Therefore we must give the more earnest heed

.... to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:1-3).  The “Therefore” in the admonition of verse 1 connect to (1:1, 2a), where we read “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” This Son is the one through whom He made the Worlds, He is brightness of His glory, the express image of His person. He  upholds all things by the word of His power, the same one who  had by Himself purged our sins (1:2b, 3).

This same Jesus is the One to whose words we must give more earnest heed. As if the credential of the one who speaks (God Himself 1:8,9) is not enough, the author points out that words given in previous times proved steadfast. That is just rewards (i.e. punishments) followed transgressions and disobedience. So then if these previous words proved steadfast, how much more shall the Words of Christ prove steadfast?

Relevant to the debate as to whether one can lose one's salvation or not, the writer to the Hebrews leaves us in no doubt that we can drift away. In their zeal to emphasize that salvation is not of works, i.e. that it cannot be earned (Ephesians 2:8, 9) some have suggested that obedience is not required. But even Paul tells that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our deeds,  good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). Some will be saved, yet only “as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15).    

The Scriptures give us ample grounds for us to have assurance of salvation. A believer is given the right to be called a son or daughter of God (John 1:12). Scripture is written so that we may know we have (present possession) eternal life (1 John 5:13). But note that even here John tells us that they are also written that we might also continue. That is that we don't drift away.  And in what this is John saying we should continue? Well some of them are walking in the light as He is in the light (1:7), keeping His commandments (2:3), loving one another (3:14) etc.  Do we have to be perfect? Well no, but if we sin we have an advocate a Lawyer (Jesus) who Himself was the sacrifice for our sins (2:1,2). And if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us (1:9).  Neglect is about failing to embrace, about taking things for granted. Business and marriages and many other things fail for neglect. We therefore  must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard.

Father, thank You for Your Word. We need Your help Lord to be zealous for good works (Titus 2:14), and to not be weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9).  Thank You Lord for the rewards that we will receive on that day if we do not faint (1 Corinthians 3:14). And On that day Lord I want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servantEnter into the joy of your lord”(Matthew 25:23).  I give Your praise and glory in Jesus  Name Amen

Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed,

.... Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22, 23). Lamentations is about lament, crying out in grief,  wailing. The book's author is Jeremiah, and he is known as the weeping prophet. He cries out “The Lord was like an enemy. He has swallowed up Israel” (2:5).   Jerusalem was burned with fire and her people sent into exile  for her sins. But in the midst of it,  Jeremiah does not loose sight of the Lord's compassions and mercies. He knows the Lord does not “cast off forever, nor afflict willingly” (3:31, 33). The Lord is “ready to pardon, is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and  abundant in kindness” (Nehemiah 9:17).

In a culture where its all about me, about my rights,  about not being willing to let anyone tell me what to do, it's hard to see the goodness of God in the midst of His  severity (Romans 11:22).  I mean what right does He have to discipline me, to punish me? Well let's ask if the law has the right to punish murderers? He has every right, He is God, He made us and whether we like it or not, we are accountable to Him. He is just,  and being just He must punish sin. And it is in His mercy and His compassion that He disciplines us. He disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness (Hebrews 12:10).  You might say that you have no desire to share in His holiness. Well,  He gives you that right to reject Him and His offered holiness, but He does not give you the right to escape the consequences of that choice. We reap what we sow in the here and now, and if we persist, we will reap what we sow in eternity, yes in hell (Galatians 6:7)

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 In the Romans reference Paul is inviting us to consider the goodness and severity of God.  He tells us that  on those who fell, severity; but goodness toward us,  if we continue in His goodness. Otherwise we also will be cut off. He is using a metaphor for salvation which is about our being grafted in to the vine of the redeemed. So where does His faithfulness come into this?  I was saying yesterday that in difficult conversation we need to state our position clearly. Well God does that, He makes it very clear. We can ignore it, deny it, disagree with it, but it does not change His mind. He wants us to know clearly where He stands,  and He wants us to know that there are consequences of our rejecting Him and His standards. When I stand before Him on that day,  I want to stand before Him in the holiness He gives (Philippians 3:9), not in the filthy rags of my own righteousness (Isaiah 64:6).

Father,  my favourite hymn at the time of conversion was “Great is thy faithfulness,” a hymn prompted by this mornings verses. I recognized Lord that in reaping what I had sown, I had  reaped the whirlwind. It was part of Your discipline, but it was also  part of Your goodness, part of Your faithfulness. It was for our sake that You designed reality in this way, and what I had sown had lead to repentance. We don't like discipline Lord, but it shows us exactly where we stand. And I choose mercy this morning Lord, I choose obedience, I choose You in Jesus Name Amen

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus,

.... who became my son while I was in chains (Philemon 10). Paul's heart is clearly visible in this short epistle to Philemon,  where he appeals to him for the emancipation of his runaway slave Onesimus (verses 15,16).   The Bible does not condemn slavery, but as with the emancipation of women,  the seeds that motivate the necessary changes are clear (i.e. Galatians 3:28). Accordingly with respect to slavery,  it was largely Christian influence that overthrew it (Google William Wilberforce for example).  In his apostolic authority Paul could have commanded Philemon (verse 8). He prefers appeal, but subtly makes it clear he expects compliance (verse 21). Thus the epistle provides examples of both godly leadership, and of how to conduct difficult conversations in love.

Perhaps what is most evident,  is that in both of the above things it is more about relationship than it is about rules.  Paul starts off by assuring Philemon of his love for him,  and the assurance that he is in his prayers. Seeing Philemon's godly character, he also tells of his thankfulness for Philemon's love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, and in particular, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed (verses 1-7). Secondly Paul does not beat about the bush in what he is wanting to say. He states clearly that he wants Philemon to receive   Onesimus as beloved brother,  not as a slave.  He suggests perhaps it was God's purpose that he departed for a while in order that Philemon might receive Onesimus forever as a brother (verses 15, 16).   As a brother they would be together forever in eternity.

In terms of an outline of the book that I heard,  we have “see” and “say” above. And next, is “serve.” Paul recognizng that Philemon has suffered loss, seeks to take that loss upon himself offering to pay not only for the loss, but also for any wrong.  It is interesting though that Paul reminds Philemon that he owes Paul his  “very self” (verses 18, 19). Finally in terms of the outline we have “stay.” Paul speaks of a future visit,  assuring Philemon the ongoing relationship independent of his compliance (verse 22). This is so very important, far too often when we don't get what we want, we withdraw. It's called control, it's my way or the highway. And we need to see how using relationship as a negotiating tool is so very, very destructive of relationships.  It is the very opposite of love. It's why covenant in marriage is so important. “I'm not going anywhere, we need to work this out!” Please note, I am not saying we need to put up with abuse!


Father, most of us don't do difficult conversations well. In many things we all fail (James 3:2). Forgive us Lord, forgive me,  when we fail in this area, and help us to know how to make amends when we need to. Help us to see the good points in the other person,  not just the bad. Help us to say clearly and gently what needs to be said. Give us servant hearts,  and at all costs let us not use withdrawal and punishing silences to get our way. If we need to rebuke Lord,  help us do it in such way that the person is left not only willing to change,  but is not even sure he or she was rebuked. Once again forgive us Lord, and we will give You the praise in Jesus Name Amen

Know that the LORD, He is God;

.... It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3). The LORD (Yahweh) is the creator, the One who created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 2:4). Yahweh is self-existent, self- sufficient; the first cause and the last end of all things. He is the fountain of all being. So then this Yahweh, He is God, He is the One we should worship, He is the only should we serve (Luke 4:8). This is the very same Yahweh is the One who made us.   He made us from the dust of the earth, and He made us male and female (1 Corinthians 15:47; Genesis 1:27). Actually the word in the Hebrew passage is create, is it an activity reserved for God.  And in reference to things that have life, only man is created. Thus among living things mankind is unique. In particular mankind is not an accident of some undirected random process, we are created as unique image bearers of our creator God (Genesis 1:26).

It is perhaps astounding that from the beginning mankind has sought to make or create God. From primitive idolatry,  where statues and carved images were regarded as gods, to the Greek pantheon,  to all the forms of modern idolatry, we have made up gods. These gods in some ways are not as demanding as Yahweh, they may for example allow us to do exactly what we want. But in other ways have lead us to do things Yahweh neither demands, nor was it in His heart to do so (i.e. Jeremiah 32:35). And let's be clear we either serve God or we serve sin (Romans 6:20-22).  Perhaps though is not so surprising that we invent God, for we have an enemy intent on our destruction.

The phrase “It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves” is strangely relevant to our modern world. Carl Trueman in his book “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self ...” describes well what I want to say. He writes “our ever-growing alphabet of identity claims is, in fact, based on an idea most Westerners embraced long ago. Ultimate reality, we believe,  is found within ourselves. The external world, including our bodies, is just a canvas for expressing what we find within.” So then for example, contrary to God's Word, to Science and to common sense, we can determine our own gender.  And there are not just two, in fact we are advised to be familiar with at least thirteen.   What is this if it is not an attempt to make ourselves? It is, I believe,  and attempt to play God. But Yahweh, He is God and not we ourselves!

Father, we are Your people,  You created us, we are Your creatures,  Your handiwork. The ox knows its master, and a donkey recognizes its master’s care, but the ones You created do not know You, nor do we understand (Isaiah 1:3). We are the sheep of Your pasture, but all we like sheep have gone astray. Thank You Lord that You laid on the Lord Jesus Christ the iniquity of us all, making it possible for us to return to the shepherd and overseer of out souls (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:25).  We thank You this morning Lord for salvation, for Your tender care, and for the true freedom that is only found  in committed relationship with You. Thank You that You receive all who will come in Jesus Name Amen

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people,

.... teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness ...  and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives .... looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13).  Paul had just instructed Titus to  teach some of the detail of what it means to say no to ungodliness,  and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives (verses 1-10). The “For”  of verse 11 links these thing to the motivation, in particular that the “grace of God has appeared and offers salvation to all people.” For Paul, it would be such an abuse of this grace that we should continue in sin. The presentations of our bodies as living sacrifices is the only reasonable response to the tender mercies of our God  (Romans 12:1).

Grace then speaks of the tender mercies of our God, it is God's unmerited favour. It is G - God's - R - riches - A- at - C- Christ's - E - expense. And the price paid,  the expense was indeed great, for you and I (if we are saved) were purchased with His own blood on the cross (Acts 20:28).  He died an extremely painful death in our place  as a substitute for us to save us from wrath (1 John 2:1; Luke 3:7).  In light of this Paul asks in  Romans 6:1 “should we continue in sin that grace may abound?”  English translations of Paul's answer to his own question fail to expresses his abhorrence of such a thought. Translations  include - God forbid – may it not be – certainly not,   absolutely not etc. How can we possibly live in sin, it's unthinkable, it's a betrayal of grace, it is to trample the Son of God underfoot, to  count the blood of the covenant by which we were sanctified as a common thing, it is to insult the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:28).

We come next to  “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”  It is easy, in the midst of it all, all the sin, all the pain, all the abuse, failure corruption etc., to see only that, and to forget the soon coming of the Lord. But as the angel told the eleven on the day the Lord ascended into heaven  “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). And as the Apostles creed has it “He will come again to judge the living and the dead!” Peter tells us that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but He is longsuffering and the delay is because he would rather no one should perish.  That day  will come as a thief in the night, the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. In light of this and the fact that  we have been delivered from wrath he asks “how should we then live” (2 Peter 3:8-12)? To continue in sin is unthinkable!


Lord Jesus. it's so easy to be weary in doing well. In the words of a hymn “though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.”  Help us not to forget there's coming a day when righteousness shall reign. In the meantime Lord,  let us be lovers of Your appearing and help us to live godly lives in Your precious Name Amen



The heavens declare His righteousness,

.... And all the peoples see His glory. All who serve carved images are put to shame, who boast of idols. All gods must worship him (Psalm 97:6, 7).  It is interesting to me that man made light,which is of course artificial, this light obscures the heavens, the night sky. It is only when we get away from the  artificial light of the city, that we can see the glory of the heavens. To me it's a parable of what we do when we allow the light of our achievements to obscure the glory and the righteousness of God.  It's the tower of Babel all over again!  The worship of idols in the ancient world was widespread, and to me that indicates there is something innate within us,  that needs to worship. If we don't worship God we will worship something else. Today's idols are more sophisticated, we worship and put our trust in Science, or the intellect, in some ideology, in “princes,” in sports heroes and celebrities,  pastors, political leaders etc. But in the end all such idols must fall in the light of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

It is interesting that the Hebrew word for idol also means  insufficiency, worthlessness.  Naturalism,  is the belief that only natural laws and forces operate in the universe, it is essentially the worship of science. And  it's insufficient because if we believe that all that is, is simply the result of random chance, then it leaves human lives without meaning, significance or value, it leaves us worthless.     It also leaves morality with no basis. I am not saying an atheist cannot be moral, merely that he or she has no real rational basis for it.

The silly thing though, is that in spite of all this, there is this strong tendency to boast in our idols. We have the best hockey team, the best morality (immorality), the best church, the best theology, science will solve all our problems, my dad is bigger than yours etc., etc. To boast is to speak with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about something. All such boasting is futile, because in the end “all gods must worship Him.”   


In particular there is coming a day when His light will expose all error, all idolatry. Though in many ways our artificial light obscures His light, nevertheless it remains true that the heavens declare the glory and the righteousness of God,  and that the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen by we His  creatures. The problem though, is that we suppress truth in our  unrighteousness. We love our darkness rather than His light. It's called rationalization. But in the end it will all be exposed by God's light,  for there is nothing hidden in His sight, and  we will be without excuse  (Romans  1:18 – 20).

Father, forgive us for the times when we have preferred our own insufficient and worthless light to the glorious light of the gospel. Forgive us Lord for our boasting in anything but You. “Forbid it Lord that I should boast, save in the cross of Christ my God. All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.” Thank You Lord that You have opened my eyes,  and continue to open my eyes.  Thank You that on that day I will see You clearly, because I will see You as You are. We praise You Lord in Jesus Name Amen

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?

.... There is more hope for a fool than for him (Proverbs 26:12). The  ancient philosopher Socrates seeking to deny he was the wisest man in the world, compared himself with others said to be wise and  famously said “I am wiser than this man, for at least I know that I know nothing.”  They on the other hand were wise in their own eyes.  Scripture tells us “if anyone thinks that he knows something, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know,” and “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” (1 Corinthians 8:1, 2). “Puffs up”  means to be inflated with pride and vanity. So is the one who fancies himself to be wise (or herself we would not want to leave the ladies out)!

Wisdom and knowledge are not the same thing, though there is a tendency to confuse the two. Knowledge is primarily information, wheres wisdom is the ability to make correct judgments and decisions. Wisdom is wise use of knowledge. The source of knowledge is education, reason and logical thought. The primary source of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10).  David could say “Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies” (Psalm 119:98). The characteristics of a fool are that he lacks  and even despises wisdom and discipline. Wisdom is in fact beyond his grasp. He mocks guilt and is quarrelsome.  It is folly to seek to instruct him (Prov. 1:7; 15:5;  24:7; 20:3; 16:22). In light of this, this morning proverb is startling. There is more hope for a fool than one who is wise in his own eyes. Such is the nature of pride!

I remember in my pre-conversion days getting angry at being told that pride was a sin. I told the speaker that he was naive, but I was  was the naive one. And why was I angry? It was because I was full of it.  Pride comes before the fall  (Proverbs 16:18). What this means,  is that we may think we are too smart to get tripped up, or get caught for what we have done, or that we can get away with things. When we feel that way we are likely too smart for our own good. I know I fell, and fell hard. But it was reaching my bottom that lead me to consider,  and eventually embrace salvation.  We were looking the other day at Psalm 90:12 “ teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).  This verse,  and the one that speaks about the fear of the Lord should remind us that “nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”  (Hebrews 4:13).

Father, I want to thank You this morning that there are times when You give us over to our pride,  stubbornness and sin (Romans 1:24, 26, 28). You do it Lord out of a heart of mercy to bring us, like the prodigal son,  to the end of ourselves, and into our right mind (Luke 15:17).  Give us the grace Lord to stay low and to humble ourselves before Your mighty hand.  It may be painful to do this Lord, but it is better than being humbled.  And You have promised that when we humble ourselves You will, at the right time,  lift us up (1 Peter 5:6). We  give You glory Lord in Jesus Name Amen

All Scripture is God-breathed

..... and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).  Paul was referring to what we call the Old Testament. So certainly we need to include the Old Testament in these truths. With regard to  the New Testament,  let me start by saying the phrase God breathed could also be translated God-Spirited.” In fact Scripture is that which “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 2:21). The apostolic writings then are clearly scripture (see 2 Peter 3:16).  And we can trust that the same Spirit was active in forming the New Testament cannon,  from among the Scriptures circulating in the Churches.  I embrace the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship statement concerning  Scripture which affirms “The unique divine inspiration, entire trustworthiness, and authority of the Bible.” Concerning Scriptures uniqueness, note that  the Holy Spirit warns against adding or subtracting from it (Revelation 22:19).

Certainly Holy Spirt inspires preachers and other writings, but not in the same way it inspired the Bible. In particular, all other writings and teachings need to be tested against the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Bible is also unique in that it's inexhaustible. Even after  multiple readings of the same passage,  I can go back to it again and again,  and still find something new and inspiring. There are treasures there old and new (Matthew 15:32)! We unearth them by “meditating day and night” (Psalm 1:2), it's part of diligence (2 Timothy 2:15).  Note  though,  the Bible is not of any private interpretation!  The same Spirit that inspires the Scriptures illuminates them and helps us with the interpretation (2 Peter 1:20; 1 Corinthians 2:13).

Scripture then is profitable for doctrine (teachings), and in particular for the teachings on its own inspiration.  We receive this as a matter of faith not logic.  The Bible invites us to accepted it as truth or not, and  to taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). I read His promises and find Him to be faithful. For example, when I  abide in His Word holding fast to His  teachings and live in accordance with them, then I experience His promise of being in process of becoming increasingly free (John 8:31, 32 Amp). I came to believe what I believe about the Bible because I increasingly saw that “this book knows me.” In particular before conversion I had murder in my heart,  and was so convinced of her guilt and my innocence,  that to this day I am not sure I would not have gone thought with it,  if I through I could have gotten away with it. Then, after being convicted by the Holy Spirit of my own guilt I read “The heart is deceitful above all and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). And I knew I was reading truth!

Father, You Word tells us how we can know that Your Word is the Truth, it is by obeying it (John 17:17; 7:17). We find You when we search for You with all our our heart, not with all of our mind (Jeremiah 29:13). It's not that faith is illogical, but it has it own logic,  a logic that is foolishness to the world (1 Corinthians 1:8). And we  are to love You with all of our minds. Thank You Lord for Your Word,  and all its amazing truths and benefits in Jesus Name Amen

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,

 a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).  When I mention the Bible some have responded “Can't you make it say anything your want?” I tend to reply “Well yes, and using the same rules of interpretation, I can make the dictionary say the same things, and since I realized that,  I have stopped using the dictionary!”  There are a million ways to distort and twist Scripture so as to make it say what we want it to say,  and to suppress the truth, but we do this at our peril and to our own destruction (4:3; Romans 1:18; 2 Peter 3:16). Timothy of course was a preacher, and we are not all preachers, but we all have the responsibility to correctly interpret the word of truth, the Bible. So here's a question to those who read my blog, do you check out the references to make sure I am not twisting things?

Certainly I am responsible to present myself to God in the manner prescribed, but you also need to take responsibility, for there are many false teachers gone out into the World. So then both you and me are to test all things. Of course I have the greater responsibility,  and you can check this our too (1 John 4:1; James 3:1, 2). Indeed on that Day each one of us shall have to give an account of “every idle word” (Matthew 12:36), and don't want to be ashamed! And there are multiple ways I could be finish up being ashamed,  for example either on account of unfaithfulness, lack of skill, being lukewarm, negligent, or lazy (Bensons Commentary). We might also be ashamed from our lac of obedience to the Word!

There are volumes of books written on rightly dividing the Word of Truth, the Bible (2 Peter 3:16 again). The word translated “rightly dividing” means to cut straight; to set forth truthfully, without perversion or distortion.  Some common errors are, for example,  taking thing out of context (Judas went out and hung himself ... go and do likewise). Then there dismissing what the text would say to the original authors, or being overly literal, or overly allegorical in our interpretation. We are meant to take “Do not murder literally,” but not so much with “Unless you hate your mother and father, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). It's called hyperbole, and it found in all great literature.   And since “he who speaks first only seems to be right, that is until his neighbour examines him”  (Proverbs 18:17), we need to do more than listen exclusively to just one preacher (including me), no matter how good he, or she may seem! We also need to go to the Scripture to hear what it has to say, rather than go seeking confirmation of what we have already decided is true. The 2 Peter references warns that we do these things (and more) to our own destruction! Cults are often formed in this way!

Father,  we need humility too Lord, nobody has arrived (1 Corinthians 8:2). Scripture also it warns us neither to add to it,  nor to take away from it (Revelation 22:19). We can present ideas, but not treat our opinions as Your Word.  Help us to be diligent to present ourselves approved to You, not man, so that when we are called to give an account of our words, we will not be ashamed. And we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen

So teach us to number our days,

....    That we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). The context of this verse (verse 11) talks about the fear of the Lord, and asks “Who knows the power of Your anger?” We read in Hebrews 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” There is no contradiction in having both a healthy fear of the Lord,  as well as a childlike trust in the One who loved us and gave His life for us (Ephesians 5:2). For the one who walks in the light as He is in the light, His perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 1:7; 4:18). If, on the other hand,  we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left (Hebrews 10:26).

We are meant to feel secure in our salvation.  John wrote  “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). Note the tenses here we have eternal life, is it a present possession and a gift (Ephesians 2:8). However, the Hebrews reference warns against presumption “I can do whatever I want, God will forgive me!” Assurance and presumption do not go hand in hand. The Hebrews reference continues after  “there remains no more sacrifice for sins” with “but (there remains) only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” (verse 27).

There's much debate about whether or not you can loose your salvation. I'm not talking about that issue this morning. My point is about assurance, about knowing and feeling secure. We can fool ourselves of course, but true assurance knows nothing of saying a quick prayer,  and then living life as if nothing has changed. We are to be being transformed from glory to glory by the renewing of our minds  (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).  What I am saying, is that  true assurance, the assurance that avoids presumption and experiences the love that casts out all fear, this assurance comes as we learn to “number our days.” Numbering our days is about living life in the light of eternity, knowing that we must give an account even of every idle word (Matthew 12:36).  It is not about being sinless.  The Christian is not sinless, though after conversion we should certainly sin less!  In fact in many things we all fail (James 3:2). But to come back to 1 John 1:7. It says that  if we walk in the light as He is in the light, then the blood of Jesus Christ keeps on cleaning us from all sin. We do need to confess and repent of course (verse 9). We do need to confess and repent of course (verse 9). But the point I want to make, is that if walking in the light meant that we were perfect,  there would be no need for the ongoing cleansing!


Father, please help us to number our days,  to make each one count. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Lord, and the safest place is close to the flame,  looking unto Jesus and living lives in the light of eternity. We need Your help Lord,  and we're asking for it again this morning in Jesus Name Amen

Fight the good fight of faith,

.... lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called (1 Timothy 6:12). Paul was telling Timothy of things from which he should flee. In particular we should flee the love of money, and the desire to be rich (verses   9, 10).  Paul is not saying that being rich is wrong, nor that money itself is evil. It is the love of it that is the problem (verse 10). Paul also commands those who are rich,  not to be “haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” They should “be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share” (verses 17, 18).  He further councils Timothy and us,  that “there is great gain in godliness with contentment” (verse 6). So then it is the love of money, the desire for riches and the lack of contentment that is the problem.

These things speak loudly to our Western culture, or they should. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements tempting us to buy bigger, better,  more. With regard to contentment,  Paul reminds us we “brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (verse 7).  Our prospective needs to be on the eternal, not on the temporal.  We need to be content with having our basic needs met (verse 8). For those who desire to be rich “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition”(verse 9).  The Proverb in this morning's readings is relevant here (25:28) “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit,  is like a city broken down, without walls.”  What Paul is saying,  is that when our eyes are on anything other than the Kingdom, we leave ourselves open to any and all attacks from the enemy, and to multitudes of  “temptations” and snares.”

This then is the context of this morning's verse. Paul speaks of our struggles  as the “fight of faith.” It is about faith,  because faith puts it eyes,  thoughts and desires not on things that are seen, on the material, but on things that are unseen, on things that are eternal and of eternal value (2 Corinthians 4:18). It is also the fight of faith, because it is from faith that we gain strength to war against the temptations of  the world the flesh and the devil.   Paul urges us to keep this commandment,   and to do it “without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing” (verse 14).

Father, thank You for the reminder this morning, that we need to keep our eyes on You. It is a battle to do this Lord, there are so many things to distract us, and in many things we all fail. Show us how to lay hold of eternal life, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. Thank You for Your forgiveness and cleansing when we fail, and for the grace You give us to will and to do when we fully surrender to You. And we give You praise and glory again this morning in Jesus Name Amen

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;

.... Mercy and truth go before Your face (Psalm 89:14). This morning's verse is the conclusion of a hymn of praise to our God. The Psalm opens with the psalmist declaring “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; I will make known Your faithfulness to all generations” (verse 1).  After conversion, my favourite  hymn was “Great is thy faithfulness.” More than anything else I needed stability, something or someone who was rock solid. Indeed my world had been rocked (word play intended). I had found nothing and no one I could rely on. He had waited for me to come to the end of myself in so that He might be gracious to me (Isaiah 30:18). I had gone down to spiritual Egypt, not seeking His council for my life  (Isaiah 30:2).  I had sown to the wind,  and  had reaped the whirlwind.

I needed a firm foundation, somewhere to stand that would not shift under my feet.  I had been a law unto myself, basing my life on what I wanted, what I thought was right. But it was shifting sand as I sought to rationalize my behaviour.  The rule of God on the other hand, His throne, His Kingdom,  has a firm foundation. It is firm because it is based on His righteousness and justice, not as I had self-servingly defined these things, but as He defines them. And the One to whom I had come was not only righteous,  true,  just and faithful,  He was and is,  full of mercy and grace, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (verse 14; Psalm 103:8).  And these things were indeed the foundation that I needed in order, with His help, to start to put my life back together.  Unless the Lord builds the house, those who labour labour in vain!

They say we become like what we worship, for “as a man thinks in his heart so he is” (Proverbs 23:7). If our primary focus is money,  we become cold and unfeeling. How many of have vowed to not be like our fathers, only to become exactly like them as “not him” unconsciously became the  focus? The Westminster confession states that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We glorify Him when we worship Him in spirit and in truth. And concerning enjoyment, the psalmist in this morning's Psalm declares “In Your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted” (verse 16).  

Father, we worship You this morning. Even the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints. For who in the heavens can be compared to You? You are greatly to be feared and revered. There is none mighty like You!  Your faithfulness surrounds You. The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them. You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face (verses 5-14). If we would not  praise You oh Lord, even the rocks would cry out Your praise. Every knee will bow oh Lord, but it is a treasure to You that we bow now before me must in worship as a sacrifice of praise. We give You this gladly oh Lord,  and it makes us glad too in Jesus Name Amen

Call to Me, and I will answer you,

.... and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3).  Nebuchadnezzar's army was besieging Jerusalem.   King Zedekiah shutJeremiah up in prison for prophesying that the Lord would give the city into Nebuchadnezzar's hand (32:1-3).  It was because of  Israel's many sins.  But the one standing out to me,  is causing their children to “pass through the fire.”  They were burning children alive as a sacrifice to the god  Molech (32:35).  The city would be reduced to rubble (33:4), World War II Europe comes to mind.  Yet in the midsts of it all,  the Lord was looking forward to the time when He would restore Jerusalem and rebuild the city. And  God had told Jeremiah to buy property in Jerusalem as a prophetic sign of hope,  for this restoration (32:6-15).  And then the Word of the Lord had come a second time with this morning's verse.

The God of the Old Testament, who is the same God of the New by the way,  gets a bad rap largely because of His judgements.  But we need to see that here in the midst of it all,  the Lord is showing His heart.  In particular, His heart is not for discipline, but rather for reconciliation and restoration. The discipline, though different under the Law than under Grace,  is nevertheless for our good. We read “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.  And we need His holiness because without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:10, 14). No His heart is not for discipline,  and He is looking forward to the when it's all over and He can “bring the city health and healing; ...  and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth” (33:6).  At that time Jerusalem “shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honour before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it” (33:9).

There are two things here that I want to point out. The first is that there is nothing so vile, that God cannot forgive. Many of us wonder how God can forgive us, but that is because we don't know Him enough. God so loved you and me that He gave His Only Son to die in our place. Do you think You deserve to die for what you did? He died for you.  Do you think that your sin was not bad enough that He needed to die for it? You don't understand the depth of His Holiness. The second thing to note, is that with the restoration comes the full authority to ask and receive all mighty things the the Lord has for us (33:3). In other words the sinner is justified “just as if he had not sinned!”  There is no God like our God!


Father, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).  If we find it hard to forgive ourselves,  remind us that godly sorry leads to repentance without regret (2 Corinthians 7:10).  Give us godly sorry Lord and help us to realize that we needed to go that low, before You woke us up to our need of You. Thank You Lord for Your great love and mercy in Jesus Name Amen

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat

.... And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you (Proverbs 25:21, 22). Except for the last phrase,  these verses are quoted in Romans 12 in the context of the command to live at peace with all,  and to not avenge ourselves (verses 18-20). Paul  adds “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (verse 21). We are being counselled here against two often  default responses to evil. Firstly there vengeance. The world councils us “Don't get mad, get even.”  However “'Vengeance is Mine,' says the Lord  'I will repay'”   (Romans 12:19). The other reated response is to be overcome with it.

Actually, we can become overcome with thoughts of getting even, and in other ways too.  For the longest time I believed the lie that  communication was the problem between myself and some who were opposing me. I became obsessed with what turned out to be an insoluble problem, finding a way to get through to those who were determined not to hear. It took me a long time, and a lot of pain  to learn that there's not a lot of point talking when nobody is listening. There are none so deaf as those who will not hear.   But being overcome in either of these ways is very bad for the one who is overcome. These things change your personality, and not for the better.  Bitterness poisons you and those you love (Hebrews 12:15). In my own obsessive thinking I was not really present for my family. I was irritable and touchy,  and I had a lot of suppressed and unacknowledged anger. And it wasn't my enemies who suffered, they were going  their merry way, it was my family.

The commentators are not in agreement about what “you will heap coals of fire on his head” means. Some think you will  make him burn with shame at the thought of the wrong he has done you. Others think it is the most effectual vengeance you can take upon him.  But in any case the proverbs is about meeting evil with good, coming against it in a practical way in the opposite spirit.  This is very much in accord with Jesus teaching when He said “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44, 45).   This is what Jesus would do!

Father, this moving in the opposite spirit is not easy.  As I said the default is to think about our rights, the injustices and the hurt. But offense is the bait of Satan, and is one of his primary tools to derail us. We need Your help here Lord to think,  act, pray and walk in Your image as Children of God. In many ways this is what denying self and taking up our cross  is all about Lord Jesus. Thank You for the Grace You give us to do these things when we surrender everything to You. Indeed half measure profit nothing because it leave chinks in our armour. We surrender, I surrender,  my body soul and spirit to You again this morning Lord as a living sacrifice. Forgive me when I fail, and lead me in Your paths for Your glory in Your precious Name Amen

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man,

.... the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Timothy 2:5, 6). A mediator is one who intervenes between two conflicting or waring parties, in this context to effect reconciliation. The conflict in question is between a holy and just God,  and sinful man. The Bible teaches that because of sin, and we all have sinned,  unsaved man is God's enemy (Romans 3:23; 5:10). And a holy and just God cannot simply overlook sin, that would not be just. Should unrepentant murderers be  released back into society to continue their carnage? I am not saying earthly justice is always righteous, but God's justice is!  A mediator, of course,  needs to understand the demands of the One, in this case  of a righteous God, and the needs of the other,  in this case mankind's need to be ransomed.

Only One who was both fully God and fully man could fulfill this role, for who could understand God but God. And who could understand man if not man?  Coming to the term ransom, it is the price paid  for setting something or someone free from some form of obligation or captivity. In our case our captivity is the slave market of sin (John 8:34).  The justice of God requires that a price must be paid for sin. Now the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). However,  the love and mercy of God allows for  the sinner to be ransomed. This morning verses tell us that the mediator himself became the ransom. And we are to understand that the demands of a Holy God requires the One who ransoms be both man and sinless. Only a sinless man could be the ransom. If He sinned He could only pay for His own sin. And the Man Christ Jesus Christ was the only man who never sinned.

Some see His being “a ransom for all,” as teaching that all will be saved.  But it is to those who receive Him, those who believe on His Name, not  those who reject Him,  that He gives right to be called the children of God (John 1:11, 12).  And we are to testify to all this (1 Timothy 2:6b), for now is the appointed time, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). And as an ambassador of Christ, if You who are reading this are not saved, I implore you on Christ's behalf to  be reconciled to God, because God made Him who knew no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:20, 21).    

Father, I want to thank You this morning for this incredible divine exchange. What it means is that Jesus took my sin, and He gave me His righteousness. Oh Lord,  how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:3)? Let us never take any of this for granted Lord, but rather knowing that He died for all, so that those of us who live (those who receive salvation),  should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them (2 Corinthians 5:15). Forgive us Lord for those times when, even as Christians,  we have lived for ourselves. Thank You Father for Your forgiveness and cleansing,  and that You Lord Jesus,  ever live to make intercession for us. And we give You thanks and praise again this morning in Your precious Name Amen


For I know the plans I have for you

... declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). This promise,  in the midst of a prophetic word to the exiles in Babylon (verse 1),  came with instructions on how to live until the time  the Lord would fulfill it (seventy years verse 10). The people had been sent into exile because of unfaithfulness. In many ways we,  the church,  are in exile in our own land for very much the same reason. In particular we have failed to be salt and light. There is corruption among those who name the name of Christ, and there's great disunity in the body. We have  also failed to engage the culture sitting in splendid isolation,  while at the same time being conformed to the world. And for this, we bear both individual and corporate responsibility.

From this morning's passage what Israel needed to do (and what we need to do if we are to claim the promise),  is to dwell in the land and do good (verse 5, 6; Psalm 37:3). They and we,  are to seek and pray for the peace of the place where we are planted, for it is “in its peace you will have peace” (verse 7). And in case we feel the Lord has abandoned us, we are to call on Him and pray to Him, for we will search for Him and find Him,  when we search for Him with all of our hearts (verses 12, 13).  2 Chronicles 7:14 shows us something of how to do this “if My people, who are called by My name,  will humble themselves and pray,  seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Specifically we need to pray identification repentance prayers, it is part of the humbling,  and it's entirely Biblical. As I said we  the Church need to take both individual and collective responsibility. Daniel shows us what identification repentance is, and how to do  it.  He set his face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes (Daniel 9:3). A small sample of what he prayed is “ “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.  Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets ....   O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day .... (verses 4-7).

Father, I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips,  for my eyes have glimpsed the King.  And we pray the above prayer with Daniel.  Thank You Lord that You keep covenant with those who keep Your commandments. In particular Lord,  many of Your promises require our obedience. We need to take up our cross daily and follow You. Thank You Lord that when we do, all the promises of God are yes and amen. Thank You Lord that You have plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a future and a hope. We worship You this morning Lord in Your precious Name Amen 


Unfailing love and truth have met together

.... Righteousness and peace have kissed (Psalm 84:10)! As I keep saying, the Hebrew language is very rich in meaning. In addition to unfailing love,  the Hebrew word means devotion, kindness and mercy. And in addition to truth,  we have firmness and faithfulness. All these things, together with righteousness and peace,  are found  supremely in the Lord Jesus Christ. In many ways then,  the command to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), is a command to imitate Christ. And the fact that they persecuted Him, and will persecute us when we follow Him (John 15:20),  is a strong indication that these attributes do not always sit well togther.  Indeed,  as with the prophets of old, they wanted to kill Jesus for speaking the truth (John 8:40). He always spoke in love of course, for He is love (1 John 4:8).

In recovery circles we call love without truth enabling.  A father  covers for his son, paying his fines for him, a wife tells the boss her drunken husband is ill.  But when we shield our loved ones from the consequences of their actions, we rob them of the lessons from the school of hard knocks. It is hard to see your son sent to jail if there is some way to prevent it. And there are likely times it might be appropriate to do that. But sometimes we might need to let it happen and then faithfully visit him.  This is called tough love in the literature. The Lord exercises tough love with us when He disciplines us. As the Scriptures says “Whom the Lord loves He disciplines.” Actually it is a sign of sonship (daughtership – Hebrews 12:6).
 
Truth without love can be harsh,  even be cruel. When we are angry we can speak the truth simply in order to hurt. There are parts of our culture that values honesty, but we can be brutally honest.  We can also fool ourselves into thinking we are speaking in love forgetting that it is not just what we say, but how and when we say it. With respect to how, in addition to love we need to let our speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). The idea is that it should be palatable, using gracious words.  With respect to when, it is interesting to note that Jesus withheld truth for a season, because the disciples were not yet ready, not yet able,  to bear it (John 16:12). Indeed there are times when He waits to be gracious to us (Isaiah 30:18).  

Father, it was on my heart this morning that some,  thinking they are speaking in love either affirm,  or excuse,  behaviour that,  though it may seem right, nevertheless leads  to destruction (Proverbs 14:12). Certainly we must not judge, but Paul was not backward in “teaching every man, and warning every man in all wisdom” (Colossians 1:28).  Help us to get this right Lord, and to always be ready to give an answer of the hope within us with love, devotion, kindness and mercy, and truth, firmness and faithfulness.  In Jesus Name Amen 


Blessed is the man whose strength is in You

....     whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength;  Each one appears before God in Zion (Psalm 84:5-7). A pilgrimage is a religious trek to a place where God has revealed Himself in the past, in this case Zion (- Jerusalem – verse 7). The New Testament believer is both a sojourner and a pilgrim (1 Peter 2:11 NKJV), and the journey is to the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2).   A sojourner  is one who resides in a place temporarily. This earth is not our permanent home!  In the manner of Hebrew poetry,  the one whose strength is in God (the “You” of verse 5),  is the same one whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

But what does that mean? Let's look at the opposite. The human tendency is to set our hearts on the things of earth and on the bottom line, the end results of our goals. “I will live for God when ...” To have our heart set on pilgrimage then is to living in, and to be present in, the moment.   It is as we are passing through the Valley of Baca, for example, that we make it a spring!  The Valley of Baca is also knows as the valley of weeping (R.V. Margin), and a spring is water in plenty, for it produces pools.  Water of course speaks of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (John 7:38,39; Ephesians 5:26). We don't like pain of course, I don't, and when we are in pain the default is to put our full attention on getting rid of it. We do this by medicating it,  denying it, blaming it on others, or in many other ways simply not dealing with it!

I am not here speaking primarily of physical pain. Those  whose hearts are set on pilgrimage asks what can God teach us through the trails, temptations and difficulties. They live in the reality that God works all things together for good in their lives (Romans 8:28).  They decide and set their hearts on trusting God no matter what the outcome. In this way they go from strength to strength (verse 7). Their confidence is in God,  knowing that He who has begun a good work in them will keep right on performing it, until the appear in the New Zion (Philippians 1:6).  They make it a place of springs where not only they can drink deeply from the river of life, but their obedience allows other to see and fear, and put their trust in Him and drink.  

Father, once again this morning I commit, as much as is withing me,   to love You with all my heart, mind,  soul and strength.  I commit to trust and serve You no matter what the circumstances,  or the outcome. I choose to believe that Your Grace is sufficient for me,  that Your strength is made perfect in my weaknesses.  I know that no matter what happens You will not only bring me through, but I will go from strength to strength, from glory to glory.  And I will be blessed.  You have promised Lord,  that the fruit of this, is that many will see and fear and put their trust in You. Thank You Lord that You do all things well,  and I  give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen



A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold

.... In settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master (Proverbs 25:11-13). I have the sense that jewellery is not treasured as much in our day, as it was even decades ago. I remember a song entitled “Diamonds are a girls best friend.” The metaphors in the first two of this morning's proverbs then speak of the treasure of apt words spoken well, and  at the right time, and in the right way. The first of the two reminds me of the purpose of the gift of prophecy, that is the rhama words of God spoke for others with the purpose of “edification, encouragement, and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3). And such words are precious indeed.

A wise rebuke aptly spoken is also a treasure, though it may not at first feel that way. Acknowledging this, another proverb put it this way “faithful are the wounds of a friend” (27:6).  A wise rebuke is has the same motivation as the Lord who rebukes and disciplines us for our good (Hebrews 12:10).  The foolish hate this, but if you “rebuke a wise man and he will love you.  Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still” (Proverbs 9:8,9). Of course it still should be done aptly!

The third of this morning's proverbs is about representing our masters faithfully in messages with which we are entrusted. The word ambassador comes to mind. Clearly as part of this, we are to represent our earthly employers well. But it finds its fulfillment in our call to be ambassadors for Christ. He has entrusted unto us the message and “ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).  What we are being told here, with regard to this, is that when we do this faithfully,  it refreshes Holy Spirit.

Father, as You well know, we live in a culture that is hostile to the gospel. Some of it is our fault, and where it is we repent this morning on our own behalf and behalf of You church. Thank You for reminding us this morning whether we are  speaking the gospel or not,  our words need to be apt words,  full of grace and seasoned with salt. We also need Your wisdom, so that we may know how to answer each one, saved or unsaved (Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 3:15). Please take control of our tongues Lord, so that we may glorify You with our words. And we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen



The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night

(1 Thessalonians 5:2b). The phrase “the Day of the Lord” is used in Scripture for any eminent manifestation of God, either in works of mercy or judgment. In the New Testament it is most often describes the Day of Judgement (Matthew 12:36), and/or the second coming of Christ (see Acts 1:11). In context, it seems to refer to what is commonly called the rapture to whit “the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (4:16, 17).  There is much to say about these events which are often referred to as the end times, and there is much dispute. What is clear, is one way or the other we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ both the saved and the unsaved. And anyone anyone not found written in the Book of Life is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 13:8).  There is no way to sugar coat this.

Paul uses these truths to motive us to be children of the day, children of light. “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober”(i.e. vigilant,  self controlled – verses 5, 6), putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation so  that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him (verses 8-10).  We should live with Him and for Him. The World is watching. Elsewhere Paul tells us that we are the “fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.” He adds “And who is sufficient for these things” (2 Corinthians 2:15, 16). Who is sufficient indeed. When I think that my life, my actions and my attitudes might be the cause of someone rejecting Christ and finish up in hell, I can be overwhelmed. Many who are turned off Christ, by Christians, and I don't want to be one who does this.

Also, we are not appointed to wrath (verse 9), but we cannot be presumptuous:-  “God will forgive me that is His job.”  There are some very inconvenient truth for those who put off living for Christ. For  “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,  but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” (Hebrews 10:26,27).  And the Day of the Lord  will come  suddenly when we least expect it “like a thief in the night” (verse 2).  We also need to realize that “he who sins is the slave of sin” (John 8:34), and that repentance is granted (2 Timothy 2:25), so don't bank on being able to have a deathbed repentance.

Father, with Paul I am sensing that You are using my meditation this morning to “warn every man and teach every man, so that each of us may be presented perfect in Christ Jesus on that Day (Colossians 1:28). Search our hearts oh God,  grant us repentance were necessary and lead us in paths of life,  and we will give you the glory in Jesus Name Amen



 It is God's will that you should be sanctified:

....  that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.  For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8).  We live in an age, especially in the West,  where jumping in and out of bed with this one or that one, is considered normal, natural and even healthy. It's all lies.

I have said this many times before, but when God says “no,” it is for our provision and our protection. God is not against sex, and He is not up there saying “what are they doing?” He invented it, and it is a precious gift, but not a gift to be squandered, for when we do in the end it becomes meaningless, little more than a kiss. It needs to be valued and protected. The Lord's perfect will is for it to be contained  within the boundaries of a permanent,  committed,  one man with one woman relationship, within marriage. There, for our provision, it is intended to be but one component of  an intimate union of body, soul and spirit.  When it is simply lust, it cannot last, because the other two components are missing, and it becomes akin to a one legged stool!

With regard to protection “he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body,” and we reap what we sow (1 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 6:7). Sexual immorality leaves a trail of broken hearts (including our own), broken and or superficial relationships, fatherlessness, abortions, and the devastating aftermath thereof. And this is not even to mention sexually transmitted diseases, and the cost to our increasingly overtaxed healthcare system. We need to include pornography in this assessment. Pornography has ruined many a marriage, and the Christian needs to understand that it is a form of adultery (see Matthew 5:28). By the way I am not coming to this in self righteousness, I was up there with the worst of them. And I'm not saying that abstinence is easy. Sexual addiction is among the most powerful of all addictions, and we need help. First however we need to come out of denial that there is nothing wrong with it. Among other things twelve step programs, especially Christ centred ones, are particularly helpful in overcoming addictions, sexual or otherwise.


Father, when we behave like the World in this area, we are acting like unbelievers (pagans). Most of us,  have utterly failed in this area Lord, having being deceived by our own sinful desires. We repent Lord and receive Your forgiveness (1 John 1:9).   We need Your help Lord to start over in holiness and purity, and to come into a second virginity. We need to hold each other accountable Lord and we need to  keep ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27). Self control is part of the fruit of Your Spirit. Thank You Lord that when we do our part in working out our sanctification with fear and trembling,  You change our desires and give us the wherewithal to do Your good will (Philippians 2:12, 13). In Jesus Name Amen


It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

....    But the glory of kings is to search out a matter (Proverbs 25:2). When my grandson was very young,  I took him to see the house I had just bought,  but had not yet moved into. There was not yet a stick of furniture in the place. He wanted to play hide and seek, and told me to hide. I went into the furthest room and hid in the closet. “Coming Grandpa, are you in this room?” 'No.' In this way he “searched” room by room,  until I could answer “yes.” The only possible place to hide was the closet, and he came and opened it. “I found you Grandpa!” His little face was shining with joy at having found me. It was his glory! I was hiding for him, not from him. So it is with God. In fact He tells us  “You will search for me and find me, if you search for me with all of your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).  

Note  that it is not by brute force, or by the intellect, but with all your heart. We have to do things His way, but He does what He does to delight and fascinate us.  It is the divine romance! Learning, searching and growing are part of the abundant life, just look at how a little child finds wonder and fascination in every little thing. As adults,  most of us have lost our sense of wonder, but it impoverishes us.  Our education has not helped, concentrating merely on throwing out facts which we are required to commit to memory for one or two   hours and then, after vomiting them out on the test,  forget. It it is in discovery however that we find the joy, the glory.   There is a quote from Einstein that speaks to this,  it is “The Lord is subtle, but not mean.” What he was saying, is that the way things are,  are intricate and subtle, but not past finding out. You don't have to be Einstein to find joy in discovery, but you do have to be in the mode of searching things out.

The mention of kings in this morning's scripture is interesting. We believers are kings (the ladies too – Revelation 1:6), we are royalty, and we have authority (Luke 10:19).  And “the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32 NKJV).  When we are engaged in the learning process, be it about God or any other matter, we discover the more we know, the more there is to know. I believe we will be learning all through eternity, and if we have lost our love of learning down here, He will restore it.  I mean the glory is in the chase.  This is why we are commanded to “study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

Father, knowing You and knowing ourselves is a life long process, and the two are related.  Thank You Lord for the amazing promise that when we see You we will be like You, because we will see You as You are (1 John 3:2).  Restore our sense of wonder Lord, and our love of learning, and help us to keep on searching for You in and through Your Word,  and with all our hearts. And we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen

For our gospel did not come to you in word only,

...  but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake (1 Thessalonians 1:5). The entrance of the gospel into the Thessalonians had produced a work of faith, a labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 3). The gospel is intended to manifests itself in three abiding, very practical ways in faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). True faith is no mere intellectual belief, it manifests itself in works of faith (James 2:17),  motivated by love (1 Corinthians 13:3). And hope that anchors the soul is produced by perseverance (Romans 5:3, 4).  Paul attributes these supremely Christian characteristics in theThessalonians to the way the gospel came to them in word, power, Holy Spirit, assurance and how Paul conducted himself while there.

The way we conduct ourselves is every bit as important as the other three characteristics. Our actions and attitudes speak every bit as loudly as our words. Unfortunately, with respect to power, much of our Christianity can be described well as having form of religion but denying its power (2 Timothy 3:5). The Holy Spirit too is controversial in some circles. There's a saying that comes to mind. It is “the Word without the Spirit we dry up, the Spirit without the Word we blow up, but the Spirit and the Word together in the church we grow up.” And if we are wondering what the Word coming in power looks like, all we have to do it to read the book of Acts. It's  about signs, wonders and miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2:4).

No doubt these things are at least part of what brought the assurance (verse 5 again), and are part of my own assurance. Just yesterday a prayer partner and I were recalling the various healing miracles the Lord has wrought through us. These include instantaneous healing from long term pain, the decrease in inflammation from arthritis etc., etc.   I have also witnessed in Toronto one person coming out of a wheelchair, and one lady being able to throw away a back brace the doctors told her she would always need.   In terms of signs and wonders, I saw the Lord replacing amalgam fillings with gold (google “Gold teeth Toronto blessing”). It certainly made me wonder.  I asked one lady who had received one  how it made her feel. “Loved” she replied. Could that possibly be God?  I didn't always walk in the reality of these things, I was taught not to base my faith on experience. But should we base our faith on lack of experience (of the miraculous) either?  

Father, thank You for giving me the tenacity to check these things out, and to go where I was told these things were happening. Not everything is of You Lord. One man complained that two thirds of it is fake, but one third genuine is a lot of genuine ! There is so much more Lord,  than I have even begin to ask or imagine.  I have yet to experience the greater works. But Lord let me never be satisfied with anything less than Your Kingdom coming in Word, in power, in Holy Spirit and in much assurance. And Lord please help me to live a life that adorns the gospel,   and I'll give You the glory  in Jesus Name Amen

And whatever you do, do it heartily,

.... as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23, 24). The previous verse reads “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”  The tendency to do things that look good, but either lack sincerity “to be seen of men” (Matthew 6:1), or to manipulate or control, is not limited to slaves of human masters. For much of the world image is everything, and many times image is hiding something ugly. So the commands in this morning's scripture are relevant to us all, not just to slaves or the modern equivalent employees.  Though of course it is highly applicable to employees!

The next verse is a warning to those who think they can still do anything they want after they get saved. Yes when we repent with sincerity from the heart God will forgive us, but the warning is clear “he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality” (verse 25), no favouritism in His justice. We also need to remember that “whom the Lord loves He chastens,” and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 12:6; 10:31). In the next verse we are reminded that we have a master in heaven. He is just and fair, and that we need to be too (4:1).  In particular He is our master, not our slave, and there are rewards for doing good and consequences for either doing bad,  or not doing good (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; James 4:17). But this morning's admonition is not just about doing good or bad, we are to do even the neutral things heartily as to the Lord.

When I wash the dishes,  or make my bed,  or repair something,  these things should not be done shabbily. Elsewhere Paul admonishes us “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).  In other words it is not just what we do that matters, it is how we do it. And it has to go deeper than the outward appearance. Jesus warns us “there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open” (Luke 8:17). We are to be lights that shine in the darkness. It is not just the bad that will be brought to the light, our justice,  our integrity will  shine like the noonday sun (Psalm 37:6).

Father, You command to love You with all our heart,  mind, soul and strength comes to mind. You would rather we were cold than lukewarm. But we need Your Grace Lord, Your energy, Your peace your tenacity. Help us not become weary in doing good, and thank You for the promise that at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). And we give You praise again this morning Lord in Jesus Name Amen

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,

.... where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1, 2).  Paul had been talking about how religious observances alone have no value in restraining sensual indulgence (2:23). He goes on to remind us that we died with Christ (verse3) and were raised with Him to new life. In this morning's verses then,  he admonishes to seek those things which are above. It's about seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness  (Matthew 6:33). The rest of chapter 3 is a practical exposition of what this means. It is about putting to death, putting off,  the sinful nature and embracing,  that is  putting on the characteristics of the new.  When we are in Christ, we are a new creation, the old has gone, all things are new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have a part to play, and part of it is embracing the new mindset, the new perspective. We are to see ourselves seated  with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:3).

Some of the things then that we are to put off, to put to death are sexual immorality, impurity, lust,  greed (verse 5), anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language (verse 8).  But this is only half of the equation. The saying “nature abhors vacuum” comes to mind. If after we have emptied ourselves of these things we don't replace them with the positive, something else will rush in. In particular it is far too easy to replace our addictions with different ones.  I did that, bought the T-shirt! Jesus put it this way, that when the house is clean, swept and empty,  seven more devils come in (Matthew 12:44, 45).

So then rather than simply concentrating on getting rid of the bad, we are to replace the bad with the good. And these things include putting on  tender mercies, kindness, humility longsuffering;  bearing with one another, forgiving one another, putting on love, letting the peace of God rule in our hearts and being thankful (verses 12-15). Part of how we do this is to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom. We are to teach one another (not just the Pastors), we are to admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with grace in our hearts (verses 16, 17). We need to sing more than just choruses, and we need to sing to Him not just about Him. Paul sums this all up by saying  “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (verse 17).

Father, Paul is talking here about sanctification, growing in the Christian life. He is not talking about justification, it's not about earning our salvation. It is about glorifying You in our bodies, and Lord we fall pretty far short of these things at times. Thank You for Your forgiveness. But again with Paul,  we choose to forget those things which are behind, the good the bad and the ugly,  and with Your help press towards the goal of the high calling in Christ (Philippians 3:13, 14). We give You thanks and praise again this morning Lord, and we give You all the glory in Jesus Name Amen

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths,

.... ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it' (Jeremiah 6:16). I have heard some ask “How can anything thousands of years old be relevant for today?”  I usually answer along the lines  of “Well right,  we don't need the wheel anymore do we? Not!” Of course not everything old is good, but we throw out the lessons of history and the wisdom of the ancient Scripture at our peril.  According to this verse and the principles of Hebrew poetry,  the ancient path is the good way. And since it is the Lord speaking, it is His way as revealed in Scripture.  We laugh at the ancients who worshiped idols of wood and stone, but we worship success and beauty and intelligence, and power, and it's just as empty and senseless.

The decisions of life are like crossroads, There is a way that seems  right, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). We need to look before we leap, we need to look, and we need to ask. The Lord has given us Scripture as our guide. We read “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Rick Warren comments that this means it shows us the path (teaching), it shows us where we got off the path (reproof), how to get back on the path (correction), and how to say on it (instruction in righteousness).

We need to look every day, we are so want to forget, and we need to be reminded even if we think we know and are established  (2 Peter 1:12). And we need to ask Him, especially when we lack wisdom (James 1:5). It's all about relationship it's not just the written word, it is His rhama word, the word spoken into our hearts. His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27), and we are His sheep if we follow. It is about obedience. We will not hear His voice if we are not willing to look and ask for the ancient paths. But if we obey, when we have obey we ill hear a voice behind us saying “This is the way, walk in it!” And part of our obedience is that acknowledging Him in all our ways , it is then that He will direct our paths and make them straight (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Way the Truth and the Life, in You there is life and health and peace. Your ways are past finding out,  You lead and guide in the good ways. Your “no” and Your “yes” are for out provision and our protection and for our benefit. You are for us not against us and we love You Lord in Your Holy and precious Name we pray Amen  


They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly,

....  Saying, “Peace, peace!’” When there is no peace (Jeremiah 6:14). The “they” are the priests and prophets, the leaders of the people.  The Lord had sent Jeremiah to backsliding Israel (3:6). Judgement was coming,  and Israel would be taken into captivity in Babylon, “yet the priests and prophets gave assurances of peace when all is war” (14b Living Bible). “They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound (14a New Living Translation).  Jeremiah was one of the few who were speaking the Word of the Lord. Punishment and exile were coming as a result of the backsliding of the people (Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you – 2:19).  Jeremiah's commission was,  first to  “root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down,” and only then “to build and to plant” (1:10).

Everything changes, and yet nothing changes.  Many leaders today are “healing the hurts” of society lightly. We are told that evil is good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). Unbridled expressions of sexuality are said to be  wholesome  and healthy,  yet sexually spread diseases are rampant fatherlessness is epidermic.  We are being told that the family and family values are archaic,  things of the past and to be discarded. Yet in the pain and meaninglessness of our godlessness we are turning to drugs and  other mind numbing things. Suicide is up and violence has taken to the streets. In the name of compassion and justice the oppressed are being turned into the oppressors, yet we stumble blindly on blaming our pain and dysfunction on anyone but ourselves.

The Living Bible's version of 14a reads “You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!” The word denial comes to mind. The point is, that if you don't believe the truth, you will in the end believe anything that helps you to avoid admitting and then having to deal with the truth.  And there will always be those who are willing to affirm you, or enable you in your dysfunction. This is how victims become the victimizers.  When real and tangible wrong is done to you, and you are told “don't get mad, get even,”and you follow through what you do in the end is to poison yourself and those you love (Hebrews 12:15).  And in any case bitterness is not content with justice it is rather two eyes for and eye and two teeth for a tooth (see Matthew 5:38).

Father, the Law said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but You tell us not repay evil for evil (1 Peter 3:9). Lord we need to come out of denial where we are in it, and we need to speak the truth in love at the right time,  and in the right way. to those who are stuck there. Sometimes Lord we just need to have good boundaries, and we need courage and wisdom to put up boundaries where we have failed to protect ourselves, or we have been enablers of others.  So first of all Lord search my heart this morning to see if there be any wicked way within me and lead me into all truth. And secondly Lord  give me the serenity to accept what I cannot change in others, give me the courage to act when I should, and the wisdom to know the difference in Jesus Name Amen

Break up your fallow ground,

....    And do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, And take away the foreskins of your hearts .... Lest My fury come forth like fire, and burn so that no one can quench it, Because of the evil of your doings.” (Jeremiah 4:3b, 4). In the manner of Hebrew poetry, the first sentence and the second are essentially saying the same thing.  Fallow ground is that that which is left uncultivated and likely grown hard and unworkable. In the parable of the sower Jesus speaks of the Word of God sown among the thorns, and that the thorns choke it. There are those who receive the Word but have no depth and don't endure, others stumble because of tribulation or persecution, still others because of the  deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things (Mark 4:15-19).

 Paul takes up the second picture when he says “because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed” (Romans 2:5). Part of what we need to see from these Old and New Testament parallels,  is that though God operates differently in the age of Grace, He is the same God, He is still righteous and just, and justice still demands,  well justice! In particular hard and unrepentant hearts will still incur wrath on the day of judgement.  You might object “ but what about the love of God?” Well God is love, God is unchanging and of course in the gospel love and justice have kissed.

He paid the price for our redemption, for our salvation. It's a gift, it is paid for, we cannot in any way earn it (Ephesians 2:8,9).  However according to the writer to the Hebrews,  it is possible to neglect it and drift away (Hebrews 2:1-3).  In particular  “if we keep on sining willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26). He does qualify us to be inheritors of the saints in light, but we can disqualify ourselves by hardened and unrepentant hearts.  Paul disciplined his body and brought it into subjection, in case when he had preached, he myself should become disqualified (1 Corinthians  9:27).

  

Father, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. I want to thank You this morning Lord that You have qualified me to be an inheritor of the saints in light, and that I am confident of my place in heaven. But I cannot be presumptuous Lord. I fool myself if I think I can be saved and live for the Devil.  I fear for many in the body Lord who profess to know God, but in works they deny You, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work (Titus 1:16).  Paul tells us that if we walk according to the flesh we will die. I thank You Lord there is a “but” here,  “but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). Help us to do our part in the cooperation implied here. We cannot do it without You Lord, but You will not do it without us. Thank You for the assurance of salvation that we have when we walk in the light as You are in the light (1 John 2:3, 5), in Jesus Name Amen

for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances

....  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation (Philippians 4:11b, 12b). The Philippians had often supported Paul in his ministry, but there had been times when they had no opportunity (no internet banking in those days). But now at last they had renewed their support and Paul was rejoicing in that   (verse 10).  Paul is not wanting them to grieve that is was not always possible for (because) he had learned .... etc. He goes on to tell the Philippians that God will supply all their needs according to His riches in Glory (verse 19).

It seems to me he can say that,  because he knows that God is not unjust to forget our labour of love (Hebrews 6:10). To put this another way, we reap what we sow both positively and negatively (Galatians 6:7). Verse 19 is often quoted as a stand alone verse, but as we just read,  Paul was in need at times. And if we are stingy, we will reap what we sow in that area too. Reaping what we sow, as with planting and reaping in the natural realm,  is not usually instantaneous.  Nor is the reaping necessarily in material terms.  I have heard stories though,  of those in need, being directed by God to sow what little they did have. And they received back their material need.  The Christian though, according to this morning's verses,  can be in need, or can have more than enough. And we are not just talking about physical needs here.

But Paul had learned the  secret of being content no matter what the circumstances. It was something he had had to learn, and if we are to get there, it is something we will need to learn too.  So how did Paul learn to be content in need?  Well, he had to suffer need, and indeed he had (2 Corinthians 11:22-28). He could describe what he suffered in those verses,  as a sentence of death given so that he might learn to trust in God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9). So how do we learn to be content in difficult circumstances? Well we too have to choose to trust God in the midst of them, at the very time we are going through them (Romans 8:28). With regard to the times our needs are being met, these times are perhaps even more dangerous, for in them we can too easily forget God. This may well account for the weakness of the Western Church, for we hardly seem to need God for our basic needs. And all too easily we can get caught up in ingratitude and greed. And in any case, how much is enough? Famously it is “just a little bit more!”

Father, thank You for underlining these verses for me from this morning's reading. My meditating on them is really helping me to get my rather trivial difficulties back into perspective.  Thank You for the depth of Your Word, and for prompting me to replace my anxiety with prayer and supplication, and especially with the ingredient I had been missing, namely thanksgiving. Thank You for Your promise that Your peace will guard our hearts (verse 8), and for the process that with Your help teaches us to be content in all circumstances. We give You thanks and praise again this morning, in Jesus Name Amen.

“But on this one will I look:

....    On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word” Says the LORD (Isaiah 66:2b). The NLT version of verse 2a brings out  well the context of this morning's verse, and helps explain the “but.” It reads “My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine.” In verse 1 “Heaven is my throne and the earth my footstool,” nevertheless “on this one will I look.” David has the same thought when He says “What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him” (Psalm 8:4). To put it another way the Lord is saying “in spite of my greatness, there are individuals on whom I will look.” The translators scramble to interpret the  Hebrew word translated here as  “look.”  Some have look with favour, others have esteem,  look favourably, or treasure,  or bless or show special favour. But whatever the precise meaning,  it is clear that this place in His sight, is a place to be desired.  

Perhaps Jesus had the next part in mind when He said “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The words are also reminiscence of David's when he cries out in repentance  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. These, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).  David had penned this shortly after Nathan had confronted him about his adultery,  and and about his attempt to cover it up, with the subsequent murder of Uriah. And no doubt David had trembled at that word! It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).

It is something of a paradox, that the one who is of a  contrite spirit and who trembles at His Word is the safest of all, and the most blessed.  We get this wrong many time, coming far too casually into His presence,  or taking forgiveness and salvation for granted. The Scripture tells us that we saints are scarcely saved (“If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” -1 Peter 4:18). Part of the paradox is that on the one hand, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10),  and that perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18), on the other.

Father, I want to thank You this morning for the balance of Your Word.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made, yet since the fall we are fatally flawed. The safest place of all Lord,  is to stand in humility at the foot of the cross,  knowing that though we are flawed we are fully accepted in the Beloved.  Lord again, help us  to live in the tension of trembling at Your Word,  while resting on Your presence. And we will give You the praise and glory in Jesus Name Amen

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;

.... My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked (Psalm 73:2, 3). Have you ever wondered what was the use of living for God,  when many who don't seem to live lives to the full, often prospering from less than righteous means?   The Psalmist was there, and had almost imitated their ways.  This in spite of the fact that he knew that God is good to those who are pure in heart (verse 1). He  spends the next 9 verses caught up in his envy. He declares “Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence” (verse 13). He goes on in the next verse to complain about his lot.  Then finally describes the process of coming to his senses.

To follow the way of the wicked would to be untrue  (verse 15). In other words,  as he almost started down the wrong road,  his conscience was warning him this was not good. All this thinking about the prosperity of the wicked,  and about his own situation was too painful for him until he went into God's presence. There he understood their end,  “they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors” (verses 16, 17, 19). At this point he starts to see how foolish he had been, and to consider again the wonder and glory of his relationship with God, how God was always with him,  giving council, and in the end being received into glory (verses 21-24). Moreover in the here and now God is the strength of heart.  And actually there is no one he desire more than God. And with this renewed perspective he  knows that it is good to draw near to God  (verses 25, 28).

Another  translation of verse 2 has “I had nearly lost confidence; my faith was almost gone.”  There are lessons for us here. One of the things he had been doing was taking his eyes off the Lord, putting them on the temporal prosperity of the wicked,  and  comparing his own circumstances with that prosperity. And He became envious. It is all too easy to go there, we likely all have! The solution of course is to get alone with God (the secret place), to meditate on God's goodness and the consequences of going down the wrong road. Also, when we compare ourselves with others we are unwise
(2 Corinthians 10:12), especially when we fixate on these things like the Psalmist did. When we do this, our feet far too easily slip. We need to take such negative thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), and return to the Lord!


Father, Your Word encourages us not to be discouraged by circumstances, ours or others. Jealousy is a sin because it so easily leads us down the wrong path. Help us Lord to not be weary well doing.  Thank You for the promise that when we endure we will,  in  Your time, reap if we do not draw back (Galatians 6:9).  Thank You Lord for Your principles and Your promises, and Your Word which when we hide it in our hearts helps us not to sin. Thank You too Lord for the Holy Spirit who helps us in our weakness. Thank You  for the fellowship of the saints. Thank You that You who have begun a good work in us will keep right on working in us, in Jesus Name Amen