Telling The Next Generation

Psalm 78:1-29

Psalm 78 is the second longest psalm in the Bible, following Psalm 119, containing 72 verses.  Today we will focus on the first half of the psalm.  The author of this psalm was a Levite by the name of Asaph.  Asaph was one of several Levites whom King David set as a music or worship leader in the tabernacle choir, as is recorded in I Chronicles 6.  Later in Chronicles it states that he played the cymbals in worship, and was also a prophet.  Asaph was also listed as being present and participating in the dedication of King Solomon’s Temple.  He is listed as the author of twelve different psalms.

In this psalm, Asaph calls upon the people to remember God’s goodness to them.  It was written with the purpose of teaching us, and having moral instruction, so to learn from the past.  Learning from the past is very important.  We have heard the saying that if we don’t learn from the past we are bound to repeat it.  Asaph wanted the people to learn from the nation’s past mistakes, and to remember God’s goodness to them.  He wished this psalm to be like a long parable, with the purpose of teaching us, the readers, moral and spiritual lessons.  He wishes to open up to us lessons from the past which may have had hidden or ambiguous meanings before (vs. 2).

One very important lesson that we learn from this psalm is the importance of telling our children, grandchildren, and all young people in the generations that follow, all about God and what He has done for us.  We must share with them all that God has done in our lives (vs. 4 - 8).  If we don’t tell them about the Lord, who will?  They need to know what He has done for us.  It is important to keep our children from repeating the mistakes of us and our ancestors.  Asaph saw throughout Israel’s history that the people kept making the same mistakes of their ancestors, such as repeatedly following after the false gods of the heathen nations around them.

The most crucial aspect of this is telling them about salvation through the saving Blood and death of the Lord Jesus Christ.  All Christian parents should do their utmost in telling their children, and later their grandchildren, about the Lord Jesus, and not just leave that to the Sunday School teachers.  I have two children who are now adults, but when they were young I could not rest in my spirit until I knew that they had accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior.  Here in this psalm we are told to be sure and tell the younger generation all about the Lord, and what He has done for us.

In the remainder of this portion of the psalm, Asaph rehearses for the people how God brought them out of Egypt, and particularly how He provided them food in the wilderness.  This, in spite of their grumbling, and actually challenging Him.  God, throughout Israel’s history, continued to bless and care for them, despite their complaining and ungratefulness.

The nation of Israel continually rebelled against God.  They were not faithful to Him, and repeatedly forgot what He had done for them (vs. 8, 11 - 12).  They even had the audacity to make demands of God (vs. 18 - 20).  This, after He had miraculously provided manna for them in the wilderness.  As we read this psalm, we might have the pride in our hearts that we could never be like that.  The purpose in Asaph writing this, though, is to warn us to not fall into the same sins which his people did, year after year, century after century.   In the New Testament, Paul also reminded us of their behavior and unfaithfulness to be an example not to follow (I Corinthians 10:5-12).   

We, just like the Israelites, need to be grateful for what God has given us, and not complain that we don’t have what we might always want.  God wants us to have grateful hearts.  Being grateful helps us to stop focusing on what we don’t have, and looking, instead, at what we do have.

Learning From Example

Nehemiah 9:16-21

The Old Testament reading from this week’s Lectionary is an obscure one, that many would not be familiar with.  However, every part of God’s Word is profitable for us, though, and can teach us something (II Timothy 3:16).  As we look closely at these verses together, let us see what God has to tell us through these passages.

Because of the sins of the people of Judah, God had allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to attack the kingdom.  The Jewish people were taken into captivity in three separate deportations (605, 597, and 586 BC).  A number of years later, King Cyrus and his successors allowed the Jews to return to the land in three groups (538, 458, and 444 BC).  Nehemiah, who had been a cupbearer (a high-ranking position) to King Artaxerxes, came back with the final group.  He had been heartbroken to hear that the walls of Jerusalem were still broken down and in ruins, thus leaving the city open to attacks from their enemies.  The Book of Nehemiah tells of his leading the people in rebuilding of these walls.

At the time referenced in our passage of Scripture, the walls have been completed, and Nehemiah has led the people in a desire to reinstitute the holy days.  Chapter 9 starts off with the people, as a whole, confessing their sins corporately.  Nehemiah knew that the captivity had happened because of the sins of the nation.  He also knew that both he and the people needed to confess and repent of their sins now, as well.  In this passage for today we read of how the Jewish people in the past, even though God had brought them out of slavery in Egypt, brazenly hardened their hearts against Him by making a golden calf to worship as a god.  They were not content with God or His choice of a leader.  Instead they went on their own and picked their own leader, Moses’ brother, Aaron (vs. 17).

Even through centuries of continual turning away from God and then repenting and returning, only to turn away again, He had mercy on them and never completely abandoned them.  Even though God was punishing them during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, He still loved and cared for them, providing for their needs (vs. 20-21).  Though the Jewish people have always been stubborn and prone to turn away from God, He has always been ready to forgive.

Here, at this time with Nehemiah, the people chose to review their nation’s past, confess past sins, and pledge to try and live righteously for the Lord.  Reviewing their past as a people could hopefully keep them from making the same or similar sins.  Just as a gardener will prepare the soil for planting, ridding it of rocks, roots, and weeds, so our hearts and souls need to be free from unconfessed sin for God to work in us.  Nehemiah knew that the people needed to confess as a group, as a nation, for God to work in and through them.

We need to learn from the past, and not just one’s individual past, but the pasts of others whom God has chronicled in the Bible, for us to learn from their example.  This will help us to become who God wants us to be.  As we read and study God’s Word, it will open our eyes and hearts to see where we have sinned and need to confess.  Just as God gave the people the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night to guide them (vs 19), He has given us His Word to be our guide today.  We need to keep our eyes on it to safely make it through life.  Confession is necessary before we can truly worship God.  Unconfessed sin will block an honest and true relationship with God.

One thing that we can really see in a passage like this is that God’s patience and love are amazing.  This in spite of the repeated failures and sins of His people.  He is always ready to forgive and teach us.  Are our spiritual eyes open to follow the path He has for us?

The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-50

Many people like to collect things as a pastime, such as stamps, coins, figurines, etc.  The more serious collectors can spend much time and money investing in their collection, sometimes many multiple thousands of dollars.  How much money would you be willing to spend to obtain something that you wanted?  The more important it is for you to have, the more you are willing to spend.  How much would you be willing to give up to get that valuable item?

In our Gospel reading today, Jesus tells some parables comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to something of great value, and how important it is to obtain it.   The Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than anything.  What are we willing to give up to have it?

In the first example, there is a man who found a treasure in a field (vs. 44).  This man who found the treasure in that field found it by accident.  He wasn’t searching for any treasure, but just came upon it.  There are some who aren’t specifically searching for God, but through circumstances in their lives, the people they meet, and often the prayers of others, end up finding the Lord, and accept Him as Savior.  

The second example that Jesus gave was of a merchant who was looking for valuable pearls (vs. 45-46).  He then comes across one that was extremely valuable.  There are people who are searching for God and the truth, just like that merchant was looking for pearls.  Through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, they come to see and accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior, just like the man found the valuable pearl.

In both of these parables the people realize that the treasure or pearl they found was immensely valuable.  They realized it was so valuable that they were willing to part with anything in order to obtain it.  In like manner, our salvation is invaluable, worth more than anything in our life.  Sometimes people pass on accepting Jesus as Savior because they feel that becoming  a Christian will hamper their life.  They feel they will have to give up pleasures that they don’t wish to part with, that their life will change too much, and they aren’t willing to part with the things of this world.  Both the man in the field and the merchant realized how valuable their treasures were, and they were willing to part with whatever was necessary in order to obtain it.  The wise man will realize that salvation in the Lord Jesus is worth more than anything this world has to offer.

Salvation in Jesus is free.  We don’t have to work for it or pay for it.  It was paid for by the Blood of Jesus.  But once we’ve accepted Christ, He calls us to renounce the world and its ways, and follow Him.  There are some people who are not willing to pay that price.  They would be like a merchant looking for pearls, but when they find a valuable one, shake their head and say they won’t pay that price.  Or if they find a treasure in a field, are not willing to pay the price to buy the field and obtain that treasure.  In the end they lose out.

In our passage there are a couple of other parables that Jesus told, as well.  Jesus told the parable of the dragnet in vs. 47 - 50.  This one is similar to the parable we had a week ago about the wheat and the tares.  The fishermen cast the net into the water, and then drag it ashore.  Sitting on the beach, they then sort through what has been caught.  All the good fish are taken, but the junk is thrown out.  At the last days, the saved, those who have accepted Jesus as Savior, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the lost, those who have not accepted Him, will be cast into hell.

In the earlier verses of our passage, the parables that Jesus told show how the Kingdom of Heaven grows.  A mustard seed is quite small, yet the plant can grow large.  Likewise, when baking, one puts a small amount of yeast into the dough, and it leavens the whole loaf.  The Christian Church started out small, but throughout the ages it has grown large with many believers.

In each of these parables that we have been studying, Jesus stressed the importance of making sure one is a part of the Kingdom of Heaven, and the need to get that message out to others.  It is a treasure we do not want to miss!

Someone Is There For Us

Romans 8:26-34

Today we continue on in our study of the 8th chapter of Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome.  How many of you have had times when you begin to pray about a very important and distressing matter, but find that the words to pray just don’t come?  Perhaps you are so overwhelmed that all you can do is cry.  Or maybe it is an important matter involving someone else, but you haven’t been given all of the details yet.  Will prayer work in these cases when we can’t even really speak?  Paul assures us in this passage that yes, it certainly will.

In verses 26 - 27, Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit, which all believers have indwelling in them, makes intercession for us.  We might not have the right, the best, the most articulate words to pray to God, but He does.  When we can’t pray, when all we can do is cry, and say over and over again, “Oh God, help!”, He is there interceding for us.  Even when we don’t know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us in accordance with God’s will, so we can be assured that He will hear and answer.  The work of the Holy Spirit here is the same as that of the High Priestly work of intercession that Jesus does for us, which we read about throughout the Book of Hebrews.  God the Father knows what God the Holy Spirit thinks and says (vs. 27).  Both are part of the Trinity.  The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, bringing reassurance and support to our hearts.

Verse 28 is one verse that practically every Christian knows and has quoted at one time or another.  It has brought comfort and peace to many as they go through difficult times.  Let’s take a closer look at this well-known verse.  The first word of this verse is an important one - All.  God uses every event in the life of a believer, whether good or bad, for our good and our benefit.  God works all things, not just some things.  He will turn every circumstance around for our good.  Looking back into the Old Testament we can observe the lives of both Joseph and Daniel.  They went through some very difficult times - Joseph being sold as a slave by his brothers, then thrown into prison because of a lie, but God turned that around and worked it all for good.  Daniel was taken captive during the Babylonian overthrow of his homeland, then later thrown into a lion’s den.  There, too, God took bad circumstances and worked them for good.  We can trust that God will use whatever we are going through and work it for our good, as well.  We may not see it now, it may take years.  Sometimes we might not even see the good in our own lifetime.  But God is faithful and honest.  His Word says that He will work things out for good, and that He will do.

This promise is not for everyone, though.  Many people, when quoting this verse, only quote the first half, stopping in the middle.  There is no period after the word “good”.  The second half of the verse gives the qualifier.  God works things for good to those who love Him, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  In other words, God works things out for good to those who are believers.  All things don’t necessarily work together for good for the lost, the unbelievers.  God causes the rain and the sunlight to fall on everyone, so occasionally the lost do get the benefits of His blessings.  God, though, is not under any obligation to work everything out for their good, as He has promised believers He would in His Word.

Have you ever wondered what God’s goal for you is?  Paul goes on to tell his readers what that is in verse 29.  God chose us to become like His Son, Jesus.  His goal is to make us like Christ.  We accomplish that by reading and obeying His Word, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and doing His work.  This is a continuous process on earth, called sanctification.  God removes what is in our lives that is not like Him, or what hinders our sanctification.  He wants us to be just like Jesus in our character.

God’s call on us was not an afterthought (vs. 29 - 30).  It was settled before the foundation of the world.  God wants us to serve and honor Him.  He loves us, and will guide and protect us until we reach our heavenly home.  All of the words that Paul uses in verse 30 are past tense.  He did that to emphasize that it is certain, it is a done deal.  God will do this.

As he wraps up this passage, Paul assures us that nothing can ultimately triumph over us if we are believers (vs. 31-34).  Since God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us, then doesn’t it follow that He will give us everything necessary to fulfill His purpose in us.  The charges and condemnations that Satan and his minions try to bring against us will not hold.  God has justified us.  Jesus died for us, rose again, and intercedes for us.

As this chapter will be wrapping up in the next week, we see the victory we have as blood-bought children of God.  It is something quite triumphant, and worth praising Him for, showing us the victory that we have through Jesus.

Complete Devotion To God's Word

Psalm 119:121-136

Our psalm selection this week is from Psalm 119, which is the longest psalm, as well as the longest chapter in the Bible.  Psalm 119 is also one of several alphabetical acrostic psalms.  In this psalm there are 22 sets of eight verses, each set beginning with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  The theme of this grand psalm is the Word of God.  Every verse, except for three (vs. 84, 121, and 122) mention it.  Seven synonyms are used through this psalm for the Word of God - law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, and word.

The unknown author of this psalm was absolutely and totally devoted to God’s Word.  Even a quick, cursory reading will show this.  Let’s look at some of the verses in this portion of the psalm.  One thing we see in this passage, and throughout the psalm, is that our author is greatly bothered by those who do not read, follow, or obey God’s Word.  We see this in both verses 126, 128, and 136.  There are those who do not believe that the Bible is God’s Word.  They feel that it’s words are just that - words, empty words that don’t carry any weight and are of no importance.  There were people like that back in the psalmist’s day, and there certainly are many today.  Our psalmist friend calls on God to act, and not let these non-believers have their way (vs. 126).  He is determined that he will not follow down their wrong path (vs. 128).

The psalmist asked Yahweh to teach him to be able to understand His Word in the Bible.  He did not want to read his Bible with no understanding as to what he read, for the words to go in one ear and out the other.  In verses 124 and 125 he asks God to teach him and give him understanding when reading the Bible.  When we, too, read the Bible, we should pray for discernment to understand what we’re reading.  Then when the Lord has given us understanding we need to apply that Word to our daily life.

When we apply ourself to studying His Word, that Word will bring light to our life (vs. 130).  So many people today have darkness in their life.  The Bible says very plainly that we are either children of the Light, children of God, or we are children of the darkness, of the devil.  Following God will bring light to our life.  Turning to Him brings us hope out of despair, and peace from turmoil.  Just as our psalmist friend did, we should pray before we open God’s Word that He will enlighten us and give us understanding.

In verse 131 we read that our psalmist is panting for God’s Word.  I picture someone out in the hot sun, maybe having worked hard, or maybe participating in sports in the blazing sun.  They are hot and thirsty, panting for water.  When they get some cold water, what do they do?  Take just a sip?  No, they eagerly swallow down gulps.  Or someone who is out of breath, maybe having been trapped for awhile in a small, tight closet.  When they get out they pant and eagerly take deep breaths.  That is how our psalmist is for God’s Word, he wants to grab for all that he can get.

The final verse in our passage describes our author’s emotions over the lost and unsaved, those who do not follow God’s Word (vs. 136).  He is so broken over them that he weeps, and not just a little, but as he describes it, he weeps rivers of tears.  How do we feel about the lost?  Unfortunately for many people, they just don’t give a second thought for the lost and unsaved.  They don’t think about them at all.  Perhaps they feel that everyone’s faith is their own business and they should leave them alone.  Jesus cared about the lost so much that He came to die for them.  The apostles cared enough to give up their jobs, homes, and safety to go bring the Gospel to reach the lost.  The psalmist here cries when he thinks of the people who do not believe God’s Word and thus, are bound for hell.  Not everyone is able to go out and actually spread the Gospel message of Jesus, but we all can pray and show deep concern and heartache for the lost.

Our verses for today were just a small portion of this extraordinary psalm.  As I read through the whole of Psalm 119 I have to ask myself if my devotion to God’s Word is anywhere near to that of the unknown believer who penned this psalm.  The Bible is God’s personal message to each of us, and we should love and treasure it like we would a love letter from one who adores us, as that is exactly what it is.

God's Offer To Solomon

I Kings 3:5-14

If you were to be given one wish that was guaranteed to be granted, what would you wish for?  Many people would wish for loads of money, enough to keep them more than comfortable for the rest of their life.  Some might wish for a wonderful job.  Maybe the spouse of their dreams.  If the person had health problems, perhaps they would wish for good health the rest of their life.  Solomon had just inherited the throne of Israel following the death of his father, King David, when God came to him and told him He would give him whatever he wished for.  Let’s look at what it is that Solomon asked for in response.

Here we have Solomon, newly come to the throne, and God speaks to him, telling him that He will give him whatever he would ask.  What will he ask God for?  One might think that in his position, Solomon might ask that his throne be secure from any enemies, either those from foreign countries, or from within the kingdom.  Or maybe great riches so his reign will be remembered as a great one.  Instead Solomon took a good look at himself, and knew that he wasn’t really wasn’t prepared for this challenge that lay before him, to rule the nation.  In verse 7 he calls himself a “child”.  That doesn’t mean that Solomon was a little boy, as he was at least in his late teens, probably early twenties.  He knew, though, that he was young, inexperienced and unqualified for this position of ruler of God’s people.

As we read in verse 9, the one thing that Solomon asked of God, was to ask for wisdom.  When he could have had anything, he asked for wisdom.  Wisdom is the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.  The Lord God was very pleased with what Solomon asked Him for (vs. 10).  Solomon’s request was not a selfish or greedy one.  He knew that God had placed him in the position he had, and he wanted to do his best to govern the people.  God granted his request, giving him much wisdom, but He also gave Solomon those things he didn’t ask for, wealth and riches, that most people would have asked (vs. 11 - 13).

God also promised that if Solomon followed Him, He would give him a long life.  (Psalm 90:10 says that 70 is the standard age for “long life” in Biblical days, maybe reaching 80.)   Unfortunately Solomon disobeyed God by turning to the false gods of his many wives (I Kings 11:4-10).  Solomon reigned for forty years (I Kings 11:42), so he was in his late 50’s - early 60’s when he died.

Solomon was given wisdom, but it was up to him to apply that wisdom.  He did that quite well in governing the nation.  The times of Solomon’s reign might truly be said to be the golden age of Israel.  Solomon, regrettably, did not apply wisdom in his personal, and later his spiritual life.  To be truly wise one needs to discern what is best plus have strength of character to do that.  One must act upon that knowledge.   As the years went by, Solomon didn’t show that strength of character in his personal life, nor did he act upon the wisdom that he had.  Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, most, if not all of these, not being believers in Yahweh.  God has specifically commanded that His people not marry unbelievers, and this applies to us even today (II Corinthians 6:14).  These women turned Solomon away from God, so that he built altars to their false gods throughout the country, and he worshipped them (I Kings 11:1-8).   Marrying the unsaved never turns out well, which is why God instructs us not to.  At the very least they will lead us to apathy for God and our worship of Him.  At the worst, as in Solomon’s case, they will lead us completely away from Him.  Though Solomon governed his country with great wisdom, astounding nations around the world with his knowledge, and he built the magnificent Temple to the Lord, this did not atone for turning his heart away from Yahweh and following after other gods.  This ultimately led the country as a whole to drift away from Him as well (I Kings 11:9-11).

God wants us to use our gifts and abilities to do His will.  When we do, it is good for all.  Solomon did use his wisdom, at least with the nation he ruled.  He didn’t in his personal life, which ended up costing his descendents half of the kingdom, and ultimately contributed to the nation turning from Yahweh.  Having wisdom is important, which is why God tells us to ask Him for it (James 1:5).  As Solomon as shown us, though, it’s not enough to just have the wisdom in our heads, we must apply it to our life.  Let’s learn a lesson from Solomon.  It is not sufficient to merely start out well.  Wisdom is something that we should make use of all throughout our lives.

The Wheat And The Tares

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Gardening is a hobby of many, and a livelihood of many more.  As many gardeners can attest, weeds are the bane of any beautiful flower bed or vegetable garden.  Our reading for today is Jesus’s Parable of the Tares, in which weeds are a large part.  Let’s look at this important parable and lesson the Lord told.

Like many of the parables Jesus told, he spoke this one to the disciples and then later explained the meaning to them.  As Jesus explained, the field is the world.  The one who sowed the seed is Jesus, the Son of God.  The good seed are believers, those who are saved.   The tares or weeds are those who are unsaved, the lost.  And the enemy is Satan.  Tares mentioned in this parable are probably the plant “darnel”, which greatly resemble wheat, but with black grains.  Darnel is easily infected with a fungus, which would make one very sick, and can even be fatal when eaten.

The parable begins with a farmer planting a field of wheat.  During the night an enemy of his comes and sows bad seed, or tares, in amongst the wheat.  The farm workers ask the farmer if they should pull up the tares, but are told not to, as the tares and the wheat look so similar, and some wheat may accidentally be pulled up.  At harvest time, though, the tares will be gathered and burned.  Jesus then goes on to explain the parable, comparing the wheat and tares with the saved children of God and the lost and unsaved people.

Just as the weeds and wheat could be mistaken for each other as they are growing in the fields, so can believers and lost at a first glance.  Saved people and the lost live side by side.  God allows the unsaved to remain on earth for awhile.  Though a weed can never become a good plant, there is always hope that a lost person can be saved.  God does not want anyone to die unsaved (II Peter 3:9).

As Christians we must not be too quick to judge others, calling them tares or weeds.  Some weeds are quite obvious, just like some people are obviously not saved.  But there are others that are not so obvious in either way.  There are some weaker Christians who are truly saved, but have not grown strong or are backslidden.  We may look at them and judge them a tare and want to uproot them.  Then there are some people who are so busy and active in our church, and we look at them and think, “What a wonderful Christian.  They are so busy in Sunday School, this or that organization, etc.”  We think they are a good strong stalk of wheat, when in reality they are not truly saved.  They are imposters and are really a weed.   God will know who is who on the Day of Judgment.

In the passage Jesus described this sowing of the tares as a very deliberate plot of the enemy (vs. 25).  Satan sows his children in with believers.  There are those in our churches who are not true believers, and this is sometimes very difficult to discern, just as wheat and tares are often similar in appearance.  Satan wishes to destroy Christ’s church and to bring down Christians whenever he can.  One way is by planting his weeds in and amongst the good wheat that Christ has planted.  Jesus was very plain when He said this.  The tares were planted by the enemy.  We, though, will often not know the good from the bad.  Some we thought were weeds were not.  Some we thought were wheat were not, either.

Jesus told us that the great harvest day is coming.  On that day His angels will come and sort out the wheat from the tares.  The wheat will be gathered into His garner, while the tares will be burnt (vs. 40-42).  Jesus tells of this coming judgment, and describes it.  The judgment of the unbelievers is not a figure of speech, or just a myth.  When Jesus spoke figuratively He described it as such in His parables.  He didn’t do so here when He describes hell and the destination of those tares who are the unbelievers.

We must not let pretenders influence our faith, those tares who have been sown into the field of wheat.  Instead, we need to let our life, our testimony, and our witness be an influence on them.  As mentioned before, tares could never become wheat, but an unbeliever can always be won for the Lord.