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