Deliverance By Truth

“A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.” (Pr 14:25 AV)

 

The meaning of the proverb is quite simple.  A true witness seeks to expunge the innocently accused while the deceitful witness speaks lies so the innocent are wrongly convicted.  On the face of it, we may think this proverb has little or no value because the judgment of the court will determine who is and is not a true witness.  However, in this proverb, there is a third group of people.  That is, those who are true witnesses yet their testimony can convict an innocent person.  They bear witness to what they know, but their information is insufficient to the cause at hand.  Like someone who witnesses a brief moment and is coupled with another who also witnesses a concurrent brief moment.  Putting those two pieces together, one might convict.  However, there might be a third event that would acquit the innocent that is never considered.  These two witnesses were not deceitful.  The prosecution was.  This is not the witness spoken of here.  The deceitful witness deliberately twists the truth to seek a conviction of someone who would be acquitted otherwise.  The key here is motive.  The true witness is motivated to deliver the accused while the deceitful witness is motivated to convict regardless of the truth.

Current events aside, we can apply this to the saint in the pew.  We are of one mindset or another.  We either think the best of someone and wish to protect who and what they are, or we think the worst of people, and our words are intended to hurt others.  We are one of two witnesses.  Gossip is a horrible thing.  The intent is only to cause harm.  There is always at least one of these people in your church.  He or she is “in the know” when it comes to others.  In one of my churches, the county was a close-knit community.  Everyone knew everyone else.  Or at least their family history.  I had two individuals.  The first knew the entire family tree of the thirty-plus-thousand population of our county.  This sweet Christian saint knew more about different people and families than anyone in the county.  In conversations with this person, never was there spoken a critical or unkind word.  Even if one was warranted.  However, I had several others who knew almost as much as the first.  Yet, when they shared information, it was usually with the intent of causing harm.  It was couched in the form of truth.  After all, the preacher needs to know what he is dealing with and the more information he has, the better he can do his job.  Funny thing is, people like this are seldom self-critical.  The first individual was extremely personable and the entire community loved this saint.  The second was either loved or hated depending on how much damage this soul did.

The point is, we can either testify for deliverance.  Or, we can speak words that are intended to cause harm.  In my experience, these two types of people are this way because that is their character.  It really has nothing to do with the individual about whom they are witnessing.  Deliverance or condemnation is pretty much without bias.  The first seeks to build up others.  The second, only to tear down.  A motive isn’t really mentioned above because it is irrelevant.  Self-righteousness, deep-seated anger, pride, etc could all contribute to a destructive witness.  The only cure is to fall in love with the truth.  If we are that second witness, we need to seek truth and honesty far more than an outcome.  We are all wicked sinners.  We all have a good and bad side.  To paint someone only one way is not honest.  To hide a transgression is love. 

Daily Devos Required To Lead

“And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:” (De 17:19 AV)

 

This instruction comes from the words of Moses to a nation preparing to enter the land of Canaan.  He warns against the desire to anoint a king.  He warns there will be consequences for that desire.  All of them came true.  However, in knowing they eventually would choose a king, Moses also gives them laws regarding the qualifications and expectations of the king.  One of them listed above.  The king was to copy the word of God located in the tabernacle for his own personal use.  This would have been overseen by the high priest, verified to be an exact duplicate, and released to the king to rule the kingdom.  The king was to read and study the word of God daily.  He was to study and memorize the word of God for it was the law of the land.  The king was bound to judge by it and he could not institute laws contrary to it.  The word of God was his standard.  The word of God was his rule.  Because this was so, it was required of him to have his nose in it every day!

For a leader to lead, the word of God must be by him and in him daily.  In reading the verse again, attention could not be stopped from noticing the word of God was to be by him.  He was not to read it and then put it up.  The word of God was close by for reference and guidance.  In other words, it would be impossible to lead without the Bible front and center.  There are many leaders.  There are teachers, parents, civic leaders, and pastors, to name a few.  The above command isn’t for the king alone.  It is for anyone who would be an authority or example to another.  In my ministry, I stress daily devotions.  Daily devotions are the most important spiritual discipline a saint could do.  To read the Bible and pray every day is absolutely essential.  There is no excuse.  If we have time to eat, we have time to read and pray.  If we have time to sleep, we have time to read and pray.  There is no excuse to ignore the voice of God and then expect Him to guide us as we lead others.

When we think of a king who would lead God’s people, this makes complete sense.  How else would he lead God’s people God’s way without memorizing, studying, and applying God’s word?  But this is also true for everyone.  Not for the king alone.  How can we expect to help someone else, mentor someone else, or judge between a matter if we do not know the word of God?  The Bible isn’t solely for our own encouragement.  The word of God was not given primarily to make us feel good.  The word of God was given that we might have principles by which to live, enjoy the blessings of God, and glorify God with the life He has granted.  When we ignore the word of God, we ignore the lifeblood we need as well as the needs of those who depend on us.  There really is no excuse we can give to the LORD Himself why we cannot spend some time in His precious word.  If the king was to have the word of God at his side and read from it every day, we can too!

Surrender Is Permanent

“Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.” (De 15:17 AV)

 

The law of the servant was such that if the servant found it advantageous to continue on with his debtor, even after the debt had been paid off, he could choose to remain a servant for the remainder of his life.  Exactly what is going on here?  If a Hebrew citizen had a debt he could not pay, he could either volunteer to become an indentured servant to his debtor until the debt is paid, or he could find another who would pay the debt on his account and be indentured to the payer.  While serving off his debt, if he happened to receive other benefits or kindness which proved he has a gracious debtor, he could remain in his employ for the remainder of his life.  Or, if the indebted happened to marry a wife provided by the debtor, and upon release from his debt, the debtee would lose his wife back to the debtor who supplied that wife, the debtee could choose to remain employed by his benefactor and thus keeping his wife.  The point is, upon paying all the debt off and being released by the benefactor, the once indebted could choose to remain in the benefactor’s employ.  If this happened, the once indebted would have his ear bored through and an erring placed in it to signify to whom he was commissioned to serve.  This was permanent.  Even if the erring was removed, and the pierced ear to heal as best as it could, there would remain a scar.  Proof of a decision that was permanent and from which he could never be released.

Why would an individual choose to remain bound to a benefactor?  Because over the years of service, the benefactor proved himself gracious and ready to bestow blessings above the debt paid off.  This portion of the law is preached in different ways.  However, I think it best to apply it in light of a saint who has had his debt of sin satisfied and has found his Master more than gracious above and beyond paying that sin debt.  Thus, he finds the Master someone whom he can trust with the remainder of his life.  This should be true of every believer.  God has blessed far and above what we could ask or think.  If all God did was wipe away our sin debt by the blood of Christ, it would be far more than we deserve and worthy of our undying devotion and commitment.  But He has done far more.  Every blessing we have is because of the wonderful grace of God.  Every last thing!

Everything I enjoy, from my wife to my kids to my grandkids were all provided by my Benefactor.  I owe him my life.  But the thing to remember is surrender is a free will choice by the servant.  The Benefactor will not force it.  He deserves it, but He will not force it.  Once this decision is made, it cannot be unmade.  Whether there is a ring in our ear or a scar that remains, the proof will always be there that we have surrendered to serve the most gracious of all Benefactors.  One gets a picture of the servant, with his ear pressed to the wall, being pierces through by his benefactor.  There was certain pain involved.  Pain that would soon subside while the servant remembers just how blessed he has been to serve such a wonderful benefactor.  The point is simple.  We owe God everything.  Everything we have is because of the goodness of God.  By giving ourselves, we cannot come close to paying the debt we owe.  But it is a start.  Once decided, we can never go back.  Ever!

Someone Might be Praying For You

“I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.” (De 9:26 AV)

 

It is amazing how much the prayer of another intervenes in our situation, even if we clearly do not deserve it.  At issue is Moses’ rehearsal in the ears of the nation of Israel his intercession on behalf of them that the LORD not destroy them.  When, after forty days and nights, Moses returned to the camp, he found them half-naked in a stooper, in worship to a golden calf.  God was so upset with Israel, He posited the possibility of destroying Israel and starting over with Moses.  If I was Moses, I might have entertained that suggestion.  However, that is not what Moses did.  He got on his face to the LORD and prayed for Israel.  God harkened to Moses and kept His anger at bay.  The thing is, Israel never realized just how close they were to annihilation.  They never knew how close they were to God’s judgment.  Because of the prayers of a man of God, the people of God escaped a great disaster.  If the truth is known, this is far more common than one might think.

As a pastor, this is something that happens quite a bit.  There are so many examples from which to draw.  Years ago, we had this fella who was giving the pastor a hard time.  Even after the pastor had dealt with this man, the man persisted.  There were no threats from the pastor.  There was no warning given.  Yet the pastor knew if this man persisted, the LORD was going to deal with him.  The pastor was not claiming the error which many persist to use today.  That being to not touch the LORD’s anointed.  What the pastor did understand is the LORD does defend those who serve him.  A close family member to this man was in a horrible accident.  The book of Proverbs tells us not to rejoice at the hard times of those who treat us badly.  So, the pastor began to pray for this victim of an accident.  The victim recovered without any complications.  The man of God prayed for the situation of someone living in complete rebellion and God heard him.  The man never knew how much the welfare of his relative lay in the hands of someone whom he had given fits.

I don’t even want to think about the times when my bad behavior was not dealt with as God chose to because the man of God prayed for me.  What really strikes me is I may never know how much the prayer of a man of God affected how God dealt with me.  Had Moses never mentioned it, Israel would have never known just what Moses did for them.  When I consider all I have done and how much God has not visited me equal to my transgressions, I can only think it was the faithful prayers of a pastor or friend that kept God’s hand at bay.  It blows the mind how much grace the LORD has extended towards me.  When I think about how I would have handled a saint like me, it amazes me I am still alive.  However, I can almost assume with certainty it was the prayers of my pastors that kept the hand of God from coming too heavy on me.  So, the next time we escape what we so rightly deserve, maybe we should thank the man or men of God in our lives whose prayers probably stayed that hand.  We owe our lives to those who pray for us.  Far more than we might realize.

Because the Father Loves

“O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” (De 5:29 AV)

 

We see a side of the Father that we seldom remember.  Especially when it applies to laws and standards.  The laws and standards of the word of God are not arbitrary or decided upon somewhere in eternity past.  The laws and standards of the word of God are God’s nature as expressed through that which He has created.  Since God is a God of love, mercy, and benevolence, the law and standards of the word of God are an expression of the same for the benefit and blessings of mankind.  We often see them as made up some time in the past for an orderly creation with a divine administrator.  However, the nature of the law is a vehicle by which we may experience the best possible life.  In short, the law was given not primarily as a necessary function of order and discipline, but rather, the means to receive the greatest blessings of life.  Herein we see the heart of our divine Father.  He wants us to have the best possible life.  The way to do that is to provide principles found within Himself that will guarantee that.  The law is the expression of the love of the Father towards those whom He has created.

The laws or rules in my home were not only for my personal sanity.  They were also principles that protected my children and also provided for the safest and most enjoyable childhood.  These principles also prepared them for adulthood.  One of my rules was to use things and treat things as they were intended when created.  If something has a purpose, use it only for that purpose.  If it belongs somewhere, put it back there when done using it.  For instance, the furniture is not a jumping gym.  There is something created for that purpose.  It is in the park.  The stairs were not created for use to slide down.  There are slides at the park.  A bicycle was not created to put stoned down a fender as one is peddling by hand and inverted bicycle creating a weapon of mass irritation.  Frogs were not created to blow up with a firecracker.  So on and so on.  This rule created respect for things and people, but also provided the direction needed to create purposefully and efficiently.  When they grew up and began their adult life, there was discipline learned that transferred well into practical points of ministry.  This is not simply because a rule is a rule.  Rather, this principle saved them from unsafe or unwise choices.

The LORD did not give us a law to make us miserable.  He gave us a law because it is an extension of His own perfection.  His own perfection includes love, mercy, grace, etc.  Therefore, the giving of the law is what a loving Father would do.  His rules and standards are not because He desires control, rather, His motive is to express how much He loves and cares for those whom He has created.  When we think if there is a law, then it was created and given with tyranny in mind.  This was the argument Satan made to Eve and Adam in the garden.  His argument was God simply didn’t want mankind to be His equal.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Bless God He loved us enough to give us law!

God Said No The First Time

“But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.” (De 3:26 AV)

 

Getting a ‘no’ to a prayer request is not exactly a fun thing.  But this is exactly what happened to Moses.  Moses messed up.  The LORD told him to speak to a rock to bring forth water.  Instead, out of frustration with his people, Moses struck the rock.  Because he took credit for past miracles and because he did not speak to the rock, God forbade Moses from entering Canaan.  Once they arrived at the point in time when this would happen, Moses asked one more time if he might go to the shores of Jordan and cross over with his people.  We read the LORD’s response above.  Not only was the answer a ‘no’, but the LORD also told him not to ask again.  The patience of God in this matter had worn out.  Moses messed up.  God considered showing mercy but told him ‘no’.  He did so several times.  I don’t blame Moses.  I would have, too.  To come all that way and go through all he did and not be able to experience crossing the finish line had to hurt.  It had to smart.  It had to sting.  But that is what the LORD decreed. 

Not to accuse Moses of immaturity, but our children do this often.  Once we pronounce judgment, they beg and beg to get the sentence changed or canceled.  They believe they can wear us down.  Having a time out or taking the television away is popular.  When we got too big for spankings, my mother forced us to sit in a corner with our heads pointed into the corner.  It was usually such a tight fit we couldn’t turn our heads to see anything anyway.  I remember those times.  They were worse than spankings.  At least the spanking was over in a matter of minutes.  This corner sitting usually was anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes.  For a twelve-year-old to sit in a corner for an hour was torture.  There were far more important things to do than to sit and do nothing.  She would set an egg timer or kitchen timer for the length of our sentence.  We did everything to encourage her to reduce the sentence.  Nothing helped.  We even tried to ask how much time was left so that she would get so annoyed she would tell us to get lost.  However, all she did was tell us every time we asked how much time was left, she would add another minute.  The more we tried to eliminate the sentence, the worse it got.  At some point, we had to accept the consequences of our actions as unchanging, and to petition a change only tries the patience of our Mom even more.

The same is true with God.  We can petition for mercy and grace.  Often, He grants it.  More so than He should.  This is the great thing about God.  He loves us more than we could ever comprehend.  However, to seek relief when the LORD had repeatedly said no pushes Him.  In Moses’ case, the LORD flat out told him that He didn’t want to hear any more of this matter.  What is done is done and Moses has to learn to live with it.  We see that he did.  It appears as though the book of Deuteronomy was written in the last month or so of Moses’ life.  If he would not have accepted God’s answer and kept pursuing a  change to God’s mind, this book would never have been written.  He would have been consumed with something he could not have and would have reacted in a temper-tantrum.  But the fact he pens this last book of his career shows Moses came to terms with his error and God’s judgment on the matter.  One has to wonder how much energy and opportunity is wasted trying to change circumstances of our own making rather than to accept them as they are and God’s hand in the matter.  One wonders how much time and emotional energy is being wasted in trying to convince the LORD to change something which He refuses to do rather than to accept it and go on.  Maybe it is time we accept what we have done and God’s judgment in the matter, go on and serve the LORD in the opportunities that remain.

The Key To Happiness

“Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.” (Pr 8:32 AV)

 

The one speaking here is wisdom.  The statement is very simple.  If we want a blessed life, then we need to apply wisdom.  What occurred to me this morning is the absolute application of this verse.  It is not dependent upon the condition in which we find ourselves.  That is, in times of worldly prosperity or depression, wisdom is still the avenue of blessing.  Whether in sickness or health, blessedness comes from wisdom.  Whether in times of persecution or in times of peace, it is wisdom that brings blessedness.  In times like these, we think blessings will come few and far between.  Surely, as the world becomes more antagonistic with the message of forgiveness and grace, where comes the blessings?  As we suffer for our faith, how can we even begin to believe that a blessed life is possible?  The thing is, the promise from wisdom above is independent of circumstances. It’s an unconditional promise that if we apply wisdom, our lives will be blessed.

We have a funny way of thinking of blessings.  We think of them in terms of the temporal or carnal.  If we have a lot of money in the back, we are blessed.  If we have perfect health, we are blessed.  If we never have spousal arguments, we must be blessed.  If our kids are never any cause for trouble, then we must be blessed.  If our church is growing, then we must be blessed.  However, the word for blessed here means happiness.  It does not mean prosperous.  The word does not mean trouble-free.  The word does not mean realizing all of one’s ambitions.  The word means to be happy.  And particularly, happiness despite adverse circumstances.  Wisdom promises she will overcome our circumstances if we will only believe in the wisdom she shares.  Wisdom may do remove our circumstances, or even give us solutions for them, however, wisdom promises a blessed life if we will simply trust her.

Knowing you did the right thing even though it would cost you is one of those ways in which happiness comes.  Knowing you made the best choice possible even though there was no perfect choice can bring happiness.  Knowing you did the right thing even though the situation continues brings a sense of happiness.  Doing the right thing even though the benefits of that choice would not be realized for quite some time also gives a sense of happiness.  Wisdom does not require or guarantee the best of circumstances.  All wisdom encourages us to do is to do the right thing at the right time.  Sometimes it smarts.  Sometimes, doing the right thing means taking one on the chin.  But we can look back on it and see how God used it.  Or, we can go to sleep at night knowing we did the right thing.  Wisdom does not guarantee a full bank account.  She doesn’t guarantee a life free from trouble.  What she does guarantee is the knowledge we are right with God and that God knows it.  Do you want a happy life?  Then apply the principles of the word of God and take comfort in doing so.  This is the only key to happiness.