There is a verse in the book of the Proverbs that gave me pause this morning and it reads, "Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all things." It's in chpt. 28:5 and describes an advantage that a follower of Christ has over those who do not follow Him.
The advantage is one of perspective, vantage point, a way of viewing the world and interpreting reality through the lenses of what God has revealed to us in His word, to help us live in the world that He has created. We understand that God is a God of fixed justice and fixed precepts and principles. He is a God of truth, and governs His creation by unchanging and unalterable decrees that He has established from before the creation of the reality that you and I inhabit today. It is from His eternally good and unchanging character that these principles have come forth, and true justice for humanity is when laws and rules that guide cultures and nations as well as individual lives are in harmony with these principles. Our Proverb warns that "evil men," those who think they are rejecting these principles or God Himself, have no real grasp of true justice. They are unable to understand that laws and decisions must be based on that which is eternal and foundational for all people as well as all creation. They say that truth is relative, it is constantly evolving so our laws are not really based on anything stable and foundational. Rather they are constantly in flux, needing to be evaluated, revisited, or reinterpreted for each generation or situation. This had led many people to ask if there is any such thing as "truth" at all. Is life merely a constant flow of events, ideas,or situations occurring at random, with no origin, no destination?
But, " those who seek the Lord understand all things." What a difference in perspective and view of our world. It isn't that we know everything or have all the answers to life's mysteries, troubles and deep questions. Instead it means we have a grasp of the eternal precepts by which God governs and rules all things. We understand His principles that when followed result in harmony, well-being, and justice that brings the most benefit to the most people. This gives us a cohesive view of reality and our place in it. It allows us to make decisions in the light of the unalterable words and decrees of God that will never be overthrown, defeated, or fail, no matter how hard people of an anti-Christian spirit may try to overthrow them. Eventually, they will fall into their own pit, for the Word of God is unchanging and will not pass away or be rendered obsolete.
It is in this sense that we, "understand all things." We're not moved by the current trends and winds of society and cultures. We do not run after every new perspective, fad and popular sensation, even when it is clothed in christian or biblical costume. We see the political correctness of our society for what it is- a feeble and empty attempt to do right by people and to show respect and dignity to all, yet without the true basis for doing so. We have rejected the God Who created us and governs us by His own goodness. The logical result is tyranny, for if we are not accountable to a good and gracious God, then we must be accountable to a government without any foundation for true justice.
But our lives are well grounded in that which will not change or be altered. Jesus said that even heaven and Earth will pass away, but His word will not pass away. May Christ Jesus give us more understanding into His word, the principles therein and into His character. It is by these that life makes sense, and by which we gain a greater understanding of all things.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
One Word
I was just thinking over all the many ways I am blessed today. As I sat this morning with some coffee, reading a little and looking out at the new day, the bright sunrise that was taking place filled me with a sense of gratitude for all that I enjoy today. So many times I have set out on my day with some sense of awareness of God's blessings, but usually in a hurry and very much aware of the schedule I created and now am determined to keep.
Today was a bit different because the sense of gratitude was very present in a way that almost forced me to stop and think about it. It was as though God Himself was emphasizing for me to just take a few minutes and consider. I won't list all the things that came to my mind for which I am thankful, but there is much to rejoice over as I think about His goodness. I think of where I am at this point of my life, the activities I am involved in, the setting and context in which I live and I realize I am a blessed man.
I'm not rich, but I lack nothing and have plenty. My health, marriage, ministry, sons, mind, are all doing well and experiencing the blessing of the Lord. I realize that trials can come at any time, none of us are exempt from them, but that doesn't rob me of the fact that a good God is in control, and opens His hand to satisfy the desire of every living thing. He promises that no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
I hope today finds you with a sense of gratitude for how life is. Even if you're in the midst of some adversity The Lord has a way of bringing us through tough times. So, I guess today the one word would be thankful. My wife has that word in a decorative display in our kitchen, right over the sink where she does the dishes. "Thankful." It reminds us both of the attitude that helps to express the goodness of God in the land of the living.
May God richly bless you today and give you great reason to be thankful, and then help you and me to remember why!
Today was a bit different because the sense of gratitude was very present in a way that almost forced me to stop and think about it. It was as though God Himself was emphasizing for me to just take a few minutes and consider. I won't list all the things that came to my mind for which I am thankful, but there is much to rejoice over as I think about His goodness. I think of where I am at this point of my life, the activities I am involved in, the setting and context in which I live and I realize I am a blessed man.
I'm not rich, but I lack nothing and have plenty. My health, marriage, ministry, sons, mind, are all doing well and experiencing the blessing of the Lord. I realize that trials can come at any time, none of us are exempt from them, but that doesn't rob me of the fact that a good God is in control, and opens His hand to satisfy the desire of every living thing. He promises that no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
I hope today finds you with a sense of gratitude for how life is. Even if you're in the midst of some adversity The Lord has a way of bringing us through tough times. So, I guess today the one word would be thankful. My wife has that word in a decorative display in our kitchen, right over the sink where she does the dishes. "Thankful." It reminds us both of the attitude that helps to express the goodness of God in the land of the living.
May God richly bless you today and give you great reason to be thankful, and then help you and me to remember why!
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Two Threats To Faith
At the end of Paul's life he wrote these words, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith...." That last phrase stuck with me as I read it the other day. Keeping the faith is something that all believers in Jesus Christ must do. It is by faith that we are saved, and by faith that we live this life of obedience to our Savior each day. We trust God in the good and bad times of life. Both of those seasons of life however, have their pitfalls.
In the days of adversity, we can be prone to waver, to doubt if God really is in control. We can give in to despair and discouragement, and instead of trusting Him to work things out for good, we take things into our own hands. That usually doesn't work out to well, and we end up making things worse than they need to be. That's not keeping the faith.
But the same can be said when things are going great. We are experiencing blessings, plenty of finances, health is good, kids are doing great, job is good and rewarding, everything is good and we lack nothing. The danger here is twofold. When we see prosperity we may get paranoid and start to worry. We anticipate some trial is just around the corner, and God is blessing us so that we will have the emotional and spiritual resources to face it when it falls on us. We live waiting for the other shoe to drop. That is not keeping the faith.
Or we enjoy the blessings but forget where they come from. We may forget that these seasons of blessing and provision are from the gracious character of God, Who loves us and gives us all things richly to enjoy. We live without giving thanks to God our provider. That is not keeping the faith either. What do we do then?
In adversity, we turn to God in prayer, humbly trusting that ultimately we are in His good and loving care. We remember that He knows our situation, and as we take care of the things we can, we cast our burden upon Him and by faith believe He will do more than we can ask or think.
In times of blessing, we simply remember from where our help comes. It is from the Lord Who created heaven and Earth. We worship Him in humble gratitude for His provision and care, and determine to be wise stewards of the prosperity He has bestowed. Yes, that includes paying our tithe! We turn our hearts to Him in love, acknowledging His love for us.
So in whatever season of life you may be in today, good times or rough, remember that by faith you can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you. Keep the faith. Fight the fight. Finish your course. The reward of heaven itself will be your prize as you stand before the Almighty God and hear, "Well done good and faithful servant."
In the days of adversity, we can be prone to waver, to doubt if God really is in control. We can give in to despair and discouragement, and instead of trusting Him to work things out for good, we take things into our own hands. That usually doesn't work out to well, and we end up making things worse than they need to be. That's not keeping the faith.
But the same can be said when things are going great. We are experiencing blessings, plenty of finances, health is good, kids are doing great, job is good and rewarding, everything is good and we lack nothing. The danger here is twofold. When we see prosperity we may get paranoid and start to worry. We anticipate some trial is just around the corner, and God is blessing us so that we will have the emotional and spiritual resources to face it when it falls on us. We live waiting for the other shoe to drop. That is not keeping the faith.
Or we enjoy the blessings but forget where they come from. We may forget that these seasons of blessing and provision are from the gracious character of God, Who loves us and gives us all things richly to enjoy. We live without giving thanks to God our provider. That is not keeping the faith either. What do we do then?
In adversity, we turn to God in prayer, humbly trusting that ultimately we are in His good and loving care. We remember that He knows our situation, and as we take care of the things we can, we cast our burden upon Him and by faith believe He will do more than we can ask or think.
In times of blessing, we simply remember from where our help comes. It is from the Lord Who created heaven and Earth. We worship Him in humble gratitude for His provision and care, and determine to be wise stewards of the prosperity He has bestowed. Yes, that includes paying our tithe! We turn our hearts to Him in love, acknowledging His love for us.
So in whatever season of life you may be in today, good times or rough, remember that by faith you can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you. Keep the faith. Fight the fight. Finish your course. The reward of heaven itself will be your prize as you stand before the Almighty God and hear, "Well done good and faithful servant."
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