoted to it.

A Day in Which to Rejoice

“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps 118:22-24 AV)

Verse twenty-two is often used separate and apart from its context.  It is often used as speaking of the present day.  It is used as a means to encourage the saints to rejoice in the present day which God has provided.  That may be true, but the day of which the writer speaks is a certain day.  It is a day which occurred in the past.  At least for us.  It is a day which will occur for the writer sometime in the future.  The context of the day which the LORD has given is found in verse twenty-two.  That day is the day in which Christ has died for our sins and procured salvation to all who will call upon His name.

There are times when we find it hard to rejoice.  The loss of a loved one comes to mind.  This will be the first Christmas that I cannot call home and reminisce with my mother of all the holiday memories which she so masterfully provided.  There are others who cannot celebrate this holiday with rejoicing because of too many past Christmas’ filled with pain and sorrow.  There will be sad news to some.  There will be unfortunate turns of life for others.  Every day is not a day of rejoicing.  I will not rejoice in the day when I learned of my brother’s tragic passing.  There are those days.  Those days are part of being human.  Because of man’s sin, directly or indirectly, we all suffer from those bad days.  We may not have directly caused the circumstances nor God punishing us for some evil of the past.  It may be a circumstance from the overall sinfulness of mankind.  Whatever the cause, there are those days, weeks, months, or perhaps years wherein there is little joy to be found.

However, if we are saved, there is one day in which we can rejoice.  The memory of that day is beyond words.  The day that we repented of our sins, trusting in Christ, calling upon Him for salvation was a day of great rejoicing.  There was no better feeling in the entire experience of life.  Guilt was totally erased.  Peace reigned in our hearts.  It didn’t matte what life brought, no one or nothing could steal the joy that was in our hearts.  The writer says that we “will” rejoice and be glad.  This is present tense.  It happens no matter the circumstances.  It may be cliché, but if all things are contrary, we still are forgiven and on our way to heaven.  No matter how difficult life might be, we can still rejoice in the day of our salvation.

Respect

“He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.” (Ps 115:13-15 AV)

Some will look at the “success” of certain families and wonder how it is they are so blessed.  Not financially or with good health, but rather, spiritually.  What did they do right or what is it about them that caused ‘fate’ to shine one them and not others?  In one particular church, I overheard a parent, in a derogatory manner, remark of the children of another family how these children were the “golden children.”  But were they?  One of the truths to that end is found in the above verse.  Fear of the LORD goes a long way to experiencing the blessings of God.  Fear has a more complex meaning than that to which we attribute it.  Fear means a respect.  Not merely a feeling of concern over getting caught and suffering the consequences.  But a healthy and humble respect for all things sacred.

There is a lack of fear in our current church age which is disconcerting.  There is a lack of respect for the word of God.  It is criticized and edited to feed man’s laziness and greed.  The church building of God is treated like any other building.  It has long since past lost its sacredness.  There is a lack of respect for the institution of marriage.  We have gone from divorce, to co-inhabiting, to same-gender relationships.  There is a lack of respect for separation.  We have gone from Rosie the Riveter to a matriarchal society.  There is a lack of fear.  A lack of respect.

There used to be a day and age when even if there was disagreement and lack of assent, one still respected the things of the LORD.  It was uncanny.  When we served in an inner-city church many years ago, buildings all around us were tagged.  They were victims of crime.  But the church building was never touched.  Even the sneakers hanging from the phone lines ceased at the property line of the church.  Even among the gangs there was a healthy respect for the church building.  Today, those who profess Christ treat the house of God like any other building.  There is no sacred meaning anymore.  When we see a family that seems to have it all together, chances are they were led by parents who had a healthy respect for all things sacred.  They read their bibles, they came to church, they didn’t go certain places and they appeared in public professing their faith not just by words, but by their actions.  When we see a family that has ‘success’ (whatever that is), they probably raised their children to respect the things of God and treat them with honor.  Don’t run in the church house.  When you come to church, dress like it.  Read you Bibles every day.  Don’t go to places that insult the name of Christ or mock the principles of His word.  Respect!  We sure could use a healthy dose of it.